Ellie narrowed her eyes, studying him closely. “Vincent, if I’m not mistaken, I believe you are telling the truth this time.”
“I have always told the truth when complimenting you.” His fingers slowly slid down her neck. “I couldn’t take my eyes off you tonight.”
Her cheeks warmed, hotter than her body was right now. “I know. I saw you.”
“Was it uncomfortable for you to have me watching your every move?”
“No,” she whispered as she caressed his chin. “I have never felt so adored than upon seeing your expression of desire.”
His breathing quickened, as did hers.
“My precious, before another minute goes by, I must ask you something.”
She held her breath for a moment. Was it bad? But the look on his face didn’t indicate anything negative. “What is it?”
“When you first presented me with the marriage bargain, you mentioned you wanted it to be in name only.” He licked his lips. “Over the past few days, I’ve realized how attracted I am to you, and, well…I don’t want our marriage to be in name only.”
Her heart leaped. She leaned closer, keeping her gaze locked with his. “Neither do I. Your sultry kisses have convinced me otherwise.”
Vincent released a groan and pulled her into his arms as his mouth covered hers. As before when they’d kissed, her body heated quickly. Knowing what they both wanted this evening made her nervous and excited at the same time. She just prayed nothing would ruin their pleasurable evening.
Chapter Eleven
Vincent’s heart racedso fast he almost couldn’t breathe. He’d never felt so much excitement when seducing a woman. With Ellie, it felt like the first time. It was as though he’d never touched skin so silky smooth or kissed the tender lips of such a passionate woman. At this moment, there was nothing he wanted more than to watch her face when he touched her, just to see her enjoyment.
As he devoured her kisses, he traced his fingers down her throat, not believing how he trembled from feeling such softness. Her bosom rose and fell quickly. She quivered from his touch.
She pressed closer to him as a deep sigh rattled from her throat. Gradually, she slid a hand up his arms, but then quickly pulled away as if she was hesitant to touch him. He broke the kiss so that he could take hold of her hand. When had she removed her gloves? It didn’t matter now. This was much better.
“It’s all right to touch me,” he muttered as he kissed the palm of her hand before laying it on his chest. Before she could verbally answer, he placed his mouth over hers again.
Hesitantly, her hand glided over his chest. What he’d give to have better access to her in a more comfortable location. But that would come later. The fact that she wasn’t afraid to be intimate filled him with great joy. She was innocent, but he looked forward to giving her lessons, and he anticipated her learning.
Vincent broke the kiss again and trailed his lips down her neck. Her breaths were fast and heavy as she tilted her head back, allowing him access. Her flowery scent was as intoxicating as he remembered.
“Ohhh, Vincent,” she sighed.
“Yes, my precious?”
“Why had I never felt this way before?”
He smiled. Apparently, her first fiancé didn’t know how to make a woman melt. But at this moment, Vincent was thrilled that his friend hadn’t, and that he would be her first. “Not to worry, sweet Ellie. It will be my goal to make you feel like this all the time.”
“Allthe time?” She hiccupped a deep laugh. “Perhaps I shouldn’t be like this when other people are around.”
He raised his head slightly to peer into her beautiful eyes that were dark with passion. “Very true. I shall only do this when we’re alone.”
A soft smile bracketed her face as she stroked his cheek. “How did I get so fortunate to find a man as perfect as you?”
His heart swelled. Lately, she was saying words such as this—words no other woman had said before.
“My sweet Ellie.” He resumed kissing her neck as he trailed his mouth toward her bosom. “You are the one who has made me this way.”
She threaded her fingers through his hair, holding his head to her chest. Instead of words, she told him how much she enjoyed what he was doing with the little moans she released. Of course, this only made him more anxious. Perhaps starting their intimate evening in a coach wasn’t the best idea he’d ever had.
Her scent buzzed through his head, making him dizzy with passion. But there was another smell that lingered, growing stronger by the second. Before he could pinpoint it, raised voices from the servants sitting on top of the coach ripped through the silence. Ellie’s body stiffened. Soon, the odor he’d detected became noticeable.Smoke.Then the servants’ words became clear.Fire!
“Fire?” Ellie asked in a voice lower than normal as she struggled to straighten in the seat.
