Her heartbeat accelerated. If they were caught… She shook the thought from her head. No, she couldn’t get caught with him. For certain, her reputation would be ruined. Not only that, but the family would be ruined as well. Father would be disappointed in her for not trying her best to help the family. She must leave. Now!
“This is improper, and you know it,” she muttered against his finger.
By the way his breaths blew against her face, she could tell his breathing had increased, too. Tenderly, he traced his finger along her mouth. The rustle of clothing was the only thing she heard as he shifted, and suddenly, his other hand slid around her waist, pulling her fully against him.
“Actually, Miss Hartwell,” he whispered, “thisis what I consider improper.”
Before she had time to stop him, his mouth covered hers. She gasped and placed her hands on his shoulders to push him away, but the gentleness of his lips rubbing across hers stopped her. Tingles erupted in her chest and spread throughout her body. The longer his mouth was fused with hers, the more her body relaxed, until she couldn’t feel the shelves holding her up. Instead, it was his arms and his body that kept her from melting to the floor.
Of their own accord, her hands wandered up to his neck, and she drew her fingers through his hair. A small moan rattled from his chest as he tightened his arms around her. Tilting his head, he deepened the kiss.
When his hot, velvety tongue caressed hers, explosions erupted inside her. Warmth merged with the tingles running crazily through her body.Oh, heavens!What was happening? And why did she like it so much that she didn’t want to stop?
His kiss was so tender, so soft, yet so exciting that her mind spun out of control and made her feel as though she floated. What were the chances that he also felt this way? But she was just an innocent woman, and he… a scoundrel. Why else would he take such liberties with a woman he barely knew?
Finally, Adrian pulled away slightly, but left his forehead resting against hers. Both of them were breathing heavily, but at least her mind had started to clear. She should be angry at him, yet she wasn’t. She should have stopped him the moment he took her into the kitchen, but her curiosity had clouded any thoughts of leaving. She should have realized her curious mind would win every time. However, it had never gotten her this type of situation before.
“Mr. Worthington—”
“I beg you… call me Adrian.”
Her heart flipped. His voice was so deep and almost didn’t sound like that of the man she’d been talking to earlier.
“Adrian,” she sighed.
He moaned again and kissed down the side of her face. “I like how you say my name.”
Excitement danced in her chest and her head continued to swim, but she couldn’t let things get out of control again. If only she knew how to stop it.
“Adrian, will you please explain to me what just happened?”
His body shook with a silent laugh. “The earth moved. Could you not feel it, my sweet?”
He was trying to charm her, but she couldn’t allow him to sway her thoughts. He was also still trying to seduce her, because his mouth touched her throat. As he continued to kiss the crook of her neck, a delightful shiver created havoc inside her. She clutched his arms, but mainly to hold herself upright.
“No, that’s not… what I meant.” She clenched her teeth, trying to hold back the sigh of pleasure threatening to spring forth. “What are we doing in here?”
“My dear Miss Hartwell.” His arms tightened around her waist. “Have you never been kissed before?” He lifted his head and brushed his lips across hers. “Because I’m quite happy to volunteer as your instructor.”
“Adrian…” She couldn’t believe she sighed heavily again. “Please…”
“Please?” He kissed her on the mouth briefly. “Please… what? Are you asking me to teach you? I’m most certain you’ll be a very responsive pupil.”
A squeak escaped her as she imagined all that he would teach. But no, she must stay strong, or at least figure out how to become strong. At this very moment, she felt like a boulder sinking lower and lower into the dark abyss of the ocean.
“Please, tell me why we are… hiding.”
“Well, I suppose,” he continued, leaving light kisses on her lips, “we could do this in public, but I fear”—his kisses lingered slightly longer—“if we did that, we would make quite a spectacle, and people might start to gossip.”
Why wasn’t he understanding her? Or was he teasing her so he could continue kissing her? Although being close with him like this really wasn’t horrid at all. It was the complete opposite.
“Adrian, I think you know what I mean.”
He chuckled softly. “I do, but… this is so enjoyable. Don’t you agree?”
She agreed wholeheartedly. However, she wasn’t sure she wanted him to know that. “As enjoyable as you think this may be, I think we should stop.” She couldn’t stop herself from answering his kisses. It was as though something pulled her lips to his.
“Yes, we should,” he whispered.
