“I assume Julian doesn’t have any of those,” Carenza said quickly.
“You’d be surprised.” Mrs. Mountjoy glanced at the watch pinned to her bodice. “I’d better let you explore the apartment. Julian will be here in a few minutes.”
She walked out, leaving Carenza with the strong urge to follow her, run out of the house, and keep going. She retreated to the window and gazed out over the street. What on earth had she been thinking? This whole affair had become far too public—what with the advertisement, Julian’s unexpected offer, and now a whole household of people who’d seen her creeping up the backstairs and knew exactly what she was doing.
She glanced longingly at the door. Should she go? Or did she at least owe Julian an explanation before she fled back to her comfortable life in Tavistock Square?
The door opened, and Julian stood there, his calm gaze moving over her as he came into the room.
“Having second thoughts?”
“Second, third, and fourth thoughts,” Carenza said. “Why on earth did you tell Mrs. Mountjoy all about me?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Because I required her help, and I knew Anna wouldn’t begrudge another woman the chance to have a lover if she wished to do so.”
“How … remarkable of her.”
“There is no need to be jealous of Mrs. Mountjoy, Carenza. She—”
“I am not jealous. She told me that you aren’t lovers, although I don’t know why, as she is very handsome and obviously doesn’t care about social niceties.”
“She is also the widow of a good friend of mine,” Julian said evenly.
“As am I.” Carenza faced him.
“You’re … different.” He held her gaze. “I want to bed you.”
There was something in his voice that made her knees go weak. She resolutely straightened her spine and faced him.
He tilted his head to one side and observed her, which made her feel uncomfortably warm.
“May I kiss you?” Julian asked.
“In the mood I’m in, I might bite.”
“Good.” He strolled toward her, his blue gaze intent. “I am more than happy to indulge your temper.”
She glared at him, annoyed by the hint of a smile on his lips—a smile she wanted gone. He cupped her chin with the delicacy of a man trying to tame a tiger and looked down at her, a question in his eyes.
“Kiss me,” he commanded.
She needed no further invitation and promptly bit his lip. He groaned into her mouth and met her temper with equal fire, turning the kiss into something of a battle. His arm came around her waist and he sat her on the window seat and leaned in as they fought for dominance.
She ripped her mouth clear of his. “Take your coat off.”
“Just my coat?”
Gripped by a fiery recklessness she’d never felt before, Carenza tugged at his waistcoat. “All of it.”
He undressed with a grace and speed that spoke of practice and an assurance Carenza had never had. And, oh God, he was beautiful. Lean but well-muscled, his chest just hairy enough, and his stomach flat. He was also fully aroused.
She met his gaze. “I want you.”
“Tell me how.”
She swallowed hard. “Hard and fast, and right now.”
One eyebrow rose. “Just as you are?”
