The skill with which he applied himself dressed her in sparks that pricked at her skin until she trembled. Her legs grew weak, forcing her to cling to him while an unfamiliar sigh was wrenched from deep within. He responded with a guttural growl and by flattening his hand against the curve of her lower back.
“Juliette.” Her name tickled the edge of her mouth and was quickly succeeded by a trail of kisses along the edge of her jaw.
Angling her head, she allowed him greater access while arching more boldly against his embrace. “Yes.” Her fingers pushed through his hair and clasped at his head, holding him close while he licked a path along her neck.
“You’re mine.” His teeth nipped her flesh, marking her in a way that made her feel claimed. It was basic, the action thoroughly male, perhaps even a little barbaric. But rather than put her off, it made her insides sizzle with increased passion. Until he drew back with a ragged breath and set her aside as if he’d been scorched. “We should not be doing this. I... I have taken alarming liberties with you and I—”
“Apologize and I shall never forgive you.”
He stared at her in utter stupefaction. “But—”
“I encouraged you becausethisis what I want.” She swallowed, braced herself by straightening her spine and squaring her shoulders. “Because I wantyou, Florian. If you will have me, that is.”
Florian’s eyes almost bulged from his head and his mouth fell open. Juliette could not recall a man ever looking more shocked than he did right now, which prompted her to smile even though she’d never felt more nervous in all her life. This was his chance to deny her, to say he did not want her in return. Because if there was one thing he’d been adamant about from the start, it was his reluctance to marry—more notably, his reluctance to marryher. So she stood, still as a statue, and waited for him to gather his wits. Part of her wished she’d had more sense than to lay her heart bare without even the slightest finesse while another part sighed with relief. They would finally determine where they stood with one another. Or so she hoped.
Chapter 25
Facing Juliette, this force of nature who stood before him with fearless and honest abandon, was mesmerizing.I want you, Florian. If you will have me, that is. The words had besieged his mind. He could not think of anything else besides this wild declaration and all the possibilities it laid out before him.
Heart hammering in his chest and still reeling from the perfection of the kiss they’d just shared, he waded past his fears. Of course he wanted her. The question was whether or not he would make her happy and if he’d be able to keep her safe. “Just to be clear,” he stated slowly, “you want me to ask for your hand?” He had no wish to misunderstand her and to propose they marry before she was ready to accept such an outcome.
“Yes.”
She did not even flinch. The certainty with which she delivered her response was unwavering and, he had to admit, thoroughly arousing.
Banking that thought for a moment, he contemplated the path before them. “My disinclination to consider courting you was never on account of disinterest. It is imperative that you understand this, Juliette, because of what I am about to tell you.” Uncertain apprehension stole into her eyes, but she nodded, encouraging him to continue. “I have been attracted to you from the start, but I did not think us well suited until I got to know you better. And then my connection to Bartholomew held me back. At first, because I was ashamed to tell you about it, and later because I feared what he might do to you if he learned we’d formed an attachment.”
“I understand your reasoning completely.” Not a hint of censure clung to her words, only flagrant acknowledgment of fact. “But do you really want to let fear deprive you of happiness and love?”
“Love.” He tested the word and all it implied.
“I love you, Florian. I cannot deny it or run from it any more than I can change the course of the stars in the heavens or turn back the hands of time.”
This was what he wanted. Astoundingly, it was what he had always wanted, he acknowledged with some surprise—to be loved for who he was in spite of his flaws, no matter what the rest of the world might think of him. There was no obstacle in his path, save his own apprehension, but perhaps even this could be put to rest if Bartholomew could somehow be removed from the equation.
“He was supposed to hang.” He murmured the words.
“What?”
Blinking, Florian registered Juliette’s bewildered expression. “Forgive me. I was merely voicing a thought.” He moved toward her, intent on returning to the discussion of marriage.
But she stepped back and held up her hand, halting his stride. “I hope you’re not contemplating murder.”
The possibility had been pressing upon his mind for a while, though not in quite so dishonorable a way. “A challenge, rather.”
“On the field of honor?” She looked appalled. “Nothing good can come of such a thing. Surely you know that.”
“I could rid the world of a cur and live happily ever after.” The thought was a rather appealing one.
“No. You would forever be the man who took his father’s life.” The disappointment that flared in her eyes was as real as the passion she’d shown moments earlier. “Consider how difficult it has been for you to forgive yourself for actions you weren’t to blame for, and ask yourself if you will truly be able to absolve yourself of all blame and find the peace you seek if you proceed with such a plan.”
Clenching his jaw, Florian damned her insightfulness and his own reluctance to walk away and do as he wished. He cared too much about her, however, to ignore what she said. Instead he listened and grudgingly offered his agreement. “Very well.” He could not keep the disgruntled tone from his voice even though he knew she was right.
Her voice drew nearer, curling around him as she took a step in his direction. “But as duke, your power is not insignificant, no matter the shame Bartholomew brings to your name. If you join forces with Coventry and Huntley, inform the king of what has transpired, then surely the error regarding Bartholomew’s punishment shall be corrected and justice served.”
He gave an absent nod. “I must return you to your brother’s care sooner than I intended. Until this matter has been resolved and you and I are married, you need to be under his roof.”
The disappointment marring her features made him wish it weren’t so, but the truth was that he’d already kept her here longer than necessary. So he moved to pass her, pausing next to her shoulder so he could whisper in her ear. “It is the only way to prevent me from acting dishonorably.” Her sharp intake of breath confirmed she knew what he meant and he couldn’t resist. His hand found hers, his thumb brushing gently over her palm. “Don’t worry,” he assured her. “Everything will work out in the end.” Turning his head, he placed a tender kiss upon her brow. She responded by nuzzling closer, her breath falling warmly against his neck.
