The teasing tone of her words were meant to lighten their conversation but he could not quite so easily let it go just yet.Her eyes pleaded with him, to go along with the fiction she was well, that the actions of her parents, of her grandfather, of that bloody cretin who was not long for this world, had not devastated her
“Benedict?”Her lip trembled.
He could not cause her more pain.Forcing a grin, he lifted a brow.“Have I thanked you this day for how very glad I am you are here?”
Relief lit her.She shook her head, a smile blooming on her face.
“Well, remind me to do so,” he said, flopping back on the bed.
She hit his chest and then lay her head upon it.He put his arms around her and they lay in the hush.
“We will remain friends after this is done, will we not, Benedict?”she said.
Friends.The word stabbed at him.How could he only be her friend when he knew what it was like to have this?
“Benedict?”She raised on her elbow.“We will, will we not?You must promise me.”Her eyes pleaded with him.
What else could he say?“Of course, El.Always.But in the between then and now, should I show you how much I appreciate you?”He didn’t wait for her agreement, instead giving loud smacking kisses to her neck.
She squealed, half-heartedly pushing him away even as she arched into him.The sheet fell, her bare breasts pressing into his chest.He drew in his breath, lust taking hold.Every time.Every time she did this, made him want her so immediately.Already his cock had thickened, need and hunger beginning a beat inside him.“El, shall I show you?”he rasped.
A wicked smile lifted the corner of her mouth as she nodded, and he proceeded to show her how very much he appreciated her.How much he loved having her in his world.
Chapter Seventeen
TheEarlofDurrhamhad opened his London estate to visitors and all of Society had flocked to view the notoriously private lord’s celebrated art collection.Eleanor, though, was far more interested in his library, and thus it was she found herself alone amongst the vast stacks.Occasionally, she would hear people pass by and she would hold her breath, but they never entered.
Selecting a book, Eleanor flipped it open but before she could inspect it further, a big body pressed her against the bookshelf.“What are you reading?”Benedict said, his breath brushing along her ear.
Excitement thrummed through her.She hadn’t noticed his entrance at all.“A book.”
Strong arms grasped the bookshelf, caging her.“Is it a naughty book?”
His whispered words shivered over her, stirring the hair at the nape of her neck.Pushing back into him, she smiled to herself as he stifled a groan.“Do you really believe such a book would be in Lord Durrham’s library?”
“Perhaps,” he said.“He has always had a twinkle in his eye.”
She smiled, bending her neck so his lips could trace the cord in her neck.Her gaze lit on the open door.They were partially hidden by the bookcase and the room was absent people, but at any moment they could be interrupted.“We are tempting fate,” she murmured.
He surrounded her completely, holding her against the bookshelf.“It adds a certain thrill, does it not?”
It did.She knew she should be more concerned, but with his body surrounding hers and his lips trailing along her skin, she found she did not much care.“You are wicked, sir.”
“Only because you make me be so.”He licked the hollow behind her ear.
She turned, the shelves digging into her back.“If I make you so, perhaps you should continue.“
Gripping the shelves, he leant closer.“What are you proposing?”
Awareness shivered along her skin as his eyes held hers, the darkened blue mesmerising.How had she looked at him all her life and only now was affected so?“Nothing at all.I am a mere innocent.”
The corner of his mouth kicked up.“That’s a bald face lie if ever I’ve heard one.”
She wanted to lick the smirk off his face.
Approaching voices stopped that thought from becoming action.They both looked to the open doorway and then Benedict pulled away.She immediately felt his loss.
A gaggle of lords and ladies entered the library, chattering amongst themselves and completely unconcerned with Benedict and Eleanor.
