Her every interaction with him thus far suggested otherwise. He was so much more than she had initially supposed, and now that he had given her a small peek at the man beneath his gruff exterior, she only wanted to see and know more.
“You do not know what I am thinking about now or you would change your mind.”
His gruff words made more heat flare within her. Along with something else—longing, acute and intense.
“Tell me.”
He shook his head, maintaining his silence, releasing her elbow.
Not fair. He could not issue such tempting hints and then refuse to share the rest.
“Theo.”
“Whittling,” he said. “That is the only lesson I will agree upon. Now return to your chamber and do not dare to set foot in mine again, milady.”
Disappointment lanced her burgeoning hope. But then, if she could convince him to carry on with their lessons, that meant they would have additional time in each other’s company. Hopefully without the watchful eye of her lady’s maid. Yes, Evie could see she would have to create some distractions for Smithson. If they were alone, she was quite certain she could persuade him to kiss her again.
“Very well,” she conceded. “I will return to my chamber, and I will agree to continue our lessons, as you wish.”
“I do not wish,” he growled. “You are leaving me with no bloody choice.”
She smiled at his irritation, unable to help herself. What was it about Theo Winter that made him more handsome when he was irritated? Mayhap it was the way his upper lip curled. Or the way his eyes darkened. Perhaps it was the tensing of his strong jaw.
Oh yes, she would have him agreeing to more kissing lessons in no time.
With that thought, she dipped into a makeshift curtsy, clutching his counterpane around her. It smelled like him, she thought, and she was keeping it. He could find another.
“Good evening, Theo. Sleep well.”
As she made her way into the hall, careful to make certain no servants were about, she swore she heard him grumblenot a damned chance of that.
Chapter Eight
She was thedevil in petticoats.
He had never been more certain than after five more days of working together on their lessons. Her lady’s maid was once again otherwise occupied today, leaving them alone. He was certain the devious minx had orchestrated something to keep Smithton busy just so they would be unchaperoned.
This time, she had copied some short sentences on paper. Her penmanship was neat and flowery, as he would have expected. The mark of a gentlewoman to whom every advantage had been given in life.
And she was seated beside him, smelling of ripe fruit and temptation. He had never wanted another woman more.
Not even Cora.
The realization had hit him when she had first crossed the threshold, sunlight gleaming in her burnished curls and roses in her cheeks. It had required every bit of self-possession he had to keep from stripping her out of her night rail and making love to her the night she had gone to his chamber. To stop himself from keeping her with him all evening long, showing her all the reasons why he could not offer her further kissing lessons, damn it.
Because once he started, he would not be capable of ceasing.
Desiring her had become his driving force.
He had spent half the long night every night since tossing and turning in his bedclothes, thinking of her, before finally surrendering and taking himself in hand. The releases had given him precious little relief, because he was still harder than an anvil by morning, and he still longed to take up where they had stopped when their lips had last met.
He wanted them beneath his now, more than he wanted his next breath. Actually, he wantedherbeneath him now…
Dangerous thoughts indeed. Thoughts best avoided altogether.
“Do try this one, if you please,” she told him, her voice soft and warm as her skin.
He could listen to Lady Evie speak all day and night long. He could also go on touching her and worshiping her body for a bloody eternity.
