How long ago had he left? And did she have the courage to follow him back to his house?
She spun in place, intending to wash and dress as quickly as possible, only to come up short at the sight of the viscount leaning casually against the doorframe in the threshold to her bedroom.
Her breath caught on a gasp of shock as her gaze bounced around the room behind him. Had he been in there as she’d risen naked from her bed? Had he seen her?
“How did you—? Where?”
He grinned and gave a shrug. “I’ve got an array of curious skills.”
She arched her brows and retightened the sash of her robe, despite it being quite well-secured. “Hiding in bedrooms is a skill?”
In answer, the man lowered his chin and pushed off from the door frame to slowly stalk toward her. Since he was only a few steps away, she didn’t have much time to decide on her reaction. Not that she could have managed any sort of proper thought process with the intense rush of awkwardness that claimed her.
She’d lain naked beside this man not many hours ago.
She’d tasted the passion of his kiss.
She’d gazed into his startling eyes as he’d thrust into her body, giving her an experience of unbelievable pleasure.
How on earth was she supposed to have a normal conversationwith him after that?
He reached her with a wicked curl to his lips and slipped his hand warmly around her nape to bring her closer. The light in his eyes was penetrating and possessive. It sparked along her nerves and stirred the desire swirling deep in her belly.
Goodness. She could melt into this man.
Taking his time in a way that heightened her anticipation to a torturous degree, he inhaled her soft sigh as he lowered his mouth to hers.
The kiss was languid but deep. His tongue licked greedily into her mouth. And in response, she caught his bottom lip briefly between her teeth.
His eyes pierced her soul as he pulled back. “I told you I’d be careful.”
A chill raced through her blood—a sharp almost painful contrast to the heat he’d just ignited. That’s right. He’d want to ensure there was no risk of getting trapped in marriage.
Despite the uncomfortable prick of discomfort in her chest, Eleanor forced a smile. “Right. Of course.”
She pulled free of his grip to step around him and enter her bedroom.
Last night, she’d pushed aside her feelings about his declaration simply because she hadn’t wanted anything to dissuade her from what she’d wanted—him. And today…she still had no desire to analyze exactly what she thought of his insistence that she wouldn’t want a marriage to him.
She didn’t. Of course, she didn’t. That’s not at all what last night had been about. Thoughts of marriage had not even entered her mind until he’d mentioned it. She preferred to keep it that way.
If he’d just stop mentioning it!
At some point, she’d have to acknowledge how last night might affect her future. But, since she hadn’t any real prospects to speak ofanyway, she reckoned such consideration could be addressed later. Or never.
“I’ll just get dressed and then we can go.” When he didn’t say anything, she turned to glance back over her shoulder. “You won’t leave without me. You said I could accompany you,” she reminded.
He gave nod and his signature half smile. “If I were going to leave without you, I’d have been gone already.”
She gave a nod, then closed the connecting door.
She washed then dressed quickly and pinned her hair. Less than twenty minutes later, she opened the door to her sitting room again and saw the viscount gazing out her window. Her breath caught at the image he made.
One forearm was braced against the wall near his head as he stood partially concealed from anyone outside by the fall of drapes. His other hand was propped casually at his hip. He looked unusually contemplative. Relaxed yet alert. Strong and confident and oddly intuitive. She couldn’t help but think he appeared quite at ease and not at all intrusive in her personal space.
She shook her head to clear the last thought and the movement must have drawn his attention as he glanced over at her.
Damn, but that swirl of yearning inside her started right up again.
