Living. That was what she was doing, living, and when he kissed her again, she kissed him back. This man caught her by surprise every time—for example, look at her now! Just when she had her future planned out as an independent lady with no need for anyone else in her life, he had appeared and swept her off her feet until she found herself doing incredible, impossible things like this—riding home from a party with a gorgeous man who had no intention of politely escorting her to her front door, but instead had just one thing on his mind.
And so did she.
The hired cab was badly sprung, so every time they went over a rut it bounced and flung them around. But always she ended up in his arms, and his kisses, wonderful though they were, didn’t satisfy her but merely stoked the heat that was already raging inside her. When the cab stopped outside Clematis Villa, Dan paid the driver while she went inside and began lighting candles. She had to think ofsomethingto do, because she suddenly felt shy, nervous even.
She started prattling away when he joined her. ‘I’m afraid I have no wine or brandy for you. This must be hardly what you are used to—’
He put one finger to her lips. ‘Miss Summerby, I think your house is unbelievably perfect. Just like you.’
‘Really?’
‘Really.’
She said no more. Instead, she took a lighted candle and led him up the stairs and along the twisty corridor to her bedroom.
Was she afraid? Yes, she was, just a little. She was also astounded at herself—was she, London’s most-rejected debutante, actually inviting a roguish Earl into her bed? Whoever would believe it?
In a way, though, it was perfect. There might be whispers indeed, but they would soon fade, because after the summer she would never see him again.No. Don’t think of that.Already she felt the pain of loss, but then she realised he had come up behind her.
‘You’re still worrying too much,’ he said. ‘Stop.’
So she did. He undressed her with tenderness and respect and she thought,I shall remember this for ever.She also realised that, dear God, he was mightily skilled at removing a woman’s clothes, but she tried not to think of the reason for that either. This was tonight, this was her moment of delight, and she was safe, because she was under no illusions. This was not a promise of undying love. This was for now, for mutual pleasure, and—
‘Oh!’
She couldn’t help letting out a cry of delight, for his hands, with those long, supple fingers of his that had always fascinated her, were cupping her naked breasts. Her nipples had hardened instantly, sending frantic messages straight to that place between her thighs where a pulse of need was throbbing almost painfully.
She wanted him. She reached for his shoulders, longing for his kiss, and he knew it because it arrived soon enough and it was warm, cherishing, reassuring. Then he drew back, and disappointment crushed her, until she saw that his eyes were full of dark, glittering promise.
‘Patience,’ he murmured as he cast aside his red velvet coat and white neckcloth. She nodded, trying to curb her fierce longing, and watched as he sat on the bed to tug off his boots, then stood and unbuttoned his shirt.
His back was to her now, so in the light of the solitary candle, she could see the play of his muscles as he pulled the shirt over his head. Lowering her gaze, she could see that tattoo of the dragon also, and its slitted eyes were staring at her as if in challenge. Then her throat went quite dry, because he was easing off his breeches and coming back towards her.
Oh my. She swallowed, hard. He wanted her, of that there was no doubt. Her heart was beating almost painfully as he sat down beside her on the bed, drew her towards him and kissed her tenderly, murmuring, ‘Are you still sure about this?’
She nodded. ‘Yes. Oh, yes.’
He clasped her hand and placed it against his chest so she could feel the steady beating of his heart. Glancing down at his rampant erection with another shiver of desire she said, ‘Dan. Did you want me like this that night in your carriage? And yesterday afternoon, down on the beach?’
‘Indeed.’
‘Then how did you…?’
As he gazed down at her, his blue eyes smouldered. ‘How did I cope? I restrained myself, because neither were the right time or place.’
‘But nowisthe right time and place?’
‘Dear God, Kate,’ he murmured, ‘I sincerely hope so.’
She laughed softly, suddenly full of confidence and oh, such longing. When she whispered, ‘May I touch you there?’ he nodded, and she reached to caress his arousal, a little nervous and also in awe. The velvet warmth of him was enticing, the iron-hard strength of him even more so, and as her hand closed around him there, he uttered a soft groan.
She looked up at him. ‘Dan,’ she said huskily, ‘show me how to please you. I’m ready.’
Her pink dress, her corset and chemise already lay in a heap on the floor and her satin shoes soon joined them so she wore only her silk stockings. He eased her back onto the bed and raised his body so he was half over her, then he stroked her hair, which had long since tumbled free of its pins.
After that, he kissed her.
It was a strong kiss, this one, the kiss of a powerful and fully aroused man, and for Kate there was no doubting the meaningful thrust of his tongue as she kissed him back. The molten heat grew in her as he moved over her completely, parting her legs with his own while supporting the upper half of his body on his elbows so their bodies met at the hip. She gasped at the pressure as his powerful thighs urged hers wider and she let out a low cry, first of shock and then of delight as his fingers stroked her. She was embarrassed by the way her body seemed to welcome him, but he paused the caress and kissed her as if to reassure her.
