She laughed. “You really like that painting.”
“No. I really like you.” He held her chin for a moment, and she got lost in the intensity of his stare. A stare that didn’t belong to a gentleman.
She didn’t think; she didn’t need to. She kissed him hard. His response was immediate. A moan left her when he tangled his long fingers through her hair and pushed his tongue past her lips as if taking his right place. The cold wasn’t a problem anymore. Sensations burned her from the inside out.
The kiss became a battle of lips and tongues as she ran her hands over the hard slab of his chest. The way he held her head in place with authority had a dominating quality she swooned over.
She fiddled with his sash until it yielded and she touched his smooth, naked skin. He was all sharp ridges and hard muscles. She could count each one of them with her fingertips. They broke the kiss at the same time, their breaths mingling.
She caressed his broad chest and firm abdomen again to reach underneath. That was her personal Rubicon because once she touched him, she’d crossed a line with no going back.
His lips parted, and she waited for him to say something, perhaps to stop her. But the hunger in his gaze couldn’t be mistaken. A groan rumbled from his chest when she closed her hand around him. Of their own accord, her legs squeezed to soothe the throbbing ache between them.
He sucked his teeth as she stroked him carefully until he moved her hand aside and pulled off her dressing gown withone smooth move. Her nipples hardened under his eager stare because he paused to watch her in awe.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said with ferocity.
She didn’t have time to reciprocate the compliment before he dipped his head and closed his hot mouth around her nipple.
All her breath swished out of her with a moan. He tongued and sucked at her, and the more he did that, the more wetness pooled between her legs. The ache was consuming her. As if reading her mind, he slid a hand between her thighs, pausing again to stroke her skin before rubbing her with surprising kindness. Slow, lazy circles that made her pant.
She widened her legs, and he used his whole palm to rub her. The sensation was like nothing she’d experienced, which was strange. It wasn’t the first time a man pleasured her, but with Perry, everything was different. Everything seemed new.
He was relentless in his sweet assault, somehow guessing exactly what she needed at the perfect time. The right stroke, the right pressure, the right spot. Perfect.
The release came with enough strength to make her arch her back and shut her up. The scream she meant to let out remained trapped in her throat. She wrapped her arms around him as she enjoyed every ounce of the pleasure spasming through her. He held her in a sweet, sweet hug that melted her heart.
“Let me court you,” he whispered against her skin, his lips brushing a sensitive spot on her neck.
His words shocked her back to reality. She inched back from him, needing to see his eyes. They were glowing with passion and determination that didn’t leave room for doubts.
“I want to court you. Properly. Talk to your father.” He took her face, his chest heaving. “After I court you, I’ll propose. After that, I’ll give you the most luscious wedding ever given, and then I’ll do everything to keep you happy.”
“Perry.” She put her hands over his. “You don’t have to do this. You aren’t ruining me.”
“But you are ruining me.” He closed his eyes for a moment. “I’m not asking out of a sense of duty. I want to court you.”
Goodness. He was serious. He wanted to propose.
She squeezed his hand. “I’m grateful, but you must admit that I’m certainly not the bride you want to share your title with.”
“Why do you say that?”
“The fact huge scandals haven’t involved me yet, it’s a matter of time. There are plenty of rumours about me. I’ve spent the past years doing all sorts of things. Things that will ruin your reputation as well if they come out and you marry me. You saw me in the Scarlet Room. You saw how I behaved. I’m not a maiden, and I tried opium.”
“I don’t care about your past. I’ve trodden the same path. I only care about our future, a future together. I want you. I want more, Edith. I want everything.”
“You can have me. Anytime you want. Even now.” She started to open her dressing gown, but he stopped her.
“No, not like this.” He took her hands although his hungry gaze told a different story.
“I don’t know what to say.” Her voice quivered, but she had to be honest. His proposal was a bit overwhelming at the moment.
“I understand.” Sheer, undiluted pain radiated from him. “With my seizures?—”
“Heavens, no! It’s not that.” She scattered kisses on his hand. “I don’t care about your seizures. It’s me. I’ve just recently found my way back to a normal life. I want to start studying again. I feel…whole again, with a purpose. But everything is happening too quickly. Give me a little time. Let me walk on my feet for a while.”
He smiled, but his smile was sad as if he believed she was asking for more time only to sweeten the rejection.
