Page 32 of Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies

Valeran narrowed his eyes as he focused on the varied hues of gray color on her face. Was she afraid, or was she simply being obstinate? Obstinate. He found it hard to believe Amalie was afraid of anything.

“I’m giving you the protection of my name, Amalie,” he said quietly. “In exchange, I—”

“Your honor is being salvaged as well.” Her sharp interruption made him nod in agreement.

“True.” Valeran shrugged with indifference. “But the aristocracy doesn’t think I have any honor to salvage. So, my proposal of marriage comes with an expectation.”

“Expectation?” she choked out. Valeran heard the panic in her rapid, short breaths and hesitated. Should he wait to mention his desire to have an heir? No, he believed honesty played an important part in marriage. She needed to know what his expectations were.

“I expect you to provide me with an heir, and I intend to enjoy every single moment ensuring you do just that.”

The gurgling noise he heard her make caused Valeran’s mouth to twitch until he gave way to a small smile of wicked amusement. Convinced she was on the verge of a stormy display of outrage, he found it necessary to suppress a laugh. For a mouse who had clung tenaciously to the shadows for almost two years, Amalie was proving to be a fiery Scottish spitfire.

“An heir! I…you cannae possibly expect—”

“I can and do,” he said firmly.

Valeran’s smile broadened as Amalie’s softly rounded shape froze the moment he took a step toward her. She remained rooted in place as he walked toward her. The warmth of her was an instant blast of heat against him as Valeran stopped a few inches away. The air between them vibrated with energy, sending a pleasurable sensation of fire over his skin. Valeran saw Amalie shudder, and he gently reached out to lightly trail his fingers across her cheek. She gasped loudly, then slapped his hand away from her.

“Dinnae ye touch me,” she exclaimed as she quickly retreated from him.

“You didn’t object to my touch last night,” he said softly while listening carefully to her breathing. The moment he heard the slight inhalation of air, he smiled. “In fact, I recall you pleading with me for more.”

“I…that was…it was a mistake.”

“And yet you responded to my touch without hesitation.”

“I dinnae do any such thing.” Chin tilted upward, her voice was as rebellious and disdainful as her stance.

“No?” Valeran chuckled softly at her blatant lie. “Are you prone to lying, Amalie?”

“I am nae a liar.”

“Then admit you wanted me last night.” Valeran’s quiet command made her shake her head vehemently.

“I will nae do any such thing.”

“Stop lying to yourself, and me, Amalie. I made you whimper with need last night, and I can do it again,” he murmured.

“And ye are lying tae yourself by thinking every woman finds ye impossible tae resist.”

Annoyed by her stubborn denials, he allowed her obstinance to get the best of him. Before she had a chance to escape, Valeran tugged her into his arms. Immediately, his irritation vanished. When she tried to break free, he simply pulled her closer.

Seductive and enticing, Amalie’s scent this morning was entirely different from the one she’d worn last night. The fragrance filling his nostrils now was the delicious scent she’d worn yesterday on the cnoc beag.

“It doesn’t matter whether I think every woman finds me irresistible, Amalie. All that matters is that you do.”

Valeran bent his head to taste the silky skin of her neck and breathed in her intoxicating perfume. Subtle hints of sweet, warm frankincense and jasmine, mixed with light notes of citrus in a fragrance that possessed a come hither aroma.

Exotic and sensual, it drove a solid punch into his gut. It was like standing in the morning heat of the Sahara desert, just before the sun rose. Sultry and provocative, it wrapped around him until his cock stiffen in his trousers, and he dragged in a harsh breath of desire.

Damnation, what was it about this woman that could send him off a cliff and into a raging river of need in seconds? His mouth found her earlobe and gently bit into its soft flesh, before he pressed his lips against her ear.

“You want me, Amalie. Your mouth might say one thing, but your body says something completely different.” Valeran brushed his mouth over hers in a light kiss. “Admit it, sweetheart. Tell me how much you enjoy my touch, because I find everything about you as delicious as that musical voice of yours.”

A small sound echoed out of her as he lightly kissed her again. Taking his time, he applied light, brief kisses to the corners of her mouth, then tasted the fullness of her lips again. Like a fine cognac, Valeran savored the tart, yet sweet flavor of her mouth. With each caress, he teased and tempted her to yield. Triumph surged through him as her hands slid up over his chest until her arms encircled his neck.

“Tell me, sweetheart. Tell me you want me as much as I want you,” he said huskily as her lips tried to cling to his.