Page 59 of Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies

The soft, gentle command vibrated with something she thought might be amusement. Was he laughing at her? No, the man was no doubt pleased she wouldn’t put up a fight when he slid his body against hers. She was blootered to high heaven, and the man knew it. Valeran knew it wouldn’t take much for her to respond to him. Alarmed, Amalie pushed against his chest.

“Nae, ye said ye would nae—”

“I’m simply putting you to bed, Amalie,” he said with a quiet firmness that made her relax. “It’s been a long day, and I can see you’re exhausted.”

“I’m nae tired. I just told ye I am blootered. Are ye deaf, mon?” At her retort, Valeran snorted a sound she knew was laughter. She jabbed one finger into his chest. “Are ye laughing at me, ye Sassenach walloper?”

“And if I am?” he chuckled softly. The sound rumbled in her ear as if it were distant thunder. It was a lovely sound, even if she didn’t like him laughing at her.

“I dinnae like people laughing at me,” she snapped. “It’s nae pleasant tae be insulted. It hurts, and I dinnae forget when someone does that.”

“I understand that unpleasant feeling far too well, sweet mouse. I wasn’t laughing at you, Amalie. I’m simply enjoying your bawdy language.”

She frowned. How could Valeran possibly understand how much it hurt when someone made fun of her? Had he been teased about his blindness as a child? Her frown deepened. Valeran’d called her a mouse. No, he’d said sweet mouse, but it had sounded more like a tender endearment. Amalie didn’t want to admit it, but she liked the way the words had rolled off his tongue.

Valeran sat her down on the edge of the bed, forcing her to turn so her back was to him. The moment he began to undo the buttons running the back of her gown. Her heart thundered in her ear. Oh, God, he’d been lying. He was going to bed her. Well, he wouldn’t be doing it any time soon. A giggle escaped her as Valeran’s fingers fumbled with the small buttons.

A tiny hiccup made her shoulders jump a second later, before a snort of laughter escaped her. The man would give up before he reached the small of her back. Then he’d leave and she could peel herself out of the damn thing herself.

“You find something amusing?” There was just enough annoyance in his voice that said he was already frustrated with the buttons.

“Nae,” she lied.

“No? Why do I think you’re lying?” His irritation evident, she stifled another laugh as he uttered a sound of exasperation. “I don’t think I’ve ever had to undo so many small buttons in my entire life.”

“There are fifty-five of them,” she boasted proudly. “And there are fifteen on each sleeve.”

“Fifty-five buttons?” he murmured. “That’s a rather precise number, Amalie.”

“Aye, it took Greer and…who else…oh, yes, Tilly. It took them…a long time tae do up all the buttons. They were nae happy with me, but I dinnae care. The buttons weren’t for them.”

“Who were they for?”

The question whispered in the air as his warm breath caressed her cheek. She laughed and looked over her shoulder. The proximity of his mouth was so close it would take practically nothing to brush her lips over his.

Not a good idea, Amalie. What would it hurt, Amalie? A tremor slid through her before she remembered he’d asked who the buttons were for. She grinned.

“Who do ye think, ye walloper? I told ye I had nae wish tae share your bed.”

“Are you telling me you deliberately had an absurd number of buttons added to this gown to try and stop me from removing it?”

“Aye,” she laughed, proud of her handiwork. “I did. And it worked.”

Another shiver rocked her as Valeran’s fingers suddenly caressed the nape of her neck before continuing their measured, relentless path downward. The touch penetrated the silk of her chemise to leave a trail of fire down her back. It suddenly dawned on her it was a stroke of possession.

Amalie breathed in a sharp breath and trembled. Suddenly, his hands ripped open the back of her gown with one vicious tug. Gasping in surprise and a sudden rush of fear, Amalie tried to scramble away from him, but the sinewy strength of his arm wrapped around her waist, then pulled her back into a solid chest.

Heat blew across her skin as she heard his harsh breathing. It made her body hum with excitement, despite a small amount of trepidation. Long fingers brushed across the thin silk of her chemise where the back of her gown fell open. It was a languid stroke and tugged a small moan from her. A chuckle reverberated out of him, and it drifted against her skin like a feather .

“If I recall correctly, Amalie, I’ve not yet collected my kiss today.”

The quiet statement made her heart skip a beat. Frantically, her clouded brain tried to find a way to advert the oncoming disaster. She shook her head.

“Ye kissed me at the wedding ceremony.”

“Now, Amalie, you know full well that wasn’t a kiss. Although, I congratulate you as to how quickly that clever brain of yours thought such a suggestion might let you escape one now.” Sinful and wicked, his voice sent fire streaking through her. “It’s time to give up what I’m due, Lady Sommerville.”

Valeran gradually turned her to face him. His fingers brushed over her mouth and he smiled. It was the most wicked, sinful, hedonistic smile she’d ever seen, and it sent a thrill of exhilaration skimming through her veins. No sooner had his mouth brushed over hers than her body betrayed her.