Page 43 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

“Sweetheart, I won’t last long. I’ve wanted you for too long.”

With a jerk, he thrust forward, then pulled himself out of her, spilling into a handkerchief she hadn’t seen him take out of his pocket.

They rested, plastered against each other, breathing heavily. Slowly her surroundings returned to her. ’Twas a dangerous thing they had done, right here in the garden. Anyone could have wandered by. She slowly raised her head and stared at him. His rumpled hair, his shirt opened at the neck, revealing part of his muscular chest. He studied her with such caring, such—love—she almos

t wept.

He ran his finger over her lips. “You understand now that we must wed. I will visit with your father in the morning.”

She slumped against him. “No.”

“What do you mean, no? We have just been intimate. You might be carrying my child.”

She shook her head. “No, you didn’t spill your liquid into me.”

He grinned at her description. “True, but that is not a perfect guard against pregnancy.”

Suzanna stood, her nightgown fluttering to the ground. Shivering in the night air with her skin still damp from their lovemaking, she yanked it up, but not before she noted Giles’s hungry gaze. “Nothing has changed. I still cannot marry you. And nothing you say will convince me otherwise.”

Giles regarded her with raised eyebrows. “Oh no?”

“No. Nothing at all.”

Chapter Twelve

Giles ran his hand down his face as he studied her. Now that he’d had her, there was no way in hell he would let her go. Stubborn woman though she was, he needed a way to push her in the right direction for him. For them.

Drawing on his memories of the competitive Suzanna he’d witnessed throughout the house party, he smiled as an outrageous plan presented itself. “How about a wager?”

She frowned. “A wager? Something written in the betting book at White’s?” She pointed a finger at him. “Don’t you dare do that.”

“No. I would never write your name at White’s or anywhere else. You’ve said you have a competitive streak. I have seen it a bit this week with the various games we’ve played. I’m suggesting a wager between you and me.”

He reached out and ran his knuckle down her cheek. She closed her eyes and breathed a soft sigh. He’d never seen a more beautiful sight than Suzanna after being well loved.

She shifted away from his touch and fussed with the collar on her wrapper. “What sort of wager are you proposing, then?”

He grinned, knowing she would take the bait. “’Tis a simple one. I wager that you will marry me—a man without a title.”

She shook her head. “No. I just explained that is not possible.”

In for a penny, in for a pound.

“Ah, that’s only one half. Not only will you marry me, but you will fall in love with me.”

Her lovely mouth dropped open, and he took the opportunity to cover her lips in a soft kiss that soon turned possessive and greedy.

Suddenly, he pulled back and leaned his forehead against hers, his eyes closed. The sound of their heavy breathing filled the air. He could have easily taken her again, but he needed to get himself under control. They’d been damn lucky no one had wandered by while they were in flagrante delicto just a few minutes ago.

“Do you accept my wager, Miss Blake?” His voice was raspy, dry, unlike his previous tone.

“No. I think the whole thing is silly.”

“Ah, I sense a bit of uncertainty. Perhaps fear that I will prevail?”

“You will not prevail, sir.” She studied him, and he could see the glimmer of interest in those very expressive eyes. “If I were to accept your challenge—I do love a good wager—what do I get when you lose?”

“Hmm. Well, since I do not intend to lose, it is irrelevant, but how about if I donate a thousand pounds to your favorite charity?”