Page 49 of Married to the Rake

“Only if he knew where we went,” Brook reminded her. “Which he won’t.”

Chloe lifted her head and turned her gaze to his. He gave her a crooked smile, his eyes darting to her lips. “You remember the cupboard?” he asked softly.

She nodded. She could never forget the searing ache he’d left her with that kiss he’d bestowed on her. Even now, simply remembering the kiss made her stomach twist and buckle with anticipation. She had found herself remembering his touches, picturing his face, letting him occupy her every waking hour in her mind. But was she really going to do this? Marry Brook and risk disappointing her family?

He brushed back a free strand of her red hair and tucked it behind her ear. “You are the most gorgeous creature I have ever laid eyes on,” he murmured. He placed a tender kiss on her right cheek. “And the most intelligent.” He kissed her left cheek. “And kind.” Her forehead. “And determined.” He laughed, his breath tickling her face.

Chloe smirked. “What makes you say that?”

Brook pulled back, but only slightly. Their noses were almost touching. “You know what you want, and you go after it.”

She feared to breathe, lest she blow him away and make him change his mind. “What do I want?” she whispered.

“Love,” he answered immediately. “Even if it’s forbidden.”

He moved in, his lips parting as they found hers. A burst of pleasure soared through her being. She kissed him back, hoping her lips were as soft as his.

His kiss engulfed her. Any concerns fled. This was right…it was just so right. How could anything that felt like this be wrong? Somehow, by some miracle, they belonged together. She felt she was part of him, two souls yearning for the other. She couldn’t stand the chaste kisses any longer.

Chloe slid her hand up his neck, twining her fingers in his downy curls and pressing her chest against his, arching her back.

Brook’s breathing hitched. He wrapped both arms around her, one tight across her shoulders, the other pressing at her lower back, coaxing her closer.

The kissing sped up. His lips expertly moved across hers, eliciting passion and excitement in Chloe. Abruptly, Brook pulled away, keeping her held tightly against him. His gaze flitted across her face, his eyebrows pulling together in desperation.

“You do not make it easy on a man,” he breathed. “Chlo, you are driving me to the edge of madness. I cannot wait to make you mine.”

Chloe’s heart hammered against her breastbone. “Then it shall be,” she said, breathless from the kiss. “From this moment on, we are never to be parted.”

“We’ll leave for Scotland tomorrow.”

“Truly?” she asked, a mix of terror and excitement bursting through her chest. She would not have to marry Mr. Lawrence and she would be with the man she loved. This handsome, charming, funny, wonderful man. She could hardly believe it.

“Truly.” A smile broke across his features, and the next moment his lips had crushed against hers again. This time, he lifted her into his lap, sidesaddle. She pressed herself against him, feeling dominant now that she was slightly higher up than he. Her hands wandered everywhere they could reach—the back of his neck, his shoulders, his lower back. She scraped a trail along his spine, eliciting a low sound from his throat.

All fears of her father’s hatred for his family left her. The image of standing next to old Mr. Lawrence at the church altar dissipated from her mind. In this moment, it was only her and Brook, fixed together the way they were meant to be.

A gasp escaped her throat when his hand wandered to her thigh, grasping firmly at her flesh. Chloe responded by moving her hands to his chest, trailing them down to his stomach and reveling in the solid feel of him.

Brook shuddered and quickly pulled away. “Do not tempt me, Chloe,” he said with a breathless laugh. “I’m afraid you’ve caught me with my defenses down.” He gently slid her from his lap. She pulsed with burning desire but began to cool as he scooted away from her, chuckling.

“I don’t think you realize quite what a temptress you are,” he said, meeting her gaze. She still saw the flames flickering in the green depths.

She opened her mouth to tell him he shouldn’t have stopped, that she would have welcomed whatever it was he had wanted to do, but her blood ran cold when she heard the garden gate open and close.

Brook leapt to his feet. He took her hand in his and gave her a quick kiss. “Scotland tomorrow. Meet me at the fountain at midday.”

Before she could respond, he had disappeared through the rose garden.

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