Page 77 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

“You are insufferable.” Her muttered complaint elicited a chuckle from her husband.Buffoon.

The nasty habit resurfaced twice in one night, and her bottom lip found its way between her teeth again. With Simon’s reaction to his cards, he must believe he had a winning hand. Without an additional card, she would surely lose anyway. Simon had already won one hand, kissing her wrist as he had done on their wedding day. And as before, her blood raced through her veins like a thoroughbred at the Epsom Derby. He promised a more intimate kiss when he won again.

Losing was not an option.

She met his gaze—realizing her mistake too late and falling captive to his wickedly blue eyes. “I believe I will have a card. Thank you.” She added an extra dose of vitriol to the last.

Simon’s hand hovered over the top card of the deck. “Whatwas that? Did someone knock?” His gaze swiveled toward the door.

She turned, following suit, frowning at the closed—and locked—door. “What? I didn’t hear anything.”

When she turned back, Simon lifted his shoulder in that careless and irritatingly attractive manner. “Must have been the wind. Now, you were saying?”

“A card.”

“What’s that?” He cupped a hand around his ear. “I must have missed theplease.”

“Please,” she said through gritted teeth.

Before looking at her card, she pulled in a breath and held it.A ten! Gah!She flung the cards at him, wishing they had more weight as they flew against his chest.

“My. My. No need to be such a sore loser.” He rose, his movements slow and measured, like a cat stalking its prey. That exasperating grin spread across his lips. “Especially since your loss is actually a win.” He moved behind her.

“A win! I hardly think—” She pulled in a gasp as his fingertips brushed the back of her neck. Then his lips pressed against a spot under her right earlobe. “Oooh.” Unbidden, the sound of pleasure rose from deep within her.

He chuckled, his mouth still so close his breath brushed against her already sensitive skin. “Told you.”

“Ugh!”Stupid traitorous body!She pushed her chair back, hoping he would topple to the floor from the force of it. “I’m going to bed.”

“This was your idea. I never imagined you as a quitter, Charlotte. And I still haven’t received my proper kiss goodnight. That was going to be when I won next.”

“Fine! Take your infernal kiss and let me go to sleep.” She braced herself, closing her eyes, lifting her chin, and pursing her lips, determined not to succumb to his talented mouth.

Some battles are lost before they’ve begun.

She didn’t have to open her eyes to sense he was near. Every nerve in her body tingled at his nearness. Faint scents of sandalwood and leather teased her nose, the heat of him radiating through her clothes as he stood in front of her. Sounds of his breathing, at first slow and even, grew more rapid.

The weight of his arm slipping around her secured her to him, and he tugged her closer, her breasts pressing against his bare chest. Heat from his skin traveled through the thin cotton of her nightdress.

His other hand, large and warm, cupped her cheek. “Open your eyes, Charlotte. I want to look into them before I kiss you. You have the most beautiful eyes. Dark and mysterious, as if you’re holding secrets.”

She opened her eyes. Not because he had asked her, but to see his amusement from his lies and manipulation. Confusion—no, fear—tripped up her spine at the sincerity shining in them. Her lips parted as she drew in a shocked breath.

“Better,” he said, then lowered his head.

The soft press of his lips first caressed then captured hers more fully, and her eyelids drifted shut of their own accord as she surrendered herself to the kiss. Barely discernable, a hint of wetness traced along the seam of her lips.

In truth, her mind was so muddled she wasn’t sure what she was feeling, except for the riotous fluttering in her stomach.

Something rigid pressed into her abdomen. No, notsomething. She knew what that was, and her mind shook itself from its dangerous stupor as she pushed against his chest. “You promised!”

“What?” He honestly appeared confused.

“That!” She pointed at the bulge in his trousers.

He rolled his eyes. “I can’t help what my body does. It has a mind of its own.” He laughed at the last, muttering something about head and mind. However, he held out his hands. “But as you wish.”

“I’m going to sleep. Stay on your side of the blanket.”

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