Page 38 of A Lady's Dangerous Secret
“What?” Charlotte asked, suddenly tentative.
“Lottie, you don’t understand what you do to me. I want all of you.” He took another step closer, so that her cloak brushed up against his trousers. He did not know himself anymore. In the past, his honor would have forbidden him from ever suggestingsuch a tryst yet again, but she had broken through all his restraint.
She gave a hesitant smile. “We must not waste any time then.” He unbuttoned her cloak and helped her out of it. The heavy fabric dropped to the ground with a thud.
“I need to see more of you,” he said.
He hastily pulled the bodice down her shoulders. He was so focused on getting her naked that he barely saw her mouth drop open. He spun her around and feverishly undid the ties at the back of her dress. He cursed his hands, which were typically agile, because they felt like blocks while he fumbled with the laces. After what felt like forever, he pivoted her around and took a step back to admire his handiwork. She stood in her short stays and chemise.
Not enough.
He needed to see more.
His patience for another set of laces had entirely dissolved, and he was about to rip open her stays. Before he could pounce, she took a step forward, grabbed his forearms, and gave him a good shake.
“James!”
Suddenly, her face came into focus. Her brow was crinkled, and she looked at him worriedly, the bandage tied around her neck. The bloody wound that was all his fault.
“Are you well?”
“Perfectly well.” He ran his hand through his hair. James had never believed in witches, but he wondered if they did exist. He had felt possessed when he frantically disrobed her, unable to control his urges. He never lost control. It was as if she had cast a spell on him. His honor had flown out the window.
“I thought…” Charlotte worried her bottom lip.
“What did you think?”
“That I could see some of you first? Before all this is gone?” She waved her hand at her remaining clothes.
She was an innocent whom he had harmed, and all he wanted to do was ravish her. He knew he was destined for hell—his uncle had reminded him often enough—but even this was low for hm.
“The least I can do is give you what you want.” He shrugged off his jacket and dropped it on the floor. Charlotte’s eyes followed each of his movements, then focused on his neck. He lifted his hand, trying to understand what drew her attention.
Ah.
“Do you want help?” she asked.
He nodded in response. A grin spread across her face, and she stepped toward him. Charlotte swiftly undid his cravat and threw it to the floor more forcefully than necessary.
“I’ve been dreaming of unraveling you.”
James let out a hearty laugh he did not even recognize. “Is that all you’ve been dreaming about?Unravelingme by taking off my cravat?”
“You’re so stuffy all the time!” She paused and tilted her head. “Are you mocking me?”
“I would never. Your innocence is endearing.”
A determined look crossed her face. “I’m not as sheltered as you think. Take off your shirt and breeches, so I can look at your cock.”
James raised his eyebrows.
“Now,” she demanded imperiously.
“Yes, my lady.”He lifted off his shirt and stopped before removing his bottoms. This was the Charlotte he knew. She was bold and commanding. An empress presiding over her domain. James wanted little to do with the ruling class, but Charlotte was an exception. An exception that aroused him when she used her haughtiest voice.
An exception to whom he would submit any day.
James was glorious.
