Page 23 of The Devil's Bargain
“I do believe I’ve created a monster,” he murmured, but his eyes blazed with admiration and hunger. “Though I must say, seeing this side of you...” His voice roughened as she shifted against him. “The strategist and seductress combined—you’re devastating.”
Caroline traced a finger down his falls, feeling his member twitch beneath her buttocks. “The mighty Devlin Elmstone, brought low by a mere woman?” Her nightgown slipped off one shoulder, revealing the curve of her collarbone. “What would London society say?”
“They’d say I’ve met my match.” His heated eyes followed the path of her exposed skin. “Though I doubt they’d believe the proper Mrs Thurlow capable of such delicious wickedness.”
A moan escaped his throat as she rocked slightly against him.
She brushed her lips along his jaw, narrowly avoiding his lips as he turned his head to capture her mouth. “I enjoy having London’s most dangerous man at my mercy.”
“Dangerous?” he rasped as her bottom pressed firmly against his member. “I’m as docile as a drunk mouse compared to you.”
She sat back, studying him with hooded eyes. “What really drew you here? You could have any woman you want in this town. Why sneak into my bedchamber unless you meant me harm?”
“No. You can’t believe I’m capable of harming you.” His voice was urgent. “What drew me is the woman who created an empire from the shadows. Who outmanoeuvred every man in the room while they underestimated her. Who tied me to her bed andmade me want her more for it. I wanted to see you, know you, learn you.”
Heat pooled in her belly at his words. But a part of her questioned the truthfulness of his statements, his motive.
“You’re magnificent, Caroline. I’ve never met anyone like you.”
Suddenly overwhelmed by the intensity in his gaze, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. “Hush. You’re supposed to be my captive, not...” She trailed off, unsure how to name this dangerous feeling building between them.
“Not what?” His lips curved under hers. “Not make you feel deep in your core?”
Caroline couldn’t breathe. She should move away, maintain control of the situation.
She withdrew enough to see the heat in his eyes. “Mr Elmstone...”
“Devlin,” he corrected softly. “Say my name, Caroline. Let me hear again how it sounds on your lips.”
“Devlin.” She watched his pupils dilate at her whisper. He strained upward, bringing his face closer to hers.
She distanced herself from him, rocking gently over his member. He satisfied her with a moan.
She eyed him suspiciously. “You’re still trying to gain the upper hand.”
“No. I’m trying to show you the man you’d be partnering with, if you’d allow me. That we could be equals in every sense.”
Her fingers traced his length over his breeches as his groan rumbled from his throat. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes. “You’re killing me slowly, Caroline.”
“And if I untie you? What then?”
His smile was pure sin. “Then I’ll show you exactly what kind of partnership I have in mind.”
“Such confidence.” Caroline moved to the rope at his ankle, deliberately sliding against him as she reached down. “But I rather enjoy having you at my mercy.”
His muscles tensed as her fingers worked the knot. “Did you take such pleasure in tormenting your late husband?”
She paused at the question. “He never gave me the chance. Hampton came into our marriage soon after the wedding.” She freed his ankle but let her hand linger on his calf, feeling the power in his muscles.
“He was a bigger fool than I thought,” he murmured.
She shrugged. “He saw me as competition, someone who made him feel inferior. I doubt he would have reacted well to my binding him.” She smiled sweetly at him. “I must say, you’re handling captivity with remarkable grace.”
“Perhaps because my captor is so enchanting.” His voice roughened as she slowly moved up his body to the rope at his other wrist. “Though I’m beginning to think you’re enjoying this position of power a little too much.”
She leaned over him to reach the knot, letting her nipple brush his lips. She moaned faintly at the sensation. Then she felt his lips on her breast over the night rail, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine.
“Caroline...” Her name was half warning, half plea.
