Page 45 of The Devil's Bargain
To her surprise, his jaw clenched and looked displeased but only for a moment. He reached for her hand, pulling her up to stand, nestling her between his legs.
“You’re the only woman I want. I haven’t even thought about another woman since we wed. You are a handful.”
“How am I a handful? I haven’t done anything.”
He leaned forward and dotted her face with light kisses. “Precisely. You’re killing me, Caroline.”
Just when she was about to lean forward and kiss him, he released her.
“I’ll send word to Madame Tansley.” He stood to his full height, his presence overwhelming in the intimate space. “Though I don’t relish the thought of anyone at Tansley’s being involved in this mess.”
“I could...” she hesitated, regarding him askance, “ask Findlay. He has connections at Imperial…”
His expression darkened. “Stay away from him.” Devlin’s voice held that dangerous edge that both thrilled and infuriated her.
Caroline stiffened. “Thomas brings valuable information—”
“He’s your former lover.” His hands gripped her waist possessively. “And I won’t have my wife consorting with a man who’s had her.”
“It would be foolish not to employ every ammunition we possess against Imperial.” Her voice adopted the firmness she projected in board meetings. “Besides,” she tilted her head back to meet his dark gaze, “I won’t let your jealousy dictate my professional relationships.”
“Professional?” He laughed harshly. “The way he looks at you is far from professional.”
“Your emotions are affecting your judgement.” She pressed her hands against his chest, though whether to push him away or pull him closer, she wasn’t sure.
His hands tightened on her waist. “Every time I think of him touching you...”
“Then don’t think about it.”
“When you were with him, did you feel like you could be completely yourself? Show every facet, even the parts society says you should hide?” His thumb traced her racing pulse. “Because that’s what drives me mad with wanting you, Caroline. Not just your brilliant mind or your beauty, but every contrary, stubborn, magnificent piece of who you are.”
“You don’t know me,” she whispered.
“Don’t I? I know you sing softly to yourself when you’re deep in thought. I know you’re terrified of thunderstorms but too proud to admit it. I know you feed the stray cats behind the kitchen and think no one notices.” His hand slid up her arm. “Iknow you pretend to be cold and proper, but your eyes give you away every time like they’re doing right now.”
Caroline’s face heated at the intensity in his gaze. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I’m tired of pretending this is just about power or possession.” He pulled her closer, his other hand settling at her waist. “I want you to be mine because I can’t bear the thought of you belonging to anyone else. Not because of your patents or your company, but because somehow, without my permission, you’ve become essential to me.”
“Essential?” Her voice shook slightly.
“Like breathing.” His forehead pressed against hers. “I wake up thinking of ways to make you smile. I fall asleep remembering every sharp retort, every defiant glare. It’s maddening. You’re maddening.”
“You’re horrible,” she whispered, but her hands had somehow found their way around his neck. “Arrogant, controlling—”
“Yours.” The word seemed torn from him. “Completely, irrevocably yours. And it terrifies me.”
The pain in his voice undid her last defences. Then his mouth claimed hers with bruising intensity, all his jealousy and vulnerability poured into the kiss. She met him with equal fervour, her fingers tangling in his hair.
“Caroline,” he breathed against her lips. “My Caroline.”
“Not yours,” she gasped as his mouth trailed down her neck. “Not yet.”
“Stubborn woman,” he breathed against her lips as he palmed her ass and squeezed.
“Possessive arse,” she countered.
His mouth traced her throat. “And I still say no more private meetings with Findlay.”
