Page 76 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
Whenever she was with Finn, he saw her for the woman she was. Not the woman society deemed she should be. In his eyes, she was a beauty. Not because she wore the most fashionable clothing. Not because her hair was coiffed just so. Not even because he found her face to be pretty and appealing. No, it went far deeper.
When she was with Finn, she could see the truth in his eyes. They were connected in a way she’d never experienced. Never expected. Two kindred spirits who’d finally, maddeningly, stumbled upon each other.
Earlier that night, standing with Finn in the garden of Lady Fenwick’s elegant home, she’d taken the risk of being found alone with him. In his arms. Savoring his kiss. She’d thought herself quite daring then.
But now, she contemplated taking a risk which might well make her heart soar.
Or leave it in tatters.
Macie slipped her dressing gown over her shoulders, donned her slippers, and tugged the ribbon tie of the dressing gown tighter around her waist.
Would Finn be shocked to discover her in his room? She smiled at the thought. Would he take her to his bed? Or send her away? She simply had to find out.
She had to take this chance.
Macie quietly navigated the stairs to the downstairs quarters. Steps from Finn’s room, she hesitated. The sound of Mrs.Tuttle’s voice drifted through the sturdy door to her room. Macie’s breath caught. She listened more closely. Rumbles of loud snoring reached her ears, with a few mumbled words thrown in for good measure. The tension eased from her shoulders. The housekeeper was deep in her slumber.
Macie bit back a giggle at the noise. Poor Finn, trying to sleep through this racket each night.
Shoring up her courage, she went to Finn’s door. She pulled in a breath, as if that might ease the sudden surge of her pulse. Could she do this? Had she truly gone mad with her hunger for this man?
It wasn’t too late. If she tiptoed back to her room, he’d be none the wiser. He wouldn’t even know she’d stood inches beyond his door.
She could simply come to her senses and return to the quiet of her own bedchamber... to her own bed.
The door opened with a mild creak of protest. The faint illumination of her lamp cast light and shadows over Finn’s long, lean form. The bedclothes had slid low, resting over his legs and lean hips. His powerful upper body was bared to her sight.
Macie’s gaze trailed over his broad shoulders to his chest, sleek-muscled and firm. Curly light-brown hair feathered over the taut muscles. Then lower, tapering over the contours of his chiseled abdomen she instinctively yearned to explore with her fingertips.
Her mouth went dry.Oh, dear.
Finn blinked against the lamplight, his eyes adjusting from what had been near-complete darkness. “Macie, is something wrong?”
She pressed a finger to her lip, signaling him not to speak. “We mustn’t wake Mrs. Tuttle,” she whispered. “May I come in?”
Tossing aside the quilt, he wore only a pair of loose-fitting trousers. His expression was still drowsy when he came to her.
“Did ye hear a noise?” he asked, motioning her into the chamber. “Did something frighten ye?”
She shook her head and set the lamp on the table. “Nothing is amiss,” she said, closing the door behind her.
His brow furrowed with confusion. “What’s this about?”
“This.”
Summoning every whit of daring she possessed, Macie curved her fingers over his bare shoulders, rose up on her toes, and pressed a kiss to his tempting mouth.
A soft sound of pleasure escaped him, and his arms coiled around her. Pulling her to his muscular body, he held her close and threaded his fingers through her hair. “So bloody beautiful,” he whispered in a husky rasp.
And then, he deepened the kiss. Searching. Seeking. Seducing. All melded into this delicious caress.
Her knees suddenly went weak. She melted against him, the heat of his body blending with hers as he held her in a possessive yet deliciously tender embrace.
“Ye drive me mad, Macie,” he whispered against her lips.
His hands glided down her back, the heat of his touch penetrating the thin cotton of her clothing. Boldly, he cupped his hands over her bottom and held her nearer still. The undeniable evidence of his desire pressed against her softness. Utterly male. Unyielding. Demanding.
“Ye see what ye do to me, lass?” His voice was low, edged with gravel.
