Page 41 of The Earl's Secret
“So I did. Very well.” He paused, unsure of how she would respond to the truth. “One.”
She blinked, her expression otherwise unreadable. “One.”
“Yes. One woman.”
“But you… with me…”
“Yes. You.”
“But—”
“But what?”
“But how can that be?” she asked, standing now and beginning to pace back and forth in agitation, the blanket trailing behind her like a cape. “I know we ladies are not supposed to speak of it, not supposed to know of what goes on, but I am well aware that young men are encouraged to have a great deal of… experiences. You cannot tell me that the one time with me was the only time you ever did such a thing. Besides, you seemed rather… experienced.”
“Why, thank you,” he said with a grin.
“Devon! Do not mock me.”
“I am not mocking you. A gentleman appreciates being complimented for his ‘experience.’”
She lifted a hand to rub her forehead, and in doing so, came perilously close to losing the blanket. Devon wasn’t sure if he would prefer that it fall or remain where it was.
“But… why?”
It was one thing to tell her that he hadn’t been with any other woman. Explainingwhyhe hadn’t been was something else entirely. For that would open up a conversation that he wasn’t yet ready to have with her, that could lead to dangerous happenings all over again. Gideon was his closest friend in the entire world. To disrespect his sister not just once but twice… would be inexcusable.
Cassandra was watching him now with hooded eyes, and Devon turned from her, walking to the fireplace to see if her dress had dried at all.
Of course, as it had been no more than a few minutes, it was still soaked in lake water.
“I am sorry that you are trapped here with me,” he said instead.
She cocked her head as though trying to read into just what he was saying.
“This is not your fault,” she said. “Why, areyouupset to be here with me, alone?”
Her blue eyes flashed, and he knew there was more behind her words, more that he was desperate to discover.
“Do you still hate me?” he asked. “Do you still wish that I was gone from Castleton?”
“Yes,” she lied, staring him straight in the eye. He saw her pupils dilate and noted her breath quicken, and his body answered her with his own desire flaring to life deep within his soul.
“Do you know, Cassandra, that when you lie to me, you only become more attractive?”
He stepped toward her now, even as she, likely without even realizing it, began to approach him.
“I am not lying,” she lied again, but now her eyes were on his lips as she licked her own. She had stepped close enough that he could reach a hand up and brush her hair back away from her face.
“Can you prove it?” He was treading dangerous waters here, but this was the effect that Cassandra had on him. He was a man who enjoyed pushing the limits as it was, but she altogether crashed right through any barrier that was still standing.
“How would I do so?”
“Simple. I shall kiss you.”
“Kiss me?”
“If you will allow me to,” he amended, not wanting to force anything on her, especially after all that had happened with damn Amberdash. “We shall see if you respond or not. If you decide that I am as despicable as you claim I am, push me away and I will never try again.”
