Page 89 of Tempting the Scoundrel
He nipped her lower lip. “I findyouthreatening people to be arousing.”
“Mmm.” She tilted her head back as he flicked her earlobe with his tongue. “You are perverse.”
“I am.” He slid his hands behind her to cup her arse. “Very perverse. Utterly hopeless. A complete deviant, mauling his wife on a public street at night because she is just so. Fucking. Tempting.” The last three words were punctuated with kisses tracked down her neck.
At the reminder of where they were, Alex said, “Nick, we shouldn’t.”
“Right. We shouldn’t.” He kissed her again anyway.
“You are far too wicked.” She put a finger to his lips. “Take me back to the Brimstone.”
“And?”
She smiled up at him and looped her arms around his neck. “Show me how tempting you find me.”
Chapter 29
Two days later, Thorne received a letter from Lord Reginald Seymour that said, simply:
The contract has been pulled. Check the dailies.
And call off your wife.
— RS
Thorne nabbed an issue ofThe Timesfrom the Brimstone’s foyer and unfolded it. The top column made him grin:SEYMOUR STEPS DOWN!The article expressed bafflement at the MP’s sudden plans to resign from his post in the House of Commons and retire to America, off all places. What could have precipitated such a mystifying decision? The columnists speculated at business prospects and Seymour’s health.
None could have guessed that it was one exceedingly clever woman.
He found her in the sitting room, reading a book at the bay window that overlooked the street. Thorne paused to admire the way the sun glinted off her tawny hair, framing her in a halo of gold light. Every day, he wanted to walk into a room and find her there. Every damn day.
“I have a present for you,” he said, pushing off the doorframe to approach her.
Alex’s glanced over at him, setting aside her book. Now her smile changed, and this one made his breath catch. This was a private look, one just for him. “Yes?”
He snapped open the broadsheet and passed it to her.
“America?” She let out an amused noise. “God help them. Remind me after the little season to make sure he’s payed his workers in Australia the severance we’ve negotiated, or I’ll send someone to threaten him.”
“Send someone, or take a holiday with me?”
Alex looked delighted. “Are you saying you wish to be my partner in intimidating very bad men?” The bubble of laughter in her voice was its own gift. He had missed it, in the years they were separated.
Thorne leaned down for a kiss. “I’ll let you do the intimidating. I’m content to stand back and admire.”
“Good answer.”
“Come with me.” He took Alex’s hand and pulled her from the window seat. “I have something else for you.”
She followed him into the hallway. “Does it come with more kisses?”
“Maybe.” He damn well hoped so.
“Does it involve a bed?”
“No.” He gave her a hot look as they came to her bedchamber door. “But it does have a tempting flat surface.”
“That sounds very—” She went still when she saw what was inside the room. “Nick,” she whispered.
