Page 82 of A Lady's Handbook of Espionage
She smiled. “And maybe I missed you.”
Missed—
She ground down with a roll of her hips. Callahan hissed, fingers sinking into her waist. “Behave. Or I swear on all that’s holy, I’ll bend you over this card table in front of everyone and spank that pert arse.”
Isabel’s grin widened. “Promise?”
“Well, aren’t you lucky, Ashford,” one of the other men – Callahan thought his name might be Fitzwilliam or Farnsworth or some other ridiculous appellation – said with a leer. “Quite the armful you’ve got there. What would Mrs Ashford think?”
Callahan glared up at Isabel. “I reckon Mrs Ashford understands that I’m a man of insatiable appetites. Must be my natural charm and magnetism.”
Isabel grinned.
And then she was moving against him in a slow grind that had him seeing stars. Callahan bit down hard on the inside of his cheek, fighting to keep still. To let her set the pace, even as every instinct screamed to grab hold and thrust up against her.
But that wasn’t the game. Not here and now. So he let her ride him in a maddening tease.
Meanwhile, the brunette – Lily, Isabel had called her – had perched herself on Harrington’s knee. She toyed with the lapel of his jacket, batting her eyelashes. “Tell me, my lord. Is it true what they say about men of science? That your minds are always working?”
“Quite true,” the viscount said. “The life of an intellectual is one of constant grappling with life’s mysteries and the boundaries of propriety.”
Lily widened her eyes. “Propriety? However do you mean?” She leaned closer, the pale swells of her breasts threatening to spill free of her dress. “Surely a great man like yourself wouldn’t shrink from advancement?”
Harrington’s gaze was glued to her décolletage. “Depends on the advancement.”
As Lily worked her magic on Harrington, Isabel continued her performance for the benefit of the other men at the table.
“You’re so tense, darling,” she purred. “Why don’t you relax? Let me take care of you.”
Callahan’s hands came up to grip her hips, partly to keep her from falling and partly to keep himself from doing something stupid, like grinding her against his erect cock.
“Sweetheart,” he growled, low enough that only she could hear, “if you don’t stop squirming, things are going to get uncomfortable fast.”
Isabel’s only response was to nip at his earlobe, drawing a strangled sound from his throat. The little hellcat was enjoying this far too much.
“I’ve heard such terrible rumours of brilliant men like yourself being led astray,” Lily was saying. “Tempted into paths of darkness in the name of progress. But I’m sureyouwouldn’t fall prey, would you?”
“Of course not. But I’ve been corresponding with a colleague who . . .” Harrington trailed off, shaking his head. “But I shouldn’t speak of such things. It’s not proper conversation.”
Lily pouted. “But now you’ve piqued my curiosity. I promise I can keep a secret.” She leaned in, whispering something in Harrington’s ear that made his eyes go wide and his cheeks flush.
Callahan strained to hear, but Isabel chose that moment to nip his jaw. “Having fun?”
“Oh, absolutely,” he replied through gritted teeth. “Nothing I love more than having my fake wife grinding on my lap while I try to eavesdrop on a scientis—Jesus Christ.”
Isabel had placed her hand right on his cock. He gripped her waist, fingers digging in.
“Behave,” he hissed.
She had the audacity to smirk at him. “Make me.”
Before Callahan could formulate a scathing response, Harrington’s voice rose, drawing his attention back.
“. . . asked me questions about a combination of chemicals that I find deeply concerning,” he was saying, his words slightly slurred. Lily had been plying him with whiskey, and it seemed to have the desired effect. “If my suspicions are correct, the potential applications could be dangerous.”
Lily gasped, her eyes wide. “How dreadful! But surely you wouldn’t allow such dangerous research to continue?”
“I’ve voiced my concerns, of course. But he’s—” Harrington made a noise. “Never mind. I’m sure you don’t want to hear me prattle on when we could be doing something much more interesting.”
