Page 14 of A Wager With A Rake
“I’m pleased you received my message,” she said, her voice low and breathy.“I was concerned you might not be here.”
Court’s eyes roamed over her figure appreciatively.“And miss the opportunity to hear your mysterious proposition?I think not.”
He stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter.As she passed, Theodosia caught a whiff of that intoxicating bergamot scent, stirring memories of their last encounter.She suppressed a shiver and forced herself forward.
The grand foyer was just as she had designed to suit her tastes—the large rug, the elegant white walls, beautiful artwork.Her home.And she ached to reclaim it.That was why she was there.And she must remember that.
Court led Theodosia into the drawing room, his hand hovering near the small of her back but not quite touching.The air between them crackled with unspoken tension.
“Would you care for some refreshment?”he asked, moving toward the sideboard.“I have an excellent brandy, or perhaps you’d prefer tea?”
“Brandy, please,” Theodosia replied, her voice steady despite her racing pulse.She required something to fortify her nerves.
He handed her a crystal glass with amber liquid, their fingers briefly brushing in the exchange.Theodosia closed her eyes for a mere second from the contact.She must get herself together if she was going to follow through with her plans and not allow herself to be tempted by the man.She sat in the center of the settee so there wouldn’t be room for him to sit beside her and unnerve her further.
Court settled into an armchair across from her, taking a relaxed posture with his long legs stretched out before him and crossed at the ankles.His piercing gaze never left her face as he sipped his own brandy.“So tell me why you summoned me here.”
Theodosia took a fortifying sip, savoring the warmth as it slid down her throat.His gaze appeared far too heated as if he were already undressing her with his eyes.A realization that shouldn’t surprise her, given what had occurred between them the last time they had been alone together.
She leaned forward slightly, allowing Court a tantalizing glimpse of her barely covered chest.It couldn’t hurt to make him squirm a bit and ensure that he agreed to her terms.“I’ve come to take you up on your offer,” she said, her voice low and sultry.And judging by the look on his face, he might not expect what she would say next.“To win back Rosewood.”
His playful expression faltered, contemplating what she said.Then a slow smile spread across Court’s face, his eyes darkening with interest.“Is that so?And what exactly are the terms for this wager?”
Theodosia’s heart pounded.This was the moment of truth.She set her glass aside and rose gracefully, moving to perch on the arm of Court’s chair.“Three games of Piquet,” she proposed.“Best two out of three.If I win, Rosewood is mine once more.You shall sign the deed over to me.And I should warn you, I intend to be the victor.”She spoke to him over her shoulder, appearing far more confident than she felt inside.
“And what exactly do I get if I should win?”he asked, scoffing.
Theodosia’s pulse quickened as she shifted her position so she met Court’s intense gaze.She leaned in close, her lips almost pressed against his ear.“Me,” she whispered, then lightly licked his earlobe.“For one night.To do with as you please.”
Court stiffened beside her, his sharp intake of breath betraying his interest.“And how do I know you’ll follow through?”
Theodosia pulled back slightly, allowing her fingers to trail along his arm.“You’ll have to trust me.Just as I have to trust that you will sign the deed over to me when I win.”
He studied her face intently as if searching for any sign of deception.Theodosia held his gaze, willing her expression to remain unaffected by him.Even if that were so far from the truth, given how she clenched her thighs together.
“I could seduce you right now, and then there shall be nothing left for you to wager.”Capturing her wrist, he brought her knuckles to his lips.“I could, you know, Tess.”
Oh, he was good.Far too good.But she had prepared herself to resist him.Getting Rosewood back was far more important than having a single night with him.Even if she had little doubt it would be the best night of her life.
She pulled her wrist from his grasp and rolled her eyes at him.It was for show, but she must make her point.Sliding off the armrest, she allowed herself to sit on his lap.He groaned when she did so, and there was an undeniable bulge pressed against her hip.She had him exactly where she wanted him, and she couldn’t falter now.“I’m able to withstand your efforts, Court.Do you agree to the terms of the wager or not?”
He almost appeared offended by the remark.“You should know that I haven’t lost a wager in years.”His arm fell around her and gripped her hip, pulling her tighter against him.
“Then you shouldn’t hesitate to make such an arrangement if you are so confident.”Her words were far breathier than she should have allowed, so to regain control, she rubbed her hip against his bulge.
He swallowed hard and stifled a groan.“One week,” he ground out.“Should I win, you are mine for an entire week.I think that is only fair, given that I stand to lose an entire estate.”
“I thought you didn’t lose,” she said, taunting him.
He chuckled.“I don’t.But the terms should at least be fair, should they not?”
She knew she could beat him.She had trained with the best, and she had taken to the game remarkably.At the end of the wager, she’d have the deed in her hands, and if he required comfort after his crushing defeat, she just might be willing to provide that, too.
Who was she kidding?She would absolutely do so, but he needn’t know that.That would just be the cherry on top of the perfect plan to recover her home and begin her life as a carefree widow who could do as she pleased.
And she wouldn’t lie to herself and pretend that coupling with Harcourt Eliot would be any kind of hardship.It was all she’d dreamed of these last weeks.Besides holding the deed to Rosewood, that is.
Part of her felt guilty that she had planned and practiced taking the estate from a man she’d known for most of her life, but it was what he’d done to her father.If men could behave in such a manner, she could, too.
