Page 24 of The Devil Himself
“I am ready to go home. I need to summon my carriage, and I require my clothing.”
The man’s eyes widened. “Yes, of course, my lord. Right away.” He bowed, then backed out of the room.
He stood, his head swimming for a moment, but then the world righted itself, and he knew he would do well enough. He’d been in a carriage accident when he was a stripling that had been far worse, and he’d been up and about in a week, so he needed to get off his arse.
The door opened again a short time later, Rys Grey appearing like a one-man army, his jaw set in a hard line, his lips pressed together. “What are you doing?”
“I am preparing to return home,” Luc said, keeping his voice calm and steady, despite his reaction to a furious-looking Rys. Which was… incredibly sexual, his cock proving he was very much alive.
“No.” Rys said it flatly, his voice brooking no argument.
So naturally, he protested. He’d allowed his father to tell him what to do as a youngster, but after he’d married and established his own life, he had not allowed it from anyone. “Pardon? I know you did not just tell me no.”
“No. I need you safe, Luc. You will stay here until this situation is in hand.” Those clear, silvery eyes flashed at him, becoming smoky, determination in every line of Rys’s body as he walked over to push himself into Luc’s space.
Luc fought not to back up. “I cannot stay here for weeks, Rys.” He had never been the type to spend long periods of time at his club, no matter how common it was. And certainly not at the Devil’s Playground. He had to think of his son’s reputation, if not his own.
“I cannot let you return home unguarded.” Rys stood close enough that Luc could feel his heat through his dressing gown.
He swallowed hard.
“And I cannot remain here.”
“Is it too humiliating to depend upon a gaming hell owner?” Rys snapped.
“No, but it is not proper, even if it is all about Town that I was shot. It’s time to go home.”
“I will send a man to your home in your carriage, and that way you can be presumed to have gone there.”
“Your staff here will still know, and I am at a loss as to what to do here, Rys.” He lifted his good hand to touch Rys’s arm. “I appreciate all you have done.”
Those eyes darkened to the color of storm clouds, and Rys swayed toward him the tiniest bit. He found himself staring at Rys’s mouth, his toes curling against the plush carpet beneath his feet.
Then Rys stepped back, breaking the contact. “Luc…”
“I cannot stay here.”
“Then stay at my home.”
“What?” His jaw dropped. “You cannot mean it.”
“I do. No one knows who lives in my home. My carriage is unmarked, and as far as the neighborhood knows, I’m an eccentric recluse of a certain age.” Rys waited, a tiny smile on his mouth. His beautiful mouth.
“I must meet with my man of affairs…”
“He can meet you in my study.” Rys gave him a patently false pleading look. Luc knew he was as dictatorial as could be. “Please, Luc. Just until this mess is over. I want you safe. I need you safe.”
“And do you intend to come home at night or stay at the club?”
Now Rys’s expression sharpened again. “Which would you prefer?”
“I would much prefer to see you, if I am to be spirited away into hiding.” He felt bold saying it, because this was just as damn improper as staying at the club, but somehow more reasonable.
“Done. I will turn the club over to Harris unless something needs my attention, and we will put ourselves to the task of solving this problem.” Rys held out a hand to shake and seal the deal, he thought.
Luc took it, and shocks traveled up his arm, despite it not being the injured one. He drew in a breath, and Rys held onto him when he would have withdrawn, hand gripping his.
They leaned toward one another, sharing space, then close enough to share air. He felt Rys’s lips brush his, the shock and pleasure of it shooting straight to his cock, and he was leaning in to beg a real kiss when another bloody knock sounded at the door.
