Page 33 of The Miracle of Love
Yes, he was uncompromising and wanted his way in all things.
But Grace made him…he did not know what was going on with his heart, only that he could not bear to see her hurt. Sacrificing his own desires to make her happy suddenly did not feel like a chore for him.
Those men had gotten too close to her.
“Oh, dear. My gown has a little tear. I’ll sew it back up when we return to Lady Miranda’s house.”
He leaned forward. “Let me see.”
“Not on your life,” she said, her eyes glittering with mirth as she shrank back.
“Why not?”
He was glad she appeared amused rather than appalled. “It is too close to my bosom, and I will not have you staring there. You are already too much for me to handle. I am sure you are impossible for anyone to tame.”
He folded his arms across his chest and eased back against the squabs. “I do not behave this way around other women.”
“Then why do you take liberties with me? Because I am a Montford and already tainted?”
He hated the way the gossips had beaten her down. “Nothing of the sort. It is because I find you irresistible. Not that this is any excuse for my behavior. But I will claim no more than kisses from you. I am bound by honor to protect you and this I will do with my life. As for that tear to your gown, let me see it. I will be very careful not to touch you anywhere untoward.”
“The damage is insignificant, and I am already undone every time you look at me with your leopard eyes.”
“Stop referring to me as that animal. I am not going to eat you.”
“Then stop looking at me as though you are.”
Well, he did want to devour the luscious girl.
Peel the clothes off her body.
Not merely want to peel them off her, for that denoted delicacy and there was nothing delicate about his feelings for Grace.
He could hardly think straight for wanting her.
It was disconcerting how quickly the logical part of his brain seemed to shut down whenever he looked at her.
Raw, animal instinct simply took over.
Perhaps he was a leopard.
Mine.
Not sharing her with anyone.
Not giving her up to anyone.
Why was this happening to him?
She was completely the opposite of seductive, buttoned up to her throat and layers of linen and wool between them. He had yet to catch even a glimpse of soft, pink flesh peeking out from anywhere.
“Deklan, you may take these feelings lightly, but I cannot. Perhaps we ought to ask the Duke of Wooton to replace you with another of his top men.”
He emitted a soft growl. “No one protects you but me.”
How could she suggest such a thing?
Grace frowned at him. “Then tell me this, how do you protect me against you? Because you cannot keep kissing me as though I matter to you. I am terrified I will start to believe it and then you will break my heart.”
