Page 98 of A Little Bit Dangerous
“Before passion overwhelms us, let me thank you.”
His sensual smile had heat pooling between her thighs. “Thank me?” He smoothed his hands over her buttocks and drew her tight against his hard body. “For what, love? For the kisses that make you mindless with need?” He claimed her mouth in a slow, hypnotic kiss that curled her toes. “For making you come hard around my cock?”
The haze of desire swept over her. She was wet, her sex already pulsing to an intoxicating rhythm. She’d be on her back in a matter of seconds, and then she might never reveal what was in her heart.
“When you’re buried deep inside me, everything feels right, but that’s not why I want to thank you.” She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “You’ve been so kind to me, Christian. You don’t make me feel like a burden. No one has ever cared for me the way you do.”
He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I’m in love with you. Surely you know I’d die for you, Isabella.”
Dare she hope it was true?
All the old doubts surfaced. “But what if you’re wrong?”
“I’ve never known desire like this. The urge to make love is too powerful to suppress, but I’d be happy just to hold you in my arms and watch you sleep.” He stroked the backs of his fingers over her jaw. “Besides, I’m not the one thinking about running away.”
Her stomach twisted into knots.
How did one undo a lifetime of hurt?
How did one learn to trust?
“I love you,” she whispered, the emotion behind the words clear in her trembling voice. “I love you so much I can barely breathe.”
If only she could crawl into his bed and stay there forever.
His smile was short-lived. “Why do I sense your hesitance?”
“If you do, I’m at fault for giving you a reason to doubt me. Believe me when I say I’m desperately in love with you, Christian.”
He tangled his hands in her hair and tilted her head. His fervent kisses left a searing trail down the column of her throat. “Never forget how I make you feel. Never doubt this is real.”
Something in his tone made her look at him. What she saw in his eyes made her heart sink. “You say that as if you’re the one who’s leaving.”
“I am.”
“What?” She jerked out of his grasp.
“Let me explain before you concoct a tragic story in your mind.” He reached for his coat and slipped his hand into the pocket, retrieving two sealed notes. “I want you, in every way a man can want a woman. This letter explains it all.” He moved past her to place it on the nightstand. “I could be selfish and make demands, but I love you too much not to grant you your freedom.”
Her chest constricted. Fear sank its icy claws into her heart. Was this why he left her talking to Aramis while he slipped into Aaron’s study?
“Christian, what are you saying?”
He placed the second note on the nightstand and closed the gap between them. He reached for her hand, linking their fingers. “You will always have my heart. I will always be yours. Let’s go to bed to sleep. When you wake, you must read the notes. If you want me, I’ve explained where you can find me.”
Confusion had her shaking her head. “No.”
“I’ll not force you to surrender your freedom.” He kissed her forehead, then took a moment to appreciate her figure. “You look wicked in red.” He removed his waistcoat. “Are you coming to bed?”
Her throat was so tight she couldn’t answer. She thought of demanding to read the notes now. But she was at fault. She’d told him she planned to run. She had made it clear she sought a life elsewhere. What else was he to do but test her resolve?
“Will you make love to me?” she breathed.
“Are you not exhausted, love?”
“A little.” She wanted to feel close to him and let the heat of his body warm her numb limbs. “I want you inside me, Christian.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
