Page 76 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
He put a finger under her chin, raising her face. He pressed a swift kiss to her lips. ‘Never have I met a woman who caused me to lose control the way you do.’
‘Control?’
He frowned at her. ‘You know. Too soon.’
She recalled Helmut and how he’d pounded into her over and over and never had she felt the bliss she had with Xavier. ‘I like it fast.’
‘Hmm,’ he said, sounding unconvinced. ‘Next time, I will do better.’
She must have made a sound of concern, because he chuckled.
‘Don’t worry. You will like it just as well, if not better.’
She did not see how on earth it could be better. Indeed, if it replicated her experience with Helmut, she would be severely disappointed. But she had not luredhim into her bed for pleasure. He was going to rescue her from a fate worse than death.
Even if he never knew it.
The likelihood of him ever speaking to her again after she exposed their affair to the world was exceedingly slight, especially when he realised she was the source.
And she would endure whatever was needed in the meantime, the way she had always endured.
Sadness filled her. Loneliness.
Up until these last few minutes this visit with Xavier had been so…lovely. More than lovely. Amazing. Wondrous. Blissful…
There was no sense in her wishing for what could not be. She had made up her mind.
They lay side by side in silence for a while. She knew he wasn’t sleeping because his hand stroked her hip and his breathing, while even, was not the deep breaths of sleep.
But the silence was companionable. Comfortable. Calming.
Meanwhile the room slowly darkened.
‘What is the time?’ she asked.
He turned his head to look at the window. ‘It must be after four.’
‘I needs must leave soon.’
‘Yes. We should not tarry longer.’ He arose, keeping his back to her, and pulled his shirt over his head, hiding her view of all his lovely,muscled flesh. When he turned back, his shirt tented very obviously at his groin. He desired to make love again.
A breath caught in her throat. Her heart picked up speed. She wanted the same.
She almost said something provocative. But no. She really must leave.
‘Up you get,’ he said, holding out his hand.
He helped her down from the bed and assisted her with her clothing.
Finally, he lifted the heavy weight of her hair with a frown. ‘I don’t think there is much I can do with this.’
She picked up the brush on the dressing table. It was clean. No sign of the previous owner’s hair.
‘It is new,’ he said as if guessing at her thoughts.
She began pulling the brush through her hair.
He took it from her and began teasing out the tangles.
