Page 59 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
He grimaced. ‘Yet I find myself deeply attracted to you. I desire you more than I have ever desired any other woman. I—’ He took a deep breath. ‘I beg your pardon. That was wholly uncalled for.’
Hardly. Not after the way she had goaded him. And his admission pleased her far more than she had expected. ‘At least you are being honest for a change. I desire you too. Unfortunately, this little boat is far too small for us to see our desires to fruition. Perhaps I should pop round to your townhouse tomorrow afternoon?’
‘Are you really so shameless?’
This was uphill work. Given his ardour a moment ago, if he was not tempted now, he never would be. He was as passionless as a potato, or a lump of coal, or a dead stick.
Perhaps she needed to look elsewhere to make a scandalous liaison.
He leaned over, nothing more than a large shadow, blotting out the moon and the stars. Then his mouth found hers and he kissed her.
Hard.
Passionately.
Feverishly.
She flung her arms around his neck and pulled himclose, wanting to feel the weight of him on her body. Delving into the recesses of his mouth with her tongue.
Inviting him to do the same to her. He tasted her lips, stroked her tongue with his. Delicious.
She arched into him.
He groaned and eased his body over hers, pressing one knee between her thighs. Her skirts hampered his intent and he reached down and—
The boat bumped something and rocked madly.
He cursed and sat up.
‘What is it?’ she asked.
He chuckled ruefully. ‘We hit the bank.’
She could see now they were back beneath the trees.
She let go a sigh. Such an amazing kiss. She had never experienced anything like it.
She reached up for him.
He caught her hand in his. ‘Someone might see us.’
‘I don’t care.’ She was missing the feel of him against her body too much to give a damn. Her blood was racing hot through her veins.
‘I do,’ he murmured softly, leaning down and touching his lips briefly to hers.
‘Ugh, always caring about what others think.’ She sat up.
‘Hush. I have an idea.’
He rose and picked up the pole and pushed them off.
At first, she assumed he was heading back to the dock, but as the lamplights receded she realised they were headingdownstream.
‘Where are we going?’ she whispered.
‘You will see.’
Xavier pushed hard on the pole. The little boat surged along on the current. He could not believe he was actually doing this.
