Page 32 of The Art of Sinning
“No.” Having him flush against her down there was glorious.This,she’d never done before. “I... I’m not used to... tempting anyone, Mr. Keane.”
“Jeremy.” He nipped her earlobe, sending a frisson of sensation through her. “Call me Jeremy when we’re alone.”
Another intimacy. It banished her good sense entirely. “Jeremy?” she breathed.
“Yes, Yvette?”
“Kiss me again.”
This time his kiss was leisurely, as if he wanted to savor it.Shecertainly wanted to savor it, and the feel of him against her, and the way his fingers flexed convulsively on her thighs as if he was trying to keep from caressing her... She wanted to savor it all.
And wouldn’t it be wonderful to have himtouchher somewhere naughty? Down there? Where no man had ever touched her? The very idea made her head swim and her knees wobble.
Cupping her head in his hands, he drew back to stare at her. “We have to stop this.”
Her throat tightened. “Why?”
That was a silly question. She knew why. The last time a man had dallied with her, she’d nearly lost her pride, her reputation, and her future.
“Because I want to bed you—here, now. I’ve spent all evening thinking of how it would feel to have you.” He swore under his breath. “Have I finally made you understand that I desire you?”
There was certainly no mistaking the heat in his eyes. “I’m . . . beginning to have some idea.”
“But a gentleman doesn’t act on his desires with a lady. Not unless he intends to court her.” His gaze bored into hers. “And despite what you apparently think of me, Iama gentleman.”
Her disappointment was as keen as it was absurd. “In other words, you donotintend to court me.”
His face closed up. “I don’t intend to court anyone, no matter how much I’m tempted.”
She’d known that instinctively, yet she’d foolishly hoped... “And I don’t intend to marry a rogue, so we’re in perfect accord.” Fighting for calm, she pushed at him.
He stepped back, and for the first time since she’d met him, he looked disconcerted. Shoving one hand through the beautiful hair she hadn’t even had the chance to caress, he rasped, “It’s not that I... God, I didn’t mean—”
“You don’t have to explain.” She jerked the hem of the costume down. Lord, she couldn’t believe she’d actuallyinvitedthis... this humiliation. “I as much as asked you to kiss me. You were merely... obliging me.”
His lips thinned. “What a very polite and English way to put it.”
“Well, it’s true, isn’t it? You gave me what I asked for.”
“I gave you more than you asked for.” His heated gaze drifted down to her mouth and lower, where her breasts rose and fell with the urgency of her breathing. “And more than I could afford.”
“Yes, you made that perfectly clear.” She turned toward the table, wondering how she would ever spend the rest of the evening lying on it while he watched her and painted her and did nothing about it.
Because he didn’t want her. Not for more than a moment’s dalliance.
Catching her by the arm, he hauled her around to face him. “It was also far, far less than what I desired.”
“Because you’re a gentleman—I know.” She tugged her arm free of his grip.
A look of frustration crossed his face.
He wasn’t the only one frustrated. Experiencing such passion and being told that one was good only forthatwas mortifying. Especially since, in spite of everything, a part of herstillwished he had done more. Gone further. Taught her...
Heavenly day.
“Perhaps we should stop for tonight,” Jeremy clipped out. “We can pick up again tomorrow night.”
“An excellent idea.” She snatched up her clothes and headed for the door.
