Page 25 of The Gentleman's Seduction
He seemed genuinely surprised. “You wish to dine in my study?”
“Well, yes, if you would let me. If you don’t want me to intrude—”
“No, that’s quite fine,” he replied, and waited for her to follow him. “And please, call me Martin.”
Livvy had to admit she was quite curious as to what his study would look like. Men did not often allow women in their private sanctums. She’d only been inside her father’s study once or twice.
Martin stopped at a door at the end of the corridor and stepped back after he pushed it open. She entered ahead of him, glancing about. The walls were a soft forest-green, and the light paneled wood at the base of the room gave it a distinguished look. The desk was large, but not overly elaborate. It was functional. He had several shelves with books, packets of documents, and the occasional decorative bit of art. The rest of his home was clearly designed to impress, yet here, in this private space, she caught a glimpse of who Martin really was. A man focused on business. She shivered, wondering if that applied to everything in his life.
Am I nothing more than a business transaction to him?
He took a seat at his desk, focusing on a stack of unopened letters. She hastily plucked a book from the shelves and seated herself on one of the two comfortable armchairs facing his desk. She opened the book, turning a few pages before she peeped up at him.
Whatever he was reading was making him frown. Suddenly overcome with an impish desire, she scooted to the edge of the chair and rested her elbows on the edge of his desk. She stared at him. He still kept his gaze on the letters, using a letter opener to slice a wax seal apart as he worked.
Livvy mimicked his deep frown, exaggerating the expression to the point of comedy. Still he did not notice. What would it take to get him to smile, she wondered, or at the least notice her?
A truly wicked thought struck her. She stuck out her tongue and pulled down her cheeks to widen her eyes a little and then wiggled her nose. The movement finally caught Martin’s attention as he saw her, then dropped the stack of letters he’d been rifling through all over the ground and on his desk, knocking over his quill and ink bottle.
“Bloody hell!” he growled, rushing to grasp the bottle and turn it back upright.
“I’m sorry!” she gasped. “I only wanted to make you laugh.”
He raised an eyebrow in challenge. “Oh? Well you ruined the letters. I have half a mind to put you over my knee and spank you.”
She was the one frowning now. “You wouldn’t. I’m a grown woman, not a child.”
“A grown woman does not make such silly faces!”
“Oh, you are impossible.”
Martin was on her instantly, catching her wrist and tugging her around his desk. She squeaked as he bent her over his lap and gave her bottom a hard smack, which didn’t hurt in the slightest because of all her skirts and petticoats, but she didn’t want him to know that.
“Howdareyou!” He gave her another few smacks, though lighter than the first, despite her kicking protests. Her pride was bruised by the time he let her get up, but he didn’t let her leave He simply pulled her across his lap so that she sat on him, and his hands settled on her waist as she he gazed at her and then suddenly grinned and chuckled.
“Try and make that face again,” he dared her. There was a sensual light in his eyes. She clutched his shoulders then, her eyes dropping to his lips. His hands on her waist tightened as though in silent encouragement.
He wants me to kiss him, to make the first move.
She wanted that too. She had coaxed a grin from him, and he’d even laughed a little. Her skin warmed at the thought. His smile was purely male as she closed the distance between their faces. Livvy knew she had been pulled in by the raw power of her attraction to him, but she couldn’t stop herself from pressing her lips to his. Raw need met pure desire as it grew into a deep, open-mouthed kiss. He coiled a hand in her hair at the base of her neck. The lust he drew forth in her was timeless and potent. She feared he was ruining her for all other men.
But it didn’t matter. Well it did, but she knew itwouldn’tmatter once he was done with her. No other man would take her except as a mistress. Her dreams of a marriage and children were gone. Sorrow gripped her heart, and she broke her lips from his. He stared at her, his eyes still glazed with lust.
“I…suddenly don’t feel all that well. I think I will return to my chambers after all.”
She slid off his lap and hastily retreated toward the door.
“Livvy? Livvy, wait, I’m sorry!” Martin rushed after her, but when he caught up to her at the door, sliding one arm around her waist, she put a steadying hand on his chest.
“Did I…? Was I too rough? I was only playing. I didn’t mean to—” He struggled for words, his face pale.
“It isn’t that,” she whispered, her face flushing. “I liked how playful you were, but…” He looked so concerned and inviting, but she had to keep her distance.
If I don’t, I’ll do something terribly foolish like fall in love with the man who bought me for a debt.
She would despise herself if she fell that low…and her heart would be shattered.
“What is it?” Martin cupped her chin, and the touch was so warm that she leaned into it a little. She couldn’t tell him the truth. He wouldn’t understand.
