Page 68 of Wicked Designs
Godric smothered a laugh. They all hated Blankenship for the sole reason that he believed Emily belonged to him. Godric tried not to dwell on the thought. It only reminded him of his own less than respectful behavior.
“That does not bode well. I had my concerns about him since he came here with the magistrate,” Ashton said.
“He won’t rest until Emily is his,” Cedric said.
“Then he will be a very tired man indeed.” Godric fought the urge to pace through the halls of the house until all his energy was spent. “We must be vigilant,” he said, and the others agreed.
Cedric grinned. “Besides running into Blankenship, I assume you enjoyed yourselves?”
“Indeed we did! Lucien has quite a knack for picking out women who like to experiment. They had these splendid toys imported from—”
“Ahem.” Ashton coughed. “As much as we all enjoy tales of your and Lucien’s depravity, Charles, there is an innocent young lady under this roof who should not overhear you boasting of your conquests.”
Godric stifled a laugh. Once again, his thoughts were drawn to Emily. He’d left her in his bedroom, unable to trust himself with her a moment longer. But he did not simply seek the pleasures of her flesh. He wanted to bewith her completely, body and soul. Had he ever been with a woman that way? If he had it must have been years ago… He set the cue down on the table, drawing the attention of the other men. The time for waiting was over. He wanted her and if he was any judge of women, she wanted him just as much.
“Excuse me. I have to check on Emily.”
“Of course you do…” Charles chuckled. “I imagine you’ll need to check on her all night.”
Godric ignored the laughter that followed him as he left the room.
Emily was stretchedout on her stomach, reading a collection of essays about philosophy when Godric entered. Her eyes lifted from the pages as he shut his door and leaned back on it, arms crossed. One dark brow rose, as did one corner of his mouth. Her heart leapt. She had the urge to bolt and hide in the underbrush like a startled fawn. The embers between them had smoldered beneath the surface far too long, and would finally be tended to. There would be no going back. Did she trust him?
Yes. Far more than she ought to, but it was too late to question that part of her heart that gave itself over to him.
“Come to me, darling.” Like the serpent offering her an apple, his tone promised to educate her with all of the things an innocent young woman shouldn’t know.
The book fell from her hands and she eased up into asitting position. Her mind was clouding with heady desire. He had to be as desperate for this as she was. Emily let her legs dangle over the side of the bed and leaned back, hands behind her hips and chin raised, offering him what she hoped was a come-hither look.
“If it’s me you want, then come.”
The wolfish gleam in his eyes told her he knew she was trying to control the situation. Finally, he pushed away from the closed door and came to her.
Godric cupped her face with one hand, his eyes flicking to her lips. “Emily, you’re driving me mad.”
“You think this has been easy for me? You know how I feel, but for you the choice is easy and free of consequence. For me? I’m giving up so much to be with you. Please tell me you understand that…” She didn’t want to beg, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her.
“I do…” Godric moved his hands from her shoulders to the neck of her shirt, gripping its edges. In one swift movement he ripped it clean in two, then slid it off her arms and tossed it away. It fluttered to the ground, a white symbol of her surrender.
“You will never regret this choice. I vow it.” His voice was ragged as he cupped her shoulders.
“Godric…” She tried to put a hand out to steady him. His whole body shook as his fingers quickly untied her stays.
“Not another word, vixen. The hound has come, and there is no escape.” Her mind flashed with the image of a red-coated fox caught between the teeth of a hound. She had always been the fox to him, and he had won.
Godric’s hands moved down to her feet, unlacing herboots and dropping them to the floor. He peeled her stockings off next. Emily lay still, watching as he worked on the hooks of her skirt before he slid it to the floor. He stood back, slowly taking off his shirt and casting his boots aside. He started to remove his breeches, but stopped when she shifted uneasily on the bed.
“Now you fear me?”
Emily thought she heard a hint of concern in his tone.Of course I fear you. You take control of everything, demand I give you everything, not just my body.Fear danced through her insides, pulling her back. Breaths became shallow, her heart tapping an unsteady, faint rhythm. Would he accidentally hurt her?
He’d taken her from her carriage by force and subdued her. But as their days together passed, he’d also shown a gentleness he was unable to hide. Would the heartless rake or the wounded soul take possession of her?
The determined look in his eyes told her the rake had control, but the shadow of that gentle soul peeked out from beneath his long, dark lashes.
Any remnant of her fears faded, but a nervous tension just as heady to her senses took its place. She didn’t know how to be with Godric as a lover.
“I…I’m not afraid.” Her insistent tone didn’t convince either of them.
