Page 107 of If the Slipper Fits
“What’s that?” came her breathless reply.
“We want to do all sorts of naughty things together. Or don’t you want me to kiss you, and touch you and fill you until you come apart in my arms?”
Just like that, her insides simmered with delicious molten heat.
“That’s quite…” she drew in a shuddering breath and, knees gone wobbly, promptly plopped onto her rear on the mattress. “…a bold assertion.”
He sent her a cocksure grin. “You haven’t denied it, however. I’d call you a liar if you did. It’s written all over your beautiful face.”
She glared. She couldn’t decide which of them at this moment annoyed her more. Him for his utter arrogance, or her, because he was right.
He lowered himself to sit beside her, his thigh brushing hers. He leaned back propping himself on his elbows. “No need to get your feathers ruffled. I did saywe.”
So he had. Her gaze strayed to his mouth. She did so want him to kiss her.
“At any rate, consider it fodder for thought.” Abruptly he rose from the bed.
He strolled across the room, and leaned against the windowsill, crossing his arms over his chest. “Hadn’t we better compare notes before supper?”
She blinked at him, disappointment washing through her. “Beg pardon?”
He arched a brow. “I tell you what Zeke, the earl and I discussed, and you fill me in on yours and Kitty’s conversation.”
Of course. Why hadn’t she thought of it? Probably something to do with being distracted by Caden’s mouth, and hands, and…Closing her eyes briefly, she shook her head to clear it.
“Quite right. Tell me how you left things with your brother and the earl.” She applauded herself on sounding almost normal.
“As I mentioned, Zeke remembered you as a girl.”
Lady Kitty had said as much, as well. She’d also shared Zeke’s theory Caden harbored a childhood crush on her. She considered asking Caden if that were true. Then dismissed the idea. He’d only deny it.
But was it true?
“He saw Bolton’s ad in the Times, mentioned same to Kitty. I hadn’t considered he’d have recognized you from so many years ago. After all, I didn’t recognize you straight away when you hovered not two feet above me. In fairness to myself, Zeke had the benefit of reading your name in print alongside your likeness.
“And so, forewarned, he questioned me the moment you quit the room. Then the earl joined us. You’ll be gratified to know we reached a decision about what’s to be done to sort your situation.”
“Oh? You’ve decided? Do tell.”
If he heard the sarcasm in her tone, he gave no indication. “Assuming Bolton has been apprised of your presence at the house party and subsequent disappearance in conjunction with my departure, we expect to find him on our doorstep sooner than later. We devised a plan to enlist the earl’s man-of-affairs to uncover everything he can on Bolton—concerning his finances, business ventures, personal circumstances, etcetera, etcetera. In short, we’re searching for leverage, something we can use to free you from the sham of a marriage which Bolton and your step-mother wrangled you into.”
“You make it sound so simple.”
Caden shrugged. “No reason it shouldn’t be.”
“What about the rest?”
He arched his brows. “The rest?”
She cleared her throat. “What did you tell them about our so-called engagement?”
He tugged at his waistcoat, not meeting her eyes. “A consensus was reached. As soon as the annulment is procured, we’ll proceed with the wedding post haste.”
“Post haste?”
He winced apologetically. “Let’s just say it escaped neither Zeke’s nor the earl’s attention that the one sure-fire way to get you out of your marriage we rejected out-of-hand.”
“Proof of my virginity. So you, what? Admitted we…” She couldn’t finish her statement. Could barely breathe. She waved her hand in a vague, all encompassing gesture.
