Page 78 of Madcap with a Marquess
“All right. I have an idea,” Franny said. “Perhaps…if it gets to be too much—for either of us—we could come up with another word we say that means stop. Immediately.”
He brushed a kiss over her lips and murmured, “I think that idea has merit.”
“How about colors? Red for stop. Everyone knows red means danger. And green for go. Obviously.”
He cocked his head. “Obviously?”
“Well, yes. Green like grass, which grows, andgrowrhymes withgo.”
He blinked at her. “That makes absolutely no sense. But I suppose now I won’t ever forget it.”
“And yellow!”
“Yellow…” His voice lilted up, and his head tilted even further, like a confused curly puppy.
“Well, perhaps I like something you’re doing, but you’re a little over-enthusiastic. So, I don’t want you to abruptly stop. Just pull back on the reins. That’s yellow. Like sunshine. A leisurely, slow stroll in the sunshine.”
“You seem rather taken with this idea.”
“I’m excited!”
He chuckled and stole a quick kiss. “You’re bloody adorable. All right, Franny. You have your color system. I like it.”
“Excellent.” She pulled him down for another kiss, sweeping her tongue into his mouth for a small taste. She pulled away and lowered her lashes. “Now you can do whatever you want to me, Rupert.”
His gaze hooded, brown irises molten. “If that is what you want.” His deep, rich words were barely above a breath.
She nodded, their lips brushing over each other.
“You have five seconds to run, Franny,” he murmured over her mouth.
Her core trembled.
“And be quick, because when I find you…” He brushed his nose against her neck, inhaling deeply. “I’m going to fuck you. Regardless of where you are.”
Her breath hitched.
“One.”
Truly? He’d shag her in the middle of the day, outdoors, where anyone could see?
“Two.”
Theyhadbeen intimate on the dining room table. She skirted by him. Best be off then.
“Three.”
Franny broke out in a run.
38
Rupert
Rupertexitedtheoldtennis building, and his gaze landed on Franny, tearing toward the woods up ahead. The organ in his chest vibrated, and he took off at a full sprint. She glanced over her shoulder, her stare clashing with his. Like it had so many times in the past.Catch me if you can. His pulse thrummed in anticipation. Oh, this time he would.
Franny’s slight form disappeared into the woods, a flash of white and fawn breeches between the trees. The hectic crunch of brush and snapping twigs surrounded him, muted by the blood rushing in his ears. His lips curled up. He knew where she was going.
The ruins.
