Page 30 of Ruthless with a Rogue
He trailed lower, ready to claim those plush pink lips.But the image of her laughing filled his mind again.No.He needed to finally claim that neck.He changed course, pushed her chin up and feathered kisses down to her neck.Yes.She was sweeter here, her vanilla scent stronger.
Her hands flexed on his wrists, and he let his tongue slip out.He followed with a soft graze of his teeth.A tremor went through her frame.A wicked smile curled his lips.Time to see how the minx liked it when she played with a beast who had sharp teeth.He nuzzled her neck, time to sink his teeth in—
“No.”
He stilled.
Her choppy breaths were the only sound in the silent chamber.Because when Derek had stilled, he’d stopped breathing.Had he heard correctly?
“No,” she whispered.
He stiffly pulled back, his hands still cradling her face, her fingers still wrapped around his wrists.Her gaze was locked on the floor, her bottom lip imprisoned by her top teeth in a bite that could only be painful.Then those hypnotic irises met his, and his lungs stalled.Midnight blue, drowning in lust.He slowly ran his thumb over her high cheekbone, warm from the blush glowing on her skin.He leaned in, hovering.They were inches apart, breaths mingling, so close his vision blurred.
“No?”he whispered.Because everything about her was saying yes.Everything in him was screaming yes.
Something passed through those stormy blues before they fell shut.Confusion?Shame?His brows drew together.
When they opened again, they were crystal clear.“No, my lord.”
He nodded slowly and stepped away, his hand falling to his side.
She fidgeted with the black silk of her dress.“I should get changed into my original dress.”
He shook his head numbly, still coming down from whatever had almost come to pass between them.“The dress, the mask, everything, is yours.”
The side of her mouth tilted up.“What on earth am I going to do with a dress like this?”
“You seem resourceful, Miss Forester.I’m sure you’ll think of something.”He cleared his throat, his mask of indifference falling back in place.“Gather your things; I’ll escort you back home.”
She studied him for a moment, her lips looking very much like they were fighting a full smile.But all she did was dip her chin in a nod and then head toward the dressing room.
When she reached the door, she glanced back at him, chin resting on her shoulder.“It was a valiant effort, my lord.Just so you know.”And then she disappeared.
Something burst in his chest.The thrill of coming so close to seducing that woman.She was so unexpected.A worthy adversary.
Victory was hers.
But he still had a carriage ride, and he had a very good idea of how he was going to use it.
Derek watched her.And he knew she could feel it.Lust.Want.How desperate he was for her.The shadows flickering through the rumbling carriage only added to it all.It was swirling around them—thick, intense, dangerous.
Need.
Arousal.
People underestimated what could be done without touch.His gaze trailed over her mouth, and he skated his teeth over his bottom lip.Her gaze dropped to the movement, her lips parting slightly.Sometimes denial was just as effective.More.
He’d done a great job of seducing himself tonight, dressing her up in fabrics he’d had made specially for her.His silk on her skin.Something primal radiated violently inside him, a bolt of heat ricocheting, so piercing he almost flinched.He clenched his jaw and breathed slowly through his nose, eyes locked on her.He told her how hungry he was for her with nothing but an unrelenting stare.An unsteady exhale fled those much-too-full lips, and his lips curled.She could see it.He was a beast starved, and he was desperate to feast on her.His gaze dropped to her lap.All of her.
But he needed to seduce her, not himself.
He slowly tugged his coat off, one sleeve, then the other, making sure his movements stretched the clothing underneath over his chest.Her gaze traced over his newly revealed linen shirt and waistcoat, wariness glimmering back at him in the moonlight.He winged a brow.
“It’s warm.You don’t mind if I get more comfortable, do you?”
“Depends on how many layers you’re planning to remove, my lord.”
A grin flashed before he could repress it.Minx.Her attention snapped to his mouth.“Just the one, darling,” he purred.“For tonight.”
