Page 88 of Ruthless with a Rogue
They came back together, and Quint rushed out, “I was trying to keep my distance, not interfere.I was afraid that I was being biased, that I was blinded by—” He shook his head.“I’m sorry I didn’t step in earlier, Liv,” he whispered.
The music faded to an end, and they stepped back.Quinton bowed as she lowered into a curtsy.
As they made their way back to her aunt, she gave him a small squeeze, looking at his stoic profile.“I’m not sorry.”
He glanced at her sharply, a question in his eyes.
“I’m not sure I would have ever come to London if it weren’t for Warren.I have discovered much about myself here.I’m no longer that naïve woman anymore.”
“I can see that.”He smiled, his eyebrows lifting mockingly high.He looked down his nose at her, that familiar teasing glimmer back in his warm whisky eyes.“You are now the crème de la crème of the ton.”
She arched a haughty brow.“And lucky you, on my arm.”
44
Derek
Derekhadn’tmeanttoask her to dance.
He had meant to leave.That was what he’d decided after much deliberation.Miss Forester could revel in her victory.He’d eventually inform her of his feelings.Some day.Somehow.Perhaps if he gave her enough orgasms, she’d understand without him having to say the actual words.
Except there was one problem.Derek hadn’t failed to notice the interest glinting in Mr.Thorton’s gaze when Dorothea and Livy had briefly paused by the man.A growl rumbled through his chest.It wasn’t just the fop either.The gentlemen were like a pack of hounds scenting a fox.Circling.
Derek couldn’t have that.
And then that little minx had the audacity togood boyhim?He groaned.He’d had to flee the ballroom and take a minute to…calm down, aided by a healthy dose of whisky from his flask.Breeches didnothide certain reactions well.He wanted to hear it again.Needed to.She was so much more audacious than he’d ever have imagined.The saucy little minx.At the same time, something about her praise lit him up inside.It was addictive.All he wanted to do was drop to his knees and be her supplicant.Do more things to earn those two words.
Stop thinking about it, Derek, or else you’re going to have another situation on your hands.
He leaned against the wall where he lurked in the shadows.Livy danced out in the light, laughing and smiling at the prats of the ton.Perfectly respectable.No one had touched her indecently, but Derek had noticed how she’d stiffened and flinched during her first dance.Well, not herfirstdance.She had beenverycomfortable with the fool with the russet curls.There was a familiarity there, one that had Derek’s hackles raised.That lout’s face was begging for Derek’s fist.
He gritted his teeth and blew out a heavy breath through his nose.He didn’t care how innocent the touches were; he couldn’t bear anyone touching her but him.When he’d sensed her trepidation—when he’d seen herflinch—he’d been halfway to the dance floor before he’d realized what he was doing.
What a bloody fool he was.He couldn’t toss her over his shoulder and leave with her in the middle of a ball at Almack’s.But he’d wanted to.The desire to eliminate anything that caused her distress was irrationally strong.
That was all it was.He wasn’t at all nervous that she’d be whisked away by her childhood beau now that she had the attention of every gentleman in the room.
Every gentleman…
Fuck.
Derek had only been nervous about Mr.Thorton—and onlyveryslightly.So slightly it was barely worth mentioning, because the man was a consummate lackwit.But now?Now, Livy could have anyone.Men who might be commendable choices.Something Derek was most definitely not.What had he done?If he’d been an intelligent man, he would have told Dorothea to burn that voucher and continued to keep Livy all to himself.
This was what happened when one grew a conscience.Bloody fucking hell.Why did he have to dredge up one of those now?
The notes of the current piece faded away, and he stiffened.It was his turn.He shook out his hands.Time to dance.He weaved through the crowd.Just a dance.Nothing of consequence.A completely inane activity.Which is why he’d never done it at one of these things before.
He cut off Livy and the young man escorting her back to her aunt.Dear Lord, had the man’s ballocks dropped yet?The man looked as if he didn’t even need to shave.Derek straightened further, glaring down at the man.The gentleman visibly swallowed and hastily stepped away from Livy.Smart pup.
He grabbed Livy’s hand and ushered her to the dance floor.
Livy frowned up at him.“My lord,” she said in a hushed voice.“I hadn’t even been returned to my aunt yet.”
“I was simply saving you the time.A waste to walk all the way to her, then right back here.”
She winged a brow.“So, now we stand here while we wait for the next set to start up?While everyone watches us.”
Derek quickly glanced from side to side.There were quite a few people staring at them.He rolled his shoulders, trying to rid himself of the itchy sensation that had stolen over his skin.He shrugged it off.
