Page 65 of Fortune Favors the Viscount
“And if he doesn’t?” she managed to ask.
Nick raised one shoulder, looking distinctly unconcerned. “Then we’ll be there to witness his retreat. Huzzah.”
Emilia stared at him. There was no doubt in his voice. He knew something. He’ddonesomething.
I won’t let them hurt you,whispered his voice in her memory.
Can you do that?she’d asked.
Watch me.
If anyone could protect them, he could.
What’s more, he would.
Now the wine wasn’t making her sick, it was making her bold. She got to her feet and faced him.
“Mr. Dashwood,” she said. “I wish to resign my position as governess, effective immediately.”
Nick jerked, shock on his face. Emilia leaned down, put her hands on his cheeks, and kissed him.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
Nick was so startled by her declaration that her mouth was on his before her meaning sank in.
She was no longer his employee. And she was kissing him.
Her hands were gentle on his face. Her kiss was sweet, but soft—too soft. Nick had started out of his seat at her announcement, but now he sank back, one hand slipping behind her neck to bring her with him. He’d told her he would never force his attentions on her, but if she wished to focus her attentions on him...
He was absolutely wild to receive them.
He pulled her toward him, and with a graceful twist she fell into his arms, sprawling across his lap. He never stopped kissing her, tilting her back over the arm of the settee, his hand drifting down her throat, fingers spread wide to absorb every inch of her skin. His thumb caught on the edge of her bodice. She gasped against his mouth and arched her back, pressing into his touch, and then her breast was in his hand, his thumb swirling around the taut nipple he could feel even through her dress and stays.
“I accept your resignation,” he whispered, his mouth on her neck.
She nodded, shoving at his coat. Nick helpfully pulled one arm free, then the other. “I don’t work for you... not now...”
She might well own him. She got his neckcloth loose and tore open the neck of his shirt. Nick heard the button pop off and land on the floor—but promptly forgot it, because Emilia pressed her mouth to the base of his throat and sucked at his skin until he shuddered.
She sat up, straddling his thighs, her hands on his shoulders. Nick’s own hands spanned her ribs, his thumbs at the undersides of her breasts. She moved against him and he rolled his hips. Her breath came in little gasps, her knees widened, and his hand went to the buttons of his trouser fall, ready to tear it open and thrust hard inside her. He’d been fantasizing about this for weeks—almost since the moment she marched into his billiard room and said she had a proposition for him—and now she was here, in his arms, no need to wait any longer—
He stopped short, shaking. That’s what Pa used to say:No need to wait. He would find any available woman and lead her away for a tumble against the nearest surface. Even as a boy, Nick had known what he was doing. The other sailors had mostly laughed, or muttered in envy. One or two had tried to shield his view, but everyone knew Sam Sidney did as he pleased.
He refused to be like that.
“Emilia.” His voice sounded like a snarl even to him. He caught her hands and gripped them. “This— Tonight is not— Don’t make a mistake,” he managed to get out.
What he thought was,I don’t want to make a mistake.
What he meant was,I don’t want to lose you.
“It’s not a mistake,” she whispered. She twisted her hands in his and linked their fingers. “Not to me.”
He could barely think above the throbbing beat of his pulse. “I don’t want you to resign your position as governess,” he rasped.
She pulled her hands free and leaned down. “Let’s leave that for tomorrow.” She rested her forehead against his, her eyes closed. “I will not regret this.”
He breathed hard. “You are certain.”
