Page 88 of Beyond Scandal and Desire
She trailed her fingers over the springy hair on his chest. “I don’t care what others think.” Lowering her head, she pressed a kiss to his nipple.
He groaned. “Don’t start something you can’t finish. I suspect you’re too sore for another go.”
“I shall prove you wrong.”
She did just that, straddling him and teasing his cock until it shut down his brain and had its way with her. He’d never known anyone like her, bold and shy, a lady and a tart.
She shouldn’t be here, in his bed, in his arms, her head nestled in the crook of his shoulder, her breath stirring the hairs on his chest. He’d never known such contentment, and it scared the bloody hell out of him. The woman snuggled against him made him wish for more. No, she did more than that. She made him believe more was possible.
“Why do you suppose this is considered a sin?” she asked quietly.
Grazing his fingertips up and down her arm, he inhaled her sweeter scent: gardenia intertwined with the musky fragrance of sex. “Because it’s so pleasurable, I suppose.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“You’re asking me to make sense of something that I’ve never understood, either.”
She lifted her head, dug her chin into his chest, making it easier to hold his gaze. “It’s a sin for women, not for men.”
“It’s a sin for men. We just don’t care.”
“Because you don’t get caught. Women do.”
She could get caught. He’d been reckless, careless. She was the most precious thing in his life, and he’d taken the least care with her. He should grant Hedley leave to flay his back. She had said she wanted to marry him, but did she truly understand what it entailed, what she would be giving up? Her family, her friends, her place in Society. Was she really willing to sacrifice—
“Mick!”
Groaning at Aiden’s voice echoing through the rooms, he rolled away from the warm woman nestled against him. Aslyn released a tiny peep, clutched the covers, and brought them up to her neck.
“Mick! Good news, brother! I’ve got it!”
Releasing a harsh curse, he tossed back the covers and scrambled out of the bed. “Stay as you are.”
“What’s he doing here?”
He began dragging on his trousers. “My brothers are always barging in. As I never bring women here, they know they aren’t going to disturb me.”
“I’m the first?” She seemed pleased.
“You are.” Fastening his buttons, he headed for the door, stopped, looked back at her, disheveled in his bed where he wanted to see her every morning of every day for the remainder of his life. “I’m going to—”
“Mick!”
“—send him on his way. Don’t leave this room.” He didn’t wait for an answer, just slipped out, closing the door in his wake and heading down the hallway. He entered the foyer just as Aiden exited the corridor that led to the library.
His brother grinned like an idiot. “There you are! Where the bloody hell were you?”
“Abed. Come back tomorrow.”
“Abed? This early in the night? It’s not like you to retire before things get interesting.”
He was in no mood to discuss his sleeping habits. “Off with you, I’m tired.”
“This is going to perk you right up.” He gave off a whoop, held up a folded sheet of paper and shook it like it was a tambourine. “I’ve got it. Finally. The last piece you needed. Loudon Green. Kipwick clung to it until the last.”
He was barely aware of moving forward, taking it from Aiden, unfolding it and staring at the words he’d longed to read for ages. Soon would follow a letter in theTimeswritten by the Duke of Hedley proclaiming to the world that he’d sired a bastard and declaring Mick as his. Many shied away from admitting their illegitimacy, but Mick had always worn his like a badge of honor.
He imagined the reverence that would be given to him when he strolled into a ballroom. The dinners to which he’d be invited. The soirees he would attend.
