Page 66 of Married to the Rake

“I know, but—”

“Chloe, I do not mind,” he insisted, stroking a thumb across her impossibly soft skin. “In fact, I confess to feeling the need to escape too.”

“You did? You do?”

He nodded. “Why would I wish to be with a hundred strangers when I could be with you?”

“But you love balls!”

“I love you more.”

She gave a shy smile. “Are you certain? Brook, I—I will try harder next time. I promise.”

“No. Don’t. Just be you, Chlo. That’s all I ask.”

She shook her head and leaned into his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her and held her close for several moments, enjoying the simple intimacy of the moment. She eased away and peered up at him.

“You can go back to the ball if you wish. I do not mind. And I promise to put in an appearance before everyone leaves.”

“And leave you? Like hell.”

“Brook,” she scolded.

“Why would I wish to dance and dine and gossip when I can be here, being scolded by you.”

“Brook,” she said again, tapping his arm.

“See? This is much more fun.”

“Not yet it is not.”

He frowned then grinned at her mischievous look. Chloe would keep him on his toes, of that he was certain. Who needed balls when he had a feisty, intelligent, wallflower to keep him company?

Leaning in, he pressed a whisper-soft kiss to the corner of her lips. She inhaled sharply and wrapped her hands around his shoulders. He shifted to angle himself better, pressing more kisses along her jaw and down her neck. She tilted her head to allow him better access and he inhaled her violet scent and savored the softness of her skin. He ought to tell her about what their fathers had planned but he was fairly certain that could wait. Right now, lavishing her with attention was far more important.

He eased her back onto the rug, admiring the way her dress splayed out against the fabric and her hands rested by her head just so—waiting for him. He paused for a moment and she frowned.

“What is it?”

“I was just thinking I have to be the luckiest bastard in the world,” he confessed

She smiled softly and reached for him. “And I am the luckiest…um…woman.”

He chuckled and came to lie next to her, smoothing a hand down her side so that he could feel every curve until his hand landed on the soft give of her thigh. He groaned in the back of his throat.

“The sooner we are married, the better.”

“It is only a month away,” she reminded him.

He pressed a kiss to the side of her face then her lips. “A month too long.”

“What I mean, is it is only a month.” She smoothed her hands over his shoulders. “We do not have to wait.”

Brook froze and he could have sworn his heart did too. “Chlo?”

“You know what I am saying,” she whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him to her.

He stared at her for a few moments, drinking in her presence. He had no doubt his rakish history was in the past, that he had simply been waiting.

Waiting for her.

With a groan of surrender, he kissed her deeply, easing back to suck down a breath and smile at her. “If this is what happens every time you’re in a library, I may have to make time for more reading.”

“Less talk, more kisses,” she commanded.

“More kisses,” he muttered before doing exactly as she bid. That he could do. As he stripped off her clothes and admired her in the lamplight, he grinned to himself. Life with his wild wallflower would never be dull, of that he was certain.

THE END