Page 40

“Kiss me.”

David chuckled. “You’re becoming quite demanding, kitten.”

“You heard me.” Her eyes searched his, and her hands tangled in his hair as she pulled herself up on her tiptoes. “Kiss me,” she breathed.

Her lips crashed into his, swallowing his laugh. Suddenly, it wasn’t funny.

Without warning, his arms pulled her closer to him, drawing a sigh from her lips that made him hungry for more. He pushed her back towards the desk behind her, lifting her onto it.

Her legs naturally opened, allowing him to stand between them. His hands cupped her face, angling it to the perfect position to consume her.

Their tongues crashed against each other in a fight for dominance, neither one wanting to ignore the lust that had overtaken them.

David’s body erupted in flames when Jenny’s hands slid to his front, pulling at his cravat and the top button of his shirt. He wanted her brand, her nails on his skin. He wanted more than to just take her. He wanted toconsumeher.

He pushed her down onto the desk, grinding the bulge in his trousers against her most delectable center. He swallowed her moan as he began to move. His lips trailed down her neck, leaving bite marks in its wake.

Jenny squirmed underneath him, her legs now wrapped around him, and she tried to pull him closer to her. David thanked God she was a fast learner.

That thought alone was like a cold bucket of water thrown over his head.

She is innocent.

He took a breath to gather his thoughts. His body was itching to do what it was designed to do, but his mind was trying desperately to regain control. It was a fight he was tired of having around her, but one that he mustn’t lose.

He pulled away from her deliciously sensitive neck and kissed her panting lips. Then he rested his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling.

“I am sorry, Miss Bennett.” His voice was soft and low.

“You better be apologizing for stopping,” Jenny quipped.

David stood to adjust himself. He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. “I’m afraid not. I should not have taken it that far. I took advantage of your innocence. I hope you can accept my apology.”

Jenny sat up on the desk, her chest still rising and falling with her heavy breaths. “No need to apologize, Your Grace. I was a willing participant.” Her smile was slight but was filled with apprehension. “Did I—Did I do something wrong?”

She lowered her eyes out of frustration, and a sweet pink blush crept onto her cheeks.

David stepped back between her legs to cup her face in his hands once again. “No, no, no. You were, youare,perfect. It is I… I should not have done this.”

“Nonsense. You are acting as if you tricked me into it. I came here of my own volition. I am here forexactlythis. To learn. So teach me.”

Once more, She reached up to pull him closer to her. His hands covered hers, and he stepped back.

“You do not know what you are freely giving up.”

David looked into her eyes for some sense of understanding, but he only found defiance. Normally, he would be impressed with awoman’s ability to know what she wanted, but at that moment, he wished she was more of the docile sort.

She looked up at him with hurt in her eyes. “I am not a child, nor am I naive when it comes to what is expected when a man and a woman…” she trailed off.

“When a man and woman what? If you can’t say it, then you shouldn’t be doing it.”

He was angry. Did she not know what she was carelessly giving away?

Jenny groaned and pushed him further back. “You’re doing it again. You push me away whenever we get close. Why are you fighting this?”

“No, I’m pushing you away for your own good. You’re too young to get swept up in this.”

The color rose high on her cheeks. “Do not begin to presumeyouknow what’s the best forme. I am tired of people assuming they know my heart and mind. I am my own woman, Your Grace.”