Page 15 of Her Sweetest Rogue (The Worthington Legacy #6)

C loser the rider came through the shadows of the evening, but she couldn’t see his face. Just as he was upon her, the outline of his body seemed familiar, and she breathed a heavy sigh of relief. What was Trey doing here? Could she be alone with him without those betraying tremors making her body warm and soft at the same time? Today while they played in the water, she’d grown close to him. Emotionally. He’d proven to her that she could finally trust him. He’d also proven to her that he enjoyed her nearness. While he’d held her so close, she’d felt his ragged breaths upon her face and the uneven rhythm of his heart.

He stopped his horse short and jumped down. This evening he wore brown riding breeches and black boots. A cravat was absent, but his white lawn shirt and brown waist jacket emphasized his perfect skin color, and made his blue eyes nearly shine. Relief was the best way to explain his expression and his wide smile as he walked toward her.

“There you are.” He tied his horse near hers. “I wondered what became of you.”

“Why?”

He faced her and his attention slid over her body. As each second passed, his smile widened and his eyes darkened. Her heartbeat knocked faster against her ribs.

“You seemed to have disappeared. Mother said she thought she saw you taking Bluebell out to ride.” He shrugged. “I could not help but worry about you riding through the estate with shadows all around.”

She arched a brow. “Why? Do you think the only time I can ride is during the daylight hours? I assure you, I have had riding lessons since I was old enough to sit on a horse.”

Chuckling, he drew closer. “I have seen firsthand how you can ride when the sun is not fully in the sky, my dear.”

Thinking of their meeting at the woodsman’s cottage caused her to blush. “Then why were you worried tonight?”

He stopped only a few feet in front of her. “I worried because I know how easily it is for you to sneak off without being noticed.” He winked.

Judith laughed. “Then I forgive you this time.”

His gaze boldly caressed her again, only slower. On impulse, she folded her arms and found the courage to raise her stubborn chin, facing him instead of cowering.

“I needed to be by myself for a while. That’s why I went riding.” She turned toward the stream, walking toward the edge. “It’s such a lovely evening. I could not let it pass without a short outing.”

“Indeed, it’s a perfect evening for being outdoors, but—” He grasped her elbow. “I fear because of the shadows, if you get any closer to that water, you will slip on the moist ground. This water is much deeper than what we had waded in earlier. I would hate for you to soil your dress.”

Warmth spread from his touch like wild fingers of comfort racing through her. She sucked in a breath and looked at him over her shoulder. Had the bolt of energy passed through him, also?

“No, Trey. I definitely don’t want to soil my dress. I do know how to handle myself in these circumstances. After all, I was raised in the country, or have you forgotten?”

“My dear, how could I forget something you remind me about every time we talk?”

“Yet you still insist on treating me like a child you have to keep an eye on.” She arched her brow. “Like now.”

“A child?”

This time when Trey’s attention skimmed over her, he lingered longer in his observation. Every place his gaze touched, her skin ignited. She was certain he meant to do this, to upset her. The rogue!

He must have known what he’d done to her this afternoon. Every time he came near her, she couldn’t breathe. He’d watched her closely, too. In fact, she was willing to bet he hadn’t had a meeting earlier, and his quick departure had something to do with the strange attraction happening between them.

“No, my sweet. You are not a child.” He rested his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him fully. “If you were a child, I would not fret about you so.”

Her throat tightened. “What do you mean?” she croaked without meaning to.

“Now that you are a woman you have become a temptation to men, my sweet Judith. I must keep watch over you for as long as you are in my mother’s care.”

Once again, she couldn’t breathe. He was too close but she couldn’t push him away. She didn’t want to. “When we were writing that letter earlier, you mentioned that I tempt you. If that’s indeed true, then why are you with me now? And why did you join me at the stream?”

As his grin widened, his blue eyes twinkled. “You do tempt me.” He gently twined the wisp of hair by her ear around his finger. “But I fear I cannot stay away. I enjoy your company. When I thought you had escaped this evening, I dreaded what I might discover. Now I know you have not left and I find myself relieved…and very much pleased you are still here.”

Gingerly, he cupped her face, his thumbs caressing her skin.

“And who will protect me from you, my lord?”

His fingers slid down her throat and all proper thoughts and words ceased to exist. She fought for control, even while she wanted to sigh his name and close her eyes.

Clinging to his arms, she held herself from melting to the ground. “Trey, why are you doing this?”

His smile wasn’t as wide, and his eyes darkened while his lips parted. Heaven help her, she wanted to kiss him, even as her mind argued that fact.

“Pray, my dear. What am I doing?” With a slight tug of his hands, he’d pulled her against him. He dipped his head to her neck and brushed his lips across her ear.

She bit her bottom lip, trying hard not to sigh aloud. Her breathing became ragged, and she tilted her head back to give him better access to her neck.

“You are making me…” She stopped herself before confessing. No, she couldn’t tell him how much she wanted him right now. “I’m not supposed to…I cannot feel this way, Trey.”

“Why? Are you not enjoying it?”

She dissolved against him and closed her eyes. “Oh, yes. Heaven forgive me, because I am.”

Groaning, he tightened his hold as his mouth searched for hers. Judith couldn’t hold back. She needed to feel his lips, and turned her head to meet his in a searing kiss. The heat strumming through her was a long awaited pleasure. She wrapped her arms around his waist, returning his kiss with great urgency.

Large hands wandered over her back, holding her in place. She didn’t want to think of why she enjoyed his kiss so much, but the longer his lips melded to hers, the further away reality drifted, and all she cared about was being held by Trey.

As Trey continued to kiss her, she couldn’t stop thinking about being with him. Forever. Dreams she’d had with—oh, what’s his name—disappeared and all she wanted was to be with this exciting man holding her. The first man who made her feel like a real, desirable woman. She wanted more. Wanted to be his wife, to have his children. Wanted only the attention he could give her. She wanted him, and only him.

The realization brought her alert and out of her dream world. Trey was not the kind of man she could have. He wasn’t the loving family man like her father.

Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. What had she done?

Pushing her hands against Trey’s chest, she broke the contact and stepped back. Deep breaths rushed out of her and kept pace with his. She placed hands over her burning cheeks, still not believing what she let him do. He raked his fingers through his hair.

“Trey, we cannot do this.”

He nodded, turning a frustrated circle. “You are correct.”

The wild beat of her heart took a long time to slow, and during this time, all she could do was stare at Trey. Confusion creased his brow for a few minutes, then finally the lines disappeared and he smiled.

“Forgive me, Judith. I got carried away in the moment.”

She forced a chuckle. “I understand completely.”

He scrubbed his hands over his face and straightened. “Do you wish me to escort you home?”

“No. I shall be fine.”

“Then I shall be off. Once again, please forgive me for taking such liberties.”

A cold draft seemed to come out of nowhere and chilled her, so she folded her arms. “There’s nothing to forgive. I…I allowed it, although I should not have.”

He nodded and strode to his horse. In one swift movement, he swung atop the steed, and without another look, he urged his horse into a run and was gone.

Emptiness filled her chest and she wanted to cry. In Trey’s arms she experienced things she’d never known existed. But she could never allow that to happen again. He wasn’t husband material, and she could never change him.

A small smile tugged at her lips. Strange thing was, she didn’t want to. His charm was what made him the man she desired. Was it the role of a rogue? Possibly, but it went further. All she knew was if Alex didn’t come for her, she’d have to find a husband soon, because the longer she stayed here, the more she wanted Trey.