Page 29 of Her Sweetest Rogue (The Worthington Legacy #6)

W hen his lips met hers, she sighed deeply and answered his kiss. She turned in his embrace without breaking contact, and wrapped her arms around his neck. He crushed her body against his as his hands moved over her back in soft caresses.

She kissed him like a woman starved for passion, which indeed she was. He still couldn’t believe no other man had kissed her in this manner. Not even Alex, the man she had dreamed of marrying. It surprised Trey that he had never quite felt the satisfaction with his other conquests as he had while holding Judith. Somehow she’d touched his heart, and he was reluctant to release this feeling.

Trey prayed she wouldn’t stop him. She needed this pleasure as much as he did. He wanted to love her like no other man had.

But he wouldn’t. He couldn’t! He couldn’t ruin her for other men—for her soon-to-be husband. Marriage didn’t agree with Trey’s plans like it did hers. He had to stop this now. In his mind, he repeated, I will never make her a good husband.

He broke the kiss and pressed his forehead against her, trying to get his breathing controlled. In a few moments, she looked up at him and smiled, cupping his face.

“You didn’t have to stop, Trey.”

“I know.”

“Why did you then?”

He shook his head. “God knows I wanted to keep kissing you more than anything in the world, but I could not ruin you. You are too good of a person. You have a kind and loving heart. I could not do that to you.”

Tears formed in her eyes, and when she smiled, her lips quivered. “Thank you.”

He bent and placed a soft kiss on her mouth before pulling away. His chest grew tight with emotion. Not continuing what they’d both wanted had been the most unselfish thing he’d ever done, and he questioned his motives even though he knew. He wanted Judith more than any woman he’d ever known, but she would never be his.

Ever.

“Sleep well, my love.” He kissed her one more time before turning and leaving her room. Each step made his heart heavier, and doubt trickled into his mind. Could he possibly love her and only her for the rest of his life? Could she possibly love him and want to be his wife forever and ever?

Shaking his head, he shoved the ludicrous notion away. The plain and simple truth was, he carried his father’s passion for lust and desire. Trey could never be faithful to one woman. Eventually, Judith would bore him and he’d move on.

He couldn’t do that to her. Indeed, he loved her, but he knew it wouldn’t last.

As he stormed to his room, he cursed his father for ruining his life.

*

Trey loves me!

Without a doubt, Judith knew this now. She smiled and climbed out of bed the next morning with a song in her heart. He had comforted her beyond her wildest dreams. He kissed like a man who couldn’t get enough, and she answered with the same emotion. Never had a man made her feel so cherished, so beautiful. Only Trey.

Now she knew why she’d never had these feelings of desire for Alex. She was never in love with him. Trey had pulled her into his heart whether he wanted to or not. This was where she wanted to stay.

Forever.

She giggled as she slipped off her nightdress. Hard to believe she felt this way about him when the first day at the woodsman’s cottage, she’d considered him the devil’s spawn. Did he know he loved her or did he still deny his heart? Knowing how stubborn he was, he would deny it. She’d certainly try to help him overcome this problem and make him realize he loved her. Dominic’s words came back to her, reminding her of what he thought Trey wanted in a woman.

She rang for her maid and dressed for the day. Trey wanted her, and she would be patient with him until he realized he loved her. She’d even prove they belonged together.

Within an hour, Judith had finished making herself presentable and hurried downstairs. Breakfast had long passed since everyone probably slept in, but she didn’t mind. Her stomach didn’t growl for food as much as her body yearned for Trey’s affection.

As she neared the drawing room, the dowager’s laugh rang through the silence. Trey’s deep voice joined his mother’s, making Judith’s heart leap with excitement. It would be difficult, but she must act as if seeing Trey didn’t set her body on fire. Neither Trey nor his mother was prepared for Judith to confess she’d found the man she wanted to marry. Another giggle reached her throat, but she quickly lifted her knuckles to her mouth in hopes of keeping the emotion contained. Soon they’d know of her decision, but now was not the time.

Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and took another step closer to the drawing room. The dowager’s voice vibrated through the air again, when the woman spoke about a list of men she had gathered. Judith slowed her feet and listened closer.

“Mother, I believe we have enough men on our list to start. This morning Bentley was overwhelmed with calling cards and invitations for Judith. She made quite an impression, and I’m certain a fine young gentleman will ask for her hand within a fortnight.

Isabelle Worthington laughed. “Oh, which one shall we choose?

“Mother, we will not choose any. This is Judith’s decision.”

“Are you certain? She’s so young and innocent in all of this. I fear she will not know how to pick the right man.”

“Mother,” Trey’s voice grumbled a little deeper. “You are underestimating our dear Judith. She has a good mind and she’s very intelligent. Her wit is quicker and sharper than you think.”

Judith smiled, her heart melting from his words. Although it hurt to think he and his mother were secretly devising ways to pick her future husband, Judith knew Trey would never allow any man to touch her. He’d told her that last night. She was his, and his kisses had branded her for life.

If she had to remind him of what happened, she would. One way or another, Trey and his mother would know Judith was not looking for a husband—unless the man was Trey.