Page 63 of Stolen By the Rakish Duke

She did not stop him when his fingers found the first button, then the second.

“Though I should warn you, Duchess. Once I start undressing you, I may not stop.”

“Who asked you to?” The words escaped before she could think better of them.

Leo’s hands stilled, his breath warm against her neck. “Beatrice?—”

“Don’t.” She turned to face him, her partially loosened gown slipping down one shoulder. “Don’t treat me like some delicate thing that needs protecting. I’m here because I want to be. Because after everything that’s happened, after all the danger and deception and uncertainty, the only thing I’m certain of is that I want this. I wantyou.”

She didn’t know where all her boldness was coming from, but something in his expression cracked—that careful control he wore like armor—and showed her that he rather liked it.

“You have no idea what you do to me,” he said roughly. “How much I want to taste you again.”

“Then show me.”

Leo moved, his hands spanning her waist as he pulled her against him, his mouth finding hers with bruising fervor. Beatrice wrapped her arms around his neck, losing herself in the taste of him, the solid strength of his body pressing against hers.

He walked her backward toward the bathing chamber, never breaking the kiss. Her gown loosened further with each step, the fabric pooling at her feet as they crossed the threshold. Cool air kissed her exposed skin, raising gooseflesh that had nothing to do with the temperature.

Steam rose from the copper tub in lazy curls. Two buckets sat beside it, one still steaming, the other filled with cold water.

“No ice tonight,” Leo said, releasing her long enough to shrug out of his coat. “I want to feel the water with you.”

His waistcoat followed, then his cravat. Beatrice’s breath caught as he pulled his shirt over his head, revealing his sculpted chest and abdomen. She remembered the feel of him, the coolness that soon blazed into a scorching passion?—

“You’re staring again,” he observed, a smile playing on his lips.

“Because… you’re worth staring at.”

The honesty in her words seemed to undo him.

Leo closed the distance between them, his hands finding the laces of her stays with practiced efficiency.

“These need to go,” he murmured against her ear. “Everything does. I want to see all of you.”

Beatrice shivered as her stays loosened, then fell away. Her chemise followed, leaving her naked before him. Vulnerability warred with desire as his gaze swept over her, hot and possessive.

“Beautiful,” he breathed. “You’re so damn beautiful.”

Then, his hands were on her, lifting her into the tub. Warm water enveloped her, a shock of heat that made her gasp. Leo’s hands never left her waist as he steadied her, his touch branding her even through the water.

“Room for one more?” he asked, his voice rough with barely restrained desire.

Beatrice nodded, unable to form words.

Leo stripped out of his remaining clothes with efficient movements and then stepped into the tub behind her, settling her between his thighs.

The intimacy of it stole her breath. His chest pressed against her back, solid and warm. His arms came around her waist, holding her against him.

“Comfortable?” he murmured against her ear.

“Oh, extremely.” She leaned back into him, letting her head rest against his shoulder. “Though I suspect comfort isn’t your primary concern.”

His low laugh vibrated through her. “You know me too well.”

“Not nearly well enough.” She turned her head to look at him. “But I’d like to.”

Something softened in his expression. His hand rose to cup her face, his thumb stroking her cheekbone tenderly.