Page 33 of The Gilded Heiress

Leo

What had I done?

I was a liar by trade, a scoundrel. My moral code was shiftier than a mirage in the desert.

But carrying on a physical relationship with Josie while also using her to get revenge on the Pendeltons? This felt a bridge

too far—even for me.

I never should’ve tongued her pussy. Now the taste of her had invaded my senses, burned into my brain, and turned me starving

for her. How was I supposed to resist her, when all I could think about was tasting her again?

I told myself this needed to remain impersonal. Professional. Manager and singer. Revenge seeker and the instrument of said

revenge. I even repeated St. Elmer’s second rule over and over.

Never lose sight of the endgame.

Yet when we disembarked from the carriage, I took hold of Josie’s hand and set it on my arm. And I didn’t let go.

I couldn’t.

I wanted more, everything she was willing to give me. And I wanted it to last all night.

At least Ambrose would be in the apartment to keep me in check. Josie and I wouldn’t be alone, and I could resist the temptation

of her for another day. Tomorrow, I would be stronger.

“You’re awfully quiet again,” she said as we crossed the street leading to Ambrose’s apartment. “Are you thinking about your

father again?”

No, I wasn’t. Indeed, I hadn’t thought of my father at all, not since Josie lifted her skirts.

A lie formed on my tongue, slick words that meant nothing. It was second nature to me—but for some reason I stopped myself.

I didn’t want to lie to her. I would rather tell her the truth.

Before I could think better of it, I went with my gut. “I was thinking about you.”

“Me?”

“You and the sleigh, to be more precise. Specifically, the filthy and terribly erotic things I would have done to you there

if we had more space.”

“Oh.” The single word was a husky rush of breath. “Like what?”

I liked that she was curious. “Do you honestly wish to have this conversation on the street?”

“Why not? No one can hear us. And even if they could, who cares?”

I shook my head. If I started telling her, there was no stopping it. I’d reveal every wicked thought in my head in regard

to this woman. It was bad enough that I could still smell her arousal on my skin.

We needed to go inside and retreat upstairs to our separate spaces. Where Ambrose would play chaperone. Maybe then I could

regain some of my self-control.

I unlocked the building’s door and held it open for her. She moved past me—and my cock twitched in my trousers, the randy

thing by no means satisfied.

Just a few more steps.

As we climbed the stairs silently, I planned the entire night in my head. I would see her inside, leave her to Ambrose’s care,

and retreat to the washroom. Once there I would stroke my cock until I climaxed. Then I would feel more like myself. Then

I would be able share the apartment with her and Ambrose and return to my original plans with the Pendeltons.

She stopped at Ambrose’s door, but waited for me to unlock it. Odd. Why not just walk in? Though I supposed Ambrose might be out and about.

Christ, I hoped not.

Patience, Leo. You can do it.

I disengaged the lock and we went in. Sure enough, the apartment was dark. Damn Ambrose. Now that I needed him around, he

was nowhere to be found.

He’d best return soon or I was bound to do something stupid.

I switched on the overhead light, allowing me to watch as Josie stripped off her gloves and removed her hat. Several strands

of wheat-colored hair had escaped and rested on her shoulder blade. I gripped the chair back to keep from going over to touch

it.

I would’ve used my mouth instead, if I were capable of bending in this corset.

A rush of lust uncoiled in my belly and a small groan escaped my throat. I coughed to cover it up, which caused her to glance

over sharply at me, confused green eyes sizing me up. “Are you all right?”

No, not in the least. I was burning, aching. Trembling with a weakness I barely understood.

Where was fucking Ambrose?

“Go to bed,” I croaked, my fingers digging into the wood. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“It’s still early.” Her mouth flattened as she watched me. “And you are acting quite strangely. Is this about the sleigh again?”

“No,” I lied. “And we shouldn’t discuss such things, not when Ambrose will return at any moment.”

“He’s gone to stay with a friend for a few days.” I froze, stunned, which caused Josie to ask, “Did he not tell you?”

No, he most definitely had not.

The implications sat in my stomach like a stone. Ambrose wasn’t here. Josie and I were alone.

Alone. All night. And tomorrow.

My heart drummed in my chest, my breath coming faster now as blood rushed south to my groin, thickening my cock. My balls drew tight and heavy, like I hadn’t climaxed in days. Weeks. Years.

We were alone in this godforsaken apartment and I wasn’t certain I’d survive it. “When did he inform you of this?” I forced

out.

“This morning, before we left. While you were in the washroom. Didn’t he tell you?”

No, he hadn’t. Fuck. This was a disaster.

Escape , my mind whispered.

“I should go clean up,” I wheezed, but my feet didn’t move.

As if to torture me, Josie’s gaze darted to my crotch. Could she see the state I was in? I hoped the chair blocked my thickening

erection.

She started toward me. A slight breeze from the open windows brushed my overheated skin, and a shiver raced down my spine.

The heels of her boots thumped on the worn floorboards, and my muscles wound tighter and tighter as she came closer.

By the time the hem of her skirts met my shoes, a sweat had broken out on my brow. Her body was less than an arm’s length

away and my cock responded by stiffening further, until the pulse at the base matched the frantic beat inside my chest.

The air around us crackled with expectation. I swallowed.

Josie swept the pad of her finger along the edge of my jaw, a simple touch I felt all the way down to my toes. “These filthy

and terribly erotic things you would have done in the sleigh? Tell me more.”

Shit. I closed my eyes and tried to shake the prurient thoughts from my brain. “Josie, please.”

“I want to know.” Her fingertip brushed over my bottom lip. “Because maybe I want those things too.”

A switch flipped inside me.

My mind went dark, logic and reason disappearing as lust took over.

There was one purpose flooding my senses—and Josie was the only woman who would do.

I lunged for her, wrapping my hands around her waist to pull her flush to my body.

Up close I could see every detail on her gorgeous face, every freckle.

Every eyelash. The slope of her graceful nose.

She was flawless perfection—and for one night she would be mine.

I didn’t hold back. “You want to know? I would do outrageous things, carnal immoral things. I would make your body melt with

pleasure as I fucked you all night long.”

She licked her lips. “I want that, too.”

I rocked my erection against her hip, letting her feel the thick proof of my desire. “Yeah?”

She placed her palms on my chest. “Please, Leo.”

A snarl I barely recognized as mine emerged from my throat as my mouth crashed into hers. I wasn’t polite or sweet as I attacked

her lips. I ate at her mouth like a starving man, my tongue thrusting past her lips to find hers. I felt unhinged, unmoored.

Adrift as craving crashed over me, all my good sense washed away.

Her nails dug into my shoulders through my coat—and I needed to feel them on my bare skin. I stripped off my coat without

breaking free of her mouth, then dragged off my necktie and collar. My clothing couldn’t disappear quickly enough.

Panting, Josie broke off from our kiss and stepped back. I used the opportunity to remove my vest, while she began gathering

her skirts, lifting them. I thought she was removing her undergarments, but she surprised me by going over to the table. Once

there she bent over the wood, held her skirts up, and presented me with her backside.

When she widened her thighs, I could see her pussy through the part in her drawers, and the pink flesh glistened with her

arousal. I stood there, unmoving, taking it in. Mesmerized.

Christ , that sight.

But it wasn’t enough. I needed her naked, writhing underneath me on a bed. I had to feel her against every part of me where

I could take my time and savor her, worship her.

She peered over her shoulder. “Hurry. I need you, Leo.”

I gave her a devious, wicked smile. “You think this will be fast? That I’ll toss up your skirts and rut you like a beast?”

“Isn’t that...?” She braced herself on her elbows, confusion etched in her expression. “I don’t understand. Don’t you

do it this way?”

Had this been her only experience, taken from behind, fully clothed? Had no man ever taken care with her?

This explained her surprise over what happened in the Pendeltons’ carriage house. And I rushed her, pleasured her in a sleigh, for fuck’s sake.

Anger at those other two men—as well as at myself—flared deep and hot, but I shoved it down. This was not the time. “No, my

beautiful girl,” I said, easing her off the table and dragging her back to my chest. I nipped her earlobe with my teeth. “I

plan to take my time with you. I want you to feel me between your thighs for days.”

She trembled in my arms, from what I hoped was an equal amount of desire. Clutching my wrists, she asked, “So where do you

want me to stand?”

Stand?

I spun her around to face me. “I can’t tell if you’re serious or not.”

“About what?”

“How this transpires. Josie, I’m taking you to the bed.”

“Oh.” She cast a glance at the bedroom. “Of course. I knew that.”

It was clearly not the truth. Josie was a terrible liar, and I suddenly needed the names of the men she’d been with in the

past. They deserved the swiftest of beatings.

Putting my hands on her shoulders, I studied her. “Sweetheart, please tell me those men were careful with you, that you enjoyed

it every time.”