Page 25 of To Tempt Lady (Victorian Outcasts #10)

“It’s not charity either. I offered you a job, and you’re getting paid for it. That’s all. You also needed clothes. You couldn’t walk around naked.” Her cheeks burned. Why had she said that? “I mean, it’s a matter of practicality.”

He smiled again. “You’re right. I’m nervous. I say things I don’t think.”

“I’m nervous, too. I know the situation here is difficult for you and Jesse as well.”

He parted his lips, closed them, and released a breath before saying, “It is.”

“I know Trevor hasn’t been very welcoming.”

“We had a chat.” He fiddled with the nippers.

“What did he tell you?”

“Nothing you don’t know, I guess.”

“I apologise for whatever nonsense he said.” She put her hand on his by instinct. “I’m happy to have you here.”

He drew in a breath, and his grey eyes pulsated with life. “So am I.” He slowly covered her hand with his and rubbed her knuckles with his thumb. It was a slow, gentle gesture as if he were worried she might slap him for his impudence.

Shivers danced down her neck, and she didn’t seem to control her breathing anymore. It quickened while her senses sharpened. She could see the blue patterns in his grey irises and the light stubble covering his jaw. And his scent…fresh and heady, caused her toes to curl.

He drew circles over her knuckles with his thumb, staring at her as if she were the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. It felt as if he adored her, and she would be lying if she said she didn’t like it.

“Do you still like me?” she whispered, remembering their conversation in Thistle Hall when he’d reassured her he liked her a lot.

He regarded her with heavy-lidded eyes. “No.”

Her heart took a dip to her stomach.

“I worship you,” he said with so much honesty that the words became heavy with it and settled on her heart.

What could she ever say after that? Maybe she didn’t need to say anything. She only needed to act.

She rose on her tiptoes and kissed him on the lips. He wrapped an arm around her waist and held her close, but his lips didn’t yield. Perhaps she was too bold. She was about to lower her heels and step back from him when he tilted his head and parted his lips.

The tip of his tongue stroked the gentlest of touches on her lips, and she couldn’t stifle a moan. A burst of new sensations turned her skin sensitive.

She’d kissed other gentlemen during her Seasons, but no one had been so passionate and delicate at the same time.

His kiss was gentle but determined, drawing out sensations and thoughts from her she wasn’t aware she possessed.

She followed her instinct. Besides, in that moment, there was nothing but instinct and sensations within her.

She opened her mouth and expected him to thrust his tongue inside, as it’d happened with other men. Instead, he slid his tongue past her lips smoothly and softly, letting her savour every reaction of her body.

He cupped her cheek and deepened the kiss.

The warmth of his body engulfed her in a sweet caress, and her knees weakened.

The first stroke of his tongue against hers caused her to sag against him.

He welcomed her weight, holding her up as he teased, stroked, and caressed until an ache pulsated deep inside her.

She couldn’t contain an involuntary movement of her hips against him, but she needed to do something for her sudden need.

As he kept kissing her, he inched his hand up from her waist. It was a slow climb that fuelled her ache further. She felt on the verge of something big, of a huge change from which there was no return. Energy sparked in her veins, and the ache became unbearable.

He brushed her nipple with his thumb through the satin of her bodice, and all that energy burst like fireworks. And it was fantastic. A pulse started between her legs and spread through her, making her gasp with pleasure. Heat flushed her face as her breathing came out quickly.

Was that normal? Was she supposed to react like that after a kiss and a light touch? Was she too wanton?

“What is it?” He cupped her face. “Did I do something wrong?”

Heat was still coursing through her, and every part of her body was incredibly sensitive. She was aware of his warmth on her skin, the delicious tingle on her lips, and his red lips, swollen by the kiss.

“Emma?” he pleaded. “What happened?”

“Nothing.” Everything. “I feel very…peculiar.”

“In a good or bad fashion?”

“Good,” she whispered, afraid of confessing to how much she enjoyed herself. “Heavens. Very good.”

He brushed a kiss on her forehead and stroked her back. She let him take care of her while her heartbeat slowed down and the sweet ache petered out, leaving a delicious fatigue in its trail.

Footsteps echoing in the corridor brought her back to reality. The servants were likely going to bed, and soon her lady’s maid would wonder where she was.

She didn’t lift her cheek from his chest, needing to cling to that powerful pleasure for longer.

“Do you want to go?” he asked, seemingly reading her worries.

“Yes. I mean, no.” She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to collect her thoughts and take control of her emotions again. “I’d better go to my bedroom before someone realises I’m here. My maid will be waiting to help me get ready for bed.”

He caressed her head. “Just tell me that you’re all right.”

How could she? She wasn’t all right. But she wasn’t unwell either. “I’m all right. Truly. And you didn’t do anything wrong. But I need to leave.”

He released her face slowly, caressing her cheeks. “Good night.”

She brushed past him, sensing another wave of tingling feelings coming to unsettle her body, and it was a good type of unsettling.