Page 13 of Wallflower Gone Wild

Mac nodded, unable to speak. All he wanted to do was pull Letty into his arms and forget about the treacherous deal he made with her brother, but he knew that it would forever haunt them.

“Goodbye, Your Grace. Please tell Her Grace it was wonderful to finally meet her.” Letty untied her bonnet, removing it from her head.

“Of course. Meriweather, please see that she returns home safely. In my experience with strong-willed ladies, they never listen to reason.” He reached the door in two long strides. “I should know. I married one.”

Letty let out a giggle, and Mac couldn’t help but step closer to her. “How fortunate for you that your wife has a strong will,” she told Richmore, who was giving Mac a knowing look.

Mac nodded, a silent agreement that he would do the right thing even if it would cost him the one person he’d ever cared for.

“You have my word. I will make it my personal mission to see Lady Leticia is safely returned to her parents.”

Richmore raised an eyebrow at him before leaving without another word.

Mac walked over to the printer, trying to find the courage that he needed. Inhaling several times, he shut his eyes preparing himself to turn around and open his damn mouth. There was nothing left to do than to confess everything.

“I need to speak to you.”

CHAPTER 6

Letty’s body shook with anticipation as she stared at the broad expanse of Mac’s back. His large frame stood over the printer, rigid and stiff. His waistcoat was stretched obscenely, the rolled-up sleeve of his shirt revealed muscled forearms as he lifted the lever, removing the paper.

“I need to speak to you.” The whispered words were barely audible to Letty.

He had a mien of disapproval on his stoic face. Perhaps he and Richmore had a disagreement? Because the duke had discovered them in a very intimate position the previous evening?

Ignoring the excitement of being in an actual print shop, Letty approached Mac, who was still busying himself at the Stanhope. Without thinking of how forward she was being, she wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her needy body to his. Her fingers roamed his chest, the smooth texture of his linen shirt barely concealed the muscles hidden underneath.

There was a wanton part of her that wanted to lock the door and remove his clothes. Their secret interlude the previous night had awakened her body again, after months apart. She couldn’t fall asleep without relieving the ache between her thighs.

“Is everything all right?” she asked pressing her cheek to his back.

The silky material of his waistcoat caressed her cheek as his erratic breathing jolted her body slightly.

“I don’t want to hurt you …” His voice was full of so much pain that she could feel it in her bones.

Releasing him, Letty took a step back, finding his comment odd. Mac turned to face her, those cloudy eyes of his now dark storm clouds. His cheek was covered with fresh growth, giving him a more scandalous look than what was acceptable in polite society.

Letty cupped his cheek, and his eyes closed like he was trying to gather some semblance of control over himself. She leaned forward, lifting up on her toes, and while she was tall for a lady, she was still much shorter than him.

Brushing her lips against his, she waited patiently for him to open his eyes.

Gray eyes suddenly pierced her, their depth so endless they stole her breath away. One of his hands slipped around her waist, the other stroked her cheek.

“You won’t hurt me, Mac.” She stroked his cheek, her nose pressing against his. “I trust you,” she whispered, before pressing her lips against his in a slow sensual kiss.

Letty’s tongue teased his bottom lip, his stiff body unmoving, as his hand tightened around her waist. She waited for him to open to her, her hand trailing to the nape of his neck, pulling his dark silky strands.

Mac let out a desperate groan before he dragged her body closer to his, slanting his lips over hers. Letty gave him complete control as he plundered her mouth, her aching limbs sinking into his strong embrace.

The hand at her waist traveled to her backside, squeezing, pulling at the fabric of her pelisse. Letty began unbuttoning his waistcoat, every movement frantic and desperate. She needed the both of them to be free of their constraints.

It didn’t matter that she was being wild and reckless—the only thing of importance to Letty in that moment was being with Mac. Being his and him being hers—in every way.

Mac released her waist, his hand taking hold of hers.

Pressing his forehead to hers, his breath came out in ragged puffs against her kiss swollen lips. “Forgive me, temptress,” Mac said, before placing a chaste kiss to her lips.

Releasing her, he took a large step back like he hadn’t just utterly ravished Letty. She couldn’t stop the shiver of cold that suddenly assaulted her from his distance.