He was absolutely right. She couldn’t stay. It would mean ruining herself. Dewhurst was on his way, and if even a hint or suggestion of her presence here were ever made, she’d be a fallen woman. Irrevocably compromised.
But it wasn’t just her own reputation at stake. Her parents, Ethan and Francesca, and their children. Lord, her father would never forgive her if she sullied the family name.
She felt the warmth of Alex’s hand on her cheek and met his steady gaze. For as long as she could remember, she’d been told she was too impulsive, too quick to act. Was Alex one more crazy impulse she’d neglected to think through?
Looking at Alex now, she didn’t think so. She might never have another chance with him. Tonight was proof enough that he was perfectly capable of controlling himself around her, even when he was half dressed and she was standing in his bedroom. And after this he’d probably bar the doors and windows against her.
A minute passed, then another. Both of them stood motionless, the only sounds the crackling fire, their rapid breathing, and the pounding of her heart. Lucia wanted it to last forever. She stared at him, taking sustenance from his touch, his presence. The candlelight reflected in his gray eyes, warmed them to light blue. She knew the depths of his desire for her as clearly as if he’d spoken the words aloud.
And she felt it, too. She’d always felt it. Always known he was the only man for her.
And now she had him, and she couldn’t walk away this time. If these feelings were mere impulse, then for once her whims were leading her in the right direction. Being with Alex was right.
She parted her lips to speak and had to wet them to make the words come. His eyes darkened to silver.
“I want you, Alex.”
“Bloody hell,” he groaned and pulled away. Lucia had to stop herself from reaching out to him. Please. Please don’t let him reject me now.
“Lucia.” His voice caught when he said her name, and hope surged within her, only to be slapped down again. “You’re engaged. Dandridge—”
“Don’t!” she cried. She had a wild urge to cover his mouth with her hand. It seemed somehow vulgar, profane to say his name here. “Don’t,” she repeated, softer this time. “I know who you are and what you are, and I know my own obligations. Alex, please. I— I don’t want my first time to be with . . . him.”
Alex’s head snapped up and his blue-gray gaze locked on her face for five long heartbeats.
She didn’t know what test he was giving her. She wasn’t even sure she wanted to pass it. She just knew that she needed him. She wanted him. She always had. She always would.
“Come here.” His voice was dark, heavy velvet running over every inch of her body.
She didn’t move.
He raised a brow. “Are you staying?”
She nodded, unable to do otherwise, but alarmed at the sudden realization that she was going to get her wish.
“Then come here.” He extended his hand in invitation, and when she still hesitated he crooked his finger at her, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly. She smiled back and managed to take a few unsteady steps, and then she was in his arms—safe and warm. And trembling.
To her surprise, he kissed her forehead tenderly. “I thought you weren’t afraid of anything.”
“I’m afraid of this. I’m afraid of this feeling I have for you.”
“So am I.”
Lucia knew he probably said that to every woman he bedded, but it warmed her anyway. Then he lifted her chin and began to kiss her.
The kiss was different from before. He wasn’t going to stop this time, and that changed everything, heightened each sensation, gave every touch new meaning.
He moved slowly, seducing her with his lingering, deliberate caresses. There was none of the fervency of their earlier kisses in his lips now. Lucia almost felt that she could better handle those frenzied assaults compared to this calculated seduction. Alex’s unhurried exploration made her feel so much more. Made her sigh and moan and ache.
His lips traced her mouth lightly, and heat, swift and stark, coursed through her. She pressed closer, and his mouth locked firmly to hers, spiraling the warmth lower until she was throbbing between her thighs. She pushed harder against him, needing to feel his body against hers, and still he kissed her slowly, lips so consummate in their task that she feared she couldn’t bear the torture. She needed something more.
Then his tongue probed her mouth gently and a moan of pleasure escaped her lips. She felt his hands tighten on her and knew he was beginning to lose control. He traced the contours of her mouth with his tongue while his hands ran over her body, like a blind man intent on memorizing every hill and valley. Lord, she was dizzy and exhilarated and terrified.
He unfastened her gown and pushed it off her shoulders. The material slid away effortlessly, and the contrast between the cool air of the room and the scorching heat of Alex’s body was scintillating. Dressed only in her chemise and stockings, for the briefest moment she felt embarrassment creep in. No one but her maid Jane had seen her unclothed since she’d been a child.
And then Alex was kissing her again—long and deep and thorough—and all thought fled. His skillful mouth made her forget her self-consciousness.
Alex scooped her up, cradling her in his arms, then carrying her to the bed. He laid her on the coverlet as though she were fragile bone china, then he came down next to her. His hard thigh was warm against her soft one, and she gazed at him. He propped his head on one elbow and watched her, fingers stroking her hair.
