He closed his eyes. He couldn’t focus when she was before him like this. “I’ve wanted you for so long.”
“And you had me. Youhaveme. I want you too. No one has ever made me feel how you do. I’m out of control. I keep saying this is a mistake, but I keep coming back.”
He shook his head. “It is a mistake.”
“Then I’ll be sorry tomorrow because right now Iwantyou, Duncan.” She took his hand and lifted it to her breast. Beneath the soft flesh, he could feel the pounding of her heart. “I want you inside me, over me, under me.”
His hand wanted to close on her breast, to press that jutting nipple against his palm. Instead, he withdrew it. “It’s not enough, Lucy. God knows I want it to be. I can’t think of anything better than taking you on the cot and the floor and the table.”
Her lips parted with interest.
“But that’s not what I want—just to fuck you. I want more than that.”
“What do you mean?”
“I want more than your body. I want your heart, your mind, your soul.”
She raised her brows.
“Alright, maybe your soul is going too far. But I love you.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Don’t think I don’t hate listening to myself say that, but it’s true. And I want all of you. I want you to love me back.”
“Duncan, I don’t know what to say.”
He smiled. How many times had he been on her side of the conversation? How many times had a woman declared her love for him, and he couldn’t say it back? He’d been embarrassed for the woman, and he felt as though he should be embarrassed of himself right now.
But he wasn’t.
This was truth, and he couldn’t deny it.
“You don’t feel the same way. I can’t force your feelings, but I don’t want a substitute for them either. I’m not proud of the man I used to be, but I learned something from him.”
“What’s that?” she asked.
“That even a former rake like me deserves love. You said as much yourself.” He looked up at her, afraid he might see annoyance or pity in her face, but she looked curious. “Lucy, I won’t ask you for anything you can’t give. And I can’t do this anymore without what I need.”
Chapter Twenty
