He glanced down at his attire, or rather lack thereof. “I am not at question here. That thing,” he motioned to her nightgown, “is hardly proper.”
A mischievous grin spread across her face “How so? I would imagine many a man would sell a tooth for his wife to wear such nightwear. I would even wager to say there would be less unhappy marriages in England.”
He scoffed. “Even if that were true, you, my dear, are not married. You’ve no reason to parade around in the dead of night so scandalously attired.”
With that, he suddenly recalled the reason he had sought her out. “And what are you doing lurking about in the garden? Dangerous men are roaming about and can very well be in search of you or hiding in the shadows.”
She said nothing but rose to her feet. Simon could only stare as she sauntered over to him, the provocative sway her hips holding him transfixed. “That may be, but is it not more exhilarating to live dangerously?”
“You are playing a reckless game, Lady Belle.”
Elegant eyebrows lifted. “I am playing dangerous games? Were you not the one who decided to move into the residence of a lady? Not very proper of you, my lord.”
“I did it for your safety. You need the protection of a man.”
Simon sensed rather than saw her eyes roll heavenward. She would not be tamed nor would she listen to reason—to him.
“I’ve always been of the view that men think too much of their skills as protectors, but even I must admit that while it irks me to take orders from arrogant baboons, there is something very wicked in being ordered about.”
Fire danced in her eyes as she advanced on him. “Are you calling me an arrogant baboon?” was all the response Simon could manage.
“Dear lord no, but I must confess a certain heedless part of me awakens when you are near. Perhaps it is because of your insistence to abide by all things proper.”
Simon stood still, at a loss for words.
“At least if I were to die tonight, I’d die with the knowledge that I did not cower in fear, but lived my days in full.”
That snapped him out of his trance. “Dammit all to hell, you are not permitted to die. And this is indecent and dangerous,” he growled. He wanted to shake her and make her see reason, but some part of him knew it was not wise to touch her just now.
“Do not be such a bore, Westfield. I could die just as easily from a bee sting as I could from a madman. The key is to enjoy every moment you are gifted with. Is that so wrong?”
His gaze dropped to her lips, his voice hoarse when he growled, “You believe me a bore simply because I am a gentleman and you wish to live on the edge of danger without one? Well, allow me to oblige you.”
He gave her no chance to react, but snatched her arm and yanked her up against him in one fell swoop, his lips capturing hers in a wild and punishing kiss. Her lips parted in a surprised gasp and Simon took advantage of the opening to plunge his tongue into her mouth.
Instead of fighting him, her grip on his shoulders tightened as she pushed her lithe body further up against him. He nearly expired on the spot. A growl rumbled in his chest when she started kissing him back, her tongue dancing with his with the same abandon.
Just as suddenly, the assault gentled, whether it came from her or from him, he could not say. He gentled his embrace, cradling her in his arms. Only Belle possessed the power to reduce him to this growling mess.
Her lips widened against his and he pulled away to stare down at her with amusement. “Why are you smiling?” he asked.
The suspicion in his tone drew a chuckle from her.
“I was just thinking that the nightgown served its purpose well.”
With a trembling hand, he raked his fingers through his hair, “I kiss you and you think of your bloody nightgown?”
“Why yes, it was created to tempt after all.”
“You are a cruel woman, Lady Belle—a true menace to society, a danger to every man in England and his self-esteem.”
A sensual laugh echoed through the garden. “I’m hardly any of that, but it is good to know this little creation had been worth the… purchase.”
“They should bloody well ban that nightgown,” he grumbled, then narrowed his eyes on her. “You enjoyed my kiss.”
“That was not the worst kiss I’ve sampled.”
Simon’s mood darkened at the thought of other men kissing her.
