“You have a smooth tongue, Lonsdale.” She lifted her chin. “AndIam not ashamed of my birth, but neither do I care to grasp for the heavens. I understand all too well how this world works.”
“That’s good.” The low timbre of his voice sent a chill down her spine. Pure seduction. “Because I am not the heavens. You can grasp for me with just the reach of your hand.”
Caroline laughed. She did not know what else to do. Were all men as persistent as Lonsdale? She thought not. “What shall we do with that tongue of yours, my lord?”
“I can think of several things.” A row of white teeth accompanied his statement.
So, so, much trouble.
***
Mason couldn’t recall the last time he had so much fun teasing a woman. He was reluctant to leave. The more he learned about her, the more his admiration for her grew. The closer he wanted to get. He wanted to peel away every layer that made up Caroline Harwood. Treasure her. Give her a true home. All the care she lacked as a child.
His gaze darted to the bed.
Yes, he wanted to explore every inch.
Her resistance fueled a fast-gathering urgency. A fire in his belly he himself couldn’t explain. It existed. So he didn’t question it. Would not question it. His gut told him to secure this woman. So he would secure her.
She sent him a cutting look. “You are an incorrigible rogue, Lonsdale.”
Mason’s smile widened. “Call me by my name, and yes, I can hardly deny you bring out the rogue in me.”
“You are awfully carefree, hopping from courtesy to familiarity whenever you please.”
“What about you? You didn’t slap or scold me when I kissed you.” He leaned in. “I can only take that as encouragement to kiss you again. And if that is the case, call me Mason.”
She scoffed. “Thank you for reminding me. It’s not too late to slap you for this rogue-like behavior.”
Mason’s blood quickened at the spark in her eyes. She stared at him with eyes that spoke of innocence and obstinance at the same time. Christ, he shouldn’t love it as much as he did. Sensual images flashed through his mind. Her graceful body pressed against him. Beneath him. Atop of him. Her skin, soft and pale, flushed with heat from his kisses.
He would be willing to take on anything for her.
Any burden.
Any cost.
“If you are going to slap me, Caroline, then I shall have to make it worth your ire.” For the third time that day, Mason pulled her into his arms and lay claim to her mouth. A man possessed, his body had gained a life of its own. It wanted to seize and conquer.
He swept her up into his arms and carried her to the bed. Hehadto explore her body. Had to taste every inch of her porcelain skin.
Mad obsession.
What else could it bloody be?
Her arms circled his neck and did not let go even after he lowered her onto the soft mattress. His mouth moved over hers, determined to draw out every single drop of pleasure from the kiss.
Christ, she tasted like paradise.
Shefeltlike heaven. Soft, luscious curves met the exploration of his hands. Were his hands bloody shaking? By Jove, the woman made him tremble. Any moment now, every nerve in his body would shatter to pieces.
What little sanity still hung by a thread warned that he had taken their intimacy far enough. Any farther might scare Caroline away. He didn’t want her to believe him to be the same as her father.
Patience.
If their relationship were to have any hope, she would have to accept him without him clouding her judgement. Though, at that moment, Mason found that he wasn’t above using every means at his disposal should it come to that. A very sobering realization.
He reluctantly broke their kiss, not yet having the strength to untangle their limbs. “You drive me insane for you, Caroline.”
