She shook her head. “I don’t know who that is.”
“Then let me kiss you as I want to. Let me see if I can find her.”
She hesitated for a few seconds. “One kiss goodbye?”
“Yes. One kiss goodbye.”
Perhaps they might meet again in sixteen years when life was less complicated. When he was free to make different choices. When guilt didn’t wrap around his heart like a choking vine.
Miss Lawton closed her eyes and puckered her lips.
Christian stared at her and smiled. She was about to kiss the devil, not a choirboy. “Look at me. Say if you want me to stop.”
Her eyes flew open when he cupped her cheeks and stroked his thumbs over her silken skin. He’d never met a woman whose gaze conveyed a sultry innocence. It did things to him he couldn’t explain. Roused a need that superseded any other.
His mouth covered hers, their lips melding slowly in an age-old dance—yet her touch and taste were undoubtedly unique. When she didn’t pull away, he traced the seam of her lips with his tongue, seeking entrance, longing to push deep inside her wetness.
The first slide into her warm mouth was divine.
That’s when the tempo changed.
That’s when the shackles of restraint fell away, when she wrapped her arms around his neck, anchoring him to her. Perhaps wickedness was contagious. One minute they were standing, their hands moving rampantly, touching, exploring. The next, she was on top of him on the bed, him massaging her buttocks, pulling her against the rigid length of his cock, mimicking what he’d do to her if only they were naked.
The need to pound hard left him panting. They were swallowing each other’s moans. Drinking from each other’s mouths like parched nomads in the desert.
In his arms, Miss Lawton was no prim governess.
She was wild, passionate and utterly wicked.
“Tea is ready and on the table.” Mrs Maloney’s call broke the spell.
Startled, Miss Lawton dragged her lips from his and scrambled off his body. With shaky hands, she patted her hair and brushed her skirts. She seemed confused that a chaste kiss had turned into a rampant devouring.
Christian swung his legs off the bed, dragged his hand down his face and breathed deeply to settle his racing heart.
“Perhaps it’s just as well this is goodbye,” she stuttered. “This is insanity. You’ll be the ruin of me, sir.”
Frustration surfaced. “It’s lust, not insanity. And you’ll be the ruin of me, madam. I suspected we were compatible, but this ...” He waved his hand back and forth between them. “This is …”
So damn near perfect I could cry!
“Foolish,” she offered.
“Madness!”
“I quite agree.”
He stood and had no choice but to fiddle with his hard cock so it wasn’t obvious in his trousers. “It would be unwise to take tea. I’ll speak to Mrs Maloney and make an excuse. I’ll have Gibbs fetch your valise and ferry you to Daventry’s office in Hart Street.”
“You’re not coming?”
Most likely in his trousers if he didn’t place some distance between them. “Tell Daventry I’ll investigate Quigley while you study the paperwork. It’s evident we cannot work together.”
She glanced at crumpled sheets on the bed. “You’re right. I’m not sure we can ignore what just happened.” She stepped back and straightened her shoulders. “Goodbye, Mr Chance. It was a pleasure meeting you again.”
“Goodbye, Miss Lawton.” Hellfire! His throat tightened. “I suspect there’s no real mystery to solve, and Snell is only guilty of shipping contraband. Still, I pray Daventry notices your skills and offers you permanent work.”
“I pray so, too.” She smiled. “Well, do I look presentable?”
