Nothing prepared Harrison for the wholeness that bloomed through him when her hand wrapped around his like a lost limb. Each breath he took was a testament to his will. Her sweet scent surrounded him, the warmth of her body next to his threatening to unman him completely.
A sennight away from her had done nothing to quiet his ardor. She was still the only woman in the world he wanted with every inch of himself.
“I know the risk you are taking by opening your home to me even after how I treated you,” she said, as they walked up the stairs still holding hands.
Selfishly, he never wanted to release her or allow her to return to Pleasure House, but she would return soon. He would help Kat in any way he could. Her happiness was all that mattered, and owning Pleasure House made her happy.
Stopping in front of the countess’s rooms, he brought her hand to his lips. “Kat, you could run me over with your carriage, make me run through Hyde Park naked, and I’d still do everything in my power to assist you.”
“I don’t deserve your friendship,” she whispered, avoiding eye contact.
Her words puzzled him, and he couldn’t stop himself from cupping her cheek. “It doesn’t matter. You’ll always have my friendship and my love.”
For years he’d tried to forget her, to ignore the desires of his own heart, but she lived inside of him. Kat had stolen his heart when he was a boy and he’d never received it back.
Harrison didn’t want it returned to him. The truth was, it was always hers.
Stepping closer to him, her fingers teased his hair. It was an act she’d often done when they were younger, stealing moments together away from the watchful eyes of their parents and her little sister.
“I don’t want to think about today anymore.” Her fingers trailed to the nape of his neck, twirling a wayward curl.
Unable to move, Harrison tried to will himself to breathe, to do anything but stand there like a useless sap. His sensitive cock hardened in his breeches, straining to be free, to be inside of her again.
Eight long excruciating years since he’d last been with her, their last time together was still emblazoned in his mind. That memory was all he’d had for years, until they’d found each other again.
“What do you need?” he rasped out, struggling to maintain his composure.
The air was suddenly charged, his heart threatening to pound out of his skin. He’d give her anything she needed, be anything for her. It didn’t matter that she wouldn’t marry him. If all she was willing to offer was a piece of herself, he’d take it like a starving man and savor every part that she was willing to give him.
“You,” she whispered before dragging him closer.
Soft lips pressed to his, her tongue teasing his, demanding entry. It took Harrison approximately two seconds to respond. Once the initial shock was over, he opened to her, gliding his tongue against hers as his arms wrapped around her.
The rightness of it all healed his aching soul, as he squeezed her to him, turning to press her against the wall.
There was a small voice in his head telling him that the hall was not an ideal place to ravish her, but he ignored it, deepening the kiss. His tongue plunged, exploring the sweetness of her taste. Harrison groaned, thrusting his fingers through her thick tresses.
Dear God.
Seven days without her lips on his was like a fucking lifetime to him. He no longer cared about the past or the future, the only thing existed to him was the present. The here and now with her in his arms.
Pressing her full breasts against his chest, Harrison let out an animalistic groan, wanting to strip her bare in the hallway. Wrenching his lips away from hers was the hardest thing he’d ever done, but he was a desperate man.
His lips trailed down her neck to the swell of her breasts, teasing the flesh with his tongue.
“Harrison,” she called his name, her fingers raking across his scalp.
Before he could free her round breasts, the door to the countess’s chambers opened, breaking them apart like they were young again, stealing kisses around corners.
“Forgive me, Madame!” The maid shrieked, looking down at the upholstered carpet. “I-I was unpacking your clothing.”
“Thank you, Jenny. That’ll be all for the evening.” Kat said, running her fingers through her hair.
Harrison adjusted his jacket, wondering about his own appearance and willing the maid away.
The maid, Jenny, rushed past heading for the servant stairs in the back of the home. He was glad it was her maid who had discovered them and not one of his servants, though he was sure tongues were already wagging in his home.
For years, there was talk of his intimate connections, or lack of. Recently all of society was acutely aware of his and Kat’s connection, but only a select few knew how deep their bond actually went.
