How lovely it would be if she could kiss Worth whenever she wished. Have him touch her. Stroke the intimate spaces of her body. Her fingers grabbed at his collar, refusing to let go.
Abruptly, Worth pulled his mouth from hers, eyeing Aurora as one does a wild animal. He sucked in a lungful of air. “I’ve kissed you. Now get off.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“I do.”
The hard length of him, pulsing up between her thighs, said otherwise. Aurora could well be laying atop a hot poker. Worth was aroused. By her. But he would never admit to it. Nor would he confess he wanted to keep kissing her. A real shame because Aurora thought kissing Worth to be nothing short of marvelous.
“You liked it,” she challenged, feeling powerful. “Kissing me.” Aurora’s fingers slid up the side of Worth’s neck to his chin. “Would you like to take a liberty?”
Worth turned his head and cursed a string of vile words under his breath. “You shouldn’t say such things.”
“I thought we were friends, Worth.”
“Aurora—”
“Would you rather I kiss Grisham? Or say improper things to Atherby?” Aurora named another one of her admirers. “I haven’t been able to convince Grisham to take a liberty with me yet, but I’m getting close.”
“Dear God.”
“I’m only curious and—”
“What must I do for you to cease this nonsense?” he said, sounding as if she were strangling him with his cravat. “You’re going to end up compromised, Aurora.” The blue of his eyes dropped to the curve of her mouth. “Such a scandal would hurt your family, after all Emerson has done to restore his reputation. Is that what you want?”
“Of course not.” A tiny burst of guilt settled in her chest.
“I must insist you not go about propositioning the likes of Grisham or anyone else.”
Well, it wasn’t really up to Worth, was it? “I can’t help myself,” she murmured. “I could be wanton.”
A sound left him. She couldn’t tell if it was arousal or sheer terror at her words.
“But I’ve thought of a solution.” Aurora leaned in and trailed her tongue along the corner of his mouth.
“Who taught you to kiss?” he hissed. “You shouldn’t—”
“Unimportant,” she interrupted what was sure to be another speech admonishing Aurora for her behavior. “Henceforth, you should be my teacher in such matters.” Aurora felt rather proud of herself. “You’re concerned for my reputation and that of my family, aren’t you? But I am curious, Worth. I have questions. If I have your tutelage I wouldn’t have the urge to experiment with Grisham,” she reasoned.
“I am not going to ruin you.”
Poor Worth. He was no match for her determination.
“Heavens, no.” Aurora shook her head as if it was the most absurd idea anyone had ever had, Worth ruining her. Though honestly, he was rather perfect for the job and he was vastly experienced in pleasure.
“Are you mad? You are asking me to be your bloody tutor in,” he choked. “Things of a physical nature.”
“Well, why not? Who else should I go to? We are friends. You don’t want a scandal to erupt around the Sinclairs, which is certain to happen if I were to approach anyone else with such a request. Grisham, for instance, would be honorable if he took liberties.”
“And I wouldn’t be?”
“Worth,” Aurora gave a tiny laugh. “You’d be aterriblehusband, as I’m sure we can both agree.”
“I don’t want to be a husband at all.”
“Exactly. I’m certain you know the best ways to satisfy my curiosity without taking my virtue. Rest assured, Worth. Marriage is the last thing I want from you. I want to wed for love.”
“Your observations are rather unkind. I have some honor left.”
