Christian stood as she entered. He came around the desk, thanked Joseph, and promptly closed the door. The click of the key turning in the lock sent her nerves skittering.
“You wanted to see me.”
He came up behind her, his breath breezing across her neck. “I’ve wanted to see you alone since the moment we were disturbed in the woods.”
Rose swallowed deeply as a shiver ran from her nape to her navel. “I-I think it’s fair to say we have many things to discuss.”
“Discuss? I hadn’t planned on talking.” His hand settled on her elbow, hot and firm, and he swung her around to face him. “At least not just yet.”
Her mind and body melted beneath the heat of his gaze. Clutching the blue book in one hand, she brought her other to his cheek and caressed the soft skin where he’d recently shaved. She loved seeing him like this … so playful and carefree.
It broke her heart to think that he might not look at her in the same way once he’d discovered she’d lied to him. Tears threatened to fall, and so she pressed her lips to his because she had thought of nothing but him since that night, too.
As always, a chaste kiss quickly turned into an explosion of passion. She threw the book onto the nearest chair, wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body into his.
His warm, wet mouth moved so expertly over hers. The melding of tongues sent jolts of pure pleasure shooting through her. Her breasts ached. A similar ache between her thighs urged her to push against him. When his hands found a way up under her dress to settle on her bare buttocks, her heart almost leapt from her chest.
“Oh, God, Rose.” He gripped her tightly, his muscular thighs pressing against hers, the solid evidence of his arousal pushing against her belly. “I’ve never wanted any woman the way I want you.”
Sweet heaven above.
Her head spun as he claimed her mouth. The unique scent that clung to his skin flooded her nostrils. Like a potent aphrodisiac, the essence of him flamed the fire between her thighs. She wanted him to touch her as he had done two nights ago. The way no other man had, and she hoped never would.
On a gasp, Christian tore his mouth from hers. “Come upstairs with me, Rose. Let me lavish you with attention. Help me forget everything but the floral scent of your skin, the soft feel of you filling my palms.” He squeezed her buttocks gently, and a whimper left her lips.
“We-we can’t,” she panted. She knew what he wanted. Heaven help her, she wanted him, too.
A dark cloud of disappointment passed across his face. “You’re right. It was wrong of me to suggest it. But a man can dream.”
Had this been a battle with swords, his last comment would have been the winning thrust.
“Let’s stay here.” She gestured to the Persian rug. “I couldn’t … not in the room next to the children. Not when the servants are awake.”
If one was going to commit sin in the name of love, one should try to hold on to a few principles.
She caught herself. Was this love? Lust could be just as addictive, so she’d heard.
With a tender caress of her cheek, Christian brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. “You know I’m not one of those men who use women to satisfy their needs.” He snorted and chuckled at the same time. “Hell, I can’t tell you how many years it’s been since … well … I’ve never met anyone who excites me as you do.”
This was a perfect opportunity to change her mind. She could sense a part of him pulling back, perhaps realising the folly of the situation. But she wanted the reckless man. The one willing to break all the rules to have her. The one who saw her as more than a trophy, more than a means to refill the family coffers.
“I have only one request.” Her heart thumped wildly, with excitement, with nerves.
“You need only ask.”
She couldn’t stop the seductive smile forming. “Make this a moment to remember.”
Chapter Fifteen
The significance of the moment weighed heavily on Christian’s mind. Not because he doubted his capability to love this woman as she deserved. On the contrary, a fiery passion burned in his chest, one long thought buried. But this amounted to more than dipping a toe in the pool of immorality. God damn, he was ready to strip naked and dive straight into the tempting waters.
No longer could he deny the soul-deep connection they shared. Fate brought Rose to Everleigh. And Fate would see their relationship reach the natural conclusion.
Offering her a sinful grin, he pushed thoughts of marriage from his mind — for now. “You’re in charge, Rose.” He tugged the front of her dress and pulled her closer. “Tell me what you want, and I shall happily oblige.”
“Goodness, I wouldn’t know where to start.” Her nervous chuckle was endearing. “You take the lead.”
“Then you must let me know you want this, too.” He looked for any sign of doubt. “There is a truth, a pure yet potent bond that exists between us. Don’t ever be afraid to say what you’re thinking.”