d Zach without question. “I hope Nanette will no longer be a problem.”
“No, she will not be. I had her escorted out of the theatre by a constable, and he made it clear to her that she would risk arrest for trespassing if she came back.”
Sophie breathed a sigh of relief. No more Nanette. That was a blessing to be sure. “Unfortunately, my stepfather is not at home to speak to you tonight anyway. He is in London until the morrow. Perhaps you can come back then?”
“I’m afraid I can’t come tomorrow, sweet. I’m dining with a few benefactors, and I’m hoping to get their backing for the show. In fact, I would like you to join me. The benefactors love to meet the new performers.”
“I’m not sure if that would be appropriate if we’re not officially courting.”
“Honestly, I don’t know the rules of the peerage, but I think it would be entirely appropriate for you to attend as one of my performers. Several of the other performers, both men and women, will be in attendance. I should like very much for you to be there.”
“Then I shall be there.” Sophie wanted nothing more than to make Zach happy and proud of her.
Zach smiled and sat down next to her on the divan. He leaned toward her and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “You are wonderful, did you know that?”
Sophie warmed from the tips of her toes all the way up to her hair. The sweet words from his husky timbre never failed to arouse her. He kissed her again and then stood, holding out his hand to her. “Would you dance with me, Lady Sophie?”
“Why…there’s no music.”
“I don’t care. The sweet memory of your voice is all the music I need.”
Sophie stood and floated into his arms. He was so much taller than she, her head came to his chest slightly below his shoulders. He leaned down and kissed her lips softly, gently.
Zach trailed his hands around her face to her shoulders and down her upper arms.
Something in Sophie snapped—something animal. The need to touch him warred with the fact that she was in the parlor where anyone could walk in. She loosened his cravat and began unbuttoning his shirt. His beautiful chest beckoned. Sophie gripped his muscular torso and pressed her lips to his chest.
Zach shuddered. He cupped her cheeks and brought her up to his mouth where he kissed her, forcing her lips open. They kissed passionately, their tongues tangling, as Sophie continued to trail her fingertips over Zach’s hard chest. When they broke the kiss for a much-needed breath, Sophie kissed his neck, shoulders, his upper arms.
“You’re driving me mad.” He leaned down and licked her neck, gliding up to her earlobe and sucking on it. He pulled one of her legs up against him so her pussy met the bulge in his britches.
She nearly shattered then and there, gasping against his shoulder. He pulled the other leg up, lifting her off the ground so he was holding her, her dress still draped around her, her swollen bud now tight against his erection. She sighed into him, moving her hips slightly to increase the friction. So good…
But they were in the parlor. Anyone could walk in. Of course, Ally was still bedridden, and Evan wouldn’t leave her side. Iris probably wouldn’t bother them, and the earl was gone. A servant wouldn’t dare come in. Would he?
She couldn’t take the chance. “Zach,” she said.
“Yes, sweet?” He nipped the outer edge of her ear.
“If we sneak out of here and go to the servants’ stairwell, we can go to my bedchamber. I’m on the second level. My mother and the earl and Ally and Evan are on the third level. No one would hear us.”
“Are you sure? Are you actually suggesting…”
Sophie amazed even herself. “Yes, that is exactly what I’m suggesting. I want you to take me to my bed.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Safely ensconced in her bedchamber behind a locked door, Sophie turned to Zach. “Undress me.”
A sound left his throat, kind of like a growl. Within minutes, Sophie’s gown, petticoats, corset, chemise, and drawers all lay in a pile on her leather reading chair. Zach’s shirt was still open from when she’d unbuttoned it in the parlor. She leaned into his chest and inhaled. His scent—tobacco, cinnamon, male musk—nothing like it. She inhaled again. “Zach, you smell so good.”
“As do you, my love. I can smell that honey from your pussy. Are you wet for me?”
Brazenly, she lifted one of her legs, spearing it around his hip. “Why don’t you see for yourself?”
He slid one hand down her arm, over her waist and buttocks, and between her legs. “Yes. Your sweet essence.” He slid his fingers through her folds, brought them up to his mouth, and sucked on them. “You’re delicious, Sophie. I’ll never tire of your flavor.”
Still standing, they moved slowly, as they had in the parlor, dancing. Sophie finished unbuttoning Zach’s shirt and removed his cravat. She brushed his jacket over his shoulders, and then his shirt and cravat, leaving them in a pile of wool and linen on the floor.