“We absolutely will not.” She snorted. “I’m having too much fun to find that curbed with domestication, and you’ve already said you’re not in the market to wed either.”
“Yes, but—”
“No.” She waved a hand in dismissal. “You’re an earl’s son.”
“Yet I’m not the earl yet.” A thread of annoyance wove through his chest. “And the only title I ever wish to assume is that of doctor. Why shouldn’t we wed?”
“You’re only doing this out of a misplaced sense of honor and obligation.” She yanked the bag from the ground and stuffed her shift inside. “We’re not in love, and neither do I want to be. That is a useless emotion and destroys everything.” For a second, she glanced at the ruby ring on her right hand. Where had she gotten it and why did it seem to mean something to her? “Why cannot you and I enjoy each other’s company as well as bodies and leave it at that?”
“We can, of course.”
“But?” Again, that maddening eyebrow arched, and he wanted to kiss it—kiss her—until she stopped arguing with him.
“But you’ll need to promise to curb your penchant for scandal.” He heaved out a breath. She left him at sixes and sevens, shook him up so much that he had no idea which way was up or out, much like he thought being caught in a whirling storm might. “Bedding you, indulging in assignations is already enough scandal, don’t you think?” Except, already his mind worked to provide other locations where they could come together outside the bounds of society.
A slow grin curved her mouth, full of wicked intent that tingled through his stones. “That largely depends on the day.” Then she pouted, and that proved even more erotic than the grin. “However, you’re no fun, Doctor.”
The worry over this first coupling didn’t completely fade. “Someone must be responsible.”
“Ah, then I should seek out another gentleman to fulfil my needs?” When she attempted to move past him, he sneaked an arm about her waist and dragged her to him.
“I should say not,” he said around a growl as he brought her flush to his body. “For the time being, Miss Storme, you are mine.” If she was hellbent on doing this, then by God, she’d do it with him or no one. “I’ll decide when we’re through.” Then he brought his mouth crashing down on hers. By no means had his hunger for her been spent. As if he’d been wandering lost in a desert without food or water, he devoured her, explored her mouth, her lips in the hopes of memorizing her merely to analyze every second he’d already spent with her later.
With a sound that was half-moan half-sigh, Isobel flung her arms about his shoulders and met each of his kisses with enthusiasm and wild passion that threatened to carry them away.
For the first time in his life, he didn’t care that his actions could put a cloud over his reputation. If he were discreet in his meetings with Isobel and if she could manage not to brag about her conquest, there was no reason why the rumor mills of London should get wind of their activities, and it was the best of both worlds. He needn’t marry or attend to responsibilities past what he’d incurred at the clinic, and he could enjoy the company of an attractive, addictive lady in the process. Additionally, the affair would give her the freedom—the security—she so sorely desired, for he suspected that’s what she was after with her behavior.
And with each subsequent meeting, he would seek to understand her better, for there was no doubt in his mind that she was hurting deep within her soul.
Struggling for breath, Royce wrenched away. Oh, she was trouble in a big way, and he was well and truly snagged. Like an addict in an opium den, he wanted more and more. “Come.” He tugged on her hand. Urgency and need throbbed through his length. “My carriage should arrive soon. We’ll continue this there.”
She practically purred in response. “I rather like this side of you, Doctor. You’re quite commanding when you want to be.”
Heat went up the back of his neck. Being in control was what he’d learned from his father when they’d spoken of him assuming the title one day. It was who he was beneath the man he preferred to be, but for the moment, he ignored the foreboding that circled with cold precision through his gut. All he wanted was her body wrapped around his. “Perhaps I’ll show you just how much… if you’ll stop trying to take the lead.”
The woman was a challenge but one he was more than willing to undertake while there was nothing else pressing upon his time.
And God help him keep everything secret from her family…