He cut her words off with a kiss. He couldn’t help himself. He wanted nothing more than to drown in the taste and feel of her. She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back with an intensity he hadn’t expected. Her passion ignited every inch of his body with a burning need that had to be quenched.
As he kissed her, he worked the tiny buttons that ran down the front of her gown, parting them impatiently until he was able to slide one hand inside her chemise and cup her full, luscious breast.
She gasped into his mouth, and for a moment, he thought she’d pull away. Instead, she lifted her hands and helped push the offending fabric away, baring herself to him more fully.
Breaking the kiss, he pulled back just enough to look at her, captivated by the erotic sight of her voluptuous breasts spilling out of the black muslin of her gown, her pale skin and rosy nipples such a contrast to his dark, callused hands.
“You are so lovely,” he whispered, lifting his adoring gaze to hers, finding her eyes emerald pools of desire. He stroked her nipples with his fingertips, and she made a small, sensual sound of pleasure.
“That feels... so nice. I... I didn’t know it could be like this.” Her words made him feel as though he’d somehow won a very large prize, that he’d succeeded in something he hadn’t even known was important. And he was determined to keep making her feel this way. The last thing he wanted was to disappoint her.
Bending his head, he took her nipple in his mouth, swirling his tongue around it until she cried out softly and buried her hands in his hair, holding him tighter against her.
Soon, he lavished the same attention on the other, while his free hand delved beneath her skirts, wanting to make her feel even better, wanting to give her the same pleasure he’d given her before.
He hooked her knee and placed her foot on a nearby box of paperwork, then ran his hand along her smooth calf, knee, then thigh. She gasped as he reached the springy thatch of hair at the juncture of her thighs, and he took her mouth once more with his as he traced the petals of her sex with his fingertips, finding her silky, hot, and damp.
Gently plumbing her depths with one fingertip, he used his thumb to seek out the sweet pearl of her desire, circling it until she was bucking and moaning against him, opening herself wider for his invasion. He worked her body with single-minded intent until she broke the kiss and cried out, shattering in his embrace.
He held her tightly, slowly removing his hand and placing her foot back on the floor as she tried to gather herself. He was rock-hard against her hip, his body thundering with the need to finally make her his, but this was not the time or place.
Now that he’d had a minute to think about it, he couldn’t believe he’d done this at all, in his office of all places! Though he’d locked the door, anyone could have heard them. She certainly hadn’t been quiet!
The memory of her passion, of her unbridled excitement, made him even harder, and he groaned, burying his face against the soft pillows of her breasts.
Her hands came hesitantly up to cradle his head against her, and her gentleness nearly unmanned him. His first instinct was to pull away, to deny that he needed this, but things between them were so fragile. The last thing he wanted was for her to think he was angry with her.
“That was incredible,” she whispered at last. “That’s twice now you’ve shown me that such pleasure was possible. But... I haven’t done the same for you.”
He laughed gruffly and finally eased away, tucking her back within her chemise with trembling hands. “Your pleasure gives me pleasure, darling.” He began buttoning the impossibly tiny buttons. “I’m sorry that I did this here. I certainly didn’t intend to, but there’s something about you, something I just can’t seem to resist.”
She laughed hollowly. “I feel it, too, Sebastian. No matter how hard I try to, I can’t get you out of my head.”
“What do you think we should do about it?” he asked, knowing the answer should be nothing but wanting it to be so much more.
Her cheeks heated with embarrassment, but she held his gaze. “I would like to be alone with you. Do you think I could pay you a visit at your home?”
Her words thrilled and humbled him, though he was a bit embarrassed as well. “I live in a small flat. It’s nothing like you’re used to.”
“I don’t care,” she assured him softly. “My position as a widow allows me some freedom... As long as I’m discreet, no one should care what I do. But I can’t keep having you at my house. The servants will start to talk, and there are reporters everywhere. I don’t want any more gossip, not after... what happened to Evelyn. My brother-in-law is already sniffing around, trying to find a reason to have me removed as Oliver’s guardian. He would like nothing better than to get his hands on my son’s inheritance. If he did, I’m sure there would be nothing left for Oliver when he reaches his majority.”
Sebastian grimaced. “I had the misfortune of meeting the man at Evelyn’s funeral. I’m afraid I angered him into leaving.”
A laugh erupted out of Jocelyn, and she covered her mouth, flushing. “So, I have you to thank for that. I wondered where he’d gone. He’s an odious little man. I knew he was there to stir up trouble.”
“You’re welcome,” Sebastian said, his own lips curving into a smile. She was breathtaking when she smiled, and it was good to hear her laugh. He’d begun to fear she never would again.
Her smile faltered. “You must think me a trollop to make such an offer. A... whore.”
He shook his head, hating to hear that word on her tongue, cupping her cheek gently. “I think you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. I’m humbled that you have any interest in me whatsoever. And whatever you decide, I promise that I will never tell another soul.”
“I feel safe with you,” she whispered. “No one else has ever made me feel safe.”
Her words pierced him to the core, and he couldn’t resist stealing another passionate kiss, hoping that he’d never do anything to make her regret them.
She finally pulled away, looking a bit dazed. “I should go. But if you’ll write down your address, I’ll come visit you tomorrow evening.”
He nodded and went to his desk, hastily scrawling down his address. “When you come, can you bring Evelyn’s diary? I’d like to read the whole thing, if you don’t mind. She might have written something years ago that would help us find out who she might have rejected.”
“Of course,” Jocelyn agreed. “I will see you then.”
He escorted her out to the lobby, for the first time glad that O’Brien no longer worked here, as the man would have been able to immediately see what had been going on between them in his office. As it was, his position as the inspector saved anyone from outright speculating. When Jocelyn came to him tomorrow, though, he’d have to tell her she shouldn’t come to his office anymore. The last thing he wanted was to ruin her reputation in any way.
“Good day,” he told her as she took her leave, wondering if she’d really go through with coming to his flat and dreading what a countess would think of the place if she did.