Page 26 of Merry Miss

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“More?” And then he understood. Of course it wasn’t a trap. She’d been stranded in a blizzard, not waiting for him in some Mayfair garden.

Which was an occurrence he’d learned to avoid, but also one of the reasons he’d not attended a ton event in over five years.

“Thereismore.” But, unfortunately, as much as he wanted to bury his cock between her thighs, he was no longer sure he should.

Of course, he shouldn’t, but he’d managed to convince himself otherwise before he’d realized his mistake about her.

“You don’t want to?” She was nodding. “It’s quite alright. I understand, truly I do.” Her smile was wobbly.

“If we don’t,” Jack asked. “Will you, by chance, look for one of those silver linings you mentioned?”

She swallowed hard. “I’m rather good at that. I can usually find more than one.”

Jack rested his head on one hand, curious to hear what silver lining she’d find now.

“It is a blizzard outside,” she began. “But I am warm and safe in a soft bed, with a very kind man—a very handsome man—holding me. If you have changed your mind, well, then I am lucky to have experienced something uniquely pleasurable already.”

“Uniquely pleasurable?” Jack shot his brows up. “Only a few minutes ago, you said it wasvery memorable.”

“Oh, but it was. Very, very memorable.”

“But you want more—while you are caught between your two worlds.” Jack’s gaze lingered on the corner of her mouth, where right beside it, she had a hint of a dimple.

“Doyouwant more?” her voice emerged little more than a whisper.

He’d promised he wouldn’t spend in her, but he wasn’t fool enough to believe that was a fail-safe method.

And those sorts of consequences would change everything for her. Although, not necessarily for him—unless he allowed it.

She’d ask if he wanted more as well, and the answer to that was an easy one—depending on which part of his anatomy was allowed to decide.

“And what if you meet someone, some eligible bachelor while acting as a companion to this sweet old lady? What if he proposes marriage? He’ll expect you to be untouched.” Even as he presented the possibility, Jack found such a scenario objectionable. A chill swept through him. Was that because he recognized the unfairness of society’s norms, or because he disliked imagining the idea of some other man holding her the way he was now—of some other man tasting what he’d tasted?

“I suppose.” But she didn’t look at all happy to admit that. “Although, it’s not at all fair, is it?”

“No.” Jack kissed her softly again. The two of them would keep each other warm through the night, but that was all.

After this kiss.

And after she finished running her fingers over his chest.

“Your skin is smooth,”Delia traced her hand over his shoulders. Although Jack had apparently changed his mind about, well,putting himself inside her, he seemed to like being touched like this.

But he had changed his mind.

He was a rogue, she did not doubt that, but he was not without scruples.

He kissed her again, and this time, the affectionate gesture was deliberately restrained. But it was also…

Unexpectedly tender. Almost as though he cared for her.

Delia inhaled, breathing him in but then chastised herself for beginning to imagine this night was anything more than what it was—a chance encounter—a pause from both of their everyday lives.

Jack stroked her cheek with his fingertips. “It’s for the best,” he said.

Delia blinked and dipped her chin, more disappointed than she ought to be.

“I’ll put out the candles,” he pushed himself up and left the bed, taking his warmth with him.


Tags: Annabelle Anders Historical