Page 38 of Landen

“It is, but Iam quite comfortable where I am. Landen-” She moaned when hishand drifted between her thighs. A groan escaped him when he realizedshe was not wearing anything else.

“You read mymind.”

“I was about totake a shower. Please tell me you are not buying me a gallery.”

“I am thinkingof it.” He dipped a finger in and felt the jolt shoot throughhis body in the moistness. “Oh, good Christ!” Hewhispered. Bending his head, he nibbled at her neck and had hersquirming on his lap.

Plucking her offhim, he placed her on the stool and released his swollen shaft. “Wrapyour legs around my waist, darling.” He breathed. When she did,he drove into her, pushing her back against the counter.

“You are goingto be the death of me,” he whispered against her mouth.

*****

He made his way tothe club after she left. Heading straight to one of the card rooms,he surveyed the men already playing poker and roulette and went to atable where he could study the rest of the room. A waitermaterialized almost by magic and placed a glass of bourbon at hiselbow. With a curt nod of thanks, he dismissed the man.

Leaning back in hischair, he picked up the drink and took a sip. He wanted to eliminatehis troubles, at least for a few hours. He was taking Tessa to theopera. He had asked if she fancied that, and she said yes.

To hell witheverything else. It was time to get her out of hiding. So be it if areporter or two sees them and snaps a picture. He was sick to deathof being cautious. She was his girl. It remains as if she would everbe his wife, but she was his, and he would take her out.

She did not deserveto be hidden in some damned flat. She was like a diamond, anddiamonds were made to sparkle. Speaking of which, he was going to buyher a diamond necklace and some earrings to go with it.

“Are youplaying cards or just watching everyone else play?”

“I wascontemplating my next move.” A smile crossed his lips as Liampulled out a chair and picked up the deck. “What are you doinghere?”

“I happen to bea member, same as you.” His friend reminded him blandly. “Youlook like you were deep in thought.”

“I was.”Landen nodded. “I was thinking of the opera.”

“Ah. Things areprogressing?”

“Yes.”Landen took another sip of the liquor. “You and Amani….”

“What aboutus?” Liam shuffled the cards expertly, snapping and slidingthem rapidly.

“When youmarried her, it caused quite a scandal.”

Liam grinned inremembrance as he dealt the cards. “She robbed me of a costlypainting meant for the museum, and I fell in love with her.”His eyes lifted to his friend’s face soberly. “Yours isnot going to be quite so easy. Rigid standards and traditions did nottie me down. I have met your parents, who will never welcome her intothe family.”

“No.”Taking another swallow of the liquor, he gestured for the hoveringwaiter to bring him another. “They already have someone pickedout for me. A beautiful, colorless, polite young woman with animpeccable lineage.”

“Who would giveyou the required heirs to Chapman's name.”

“Precisely.”He thanked the man as he placed the glass before him. “ ’Imust perform’ has been drummed in my head since I could formwords. I am a Chapman, and I have to be discreet. Several hundredyears of pure breeding must be carried forward.” Picking up theglass, he stared moodily into the amber liquor. “A tradition Idon’t give a damn about.”

“You couldalways start a new one,” Liam suggested as he shoved the cardstoward him. “One where you choose your damn wife and to hellwith your parents.”

A smile ghosted hislips as Landen picked up his deck and studied the hand he had beengiven. “I suppose I could. I was thinking about that very thingthis morning.”

“And?”Liam displayed his hand, sweeping it on the table.

Grinning at hisfriend, Landen showed his winning hand. “And I refuse to thinkabout it now as I am about to divest you a huge sum of money.”

Chapter 8

Tessa stared at theitems on the bed in stunned surprise before turning to look at theman standing a little behind her.

“I cannotaccept these.” She told him slowly.

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