Page 56 of Black Widow

“Everything. I wanteverything.”

His lips came down on hers, hard and demanding as his arms wrapped around her, pulling until she was pressed against him, the tips of her breasts rubbing against his chest through the thin cloth of herbodice.

Gideon’s kiss was like a fire blasting through her, burning away her resolve. Her willpower crumbled to dust against the intensity of his desire. She felt almost battered by the force of it, and the almost violent response of her ownpassion.

Hanging onto the last thread of her resistance, she pushed away. “No—wemustn’t.”

Breath harsh, he tugged her to the left, pinning her against the wall of the salon. “You want me as much as I wantyou.”

It was a statement of fact, irrefutable. Amelia couldn’t lie to him even as much as she wantedto.

“No one can know,” shedecided.

That demand was not well received. His hand slashed the air. “Amelia, you’re nonsensical. We’re about to bemarried.”

“No, we are not. Not until this is over and we find the person or—or thing—behind allthis.”

“Am—”

“Promise me.” She threw herself against him. “No one can know about the two of us until it’sover.”

Despite what he believed, Amelia knew in her heart his life depended on this—and she was not above pleading. She would beg if she hadto.

The monster behind this was not all knowing. That would be too much to bear, but there was no evidence that was the case. Whoever was bedeviling her was acting and reacting to what he or sheobserved.

If Gideon wouldn’t forsake her, then their liaison would have to remain a secret for hisprotection.

The earl looked up at the ceiling as if asking the heavens for patience. She knew he was marveling over her stubborn attachment to a belief he viewed as an irrational and superstitiousconclusion.

“If you don’t promise me, I’ll run off to Gretna Green with Lord Cannonburry, my hand toGod.”

Her blasphemy amused him. “Cannonburry can’t run anywhere,love.”

Amelia tugged at the lapels of his tailcoat. Tears threaded through her voice. “Do not laugh atme.”

Gideon instantly sobered. “I will do as you ask on onecondition.”

She wiped surreptitiously at one cheek, hoping he hadn’t noticed the tear in the dimness. “What isit?”

“You are not to sacrifice your safety for mine or anyone else’s. No more haring off on your own. Even if the ton believes you to be unattached, you must consent to be guarded day and night, even if you are moving aboutsocially.”

“Gideon, you can’t escort me about town. It would defeat the entirepurpose.”

“Then take your maid and footmen when appropriate. If it’s necessary to attend a ball, notify me in advance and I’ll be there as well, or Clarke if it pleases you. Even if I can’t be with you, I can still watch over you from a distance. And you never sleep alone at night. I will be with you if I can help it—otherwise, your maid must sleep in yourroom.”

This was like arguing with a brick wall. “You know very well you can’t share my bed. Not when the creature enters my room to watch me sleep. And I can’t subject Carlotta to that kind of danger. I’m sending her away, along with most of the staff. If I need help with the household duties, I will hire day servants—only I will sleep there afterdark.”

Gideon sighed heavily, but he didn’t acknowledge the wisdom of her plans. “There’s one more thing you must agreeto.”

Good God, there was more? “What isit?”

His hand rose to trace the line of her jaw. “Once this perceived danger passes, you will marry me with allhaste.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to agree, but she checkedherself.

Gideon did not appreciate her hesitation. He leaned over her. “Promise me,” he ordered, throwing back her words ather.

“If the danger has truly passed, then yes, I will marryyou.”

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