Page 51 of A Virgin for the Ton's Wolf

She felt a strong arm slide under her, drawing her to a warm, solid chest. She was panting, her legs incapable of holding her up.

“Good girl, Scarlett.”

She sighed as she leaned into his warmth. His strength.

Little tremors continued to course through her as he whispered soothing words in her ear. He smoothed her hair from her sweat-slicked forehead and pressed a soft, almost tender kiss to her temple.

And she let him.

Because more than the immense pleasure he had just gifted her, she wantedthis.

She wantedhim.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Hudson had never seen a more glorious sight than Scarlett Clarke in the throes of passion. Her head thrown back, her lips parted, her red hair running down her back like a glittering river of flames.

He had wanted her—he knew that. It was the sheer possessiveness he felt, the unbridledneedthat had his knees wobbling where he stood.

Lust, he could deal with rather easily. He had had enough experience in that area.

Its counterpart was uncharted territory. One he dared not venture into.

One he should not even beconsidering.

Tendrils of worry snared him even as he held her, glorying in the feel of her body against his.

Just a little bit longer. Let me just hold her until her climax subsides.

He did not even know who he was pleading with. All he knew was that this, what they had, was nothing but borrowed time.

Scarlett could never be his. It would have been the height of his selfishness and a fate he could not allow himself to lead her into.

“Hudson…”

Her awe-tinged voice roused him from his thoughts. “Little cat, you should go back.”

The words gutted him, although he did not know why.

“Mmm… just a while longer. Maybe when I can trust myself to walk down the stairs without falling and breaking my neck.”

He smiled a little at that. “All right.”

Just a while longer sounded perfect, anyway.

He felt a gust of warm air on his chest and looked down. Had she fallen asleep?

He could not help the proud smile that tugged at the corners of his lips.

But she was not asleep, although her thick eyelashes were fluttering dangerously close to slumber.

No, no, no. She could not fall asleep. Not in his arms. Not when it was already becoming so difficult to let her go.

“Scarlett?”

“Hmm?”

“You cannot sleep here.”

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