Page 18 of Three Promises Before Christmas
She blinked dazedly. “You are on my bed.”
He smiled, pecking her on the lips again. “Only noticed that now, did you?”
She blinked again, this time her eyes cleared of any confusion and she pushed at him. “Get off!”
He chuckled. “One could argue that this ismybed.”
“I have no qualms about booting you fromyourproperty!”
Mason laughed, lowering his forehead to hers. “Caroline, you have rendered by bones all but useless. I’m afraid I cannot move, let alone leave your bed.”
“You are being incorrigible again!”
“I admit that I never thought I possessed this trait.” He gave her a pointed look. “It appeared the same time you did. Are you going to take responsibility for that, love?”
“Pfft.” Her lovely eyesnarrowed on him. Bloody hell. He wanted to kiss her again. Gather her into his arms. Never let go. “It seems you are the one that ought to take responsibility, sir.”
“Indeed.” Mason smiled. “I promise you, Caroline. I shall take responsibility for the rest of our lives.”
Her eyes widened. “That is not what I meant!”
“I already promised. I cannot take it back.” He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “And if you want me to leave your bed, you shall first have to loosen your legs from my waist. However, if you don’t want to, I can show you pleasure in a thousand different ways.”
She gasped, and quickly squirmed out of his arms. Mason laughed, letting her go, and swiftly rose from the bed. He delighted in her delectable and disheveled look, glaring at him from the centre of the bed. Would she let him get away with pushing her down again?
No, definitely not.
He cleared his throat, biting back a smile. “I shall leave you to rest.”
“Wait.” She reached over to snatch his wrist. Ripples of electricity made their way up his arm.
Mason slowly lifted his gaze to meet hers.
“I don’t believe I’ve thanked you for not pressing charges,” she said softly. “So thank you.” She let go of his arm.
“You were never in danger of that, love.” Only ever of him. He did not regret the events that brought her into his life. In fact, he ought to apologize to her. After all, Caroline Harwood would never be able to escape him. He wouldn’t allow it.
Chapter 6
Caroline waltzed down the stairwell with the sensation of soft, fluffy clouds beneath her feet. A giddy feeling of happiness combined with a sense of freedom. All this due to a glorious night’s rest, and she was determined to enjoy this feeling as long as possible.
She wondered where Lonsdale had procured such a comfortable bed. If all her nights were spent on such a wondrous bed, she’d live a happy and carefree life. No obstacle could present itself that she could not breeze over. Not even an incorrigible viscount.
Speaking of that man, Caroline had decided that she would simply put his kisses, his touches, his whispers out of her mind. And of course, bar the door to her bedchamber. She would consider his proposal, but she wouldn’t let his incorrigible behaviour influence her decision.
Beast.
She was no better than him either. She’d actually indulged his incorrigibility. Enjoyed it to some degree, which made Mason Flowerdy, Viscount Lonsdale the most dangerous man Caroline had ever met.
Unexpectedly, the first obstacle to her carefree day presented itself moments later in the form of a nerve-wrecking familiar voice.
“Where are my daughters?” the voice boomed. “I demand you fetch them immediately!”
Caroline rushed over before the baron woke the entire house with a scene. “My lord? What on earth are you doing here?” Her gaze darted around the entrance hall, and she let out a small breath when she didn’t catch sight of Lonsdale or her sisters, only the butler.
“I heard you left your residence with the viscount last night. Who does Lonsdale think he is stealing away my daughters?”
Caroline nearly rolled her eyes.So now they were his daughters?Utterly laughable. “Where exactly did you get your information from?”
