Page 37 of A Lady's Dangerous Secret
She lifted her head to look at him. “I missed you.”
He removed his hands from her back and traced her cheekbones. “I’ve only thought about you. How do you fare?”
“Like I’ve been locked in my room for four days.”
James chuckled. “Your neck is healing?”
“Quite well. Bailey made her mother’s poultice, and it has worked wonderfully.”
“I’m glad.”
“Thank you.” She smiled, and he felt for a moment as if he was the luckiest man in the world, until reality reared its ugly head.
“I should have better protected you.” His voice came out gruffly while he tried to hide the emotions swelling inside him.
Charlotte’s chin lifted in a defiant manner he recognized too well. “Don’t blame yourself. I’m not yours to defend.”
“But what if I want you to be?”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible.” A forlorn look crossed her face.
James’s gut clenched. He could never compete against a duke, even if he knew a way to get Charlotte out of her bind. If there was no chance of a future between them, he just wanted one night. One night where they did not have to think about Society marriages or criminals or what could never be. One night where they could acknowledge the irresistible pull between them. One night where it was just her and him.
He rubbed her back again. “I know. I just want one night.”
Charlotte’s eyelids lowered and fluttered. She softly said, “Me, too.”
He clasped her hand. “Come with me.”
“Oh! Now?” She pulled her hand back and looked up at him.
The side of his mouth quirked up. “It’s now or never, Lottie.”
“I choose now,” she said without a moment’s hesitation.
He grabbed her hand and led her through the backstreets to an awaiting hackney. Her hand fit perfectly into his own, just like they were meant to be together.
But they were not.
It was just one night.
Once the driver deposited them near Gabe’s home, he led a hooded Charlotte down a few streets until they reached the backof the house. Soon, they were standing before Dawson, who was awaiting their arrival.
“Captain.” He bowed his head as if it were entirely normal for him to appear in the town house of Gabe’s mistress with an unescorted and unwed lady yet again.
“We’re in a much better state than the last time we were here.” James attempted levity, which was not a common occurrence for him. Yet, having Charlotte with him made the dismal world suddenly seem brighter. The butler’s face remained placid. No, there was a slight twitch at the corner of his lips.
“Your chamber has been prepared.”
“Thank you, Dawson.”
James led her upstairs to a guest room at a sedate pace, trying not to drag her up the stairs or throw her over his shoulder as he wished to do. They entered and he unclasped her hand. He felt a chill in his core at the sudden loss of contact.
“Does this suit you? I thought we should be in a different bedroom.” He looked sheepishly at her, realizing even being in Gabe’s town house may be traumatizing. He was sure he would muck something up again. Her eyes swept across the room several times as if to reassure herself. He held his breath.
“It’s perfect. I barely remember the house, I was in such a state.”
He let out a sigh and took a step closer to her. He did not want to miss a moment. Desire burned in her eyes, much like what he felt. Her tongue ran across her delectable bottom lip nervously. He let out a groan as his cock twitched to life.
