Page 108 of The Duke's Mysterious Lover
Kit slept beside him in the massive bed. Her gowns hung in his dressing room, and she dined with him and Fawkes and Danielle each evening, telling them stories about the theater to make them all laugh. She lived in his heart, it was undeniable. She lived in his house.
She was everything he wanted in a wife, and last night…
Frowning, he plucked at the bandage around his head.
Last night…
There’d been something important. Last night. Something she’d said, something he’d meant to do…
The newspaper!
Cursing loudly, Thorne thrust himself to his feet, only tograb his head as the ache became dizziness washing over him. Groaning, he tipped to one side as the door opened.
“Oh, good, you’re awake.” Kit bustled in, holding a tray and looking delectable. “Are you hungry? Of course you are.”
Truth be told, shealwayslooked delectable. But since she’d begun wearing gowns more frequently, Thorne could admit he was partial to the way silk hugged her curves. Of course, healsoloved to see her legs encased in trousers, knowing she was striding about confidently.
He suspectedthiswas the way he liked to see her most of all; certain, determined, and in control. She strode over to him and placed the tray on the bedside table, nudging him with her hips as she did so.
Thorne told himself heallowedthat meager contact to push him sideways back into bed, and not because he was so weak he couldn’t stand.
Tonight’s the musicale. Yemustbe strong enough to face Blackrose.
Because yes, Blackrosewouldcome tonight. He’d have to come, after he saw…
Thorne bit off that thought with a groan.
Tsking, Kit bent over him, arranging the pillows behind his head so he was upright. “How’s your head this morning?” she asked, brushing a kiss on his crown.
The movement brought her tits tantalizingly close, and Thorne inhaled her scent, helpless in the face of this onslaught.
And aye, a bit dizzy.
“Improved,” he murmured.
When Kit straightened, her pale gaze dropped to his cock, which was doing its best to push past the ache in Thorne’s head and pop up to say hello. She raised a brow. “Youarefeeling better, I can see.”
As much as he wanted to pull her into his arms and makelove to her, first things first.Oh hell.“Kit, I have to tell ye something.”
“Is it that you’re sorry you scared me half to death last night?” She turned back to the tray to pour him a cup of what he hoped was rather strong tea. “And you’ll never, ever,everjump in front of a bullet again, no matter who’s involved? I like Fawkes, but really!”
He winced at her acerbic tone, then groaned again and reached for his head, only to bump up against the bandage. “This thing is wound so tight it’s making my head hurt. Surely it’s stopped bleeding?”
His hopeful tone caused her to frown and plunk the tea pot back down. “Your head is aching because you werefooking shot, Thorne.” Without giving him time to dismiss her concerns, she reached for the bandage. “I’ll check.”
So he kept his complaints to himself as she carefully unwound the bandage, knowing he was being cowardly, avoiding what he needed to confess to her.
“Ye look lovely,” he murmured to her bosom, with her attention on his wound. She shot him an amused glance, which told him she knew what he was thinking.
“Thank you. Ellie and Bull are keeping me well-dressed.”
“Ye look like…”Like a duchess.Or a countess.He swallowed. “A princess.”
She hummed. “Thank you. I am determined not to embarrass you.”
“Ye couldnever,” he murmured fervently.
Was that a hint of blush stealing up her cheeks? “It has been helpful, to have Ellie…teaching me the rules of your Society.”
