Page 49 of The Duke's Mysterious Lover
Even Thorne, when he twined his fingers through hers and darted up the stairs, glanced down at her with humor in those lovely blue eyes.
He wants this, she told herself.
It had to be the truth. The things he’d whispered to her in the carriage…
And then they were in his chamber, and he was shutting the door behind them, and using his hold on her hand to swing her around and catch in his arms. His lips captured hers andyes, he wanted this. She wanted this.
Whimpering, Kit pulled him closer, grinding her pelvis against his hardness, trying to recapture the ecstasy of moments ago.
Sweat dampened the hair at his temples, making his skin salty. She kissed her way along Thorne’s jaw, dragging her tongue through his stubble, making him shudder with need. The realization she was this powerful sent a spike of excitement through her, made her want toclaimhim.
He was hers. Now she just had to show him.
“The bed?” he gasped.
And, feeling bold, feeling in control, Kit pretended to think about it. “The bathtub, I think.”
Thorne hadn’t expected that, judging from the way he blinked down at her, his brows drawing into an adorable little frown.
She pressed a kiss to his chin. “Dancing ishardwork, Thorne.” She flexed her hips forward, cradling his erection with her words. “Iamyour valet. I should scrub your back.”
“Christ, Kit.” His gaze darted between her eyes, looking uncertain. “Ye dinnae have to…I just was teasing ye all those times…” He closed his mouth and swallowed. Then, hesitantly: “Yeareof age?”
Her grin grew. Yes, it was going to befunto remind him of her words. “Itoldyou I was twenty-three,” she said in a sing-song sort of tone, smirking. “Andyes, before you ask again, I’ve done this before.”
“Slept with a man?” Thorne was teasing now, repeating her words from the dance hall.Dio Benedetto,but she loved the way he could slide so easily back to humor. Kit was certain it was why her heart always felt so light around this man.
“Aye,” she drawled, mimicking his burr as she walked her fingers up his chest. “My mother might’ve insisted I learn how to interact with my father’s world, but she never forbade me from experiencing hers.”
When she brushed her fingers across his chin, he growled, “Clearly,” and tightened his hold on her. “Ye’re no’ a virgin?”
“Does that bother you?” Kit cocked her head to one side, uncertainty now flooding where certainty had been. “I grew up surrounded by beautiful people who knew how to give and receive pleasure.”
His hands were already plucking at her jacket, urging her to shed it. “Hardly. I cannae claim it bothers me that ye’re experienced, if it means we both ken what we like.”
Smiling wryly, she allowed him to pull the coat from her arms. “And it would be hypocritical of you, besides.” All of London knew of Thorne’s exploits.
Humor twinkled in his eyes when he reached for her waistcoat. “Exactly. It’s more fun if yer partner kens what she’s doing.”
“That’s why you avoided my advances—Thorne! You’re really quite good at those little fiddly buttons!” she accused as he pulled her waistcoat off her shoulders. “Remind me, why do you need a valet again?”
“Because I’m lazy.” He shot her a grin. “And I like company.” He was already working on her shirt buttons. “And I needed…”
“A friend.” She finished his sentence in a gasp, already arching into his touch.
“I think Titsworth suspected us. These buttons were mismatched when ye came in—"
“To hell with Titsworth, Thorne!” She threw her arms around his neck, pulling his lips down to hers. “Bathtub! Now!”
He was chuckling as he allowed her to lead him to the bathing chamber.
The following moments were deliciously confusing; Kitdrew the bath while pulling off her suspenders, which meant her trousers sagged, and before Thorne could come to her aid, she’d splashed water over herself in her efforts to save them.
They teased one another, with touches and words and looks, as Thorne finished undressing, every moment and movement heightening her anticipation. And when she finally shucked her trousers, the way his hungry gaze swept her body left her blood pumping hotly.
“Sit down,” she commanded, pointing at the single chair. He didn’t hesitate, but followed her command without looking away.
He was in his shirtsleeves, and she sank to the tile floor and reached for his shoes, carefully untying them so the leather wouldn’t be ruined by the damp.
