Page 9 of My Darling Rogue
It was madness, this desire to prod and poke at her with his knowledge of her clandestine activities. He shouldn’t give a pauper’s half-penny about her affairs, but he couldn’t help himself. Over the past year and a half, he’d discovered a disturbing fascination for hellions—this one in particular. He could not stop searching her out whenever they appeared at the same social functions. And while he was hopelessly aware of her every move, Celia danced and kissed her way through the Season and her admirers without a care of his own existence.
It was quite brutal, actually, watching her emerge from secret corners with lips flushed scarlet from stolen kisses and a man close on her heels eager for more of her affection.
Moving on the outer fringes of the same social circles, Gabriel’s position proved advantageous. He watched, but never interfered with Celia’s actions other than that one nearly disastrous occasion.
That was almost three months ago and happened during one of the last parties of the London Season. He’d seen her to safety, and she acknowledged his help with a slight lift of her chin. After aiding her, he’d blended into the background as was expected.
Yes, he stayed to the shadows, but right now, every shred of self-preservation he possessed was burning into cinders. Right now, he wanted to shake this girl in frustration for her disregard for her own safety. Gabriel realized the danger in his actions in pursuing this. Like a moth incinerated by the very flame enticing it closer, he might never recover from this encounter with Celia.
“Tonight is an excellent example of why you should refrain from such reckless behavior,” he said almost gently. He should at least make an attempt at resisting the flame sitting beside him. “You cannot comprehend the danger you repeatedly place yourself in.”
Celia’s spine straightened as she glared at him. “I shall do as I please, and when I please, sir. I do not require a lecture from someone like you on my personal business.”
Gabriel let her words sink in, telling himself he should not accept her brash challenge. However, it was her quickened breath and the failure to place some distance between their bodies that decided matters.
His grin turned lethal. “Ah, it is to be a lesson, then. One I’ll happily teach you.”
CHAPTER6
Before Celia could interpret his statement, Gabriel’s arms swept around her. She was crushed against a wall of muscle. Surprise stole her breath. She did not even think of fighting his embrace.
He smiled, a lion’s smile that hid his true thoughts. It sent a shiver coursing through Celia’s veins.
“I hope you learn it well.”
“And what is it I am supposed to learn?” Celia asked through clenched teeth. How could he be so devilishly handsome with that dark stubble shadowing his jaw? A gentleman should be either clean-shaven or sport a well-maintained beard. It was unseemly to appear as though one had abandoned the effort of grooming halfway through their toilette.
“Danger lurks around every corner for a beautiful woman. Especially young, wealthy, beautiful women. There is always someone eager to take advantage. For example, I can do with you whatever I please and no one will stop me.”
“After surviving thetonfor the past two years, I’ve learned to deal with such despicable behavior. In this instance, I would begin by demanding Ravenswood hold you accountable and fully punished for these insults.” Celia’s voice trembled the slightest bit. “My family would see to it, have no doubt. You would face their wrath. My brother, for example, would make you sorry you even knew my name.”
“Not withstanding your brother’s ability in defending your honor.” Gabriel laughed softly, his perfect white teeth flashing in the darkness. “Do you really think they would find me if I did not wish it? Now, regardless of your threats, let us address something else arousing my curiosity.”
“What might that be, Mister Rose?”
“Why does the thought of kissing me frighten you so terribly?”
The question he asked rumbled against her chest. It was impossible not to feel Gabriel’s every breath and utterance when he had her pressed so tightly against his larger form. She was nothing more than a hapless bit of prey caught between a predator’s paws.
Sweet Jesus, the man’s arms were hard as tree trunks. His cologne, a scent of spices and evergreens mingled with the bittersweet tang of the brandy he’d sipped earlier, was making her dizzy. Tilting her head enabled her to better stare at his face. A lock of rich, russet-hued hair concealed the scar’s path on his forehead before it sliced through his eyebrow. His eyes were the color of aged whiskey, swirling with bright, gilt-edged embers. Long, thick lashes cast smudgy shadows on his skin, leaving him with an endearingly vulnerable air.
She’d always thought him striking in appearance, but now Celia realized he was more than that. He was brutally handsome.
He moved, shifting quickly until he reclined on the settee; one leg propped up on the cushion, the other braced on the floor. Celia now lay caught between his thighs, her feet curling somewhere around his knees, one hip resting in the junction of his legs, and her upper body twisted so her chest was flush with his own wide expanse. His shirt gaped open, giving her an unobstructed view of his bare chest. It was warm and bronzed, the flesh lightly dusted with a swirl of dark hair. For the oddest reason, Celia wanted to twine her fingers in that smattering of hair. To learn its texture and see how far down his body it actually traveled.
Oh, bloody hell! What the Devil is wrong with me?
Gabriel’s large hands settled in the hollow of her spine, and for a fleeting second, Celia felt his fingers flexing as if intent on reaching bare skin before they stilled.
“Well?” he prodded in a low growl.
“I’m not afraid of anything,” she swore in a faint whisper.
Beneath the layers of her nightrail and robe, Celia’s breasts tingled. It seemed possible her nipples were actually catching fire, if the intense sensations were any indication. Taking a deep, shuddering breath sent her bosom sliding against his skin in a sensuous caress.
Celia abruptly froze in place.
Gabriel bit out a muttered curse.
