Page 24 of Tempting a Gentleman
“Girl, ye’d make a fine PORF. Ye have good instincts, and ye’re born to do great things. Look at wot ye have already made of yerself.” He gave her a hug, kissed the top of her head. “I’m proud of ye, and yer mum and me, we support ye whatever ye decide.” With one last squeeze, her dad turned and left.
Mute, Emma followed behind her dad and slowly turned the locks one by one. His footsteps faded, but she remained rooted next to the door. A few days ago, she had pondered over her future—secretly wishing for more. Then she met Christopher, and her life suddenly became more complicated yet exhilarating. Aside from enjoying and longing for more of the man’s heart-stopping kisses, Emma was drawn to the complex gentleman who was nothing like the man the Network reports had portrayed. Flattered that Christopher wanted to spend more time together, she hadn’t pressed him to share his reasons. She herself couldn’t precisely explain why she felt compelled to seek out his company and felt adrift when they were apart. Nevertheless, she would have to find out Christopher’s true intentions tonight before matters became more convoluted.
Chapter Eleven
Nodding to the two young burly men assigned to watch over Emma’s shop, Christopher noted their unusual frosty nature towards him. He hadn’t managed to ascertain their names, but he knew they were among a rotation of six men who always saw to Emma’s safety. Whispers amongst the Network staff he employed clearly indicated Emma was a highly respected member—the eldest child to a Network elder. The Network apparently cared little about her paternal bloodline, only that she was as fierce a leader as his sister-in-law, Bronwyn. It was no wonder the pair were fast friends. In fact, the blue blood that ran through Emma’s veins was considered her single flaw. Her destiny to hold a seat upon the Network Elders’ Council explained the extra protection Emma received, for which he was grateful. The dangers of Emma living all alone gave him heart palpitations, and after her morning visit, he couldn’t banish the idea of having her safe and living under his roof.
Christopher approached the front door, and just before he rapped on the glass, he turned back and scanned the area. The guards were closer than usual. Best to set them at ease. He walked back to face the cold stares of the young men. “I’m not a threat to her.”
The older looking of the two stuck out his chin and said, “What business do ye have callin’ this late at night?”
Apparently, itwaspossible to keep some secrets safe from the Network. He’d claimed he simply wished to spend more time with the woman, but it was a lie. He wanted to see her seated at his table, every meal, morn, noon, and eve. He craved her kisses. He needed Emma. But he was no fool. The woman didn’t trust easy, and even though she’d eagerly participated in their embraces, he would have to prove his worth to her before she would even consider the idea of having him.
The younger man chimed in, “Ye’re not marked. Our loyalty belongs to Emma, so ye best have a good reason to be visitin’.”
“Are you questioning my intentions?”
“Aye.” The pair replied in unison.
“Emma is perfectly safe with me.” He was a gentleman, for goodness sake. What was in his blasted Network file to give Emma’s guards pause? He had been a damned saint for the past two years, with little time for anything but work.
Ignoring the wary looks on the guards' faces, Christopher swiveled to march back up to the shop’s front door. Guilt at not having been the model gentleman during their previous encounters resulted in his fist striking against the glass harder than he intended.
“Stop yer bloody poundin’ or ye’ll break me bleedin’ door.” Emma peeked from behind the curtain. Her eyes widened and lit with excitement. With each click of a latch being released, a muscle in his body relaxed.
The door swung open, and Emma invited him in. Christopher stood next to her admiring her swift moves securing the door once more. Yes, this woman was the woman he wanted. A chuckle escaped him as he recalled Bronwyn’s request to assist Emma with her speech. He was loath to disappoint his sister-in-law, but he’d not be attempting to change the woman standing beside him—she was magnificent in her own right.
She beamed a smile up at him. “Wot’s so amusing?”
“Nothing. I’m simply happy to be here.”
“I’m glad ye are here too.” Emma reached for his hand. “I’ve got lots of plans for ye.” She led him over to the settee on the shop floor.
Removing his hat, gloves, and coat, he asked, “Oh, really? Would you care to share what you have in store for me?”
The minx pursed her lips, scattering every gentlemanly thought he possessed. She removed the items from his hands and placed them in a neat pile upon the piece of furniture. His mind was busy imagining them lying upon it—naked.
“Ye did agree to do wotever I wanted.” She rested her hands flat against his chest.
Had she felt his heart jump through his waistcoat? The mischievous slant of her lips and the twinkle of desire in her eyes had him lowering his head to her ear. “Was there something specific you wanted from me now?”
Emma boldly slid her arms about his neck and brought his mouth to hers. Giving in to temptation, his tongue slid over her lower lip, prompting her to open for him. But Emma took charge, and it was he who was lost.
Only when she broke the kiss for air did he regain his mental facilities. Plump pink lips beckoned for his attention, but her guards’ questions had him pulling back. Instead, he said, “I’ve been thinking about you all day.”
“Have ye?”
“Aye, but I’ve been warned to behave myself.”
“By whom?”
“Well, earlier, my dear older brother came by and paid me a visit. Quizzed me as to the purpose of our meetings now that you had no intention of attending Bronwyn’s ball. My rather vague answers appeased neither him nor the ears beyond the walls and doors of my office.”
Emma placed what would otherwise be a chaste kiss upon his cheek, but at that moment, it sent a bolt of pure desire down to his loins. “It’s yer own fault. If ye weren’t a known rake, then all would be well.”
He pulled back but didn’t fully release her. “Rake? I’ve been chaste as a monk for the past two years!” Who was filling her pretty head with such notions? He swallowed a groan. His behavior had been far from innocent.
“Really? Hmm…” She cocked her head to one side. A patch of creamy skin on her neck beckoned him.
