Page 54 of In Need of a Duke
“This is the most ridiculous wardrobe,” she laughed softly.
“Needs must, Honeybee.”
She closed her eyes, certain he had felt the way her fingers had tripped across his skin upon uttering her nickname.
“I will arrange for the tailor…”
“I’ve already written them.” His voice was soft, yet his words were jagged, as if it pained him to speak.
When Charlotte met his stare, the anger that his dark eyes had possessed when he returned home had faded to longing.
Did she affect him in the same way as he did her?
She dabbed the rag over the stings on his arm and stood back, appraising, trying her best to ignore his heated stare.
“Where else?” she asked.
He tilted his head up toward the ceiling, revealing another cluster of stings by his throat.
“If you leave the vinegar, I can do it.”
Charlotte ignored him, pushing through the panic bubbling up in her chest. Instead, she leaned into the desire to be close to him and bring him comfort. Ian parted his legs, allowing her to stand in between them. His scent wrapped around her as she gently pressed one hand against his shoulder and dabbed vinegar over the stings with the other.
“The swelling should go down soon. This won’t hurt forever.”
He didn’t say anything, only looked down at her lips before returning his attention to the ceiling with a soft grunt.
The pad of her thumb slipped over his shirt collar, pressing against the hollow of his throat. His skin was warm, like stepping out into the spring sunshine. Instead of pulling away, Charlotte found herself a little hungry for more.
“May I?” She licked her lips and pushed the edge of his shirt back to reveal a corner of his bare chest. He tipped his nose down, pushing it against her temple. His mouth ghosted over her cheek, and he settled his hands over her hips.
And for a moment, it was as if everything was suddenly right.
She imagined slipping her hand back into his hair, moving just enough for their lips to brush. What would it feel like to be wrappedin his arms once more and kiss, not out of hate or spite but from desire?
Her pulse thrummed the longer she pushed herself to remain so close. She was heady, the curiosity of what could be almost maddening.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered against her cheek.
The problem was she had desperately missed him over the years as well until there was a large, gaping hole in her chest. And now she didn’t know if he missed the woman he had married or the idea of having a wife.
Charlotte stepped away, breaking whatever spell had fallen over them. “Please be kind while Kate and her husband are here. I hope you will feel better soon.”
She couldn’t look him in the eye as she spun around and slipped out into the busy kitchen, desperate to reach her room and settle some space between herself and Ian.
Charlotte circledthe carpet as the afternoon sun filtered into the room, shining bright off the crystal chandelier and casting tiny rainbows across the walls.
“I don’t love him,” she announced to the empty room.
But she wasn’t sure if she believed it to be true anymore. And wasn’t that the very devil of it?
She smelled of smoke. Charlotte poured water into the porcelain washbasin and quickly sponged herself off. A bath later would help, but for now, she needed to cool off and set her head straight. She needed space and…
His hands gripped her hips and pulled her close.
She groaned and dressed as a knock sounded at her door.
“Yes?”
