Page 52 of The Seduction of Lord Sin
Only His Grace.
She was still humming with the joy of it when he moved up her body.
“Beautiful. You are so beautiful,” he whispered. He thought her beautiful… and her world spun again.
She reached for him and slid her palms slowly over muscled biceps to his shoulders, avoiding his bandage. His skin felt hot and hard beneath her fingers. Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close. “That was incredible.”
He smiled and brushed her lips with a kiss so tender she wanted to weep. “There is more, so much more, but not tonight. Not until this situation is resolved. Tonight, we cannot linger. It’s almost dawn. If our ruse of an engagement to Devlin is to remain intact, they cannot see you in my bedchamber.”
“Must we leave?” How could there be more than this perfection? He had not found his pleasure. She could feel the evidence pressed into her stomach. “Can I not return the favor and help you find your release?”
“I need you to go.” He nuzzled her nose with his own. “I’ve little restraint left.”
She pressed a kiss to his lips. “Thank you. Thank you for showing me what I have missed all these years.” He stayed still above her, his gaze locked with hers. What did he see? Did he find her beautiful?
But, beautiful or not, she had discovered one truth in this moment. Where once she had believed she could make herself content with another marriage of convenience, she now knew that was a lie. Her feelings for Lord Sinclair proved she wanted more. She wanted—no,neededsomeone she could love. Someone she could desire. Someone who would miss her if she were not there.
She needed a marriage where she mattered.
He pressed a kiss to her throat. “There is no need to thank me. The pleasure was all mine.” She lay back, helpless and limp, while he retied the little ribbons on her nightgown. Reluctantly, he pulled her to her feet and knotted her robe tightly together before placing a kiss on her nose.
He had not expected to go so far with her tonight. Hell, it was close to morning. But the feel of her, the scent of her, the sight of her in her night attire had loosened his control.
He was still as hard as a rock. He would take himself in hand the minute she left his room, while her taste was still on his lips, and pleasure himself. He’d been doing that a lot lately. Always in his dreams, Charlotte was lying naked before him. From now on, he wouldn’t have to imagine. He would remember. And memory was worse than imagination, because imagination had not gifted him with the innocence of her response. His armor was fractured, and now his fortified heart wanted to break free.
If he didn’t send her to her bedchamber soon, he might forget her promise to Devlin and his friend’s dire need.
Wordlessly, he took her by the hand and led her to the door. He checked the hall and listened, but heard nothing.
“Go,” he said. “And remember to lock your door behind you.”
“Bella is guarding me. I’ll be fine although I’m not sure how much sleep I’ll get. I shall relive everything that just occurred.”
He liked the idea of her dreaming of him. He pulled her to him for a last, brief kiss. Then, after a final survey of the hall, he pushed her through the door and watched until she disappeared round the corner. A smile played on his lips as she hesitated and sent him a small wave before she disappeared.
He leaned back against the closed door and shook his head. And not just to clear the scent of her. What he’d done tonight could derail their plan. The villain was making mistakes, thank God. They had to catch him, and soon. The cad might simply steal Charlotte away. The idea of such a fate befalling her made him combust with anger.
He was a fool for racing to her side when news of Dharma’s flight reached him, but Devlin took off after Dharma’s carriage, so he had little choice but to ride for the cottage. What was Devlin thinking? Dharma—that is who Devlin was thinking of, and Sin couldn’t help a smile. Dharma could be the answer to all their problems. Devlin could marry Dharma instead of needing Charlotte.
As he lay in his bed, smelling her scent all around him, he closed his eyes and took himself in hand. For the first time since he’d walked in on his wife dead, and her lover’s brains spread all over her gown, he let his heart crack open. As his hand moved faster, the crack in his chest grew wider. He came calling her name, with his body sated and his heart blooming.
ChapterSeventeen
Devlin, James, and Sin rode out early in the morning. The countryside was the only safe place to talk where no-one could overhear them.
“What do we do now? He’s growing bolder. Taking a shot out in the open was risky.”
James was saying what they were all thinking. “Look, the guests have to leave tomorrow, so whatever he’s going to do, he’ll do it today.”
“Or will he wait for everyone to leave? He’ll want Devlin and I gone.” Sin’s horse stamped as his hands tightened on the reins.
Devlin snapped his head around as if Sin had spoken something golden. “Then that’s what we should do. We should leave—or pretend to leave.”
Sin shook his head. “Not a good idea. It leaves Charlotte too open to danger.”
“Not if I’m still here with John and some of the men. Besides, Bella never leaves her side now and would alert us to danger. There is a risk, but I believe it’s more dangerous to wait. How long can you both put your lives on hold?” James spoke sense.
Sin’s head agreed with the point James was making, but his heart didn’t. His chest grew tight. He didn’t know what he’d do if something happened to Charlotte.
