Page 34 of It's In The Duke's Kiss
His eyes widened, as well, as he set her away from him.
She frowned at the wariness that crept into his eyes. Emma swept her gaze past him in search of Mary. “Where’s my sister?”
He motioned behind him. “She went on to the library to find our last item.”
Emma felt her frown deepen. “Alone? Whyever would you let her go alone when you were so awfully keen to partner with her?” Emma knew she was being provoking, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.
“I suppose I could ask the same of you. Where is your excellent partner? You seemed rather eager to get him alone, or is it only my brother whom you wish to have?”
Emma gasped at his sharp words, and her temper erupted. “How dare you! You kissed me, if you remember, and you were my first kiss! I don’t make it a habit of being alone with gentlemen, and I have no desire whatsoever to be alone with your brother or with Lord Salisbury!”
Determined to leave the arrogant man staring at her back, she swung away, but he grasped her by the arm and turned her back around. “Emma…”
She stilled and looked up at him to find his expression a mixture of tenderness and hopefulness.
“Please tell me now. Do you or do not still harbor an affection for my brother?”
Heat rushed to her cheeks. He had apparently deduced that she had once had a fondness for Nathan. Regret immediately swept over his face, and he dropped his hand away.
“I can see by your blush that you do care for my brother.” Lucian stepped back from her, and this time, she reached out and clutched onto him.
She glanced quickly around the garden to ensure no one was near. “Lucian, you’re wrong. Ididharbor a silly girlhood tendre for him, but at your home the other night, I learned rather quickly that my interest now lies elsewhere.” She stared at him purposefully, and a slow smile spread across his face.
“Would it be too presumptuous of me to kiss you?”
Emma shook her head. “It would be just the right amount of presumption.”
Lucian’s gaze darted around them, and then he smiled down at her. “Scandalously alone,” he whispered. His warm breath tickled her face, she shivered in anticipation as his lips captured hers. He pulled her close, one arm encircling her waist and one hand coming to the small of her back. She allowed him to press their bodies firmly together; they fit like a glove.
Heat pulled in her belly as his lips massaged hers in dizzying perfection. He slid his hands over her waist and to her hands, and his fingers intertwined with hers as he kissed her deeply before pulling away. He had a dark, almost predatory look in his eyes as he stared down at her.
“A duke must always know when to control himself,” he said in a tone that sounded half-admonishing and half-teasing.
She scowled at him. “Then I heartily wish you weren’t a duke.”
Lucian smiled down at her, took her hand, and pressed a kiss to her fingertips. “Sometimes I wish that, too, but I think it might come in handy in obtaining your mother’s approval to allow me to court you.”
Excitement surged within her. “I hope, but I daresay my mother truly wants you for my sister, and when she decides upon a course…”
Lucian pressed a finger to her lips. “Ease your mind, Emma. I never lose a battle I set my mind to.”
Emma smiled, even as his words whispered an echo of memory through her. Hadn’t Nathan said something similar about Lucian? That he always got what he wanted?
