Page 30 of The Moonstone Hero
“But she is beautiful.”
“So are you,” he said with a soft growl. “You far outshine her.”
“Now I am utterly confused. If you do not find me repulsive, then why may I not help you?”
Chapter Six
“Must I giveyou a reason for everything I do? And don’t you dare mention Lady Dowling again. Have I not made it clear enough to you that she isn’t offering me a blessed thing I desire?”
What Caden wanted with an ache that grew more unbearable by the hour was Ella.
He needed to hold her in his arms. He needed to do all sorts of wickedly delicious things to her, because he was going to explode if he behaved like a gentleman around her a moment longer.
Who had rosebud lips like hers? Or eyes the luminescent green of a fairy pool? Or hair the color of spun gold?
She inhaled, drawing his gaze to her perfectly rounded breasts that were created just for his pleasure, meant to be cupped in his hands, kneaded and stroked.
Tasted.
Oh, bollocks.
His mouth had gone dry at the mere thought. Well, it was better than drooling over her like a pathetic hound.
He was done for.
All he wanted to do was carry this girl off to a secluded glen and have his way with her. Have her in every way possible, because his desire for her was insatiable. Of course, he was not going to say or do anything, since he could not even get out ofthis pushchair on his own yet. That was enough of a blow to his pride.
“You must have found something lacking in me, or else you would let me help you.”
“There is nothing lacking in you, Ella.” He was not going to allow her to watch him at his exercises, see him weak and stumbling.
No, he could not bear to have her watch him.
“Elmer is going to help me,” he muttered, wanting to be clear that no other woman was replacing her. “Just Elmer and no one else. Not you. Not Lady Dowling. Not anyone else in all of Moonstone Landing. All right?”
“All right. Elmer is a sweet boy,” Ella said with a nod of approval. “You mustn’t bully him.”
“I amnotgoing to bully him.”
She cast him an enchanting smile. “You bully everyone.”
“I do not. Wanting things done my way is not at all the same thing.” He tossed back an appealing grin.
“If you say so. But I know how eager you are to regain your strength. If Elmer suggests you stop, then listen to him.”
He nodded. “Yes, I will listen. You have my word of honor.”
That seemed to please her inordinately, and she smiled at him. “Thank you, Caden.”
He sucked in a breath.
This girl was so beautiful, especially when she smiled.
*
The recital lastedan hour, but the time passed too quickly for Caden’s liking.
He had not yet tired of watching sunlight play upon Ella’s face, nor had he finished staring into her fairy-pool eyes. She hadbeen declared a diamond last year during her debut Season, but she was even more beautiful now.
