Page 63 of Wickeds Scandal
“I never knew my mother either.”She gave him a regretful smile. “I remember her taking me to my AuntEloise when I was very young. She put me on a coach with a note pinned tomy cloak.” Alexandra turned back to the picture of Madeline. “I never sawher after that. She never even checked to make sure I made it to HelmsbyAbbey.”
“I’m so sorry, Badger.” Sutton cameup behind her and put his hands on his shoulders.
Alexandra inhaled the cinnamon smell ofher husband, reveling in his nearness and the comfort she drew from him.“Aunt Eloise raised me and was a most wonderful mother.”
Sutton changed the subject. “Let ushave some wine.” A dark flame burned in the depths of his green eyes.
Sutton strolled to the table, and pouredtwo glasses of wine. He took one glass and carried it to a large chair that satbefore the fire. He took a sip of the wine and casually swirled the redliquid around in the glass as he watched Alexandra.
The nervousness returned. Alexandratilted her neck back and pretended to study the ceiling.
“Come here, Alex.” Sutton’s longfingers beckoned her from across the room. His eyes glowed like greencoals. He threw one long leg over the side of the chair and sipped hiswine.
Suddenly afraid, she lifted her head,trying to think of something witty to say.
Sutton laughed. “Don’t becontrary. Well, you may be, but just now I wish you to do as I ask.Don’t worry, I won’t make a habit of it.”
Alexandra perched on the edge of thechair across from him. The dragon’s tail moved, clearly visible throughthe shirt, as he took a deep breath. She wanted to run her fingers overit.
“Tell me what you want, Alex.” Hisvoice, deep and melodic, caressed her. The wine glass dangled carelesslyfrom his hand. His gaze fixed on her.
It was rather like being hypnotized by acobra, Alexandra thought. She licked her lips. Her curiosityfinally got the better of her. “I – I want to see the dragontattoo. I’m quite interested in how it was drawn and -“
“Liar. You are a terrible, horribleliar. Can you not ask me for what you want? I cannot guess ateverything, as your mind is most complicated. What do you really want?”The green eyes took on a slightly lecherous glint.
Alexandra twirled a strand of her hairnervously. Right then she hated Sutton. “There are times, my lord,when I think of you as a horrid man.”
Sutton gave a wry smile.“Indeed. I am vile. I torture virginal badgers.”
She cleared her throat. “I should likeyou to take off your shirt so that I may examine your tattoo.”
“Because it intrigues your love ofart?” his husky whisper responded.
Alexandra’s skin prickled pleasurably athis words. Boldly, she replied, “No, because it arouses me.”There. She said it. Damn him. He was deliberately baitingher.
A deep rumbling, erotic sound eruptedfrom Sutton’s chest. “Was that so difficult, Badger?” He set the glass ona side table and stood in one fluid moment. His features caught thefirelight, shadowing and giving mystery to his face. Dark ribbons ofhair, like black satin, swung about his shoulders. The tiny jade figureglinted from his ear. Sutton looked for all the world like apirate. He just needed a knife between his teeth. An ache started betweenher thighs.
“I fear my fingers are too big for thebuttons. I am clumsy from having so much wine. Come help me, Alex.”
She wrinkled her brow inconsternation. He had not even a full glass of wine. Peacock! Hewas going to make her undress him.
TWENTY-FIVE
Alexandra approached the man in front ofher cautiously. Her hand hovered over the first button on his shirt,grasping it between her fingers. Slowly, she undid the button,enjoying in the feel of the fine lawn and the warmth of the skin underneath.The exotic scent of cinnamon that clung to Sutton moved around her. Shemay faint from sheer delight. She looked up at him.
Sutton’s mouth curled at the corners inamusement, though his eyes spoke of darker things.
“What is so funny?” she demanded.Horrid, adorable, man.
“Not a thing, Badger. Will you nothelp me out of my shirt, or will you just undo the one button? Should Icall for my valet to instruct you? You’ve bred livestock, I assumedundressing your husband would not pose a problem.” He gave a put uponsigh. “I see I was misled.”
She smacked his chest lightly with herfist. Beast! Her hands made quick work of the remainder of thebuttons. Once undone, she took both edges of the fine lawn in her handsand pulled the shirt apart, as if she opened an expensive gift.
My Goodness! Alexandra sucked in her breath, asshe stared in wonder at the sight of the dragon’s tail. The tail, darkgreen in color, came from the side of his torso and wound around his navel,seeming to weave in and out through the light dusting of hair on hisabdomen. Without thinking, she ran her hand over the end of the tail,pressing her palm against his navel and the smooth planes of his stomach.
The dragon’s tail jumped. Sutton’seyes, dark and unreadable, never left her face.
Emboldened, she stepped behind him.Her hands ran over his back and shoulders.
