Page 25 of One Night of Surrender
Though he could listen to those words in a chorus every day for the rest of his life, he wouldn’t make her say it again.Closing the small distance between them, he wrapped his arms around her and touched his lips to hers.Her hands came up to his shoulders, clutching his waistcoat and making him wish he’d removed more of his clothing.
The scent and taste of her was so familiar.He’d never been able to smell lilies without thinking of her.
He let her control the kiss—she’d asked for it, and he would be her servant.She curled her hands about his neck, the warmth of her fingertips heating his nape and scalp, reminding him of a night so unparalleled that it sometimes hurt to think of it.Particularly after what he’d endured with Louisa.
No, he wouldn’t think of her, wouldn’t allow her to sully this moment.Or any moment ever again.
Isabelle’s tongue stroked his lip, and a wave of desire washed over him.He met her quest, touching his tongue to hers as she deepened the kiss.And then they were lost, cast upon a sea of memory and discovery as their bodies pressed together.
This was the dream he’d nurtured for ten long years given form and substance.It was a new dream he’d nurture for another decade.The thought of that—of what she’d said, “one last time,” drove him to claim perhaps more than he should.He moved a hand down to her backside, pulling her flush against him.
She responded by nipping his lip and kissing him again.And pressing her pelvis to his.Her heat caressed his erection, and it was all he could do to keep from sweeping her into his arms and bearing her to the bed.
Val unsealed his mouth from hers.Their shortened breaths filled the air.He pressed his forehead to hers and caressed her spine, her nape, her hip.“Stay with me, Isabelle.”
“That’s what you said to me then,” she whispered.
“I know.I am as seduced by you now as I was then.”
She brought her hand up and touched his face, her palm pressing against his cheek.Her gaze was steady as her lips curved into a sultry smile.“As I am by you.”She touched her lips to his, but it was brief.And then she stepped back.
“As tempted as I am, I have to go.”
“If you ever need me, I am here.Always.”
She nodded, then stepped around him and slipped from his room.
From my life.Again.
Maybe she’d appear again in another ten years.
CHAPTER 9
There were at least a half-dozen Valentine’s Day balls in town, but one of the most popular events on this romantic day was the so-called Feast of St.Valentine at the Wicked Duke.It was Val’s favorite day of the year for two reasons.The first was because everyone called it “his” day and referred to him as his namesake, St.Valentine.
This year’s feast would be their most ornate yet, and Cole had crafted yet another Valentine beer.Val only hoped he’d brewed enough as they’d run out the last two years running.
Val arrived to a chorus of “St.Valentine!”instead of Eastleigh, which the pub’s denizens called him only on this day.In fact, they wouldn’t just keep their exclamations of his name to his entry, they would shout it out all night at odd intervals as met their fancy.
The main salon, decorated with handmade valentines and clusters of flowers, was sparsely populated since it was still early evening.Those that were already here were the stalwart anti-romantics.That most of the attendees came to this event precisely because they were either not in love or steadfastly avoiding the emotion was the point of the event—celebrating the absence of love and the freedom that brought.
That was usually the second reason it was Val’s favorite day.
But today it was not.Today, all he could think about was love—or something akin to love—lost.
No, not love.Whatever he felt for Isabelle, it wasn’t that.
He needed a night of revelry and abandon.A night of friends and Cole’s beer.
“I’ll be back in a few hours,” Cole said after quickly greeting Val.
“Back?Where are you going?”
“To Lady Donnell’s ball.”Cole blinked at him.“I told you I was going.”
Val vaguely recalled that.“I didn’t think you were serious.How can we have our Feast of St.Valentine if you aren’t here?”
“Iwillbe here, just later.I need to go waltz with my bride.”He stared at Val in question.“You know what Valentine’s Day is actually for, don’t you?”
