Page 52 of A Scandalous Proposition
‘Is that how you view me? As an enemy to be overpowered and subdued?’
He threw back his head and roared with laughter. ‘I can’t imagine you ever being subdued and submissive.’
She shook her head. ‘Who said anything about submissive?’
‘Is that a challenge?’
‘Take it whatever way you wish.’
‘Very well. I accept your challenge. Before this night is out, you will submit to my every demand without demure.’
His voice, she was pleased to notice, no longer sounded quite so steady and it was clear that his need was now at least as urgent as her own. Had she been more in control she would have punished him by makinghimwait. But, of course, she would never pull it off.
‘Open your legs wider, Mrs Smith. I don’t want to hurt you with my bayonet.’
In spite of his threatened aggression, he entered her gently. But Florentina was in no mood to be treated as though she might break. She lifted her hips and wrapped her legs around his waist, forcing him deeper until she had taken every glorious inch of him. They groaned in unison and Florentina could already feel the heat building inside her at a quite scandalous rate. She didn’t seek to control it, crying out a stream of erotic Spanish words when she couldn’t contain the need to express herself.
She dragged her nails across his naked back as she exploded on a wave of the most intense sensation she’d ever experienced. Adam followed her almost immediately, pulsating inside her for what felt like an exquisite eternity. His pleasure communicated itself and, hardly believing it possible, she felt herself on the brink once more. This time the sensation built more slowly, spreading to the furthest reaches of her body and setting her nerve ends dancing with erotic delight. Their eyes locked and Florentina bit down on her tongue to avoid blurting out the words that sang inside her head.
She’d just made an astonishing discovery. She’d fallen in love with this dangerously compelling, deeply passionate, uncompromising male. But any lasting connection between them was impossible, and at least she still had her pride.
And so the last thing she would ever do was let him know how she felt.
Chapter Twelve
Florentina allowed herself to be gathered into Adam’s arms afterwards, waiting for the guilt that didn’t materialise to assail her. Instead she stretched like a cat—a completely satiated, self-satisfied cat.
‘We’ve spent the entire evening talking about Dawson but you’ve not said anything about the problems you face at the Court,’ she remarked.
He waved her concerns aside. ‘There is nothing to discuss.’
‘I beg to differ.’ Her hand flew to her mouth. ‘Oh, I beg your pardon. Perhaps you think it’s none of my business.’
‘My brother’s new wife is making things difficult for everyone.’
‘But especially you.’
Adam raised a brow. ‘What makes you say that?’
Florentina smiled. ‘I’ve observed the way she looks at you.’
He sighed. ‘She wants me to resign my commission and manage the estate instead.’
‘Only the estate?’
‘She has other ambitions…’
‘The hussy!’ Florentina sat up, plump breasts bouncing straight into his hands.
‘She feels differently.’ Adam idly circled an aureole with his forefinger. ‘The difficulty is that James trusts her completely. If I don’t do as she wishes, she will poison his mind against me and I will no longer be welcome at the Court.’
‘Surely you can reason with the duke. Tell him?’
‘James and I have never been close, and impending fatherhood has caused him to place Philippa on a pedestal. She can do no wrong in his eyes.’
‘But you’re not persuaded that the child she’s carrying is your brother’s progeny?’
He looked at her sharply. ‘What makes you suppose that?’
