Page 89 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
“Besides, I do not want you to be on your best behavior.”
“Oh?” Tobias arched an eyebrow at her.
She nodded and undid the tie of her dressing gown, letting it fall from her shoulders and pool around her feet. The smile vanished from Tobias’s face, and his jaw dropped.
His green eyes darkened as he drank her in. She was wearing a shift that was made of such a fine muslin that it was nearly see-through. The thin fabric clung to her body, doing little to shield her from the cold and even less to hide her from his eyes.
Which was exactly what she wanted.
She felt his gaze like a physical touch. He stood up but did not come closer. He swallowed, and she felt a thrill run through her.
“You will be the death of me.” His voice was little more than a strangled whisper.
“That is the last thing I wish to do.” Rowen stepped towards him.
He did not step away. He shook his head, blinking slowly as though he could not wrap his head around what was happening.
A thrill ran through Rowen, and she put a hand on his bare chest, her finger tracing the thin scar that ran across it.
His muscles tensed at her touch, the warmth of his skin seeping into her. She looked up at him, her fingers moving from the scars across his torso to the one on his neck.
“Rowen…” He swallowed. “What are you doing here?”
“Is it not obvious?” Her eyes met his. “I changed my mind.”
“What do you?—”
Rowen cut him off with a kiss.
As soon as their lips touched, all doubt faded. Fire spread through her veins, and she lost herself in his embrace. She could not tell where he began and she ended, and she did not want to.
Tobias broke away from her, his breathing ragged. “If we keep doing this, I will not be able to stop.”
“Then it is a good thing I do not want you to stop.” Rowen folded her arms across her chest.
“I am serious, Rowen,” Tobias gritted out.
“So am I.” Rowen let out a frustrated sigh. “I do not know how much plainer I can be. I want you, Tobias. I want this.”
“You do not know what you are asking.” Tobias clenched his fists.
“Do I seem like a woman who does not know her own mind?” Rowen shook her head. “If you do not want me, then say it. I will leave, and we can pretend this whole thing never happened. Tell me you do not want what I want, and we will put this to bed.”
“I cannot do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because I want you, Rowen. Is that what you want to hear?” Tobias growled. “I can scarcely get through the day without thinking of you. Whenever I am near you, I yearn to be closer to you, to hold you, to touch you.”
“Then why do you hesitate?” Rowen traced her fingers along his scar once more. “I want you, you want me, and we do not even have to worry about a scandal, since we are married.”
His shaky breath tickled her skin. “But if we do this… there will be no going back.”
“I know.” She reached up and touched his face. “But I also know that I want whatever comes next. I want a life with you, Tobias. I am tired of waiting. I do not wish to hide from this, from whatever this is. These last few months have been nothing like I expected. You are nothing like I thought. And I…” She met his fiery gaze with her own. “Take me to bed, Tobias. Make me yours.”
With a growl, he closed the last few inches between them and pressed his lips against hers with a hunger that drove everything else from her mind. The scent of cedar and pine washed over her. Her skin was on fire, every inch of her craving more of him.
He lifted her into his arms, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, unwilling to break their kiss even for a moment. His muscles were hard against her. Every kiss staked his claim, and she was more than willing to submit.
