Page 13 of A Viscount's Bet of Seduction

She looked up, into his blue eyes. They were standing very close. She could smell his spicy scent—she didn’t know what it was. It was like cloves and oranges and something masculine, something that was utterly himself.

“Where do you live?” he asked, his gaze very much on her lips.

“London. Harley Street.” She licked her lips, watching his pupils dilate at the sight.

“Why have I never seen you before? After all, your aunt and my mother were close friends.”

“I don’t mix much with the ton.”

“You don’t have to be among the ton to go out in London,” he pointed out. His eyes locked with hers. She felt a frisson rise between them.

“Parading around like a show pony is not my style,” she replied. In the candlelight, his face was golden, with dark shadows cast from the planes of his face.

“I daresay, it’s not.” He smiled, baring his perfect white teeth. She looked away from him, at the row of books beside her. “There’s no need for you to parade about. You’re quite noticeable even when you’re doing nothing.”

She gasped, her eyes meeting his. Before she could think, he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers. She kissed him back, losing herself in the sheer pleasure of it—the pleasant warming sensation pooling in her belly, the way her skin warmed at the touch of his fingers on the small of her back. His small growth of stubble rasped against her skin.

He pulled her towards him. She set the book on the table beside them, then placed both of her hands on his chest, feeling his hard, flat muscles through his soft shirt. She grabbed handfuls of the fabric as his other hand cupped her cheek.

Her eyes shot open as she realized the utter impropriety of the situation. Her reputation could be ruined! She pushed him away. His eyes were soft, making her ache to pull him back. But she didn’t know him. He could ruin everything for her.

Lucy cleared her throat. “Goodnight,” she said curtly, turning and fleeing the library. Her face was hot. He said nothing, only smiled devilishly, his blue eyes lighting up like a flame. Only when she was far enough away to think did she realized that she’d forgotten the book back on the library table.

Now what am I supposed to do?

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