Page 24 of The Secrets He Keeps

He knew she could be ruthless when it was warranted. She could be cool and manipulative and brash. She was relentlessly competitive and arrogant and utterly bewitching. And yet, she was allowing this moment. A moment of silent companionship and shared ease.

His heart ached with the privilege even as his body tensed and hardened with the visceral pleasure of having her lush softness pressed against him.

Leaning his head back against the wall of the carriage, he closed his eyes, as well. Listening to her even breath and the rhythm of the carriage wheels while soaking up the warmth and ease and honor of holding her in his arms, he might have drifted off a bit before the lurch of the vehicle as it came to a stop brought him swiftly back to full awareness. Blinking, he lifted his head and glanced about as the lady in his arms also stirred. Her hand on his thigh tensed and squeezed as she used it to leverage herself to a more independently seated position a moment before the groom opened the carriage door.

As she leaned forward to glance outward, she muttered a quiet curse.

“What is the matter?” Erik looked past her into the night. Beyond the groom who stood holding the door, he saw a softly lit townhouse. The residence was stately and stylish in a way that spoke of understated wealth.

“I forgot to instruct the driver to drop you at your club.”

“Where are we?” He knew it wasn’t Pendragon’s Pleasure House as he’d already made sure to acquaint himself with its location though not its services.

Her expression tightened as she replied in a clipped tone, “I’d prefer no one know of this place.”

“Your private residence?”

“Private no longer, unfortunately,” she grumbled in response.

“It pleases me to know you have a place you can go to retreat from all of the demands on your time and personal attention,” he replied gently.

He waited for her to say that it was not her intention to please him, but she just slid him a glance from the corner of her eye and said nothing.

“I’m sure you’re anxious to be in the warmth and comfort of your home. I’ll walk you to your door, then your driver can take me to my club.”

“No,” she replied readily, “you can stay here, I’ll walk myself to the door, then my driver can take you to your club.”

Erik laughed. “As you wish, madam, but first...” He caught her gaze with his. “I must request another kiss.”

Her lips curled in amusement. “You must?”

“Indeed,” he replied, lowering his voice to an intimate murmur. “If I did not, I would never forgive myself for the cowardice of letting you go without at least trying to taste you again.”

Cynicism returned to her gaze. “And why should I allow it this time?”

“Because you want to taste me just as badly. And you are no more a coward than I am.”

Her laugh was sultry but held a harsh note. “You think that kind of blatant challenge will work on me?”

“I do. Because it is the simple truth.”

He waited for her acknowledgement, knowing it would come. Because along with her bold confidence came deep and undeniable self-awareness. He saw the acceptance in her eyes a moment before she placed her hand back on his thigh and leaned toward him.

Lifting his gloved hand, he slid his fingers along the side of her jaw then back to curve around the base of her skull and gently tip her face up to his. Tension built between them as he stared into her eyes before moving to take her mouth.

She likely expected a kiss similar to their first—fiery and fierce. But he wanted something else in this moment. Wanted to offer something else.

As a gust of frigid air swept through the open door of the carriage, causing the woman in his arms to give a delicate shudder, he lowered his head. Brushing his lips warmly across her cool lips in a careful application of friction and pressure, he waited for her eyes to drift closed. As soon as they did, he began to sip gently from her lips in quiet little kisses.

Her soft sigh as her mouth parted urged him to deepen the kiss. Adjusting his hand to more fully cup the back of her head, he angled his mouth over hers. Though their lips were parted enough to share warmth of breath, he did not employ his tongue to taste her secrets just yet.

The slow seduction of the kiss affected him as much as he hoped it might affect her. His insides melted with yearning and desire. His body thrummed with need. But it was a need he was more than happy to deny. The pleasure to be found in the lush sweetness of her mouth was all he wanted to explore just now.

Her hand shifted on his thigh as she leaned farther into him, her breasts pressing to his chest. There was no stopping the low growl of hunger that rumbled in his throat as he brought his other arm around her back to hold her against him as he finally slipped his tongue between her lips to deepen the kiss.

Her response was languid and perfect. An answering twirl of her tongue against his, then a nip on his lower lip when he withdrew.

They opened their eyes at the same time and Erik slowly eased his hold from around her body. But before she could fully retreat from him, he asked roughly, “When shall I see you again?”

---