Page 35 of If Not for the Duke

“Perhaps.” She seemed to finally relax as her gaze held steady on him. “However, I do believe you’re forgetting something.”

“Oh? What might that be?”

To his surprise, she moved closer and tapped a gloved finger on his lapel. Right over his heart, causing it to lurch, then pivot. He watched her closely, unable to decide what she intended.

The corner of her mouth curved. “A smile, Sterling. Remember?”

She’d said his name in a slightly breathless tone. Damn if he didn’t like it. He grasped at his thoughts, trying to focus on the conversation. “Ah, yes. Our agreement.” Just the mention of it was enough to make him smile.

“There it is.” Her approving gaze swept over his features much like a caress, warming him from the inside out. Her lower lip caught in her teeth, which sent desire spearing through him.

He forced himself to remove the smile, watching her own dim. “There is a way you can have another,” he offered, hoping she knew he was teasing.

“How?”

His gaze lowered to her lips. “A kiss would certainly make me smile even more.”

“Would it?” Her eyes glinted with amusement.

“Most certainly.”

“Well then.” She eased closer and placed her hand over his heart. “I would like to see that.”

The simple touch sent need shooting through his entire body. Or perhaps it was her smile. Maybe her lovely scent. Or just her. “Just” wasn’t the right word. Not when it came to Lena.

She was a quiet force that could erode a man’s will with one look. He should know, as she was certainly eroding his.

He bent to take her offered lips, reminding himself to keep it short, even as he reached for her waist. Foster would return with Lena’s maid at any moment. Bernie might come down the stairs. Or Aunt Edith.

But the moment their lips touched, those concerns fell away. His focus shifted to her mouth, which responded with fervor to his. He couldn’t resist deepening the contact, testing how much she’d allow by pressing the seam of her mouth with his tongue.

She opened for him and then stepped into the circle of his arms as if she trusted him to treat her with care. He held her tighter, and his tongue swept along hers, sending passion cascading over him, threatening to drown him.

Kissing Lena was like drinking a carefully aged brandy or a fine wine—it created warmth inside him and went straight to his head. He couldn’t begin to guess what might happen if they took this further. But he wanted to know. Desperately.

A sound had him drawing back to listen, disappointed to realize someone was coming.

“Until tomorrow evening?” he whispered.

“That depends.”

He frowned, confused by what she meant.

“You still owe me a smile.”

He had to laugh. He’d never had a woman tease him in his entire life. Not even Bernie. But he kept his composure as best he could. “Do you intend to collect another tomorrow night?”

“Absolutely. I look forward to it. Perhaps even two.” She stepped back and looked every inch the proper lady as her maid joined her. “Good day, Your Grace.”

With that she was gone, leaving him to draw a deep breath to settle himself, only to breathe in her scent. He had never looked forward to a ball the way he was to the one tomorrow evening. Already, he was plotting ways to claim a few moments alone with her. Surely, he could manage to find a way to have one more kiss. Never mind that he now worried whether it would be enough.

Chapter Ten

Lena entered theStanhope ball the following evening with high hopes. She perused those in attendance, only to realize she was looking for Sterling’s tall form. How ridiculous when the hour was still early. Even if Lady Bernice was among the guests, it didn’t mean Sterling would be.

“Whom are you in search of?” Norah asked as she joined her.

“No one in particular,” Lena lied. “Just curious to see who’s here.”

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