But as she was about to give up, she heard the quietest of meows and redoubled her search. She found them in an empty wooden box deep in the back of the pantry, hissing like snakes. She reached in a hand, and they swatted at her, bearing their tiny fangs. Two slate-gray kittens and a third calico with orange and black splotches and a white belly. A larger, black cat with white markings crouched a few feet away, eyes wide, but ears erect.
“Well done,” Leo said, kneeling beside her.
“We should move them,” Saffron said, holding out her hand toward the presumed mother cat. The feline crept closer and cautiously sniffed her fingers, then head-butted her hand.
Confident that the mother would follow them to a safer nesting spot, Saffron bundled her hands in her skirts and gingerly grabbed each of the kittens, depositing them beside their sister in the basket.
The cook shooed them out of the kitchen soon after, and they returned to Leo’s office, Mary trailing behind them with the purring mother cat in her arms.
“I wanted to ask you something,” Leo said, placing the basket aside.
She pulled a sheet of paper from her pocket, glad she had thought to carry it with her. “Yes, I suspected you might.”
She unfolded the piece of paper in her hands and placed it on his desk, joining the other sheets of paper. “I’ve compiled a list of items you should purchase. Although there are significantly more, this will serve as the basis for the initial set of high-priority needs.”
Leo stared at the list. “Needs?”
“Yes,” Saffron said. “In order to ensure the success of the auction, I had to perform an assessment. This house is far from efficient. How you have gone on so long without a valet baffles me. Mr. Sinclair is performing the duties of both a butler and valet.”
“Indeed.” He picked up the paper, smoothed it out, and placed it with the other sheets. “Well, I certainly appreciate the effort.”
“There is more.” She straightened further. “The household turnover is significantly higher than average in this estate. I suspect that someone is trying to…” Her words faded away as Leo prowled closer, sparking fear and desire in her in equal measure.
Surely, he would not dare to ravish me with one of his staff present?
As if sensing the tension, Mary picked up the basket. “I’ll return in a moment, milord,” she said. “These young’uns need to be settled somewhere quiet. Don’t get up to trouble while I am gone.” She winked at Saffron, then closed the door behind her.
“Where were we?” Leo whispered. “Ah, yes.” He tilted his head and brought his lips down to touch her cheek, a feather-light caress. His hand followed the curve of her back, and his palm caressed her rear, then squeezed tight. The burgeoning pressure in her chest threatened to explode and consume her. Never had she felt such a powerful urge, a need to be with another person. There was a hollow ache in her stomach, like someone had scooped out her insides and left her empty.
Stop this now, before it is too late, her rational mind objected. Ruining herself would not help her find her brother, and if it were discovered that she had allowed Leo such intimacies, it might bring further shame upon their family.
“You haven’t finished your report,” he said. “I would like to know more.” He withdrew his hand and then slapped it against her rear, making her cry out.Just this once, she promised herself. Her aunt and sister would never have to know, and it was not likely any man would ever wish to marry her, given her reputation. The secret would be theirs, a precious memory to fuel her dark, lonely nights.
“U-Unless you prioritize renovations, you will soon pay p-premium wages for the bottom rung of s-society’s house staff,” she said between gasping breaths. “Oh, God, Leo! Touch me, please.”
“If you insist.” He hiked up her skirts to her waist and spread her thighs apart. “Wrap your legs around my hips and your arms around my neck.”
She did as he asked, clinging tightly as he lifted her from the desk and carried her through an adjoining door, up a narrow flight of stairs, and then through a dark passage that ended at a door. He kicked it open, and they entered her room.
He lowered her onto the bed, grasped her wrists, and pinned them above her head. Then he captured her lips for a searing, heartbreakingly short kiss before releasing her and stepping away.
She boosted herself up on her elbow and rubbed the back of her hand against her mouth. Leo crossed the room in a few large strides. There was a click of a lock engaging before she fell onto her back and closed her eyes.
Footfalls approached, then the corner of the bed dipped down.
“What now?” she asked, keeping her eyes closed. Without sight, it was easier to imagine it was a dream, without consequences.
“Now we play.”
His cool hands touched her thighs and pushed them apart. Nimble fingers removed her slippers and drawers, then peeled her stockings down and off her feet. A heady warmth pulsed from her cheeks to her stomach. Beneath her skirts, she was bare to him. At the first touch of his lips upon her thighs, she gasped and clenched her fingers in the bedspread. He inched up her inner thigh with his lips and tongue until his whiskers brushed against her quim. Then he transferred his attention to her other ankle and repeated the process until she shook with need.
“What do you want?” he whispered, rubbing his cheek against her thigh and making her shudder. “Tell me.”
“Touch me. Please, Leo. Touch me.”
She arched her back at the feeling of his tongue upon her. Then he slid a finger inside her sheath and rubbed his thumbagainst the bud of her pleasure. Heat curled in her belly, and moisture leaked and dampened the sheet beneath them.
She bucked her hips, wanting more.
