Her eyes widened in surprise. “You do?”
She was so beautiful, his heart ached with wanting. The pulse at the base of her throat throbbed, as his must be doing as well. “More than anything.”
He guided her around the edges of the rapidly filling ballroom, onto the balcony. It was blessedly empty. The music began, and he took her in his arms. For a moment she was stiff, then she relaxed and allowed him to pull her close. “You are intoxicatingly beautiful.”
Behind her mask, her lashes lowered. “I have to say, I’ve never seen a more handsome Mark Antony.”
“Nor I a more lovely Cleopatra. Stay with me.”
“But I can only dance with you twice.”
“Not to-night. That is one purpose of a masquerade. Who is to know who we are?”
“Oh, I see.” She pulled her full lower lip between her teeth. “I—I . . .”
Twirling her into the shadows, he brought them to a halt. With one finger, he raised her chin. “Be with me.”
He lowered his lips to hers. Touching softly, tasting, allowing her to grow used to his attentions. After a moment she responded, pressing her breasts against his thinly clad chest. He trailed his tongue along the seam of her mouth, but didn’t receive the reaction he expected. How much of a lout had her husband been? “Open for me, my Cleo.”
Her lips parted slightly, and he entered. Slowly at first, gradually possessing her mouth as he planned to possess the rest of her.
Vivian moaned as he tilted his head. God, she’d be the death of him. He had never wanted, no, needed a woman as much as he did her. He didn’t know how he could take the courting of her slowly when his body demanded he take her now, and she wanted him as well. He slid his hands down her back to her nicely rounded derrière, easing her closer. She’d been married. Surely she would know what his hard shaft meant. How much he desired her.
Voices filtered from the ballroom’s French windows. Coming closer than Rupert would have liked. No matter what, he would not compromise her. He broke the kiss and, under the guise of waltzing, guided Vivian around the corner of the terrace, keeping her hidden from anyone standing near the ballroom.
“Now we’re safe for a few moments.”
The lanterns in the garden flickered, reflecting in her eyes. “Are we?”
“Yes.” Taking her in his arms again, he lowered his head. This time she met him. Their mouths and tongues tangled in an intimate dance, and he groaned. “Cleo.” Rupert didn’t dare call her by name. “You taste so sweet.”
“And you, sir, taste of danger.”
“Never. I would never harm you.” He palmed her firm, small breasts. One day soon, he would give them the attention they deserved.
Vivian’s hands roamed over his chest and back, her fingers sinking in greedily. If he allowed this to continue, they’d be making love on the terrace.
“We must stop.” It almost killed him to say the words.
“Just a little while longer.” Her voice was breathy and filled with longing.
“Oh God. How can I resist you?” Especially when it was the last thing he wanted. He should propose soon.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“No more than I can resist you.” Vivian pressed against Lord Stanstead’s hard, muscled chest. He kneaded her breasts, and when his finger brushed over her nipple, something sharp and thrilling shot straight to her mons. She had never felt anything like it before. Between her legs she grew wet and willed him to touch her there as well.
“I want you.” His tone was gruff and filled with emotion.
So this was what it was like to want a man, to desire to bed him, have him desire her. And his kisses. Vivian had not known one could use one’s tongue to such wonderful effect. Nothing would come of it, but she had to give herself the opportunity to be with a man who wanted her, even in disguise. “Yes.”
The voices grew louder, and he broke their kiss again, taking her hand and leading her through a door into the house. A clock chimed.
“What time is it?”
“Almost midnight.”
A cold chill swept over her. They couldn’t go back in now. How had so much time passed so quickly? “Someone will notice.”
