“I’m usually not averse to female companionship. Nor having my drawers searched.” He paused, chuckling at his own innuendo. “But I find your presence to be a bit suspicious, given I did not request company this evening. Did Anders put you up to this?”
Lavisham wasmost definitelynot in Paris.
“Anders?” Josephine flinched at the sound of flint striking. Light appeared in a halo as a lamp, held aloft in one massive hand, flared to life. Lavisham’s chiseled jaw and the amused cast of his lips were revealed, along with the glowing white of his shirt. The ends of the shirt fluttered about his waist as he approached.
Lavisham wore no coat and his shirt was…
Open.
An entire landscape of sculpted muscle was revealed by the lamp, the likes of which Josephine had never seen. Oh, there was the occasional tenant farmer at Fenmere Park, who had gone shirtless in the midst of summer, forgetting the Harrington girls were about.
Yes, but none remotely resembled Lavisham.Honestly, no one did.
He was spectacular clothed, so it made a great deal of sense that the absence of clothing, would make him more impressive. A thick pelt of hair, slightly darker than that on his head, covered what she could see of Lavisham’s chest.
Her fingers twitched wanting to explore all that?—
“Nothing to say?” he rumbled, interrupting her wicked thoughts.
She sensed Lavisham was studying her, though Josephine could not clearly make out his eyes given the small circle of light from the lamp. But she could clearly see his mouth and the amused, sensual tilt of his lips, as if he finding her in his study was a game of sorts.
“Ah, I see you’ve lost a button,” he murmured. “And about to lose another. What a pity. I fear that poor coat was not made to hide such a generous form. I’d never thought to appreciate men’s clothing on a woman, but you’ve changed my mind, little thief. Did you decide on this ensemble yourself? Or was that also the idea of Anders?”
Josephine opened her mouth to spout some ridiculous nonsense, an excuse for her being in his study, but halted when Lavisham reached over and snatched the hat off her head. She’d plaited her dark hair, but the pins holding the heavy mass in place fell to the floor, obviously no match for Lavisham.
“The breeches in particular”—he made a low purr as he tilted the lamp, spilling its light over Josephine’s thighs— “are quite…fetching.” He circled her slowly, like some lion scenting his prey, humming the entire time.
She was too shocked to respond. Never in her life had Josephine been so…assessed by a gentleman. A soft gasp escaped her as Lavisham deliberately sniffed at Josphine’s neck.
“You smell…” His breath buffeted the tiny hairs around her ear. “Like a delicious little tea cake.” The press of his lips ghosted along her skin. “I adore a good slice of cake.”
A blast of…carnality came from Lavisham, blowing up against Josephine, caressing her skin through these stupid leather breeches she’d managed to squeeze herself into. The sensation slid beneath her coat. Plucked at the ends of her breasts and pulled her nipples tight.
Get ahold of yourself Josephine.He clearly believes you to be a courtesan.
Right.
She had two choices. Disabuse him of the notion, which would risk revealing her identity, or attempt to flee the study. Both seemed insurmountable tasks. Lavisham’s broad form stood firmly between Josephine and the door.
Drawing in a slow breath, inching her way from the desk, she said, “Your Grace?— ”
“Anders owes me a debt, and I must say, he’s outdone himself.” Lavisham slowly rotated around her. “But he won’t appreciate your sticky fingers, little thief. Stealing from a duke is bad manners.” A big hand settled abruptly on her hip, squeezing the flesh. “Luscious,” he whispered.
“I…” Josephine stuttered. She glanced towards the door, so close yet so far away.
He squeezed again. “Solid. Sturdy.” The words curled around her ear. “I can do all sorts of things without breaking you, can’t I?”
Oh, well, that sounded?—
The skin tingled along her arms. Her neck. The top of her head. The sharpness of it drew up between her thighs, teasing between them. Lavisham surrounded her. His overwhelming presence. His scent, which was salt and sea air, as if the duke hadbeen swimming in the ocean. Heat and intention rolled off him in waves, all of it making her head swim.
Josephine might swoon if this went on much longer.
She was pulled forward, a bit savagely, by one massive hand until her body was flush against a wall of heated muscle. The surprise had her hands flying up to skate along the delicious hollows of his chest. Her fingers curled into the thatch of coarse hair, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath.
Teeth nipped at the lobe of her ear as Lavisham’s hips pushed against her own. There was no mistaking how the duke felt about Josephine’s sudden appearance in his study. The results were…quitehardto ignore.
Josephine’s legs wobbled.
