Page 56 of A Raven Repents

“He didn’t do anything,” Christina argued as Isaac stepped into the room. “He was trying to get me away from the door.”

Giles shook his head to stop her from arguing further. He took Christina by the elbow and pulled her away. She huffed, but didn’t fight him. They didn’t share a single word as he led her up the stairs to her room. He closed the door, expecting her to immediately rage at him, but she didn’t. She was quiet.

“Most husbands would put you over their knee for traipsing about in your nightgown for all to see, not to mention eavesdropping on a private conversation.”

She swallowed nervously. “I hope that means you’re not like most husbands.”

He’d been joking. “I would never do something like that to you, sweetheart.” He hooked a finger under her chin to get her eyes on his. “I will never hit you. Not for eavesdropping or for anything else. Do you understand?”

“Please don’t be angry with me, Giles. I only wanted to make sure he wasn’t hurting you.”

He let out a long sigh. “How could I possibly be angry with you for that?” He wrapped his arms around her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “How much did you hear?”

“Probably all of it,” she said with a shrug. “But even though I don’t know all the details, it sounds amazing. Why would you want to keep it from me?”

“It isn’t you I’m keeping it from. But someone like your father could create problems with that information.”

Her brow furrowed and her lips thinned. She was about to launch an attack.

He slipped his fingers into her hair and kissed her to head her off. “Do you really want to spend the evening arguing?”

She shook her head.

“Good, then the important question is, do you want me to turn the lights out before or after I undress?”

Slowly, a smile grew on her face, as her apprehension faded. “Kiss me again, and then I’ll decide.”

God, how he loved kissing her. And not just because her lips were perfect, but the way she responded to him was enough to drive him mad with lust. She leaned her head back, and opened for him, welcoming his possession of her mouth. She pressed herself eagerly against him as he massaged her bottom.

“Are you going to climb into bed and pretend to cover your eyes? Or would you like to come and stand by me so you can have a closer look this time?”

Her cheeks glowed with her shy smile, but she did come and stand by him. She even helped him, pulling his jacket down his arms and unbuttoning his waistcoat. When his chest was bare, her gaze scoured every inch. Tentatively, she placed her palm against his skin. She enjoyed looking at him, that much was obvious. His ridiculous vanity purred with the knowledge.

This was all he had to offer, really. This, and money. Neither of which was something he could take any credit for. He wasn’t responsible and protective like Michael, or honorable like Ash. But he was attractive to women, and right now, that wasn’t a bad thing.

She raised her eyes to meet his. “Does it bother you that I’m not comfortable undressing for you?”

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. “You’ll do it when you’re ready.”

He let her go, and when he reached to open his trousers, she stepped around to stand behind him. Apparently, she wasn’t ready to see all of him just yet, either. He was happy to let her go at her own pace. She stayed behind him as he removed the rest of his clothing. Her fingers trailed softly down his back, until her hand wrapped around his bottom.

“You do have a lovely backside, Mr. Henderson.”

“Are you sure you wouldn’t like to see the front?”

As he turned, she squealed and ran, jumping onto the bed and pulling the blankets over her head. He laughed.

“It’s safe now,” he said after dousing the lamps. “But you’d better get that nightgown off so I can feel your body when I climb in next to you.”

There was frantic rustling. “Done!”

He lifted the blankets near the bottom of the bed and slid underneath. She gasped when he licked the top of her foot. She was utterly delectable. He kissed his way up her leg. “Open for me.” He swirled his tongue over her thigh.

“Wait,” she said, already breathless.

“Do you not want this?” He flicked his tongue against her skin.

“I do. So much. But I don’t want it to be about only me tonight.”