Page 19 of How to Tempt an Earl

“Then don’t,” he said. “As for tonight’s lesson, shall I show you how a real man can move?”

Before she could protest, he pulled her into his arms. She staggered forward and fell against his chest. Strong arms caught her and immediately tightened around her waist. His mouth swooped down to capture her lips. She was unprepared for the man. He was raw power, almost overwhelming. It was not a gentle or coaxing kiss but a dominant form of mastery. She stiffened and her hands came between them.

But just as quickly, the kiss changed, slowed and eased. His lips, which appeared hard, were soft and enticing as he brushed them against hers. When she gasped, he slipped his tongue in to slowly stroke hers, and a delicious heat raced through her. Never had she experienced anything so consuming. He was a master seducer. She felt herself swiftly slide into unknown territory.

She pressed a palm against his chest, whether to push him away or pull him closer she wasn’t certain. But at the first touch she felt his heart beat against the linen and the hardness of his chest, and she froze. She kneaded the hard flesh, reveling in the power she felt in his muscles. It was weakness, for certain, but she wanted to lean against his strength, to feel more of him. What would it be like to have such a masculine man?

He groaned, pulled her flush against him, and deepened the kiss. The touch of her sensitive corseted breasts against his chest was shocking. She came to her senses. This wasn’t a harmless lover’s tryst. His kisses were dangerous and could easily lure a lady—inexperienced or not—to her ruin.

He kissed a path across her cheek, then flicked his tongue against the sensitive shell of her ear. The sensations were purely erotic. Oh my.

Her mind struggled to hold on to her train of thought. She mustn’t allow him these kisses. Mustn’t allow him to think of her as anything other than a lady. He may be hurting from his brother’s death, but that didn’t give him a right to use her in such a fashion. If she let him have the upper hand so easily, they would never be on even ground, and her task would fail before it ever began. He would never be ready for Lady Crowley’s ball. He could easily rescind their agreement and demand her father pay the six thousand pounds, or worse, demand that she share his bed in exchange for all or part of the debt.

Where would she be then? How could she provide for her young brother? She pushed against Ian’s chest. “Ian, stop.”

He tightened his arms to keep her near, his head lowering to capture her lips once again.

She turned her head to the side and shoved more forcefully. “Ian, stop!”

He took a step back. “What is it?”

Her heart was racing, and she struggled to keep her features controlled. “This is wrong.”

“It didn’t feel wrong to me,” he said.

Her brows drew downward. “If this is how you’re going to behave, then I cannot see how we can work together.”

That got his attention. A familiar mask of coldness that she’d seen at his gambling club descended upon his features. “Pardon my behavior. I had thought you had enjoyed it as much as I had.”

She had enjoyed it. She hadn’t experienced anything like his kiss. Not even the quick kiss she’d experienced during a garden stroll at a ball. But she must never admit it to him.

“I don’t see how I can tutor you if you kiss me.” She reached for her cloak with trembling hands.

“You’re leaving?”

Was that surprise in his voice? “Yes.”

“Will you return tomorrow night?”

“I don’t know.”

Dark eyes narrowed. “We had an agreement.”

Her hand hesitated on the door handle. “I remember.”

“You needn’t worry. I shall restrain myself. It won’t happen again.”

Dare she trust his word? Could she afford not to?

“All right,” she said.

“I shall escort you home.”

“No,” she said, a note of desperation in her voice. The last thing she wanted was to be alone with him in a carriage. She frowned, realizing she sounded anxious. “I will be perfectly fine on my own.”

His dark, brooding expression returned. “As you wish.”

She tried not to run as she threw open the library door and rushed down the stairs.