Page 68 of How to Tempt an Earl

Something flashed in her eyes, relief? gratitude? before her gaze shuttered and it was gone. “There are men who would consider it unattractive in a woman, especially a wife.”

“I am not one of them. Your intelligence has the opposite effect.”

“And what effect is that?”

He leaned forward on his knees until his lips were a hairbreadth away from hers. “It arouses me.”

She inhaled sharply. “Ian—”

He lifted her chin and forced her eyes to his. “Would you have me lie? You already believe me to be dishonest.”

“That’s not fair,” she whispered.

“I suppose not, but after learning what I have about you tonight I have a request.” The thought had come to him after learning of her secret, her mathematical and business genius, and hope had blossomed in his chest.

“A request?” she asked.

“I want you to visit the place.”

“Visit what place?”

“The Raven Club.”

Her mouth parted, but he placed a finger on her lips. “Shh, love. Please listen. I want you to visit as my guest. You were only there twice, once to meet me and once for us to come to our arrangement. But you have never visited it for pleasure.”

“Why would I do that? You know how I feel about gambling.”

“You think of it only as a hell, a place people like your father feed their addictions and cause pain to their loved ones.”

“Do you deny it?”

“Yes and no. But there is more. Much more. The club offers escape for those who need it—men and women. It also offers salvation for some.”

“You mean through your charitable donations? Or for you?” Determination shone in her eyes. But something else as well.

Curiosity.

His hopes lifted. “Both. Say you will let me escort you.”

She shook her head. “I’ve been there already.”

“Ah, but that was before. We barely knew each other. You are now my wife.”

He felt her shiver at the words. She may have said she wanted a marriage in name only, but her body was saying something else.

“Will you allow me to show you where I’ve spent the past ten years of my life?”

Her lips parted and he held his breath. There could be hope for him, for them, if he could show her how much the place meant. Could he make her understand?

She let out a deep sigh. “Yes. A tour. But do not think it will change my mind.”

Satisfaction coursed through him. She’d agreed. He didn’t know what it meant, if indeed it would mean anything. But she’d agreed.

He cradled the side of her face, and her eyes widened at the contact. “You have no idea how much you have pleased me. I want to kiss you, Grace. Just like last time. Remember?”

“I remember.”

He moved forward on his knees, pressed between her thighs. He was desperate to taste her. He hovered over her lips, then claimed her mouth. She tasted like sweet brandy, heady, intoxicating and oh so tempting. He slanted his mouth against hers, slowly exploring the softness, the lushness. When her lips parted on a sigh, he slipped his tongue in to explore the recesses of her mouth. Heat leapt to his groin when her tongue tentatively met his own.