Page 34 of How to Best a Marquess

Chapter Nine

Ellie tugged on their entwined fingers and leaned toward him until their faces were only inches apart. Her heart pounded. She knew any type of intimacy with Hugh was wrong, very wrong, but she pushed her worries aside. Tonight was different. He was different.

He’d called her admirable.

The air rushed from her lungs as he met her halfway until their faces were only inches apart. The scent of his cologne and soap and something else…something she thought was dangerous male, teased her senses. Desire illuminated his forest-green eyes. Her gaze dropped to his mouth, the sensual curve of his full lips, and the tantalizing divot in his chin. She had an irresistible urge to lick the masculine mark.

A lock of dark hair rested on his forehead and gave him a roguish appearance. Without thought, she reached out and smoothed it in place.

He let out a breath. “Careful, Ellie. I might take you at your word about that kiss.”

She tilted her head to the side and studied him. “You asked and I said yes.”

She took a breath of confidence, then before she lost her nerve, leaned even closer until only a wisp of air separated them. He held still as if he expected her to pull back and flee like a madwoman from the carriage at any moment. Perhaps she was mad. This insane urge to kiss him grew stronger with every passing second.

Instead of resisting, her eyes fluttered and she met his lips, desperate for the taste of him. He was gentle at first, his lips firm but closed. It wasn’t enough. Thoughts of their shared kiss had invaded her dreams, and she wanted more.

Her tongue darted out to outline his lips. He expelled a breath, and his hand reached up to pull her head closer as he opened his mouth to her tongue. She delved inside to explore his mouth and was rewarded when he met her tongue with his. Her hands slid up his arms around his shoulders, her fingers finding the muscles in the nape of his neck and his dark hair. She tilted her head to the side, eager for more.

He groaned and pulled her onto his lap. Even through the layers of her gown and his trousers, she was aware of his heat. And his hardness. It should frighten her, make her shove him away. Instead, she was lost, adrift in a sea of emotion. She struggled to find purchase, to keep a deep part of her hidden and sheltered from the overpowering male pressed against her. With every stroke of his tongue, he battered against her defenses.

No. She couldn’t travel down that path of heartache again. She wasn’t that foolish, was she?

But he had learned of her plans, and he hadn’t lectured or berated her, or heaven forbid, run straight to Ian. He’d aided her when she’d needed it most.

And his kisses felt heavenly. His lips traveled a path down to her ear and he suckled her sensitive lobe. Her knees felt weak. If she weren’t already sprawled across his lap, she would have fallen. A rush of heat flooded between her legs. His mouth continued its torturous path to her neck, down to the swell of her breasts above her bodice. Her nipples tightened beneath the fabric. He kissed her there, his mouth hovering above the satin.

She wished there was no silk between them. If his kisses were wonderful on her lips, her nape, the skin above her bodice, then what would they feel like on her naked breast?

She wanted his mouth there, wanted his lips to caress her aching flesh.

“Your skin is so soft.” He caressed her cheek.

“And here.” His hands moved to her throat.

“And most definitely here.” He slipped a finger inside her bodice and stroked her nipple. She was gasping for more.

“God, how I want you. I’ve wanted you forever.”

Truly? She knew better than to trust the seductively dangerous words from his mouth.

“But I’ll not take you in a carriage. We’re back at the club, love.”

She didn’t know what was more shocking. That they had arrived or that he called her love.

Her eyes widened, and she slipped off his lap and back onto her bench. She smoothed her skirts, her hair, then dared to look at him.

His mouth curved in an arrogantly male smile. “Are you going to deny liking that kiss?”

“A true gentleman would not ask.”

“After tonight, I believe we are beyond propriety.”

“Because of what just occurred in this carriage? I don’t believe—”

“No. Because of what occurred in the club. The next time you plan to shield a beaten woman, I want to know about it.”

“I hardly think your request is—”