Page 36 of The Rake’s Convenient Bride

“But if you allowed yourself to.” Her tongue flicked out, dampening her lips, leaving them glistening and sensual. She glanced about, as though confirming others were out of earshot. “What would you do?”

A coil of desire low in his belly tightened. Was she truly asking this here?

“I beg your pardon?” he asked.

She didn’t look away, but kept that bold gaze fixed on his. “How would you touch me, Jasper?”

“I should not wish to sully your innocent mind,” he replied.

It was a lie. He wanted to sully her innocent mind with every caress, every kiss, every intimate touch he wished to bestow upon her person.

Elizabeth still did not look away. “What if it is not so innocent?”

He did miss a step then, but Elizabeth did a quick half step, keeping them both upright.

She smiled. “I told you I don’t always need saving.”

Jasper grinned at her. “Apparently I do.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth, than her feet tangled with his and he felt her tip in his hands. He tightened his hold on her, securing her body to his for an instant in an effort to keep her from falling.

She was lithe in his arms, sweet and perfect. How he longed to feel the press of her against him, naked silky skin arching against him, her bottom lip pouted out for him to kiss, to suck.

Color scorched her cheeks, and he knew she was mortified at having almost fallen before the eyes of all the ton—sharks, the lot of them. All waiting for a drop of blood so they could launch into a frenzy.

“I would start by touching the length of your neck,” he said softly, knowing no one else could hear them. Knowing she needed the distraction.

Knowing he could not stop himself from obliging her in this way.

After all, he was not actually touching her. He was breaking none of his promises to himself.

Elizabeth blinked in surprise, distracted from her embarrassment just as he’d hoped she would be.

“First with my fingertips, following the lines of your throat, then the hollows of your collarbone,” he continued. “Then I’d repeat that path, slowly and with my mouth.”

Her lips parted as she gave a little gasp.

“I’d nudge away the fabric of your low-cut bodice.” He held her tighter as they twirled with the other dancers. “You said you have a good imagination. I’ll allow you to use it to fill in what I might do there.”

He grinned down at her as they slowed and fell into a slow, sweeping step together. “Are you scandalized?”

“With your hands…or with your mouth?” she asked, her voice husky, sensual. Aroused.

“Both.” He cast her a wicked look. “Are you thoroughly shocked?”

“I’ve been more so.” She looked at him through her lashes. “Do go on.”

A low, languid laugh escaped him. He ought to stop. He knew as much, and yet there was a part of him that wanted to fulfill her desire, to tease his own desires by letting his mind play with the idea of touching her like a match. Holding it in his hands, appreciating it, but next striking it lest he erupt into flame.

“I’d raise the hem of your skirt,” he said softly. “Tracing the curve of your ankle, your calf, your knee…” They spun together, his mouth close to her ear. “Your thigh, where you tied that ribbon. Then higher, grazing my fingertips over the skin of your inner thighs.”

They moved closer in the dance. “And then higher still, touching you in ways even your imagination could not fathom.” He nearly ran them into another couple and managed to swirl out of their way before a collision.

“With your hands, or with…” Elizabeth swallowed.

“Or with my mouth?” Jasper finished for her.

She nodded and they turned one final time together as the music tinkled to a delicate end.