Page 16 of Seduction of a Widow

She drew a sharp breath and rocked against him. Evan realized she was reaching for another orgasm. He gritted his teeth and drove into her again and again and again. She arched, and he gave thanks when her channel convulsed around him. He couldn’t have lasted much longer. His pleasure had sapped his body. Aye, this woman would put him in his grave. Just as she had her first husband, he thought with a laugh.

When she collapsed against him, Evan held her close until both their heartbeats slowed, then he gently lifted her off him and set her on her feet. She clung to him. Satisfaction rippled through him. So, he’d affected her as much as she had him.

When she straightened, he released her, and she pulled her sleeve up over her shoulder.

She brushed her dress, and said, “I suppose we should return to the party.”

Evan took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm, then started them back toward the mansion. “By the time we returned to the party, everyone will be talking about you,” he said.

She laughed. “Everyone already talks about me.”

“You seem to enjoy the attention.”

“Sometimes it is…unavoidable.”

“As when you challenge an earl to a race?” he asked.

Leslie looked up at him. “You don’t approve. Why bet on me?”

He laughed. “I dislike Barton far more than I could possibly disapprove of your racing.”

“So, you do disapprove.”

A moment of silence passed before he said, “Why do you race?”

“Avoiding the question?”

He shook his head. “If you were any other woman, I would probably disapprove.”

“What?” She laughed. “That is by far the smoothest response I have ever heard from a man.”

They neared the dim light that fanned out from the open balcony doors. “Most women who might race would do so to garner attention. I suspect that isn’t the case with you.”

From the corner of his eye, Evan noted that she dropped her gaze.

“The wind through my hair and the power of the animal beneath me are thrilling.”

He looked down at her. “Is that so?”

She snapped her head up and met his gaze.” You do not agree?”

He gave a slow nod. “I am a sailor, my lady. I understand the thrill of a challenge quite intimately.”

She smiled. “Of course, you do--and you cannot blame me. Women love thrills, as well.”

“Is horseracing the only thing that thrills you?” he asked.

Her mouth quirked. “There are many things in life to thrill a woman.”

He nodded again. “So I see.”