Page 34 of Four Promises to Love

She didn’t know how he could make formality sound so filthy—and irresistible. Then he claimed her mouth, and she stopped thinking. Her senses came alive with the taste and texture of him, the way they fit like two halves of a whole. Their lips and tongues tangled. He cradled her jaw in both hands as he kissed her, as if she were something precious.

When he swung her into his arms, his impetuousness startled a laugh from her.

“Perhaps we are getting carried away,” she said breathlessly.

“Do you want to stop?”

“No.” She fiddled with his collar, searching for the right words. To draw the line that could not be crossed. “But this arrangement is for tonight only, and I must insist upon discretion—I have a reputation to protect after all. There are also, um, boundaries I am not prepared to cross⁠—”

“Only what you want, Seraphina. I am at your command, and I will be discreet,” he said intently. “You have my word.”

Relief blossomed inside her. Despite the heat in his eyes, she knew he would respect her limits. He was a gentleman—a soldier of honor. He wasn’t like Jimmy or other followers who’d tried to pressure her into the culminating act. While Finn believed in seeking pleasure, she would not do so in a manner that might result in consequences. Her life was complicated enough without bringing a bastard into the world. Growing up unwanted and unloved was a legacy she had no intention of passing on.

Moreover, there were many paths to satisfaction: all it took was a bit of creativity and passion.

Her instincts told her that Owen had both in full measure…and that she could trust him. With a twinge of guilt, she wished the reverse were true as well—that she was worthy of his trust. Despite her ulterior motives, the desire she felt for him was genuine. She wanted to give him more of her true self, even if it was only a token.

“My name is Finn Kidd.” She wound her arms around his neck. “My friends call me Finn.”

“Finn.” His slow smile made her heart flutter. “It is a pleasure to meet you at last.”

Ten

As Owen carried Finn to bed, he recalled the last time he’d done so. He was probably foolish to allow her to seduce him again…but if so, at least he’d be a happy fool. Her mouth was soft beneath his, demanding yet sweetly eager. As her sweet, tart flavor saturated his senses, he realized he’d been craving it since their last kiss. Craving her—even if she was a vice he should stay away from.

Yet something new and genuine was unfolding between them. While he did not trust her, he did at least understand her better. Her remorse had been real. He’d observed the flinches she’d tried to hide, the pain that had seeped through her formidable wall of control. She clearly didn’t like talking about the past—something they had in common—but she’d shown him her scars.

They made him burn to slay her demons.

Which was rich, considering he couldn’t even manage his own.

They were like two strange peas in a pod. Perhaps that explained their uncanny attraction. To him, her resilience was seductive. Despite her delicate beauty, she was a hardy bloom. A woman strong enough to withstand the worst catastrophe—including him. At the same time, she had thorns herself, and he had to remain vigilant.

Indulging in lust was one thing. Allowing her to bloody him, quite another.

Her thorns were hidden now. As he set her on her feet, she was soft as petals, her curves molding perfectly to him. When they weren’t busy slicing at each other with their jagged edges, they fit as if by design, and the notion made him heady with hunger.

Cupping her jaw with both hands, he feasted on her. She parted her lips, offering him her ambrosia. Her tongue twined with his. He thrust deeper into her mouth, heat sizzling through his veins as he recalled another grotto of hers he’d licked—and God willing, would get to sample again.

He murmured, “You are delectable, Finn.”

“So are you.” She blurted it, her topaz eyes beautifully dazed.

Turning her around, he pulled her against him. Her spine was supple, her dark skirts brushing against his erection. He couldn’t remember the last time a kiss made him this hard—no, actually, he could: their last kiss in the churchyard. Afterward, he’d gone home and brought himself off. Twice.

“I cannot get enough of you,” he said huskily.

He nibbled on her earlobe, teasing the plump ledge while he cupped her breasts. She moaned as he squeezed the firm mounds, which filled his palms perfectly. Her delightful squirming made his trousers uncomfortably tight.

He coasted his lips along her neck, savoring her shiver. “You have such lovely breasts.”

“Would you like to see more of them?”

The reply was so direct and playfully carnal—so Finn—that he grinned.

“I would like to see more of you.”

“I am all yours…for the evening.”