Page 29 of The Lady’s Great Escape

He laughed but didn’t turn to leave. “It’s possible I didn’t explain it very well if this is your reaction.”

“More than possible. Likely.”

“Yes. Likely. May I try again before you kick me out?” He crossed his arms and she was sure she’d not be able to remove him. Still, she had no doubt if she asked him to leave, he would oblige her wishes. He’d always been respectful.

Her precious memories of their night together were already in jeopardy, there was no saving them now. She gestured that he should continue.

“While I won’t downplay my sexual cravings, I also have deeper needs that I hope to satisfy when I’m with a woman. I long to be held and touched. To connect with someone in more than just a sexual way. However, many of my other encounters lacked simple touch. Including one such coupling where the only parts that touched were…” He held up his hand to stop himself and shook his head.

“Never mind, that’s not relevant except to say that the other night with you it fed all of my needs completely. Both the carnal, sexual beast within, as well as the man who just wants some form of contact with another person.”

She reached out and took his hand, to offer support. He was sharing something very personal and she could see he was nervous to do so. She wasn’t prepared for him to take her hand and pull her a step closer. She definitely wasn’t expecting him to put her fingers to his lips where he placed a hot kiss that sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine.

“I can’t let it go without saying it was also special because of the gift you gave me.” He tilted his head. “You were a virgin?”

It was a question, though he must have known by her lack of experience it was true.

“You lied when you said you’d never been married,” he said.

She nodded. “Yes.” Could she trust this man with her secret? Her very livelihood was at stake. She need only consider the question for a second before she determined she could trust him.

“Hamlin was unable to consummate our marriage.”

“I still can’t believe you chose him over—”

“Chose him?” she screeched and then lowered her voice. Was he mad? “I had no choice at all.” Thanks to this man who’d let her down when she’d needed him most.

“I’m sure it seemed that way.”

She held up her hand. This argument served no purpose. What was done was done. They needed to figure out what to do now. She cleared her throat and tried again to explain. “While I sought out the adventure that led to us sleeping together, I did have another motive for hiding my identity. You see the new Lord Hamlin, Arthur’s grandson has threatened to take the matter to the House of Lords. He expected the marriage was not legitimate and therefore I should not retain my settlements. If the lords determine there is merit to his case, I could be forced into an examination that would have proven his claim. So, you see…”

“You needed to expend with your virtue as quickly as possible.”

She nodded sadly while he cursed Edward’s name quite inventively. Eventually he settled and came back to stand before her.

“Do you regret what happened between us, Celia?” It was the first time he’d spoken her name in a long time. Usually, he addressed her only as Countess. She found she missed hearing her name on his lips and disliked the distance between them when he used the cold title.

“No. It was the most wonderful night of my life. I could never regret it. It was everything I could have hoped for. Lady Harrington did me a great service when she selected you as my first lover. And I am glad it was you I chose to give my virginity to.”

He tilted his head to the side. “She mentioned you had requested someone tall and blond with kind eyes—green eyes. Why did you ask for those specifications?”

She felt frozen as he looked at her expectantly. Could he see the answer in her eyes? That she’d thought of him when she’d been asked her preference in a man.

“I see.” His smile turned knowing. Damn and blast.

She covered her face and turned away. “Please leave now. Spare me whatever dignity I may have left.”

Of course, he didn’t leave. Instead, he stepped close behind her and wound his arms around her waist. His large body pressed against hers and she felt the hardness of him everywhere, especially in the one place where his hardness was most arousing.

“Please don’t be embarrassed. I am humbled and honored that it was me who was able to give you the most wonderful evening. We are aligned in that. And I thank you for your precious gift despite the lewd reason you felt you needed to dispense with it.” He placed a kiss against the back of her neck and her breath caught at the memory. “If I’d been given a choice in selecting a partner, I would have chosen you.”

He would have chosen her?

Another kiss made her blood heat and her body came alive at the memory of what this man’s lips could do to her. But they shouldn’t.

His admission gave her the courage to turn and face him.

“Kit?” she whispered.