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“God, you smell so heavenly.” He covered her smooth skin with kisses. “I haven’t been able to think about anything but this since last night. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t sleep. All I wanted was to see you again.”
He pressed his lips to her neck and covered it with gentle little bites while he roamed his fingers over her hips and up towards her breasts. Gently he slid his hands over her bosom. She gasped as her breasts swelled and her nipples tightened into hard little knobs. He trailed kisses down to the neckline of her gown and then back up to her lips again. Lily panted, trying to get closer to him. When his arousal nudged against her body, a stabbing desire ran through her womb.
“Lily,” he whispered. “Please, Lily.” He urged her toward the bed.
No! This was no love-struck adolescent stealing kisses. This was the Duke of Lybrook, rake extraordinaire and seducer of women. Her heart pounded against her sternum. How had she let this get so far? She pushed Daniel away, the suction of their kiss breaking with a loud smack.
“I can’t do this.” She backed away from him, keeping her hands behind her. She fumbled for a table or a chair, anything to help maintain her balance.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you.” Daniel edged toward her slowly.
“Your Grace, I came up here to see your painting. I-I…apologize for any part I may have played in this…mistake. I…”
“It’s not a mistake. None of it has been a mistake. Please don’t back away from me.”
“I…” She couldn’t finish.
He stood close to her, staring at her with those wonderful eyes. As if it had a mind of its own, her hand shakily reached up to his honey locks, smoothing them. God, his hair was beautiful. It was the color of burnished gold, with highlights of amber, brown, and just a few silvery strands near his temples. It felt like raw silk beneath her fingers.
She snatched her hand away. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.” He took her hand. “You can touch me. I want you to touch me.”
She pulled her hand away. “No, I can’t. I…need to leave. Thank you, Your Grace, for showing me the Vermeer. I’ll never forget it. It was one of the most precious things anyone has ever done for me.” She turned toward the door.
Daniel touched her arm lightly. “Please don’t go,” he said, his voice low and husky. “Will you have lunch with me? I’ll have a tray sent up.”
“It’s not lunchtime.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. His warmth pressed against her back. “Please, you must let me go.”
“Do you want to go?”
“I want…”
She trembled as he placed his hands on her shoulders. She wanted him. She couldn’t help herself. Something about this beautiful, dangerous man called to her in a way she never thought possible. Unfamiliar emotion and desire flooded her body, her soul. She wanted more of his kisses. She wanted his hands on her skin…her bare skin.
She turned to face him. “I don’t know why you want me,” she said, willing her voice not to crack. “I’m likely to be a frightful bore for you.”
His green eyes sparkled. “Love, there is nothing boring about you.”
“What I mean is…for a man of your experience…an untried maiden would be…”
He chuckled softly.
“Damn it, you know what I mean!”
“Lily, I want you. I’ve never wanted a woman this much.” He crushed her to him and inhaled. “God, you smell good. What scent is that? I’ve never smelled anything like it before.”
“It…it’s just clove oil,” Lily said, escaping from his grasp. “I get it from the apothecary. I can’t abide those expensive French perfumes. They make me feel like a powder puff. So I just dab a little clove oil…”
He chuckled again, the skin around his eyes crinkling.
“What is so funny?”
“Nothing. I’m sorry. You’re just…you’re not like any other woman I’ve known.”
“I should hope not.” She tapped her foot. “Likely the women you’re acquainted with are mostly strumpets.”
“Touché. Perhaps it’s time I elevated my standards a bit.”
