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“But that is what I will do,” he said.
She swallowed. “I don’t want you to risk your life for me.”
“You think the earl could best me?” The thought was almost laughable. Had she not seen how much he’d grown since he was young? Did she not know that he was known as the bloodthirsty Beast?
Clearly not.
“Of course you could beat him in a fight.” A hint of exasperation tinged her words. “But what if you were caught? What if you ended up on the gallows?”
He scowled. So what if he did? “I can’t think of a better reason to give my life than to avenge your honor.”
She pressed her lips together in a fine line. “I don’t want blood on my hands, or on yours.”
He frowned, but this time in confusion. “Then why did you come to me?”
“I came to you because I knew—” She stopped to wet her lips and the flicker of her tongue was enough to send heat coiling through his loins. “I hoped you would give me protection.”
“Of course you have my protection.” Wasn’t that what they were talking about? He’d avenge her honor and he would keep her safe. “Always.”
Her gaze grew painfully shy. Nervous, even. She nibbled on her lower lip, but before he could ask what had brought on this wave of wariness, she started to move, her fingers seeking out the tie that held the night rail closed and untying the knot.
He forgot what he’d meant to say and his mouth stayed open in shock as he watched her continue. Slowly, and with trembling fingers, she undressed herself, shedding the night rail until she was standing there in a sheer slip of nothing that made his brain shut down as lust flooded through him so hot and fierce he couldn’t form a thought.
All he could do was take her in. And she was glorious. His little Lillian had grown into a woman so delectable he wanted to devour her. He wanted to lick her and taste her and touch every inch of that creamy skin.
Her arms were bare and her neck too, her limbs slender but strong. Those luscious breasts were high and round and there was no concealing the dark nubs that pressed against the fabric.
God, he wanted her. He needed her.
His manhood strained against his britches and his fingers clenched into fists to keep from reaching for her. From taking her.
Mine.
The word echoed through him, making his pulse hum and his insides clench.
Mine.
His gaze fell further to the dip of her waist and then further to the dark shadow at the juncture of her thighs. His cock twitched and throbbed at the sight. What would she feel like there? Would she be wet for him? Would she wrap those thighs around him and—
“Bloody hell.” He muttered the curse as another movement from her brought him out of his trance.
She was reaching for the edge of the shift, the last of her clothing. And he…
He had no idea what was going on.
“Lillian, wait.”
She paused, and he hated the fear in her eyes. The self-consciousness in her gaze as she dropped the edges of her shift and covered herself by crossing her arms. “Do I...do I not please you?”
“Not please me,” he repeated like a fool. “Not please me? Christ, Lillian, you are the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen.”
Her brows hitched up in question.
“But why…” He gestured toward her. “Why are you doing this?”
A pretty pink color suffused her chest and her neck, creeping up into her cheeks. “I thought you’d want—that is, if you offer protection—”
He closed his eyes with a stifled groan. When he opened them, his heart seemed to swell to double its size at the vulnerability in her eyes. “You don’t have to give me your body, love. I’m offering protection because—”Because you’re mine.
She nibbled on her lower lip as she waited for him to finish.
Mine, his blood called.Mine, his cock shouted.Mine, his heart pounded.
“You’re mine to protect,” he said.
But not to keep.
He turned to walk away.
She’d never been his to keep.
