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Eloise shrugged. “Why keep me here then?”
“You know why. To spite your brother.”
“Yes. So he can punish whoever killed your sister. I heard. It’s always about my brother,” she breathed, her eyes falling closed. “Never about me.”
“And you should be thankful for that.”
“I’ve been meaning to thank you,” she said. “But not about that.”
“About what then?”
Eloise frowned in thought. “I forget…” She looked down at herself. “Ah! About my gown. Did you buy me a new gown?”
Hades shrugged. “I know a modiste in town. I can bring you more. Do you like it?”
Eloise nodded. “It was really nice of you. And the gown is nice. Everybody is so nice.”
“Are they?” Hades smirked. “I think you’re too foxed to think clearly.”
“Perhaps. Is it a bad thing?”
“Could be.”
Eloise stared at him fixedly. Suddenly, her gaze dropped to his mouth. “Verity and Prudence told me how nice it could be to be kissed by a man, touched. I think I’d like that. Do you think I’d like that?”
Hades’ gaze dropped to her mouth out of its own volition. Her lips were nice and plump, rosy and soft. Yes, he would like to kiss her, to taste her, and he’d make sure she enjoyed it. But he couldn’t. Then the meaning of her words finally hit him.
“You’ve never been kissed?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Not even once. My brother wouldn’t allow men close to me.”
Hades grimaced. “I can understand that.”
“You do? I can’t.” She sat up and leaned closer to him. “I want to be kissed. If just once. Before I get married.”
“Eloise—”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him close. “Will you kiss me, Mr. Scoundrel?”
Hades looked at her, startled. Did she mean it? He was a scoundrel. And perhaps if he were different, if he weren’t as broken, he would have kissed her without a second’s thought. Hell, he’d do more than that. He would pull up her skirts and show her exactly where his genitals belonged.
His cock stirred at the thought, and his wayward eyes fell to her mouth once more. She licked her lips, and it took all his willpower not to act on his wishes.
Hades shook his head and slowly disengaged her hands from his neck.
“Your breath smells of ale,” he said, his lips twitching.
“You are rather rude, Mr. Scoundrel,” she slurred. She lay back down, turned away from him, and curled on her side. “But I think your kiss would feel rather nice.”
She yawned and burrowed farther into her bed.
I doubt you’d think the same when you’re sober.
Hades leaned over her to look at her face. She seemed to be dozing peacefully.
He straightened and shook his head. It’s a good thing she fell asleep. He wasn’t certain he could deny her if she insisted upon kissing him. And he knew he’d be the worst of cads if he agreed.
* * *
