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“Then for you, I shall be forbidden.”
Any prayer she had for keeping her inappropriate thoughts to herself completely fled. “That’s a shame, for I was hoping you might kiss me again.”
“I was hoping you would ask.” He didn’t hesitate before his mouth claimed hers. Where he’d gone slowly before, this was much different. His lips were insistent, his tongue seeking immediate entrance. She opened for him and went to clasp his shoulders, but realized she still held her whisky glass.
He seemed to read her mind as his fingers wrapped around hers for a brief moment. He took the glass from her, and she heard a soft clack as he set it on the bookshelf.
His arms came around her waist, and he pulled her flush against his body. Her night rail and night robe were scant protection against the heat and weight of his frame. But she didn’t want protection. On the contrary, she wanted to feel him naked against her. She touched his chest and ran her hands up his coat until she found his bare flesh above the collar of his shirt. She curled her fingers around his nape, threading through the silky ends of his hair.
His tongue licked deep into her mouth. Sensation careened through her, sending heat to that space between her legs. No man had ever been closer to her, but it wasn’t close enough. She tugged at his hair and pushed into him.
He squeezed her waist, kissing her almost savagely. But oh, it was so wonderful. She’d never imagined such a rush of pleasure, such a bone-deep need.
Suddenly he was gone, stepping back from her. “Nora, this is not a good idea.” He stared at her, his lips parted, his breathing ragged.
It was a terrible idea, of course. There were so many reasons she should run upstairs, not the least of which was the fact that he was her benefactress’s son or that history could very well repeat itself. Except, this felt different. Haywood had misled her,deceivedher. With Titus, this felt…right even though Society would damn her for being wrong. “You are, unfortunately, correct. It doesn’t matter that I want you—and I do, quite fervently.”
She felt no shame, even though Society said she ought. She did, however, feel the pressure of propriety, and that was why she should go. Regardless, her feet were lead, and her mind was tethered to this moment.
His eyes were dark with what she was certain was lust, but also wary. “You are tempting me beyond a man’s rational thought.”
“I fear my logic fled right around the time you said that you would be forbidden for me. I want what I can’t have, Titus. Yes, I’m going to call you Titus if you are to call me Nora.”
“It doesn’t look or sound as if either one of us is leaving.”
Their gazes locked, holding them in place as if they still embraced. Nora couldn’t bring herself to compare this to her foolishness nine years ago. Then, she hadn’t fully considered the consequences, nor had she experienced this depth of desire or emotion. “I can’t seem to drag myself away.”
She wanted to be like him, not to care what anyone thought. But could she really throw her future away to spend this night with this man? The words fell out of her mouth as soon as they rushed into her head: “No one will know.”
He blinked at her. “What’s that?”
“I said, no one will know. What we choose to do here… No one will know. The entire staff is upstairs asleep, save the footman, who is probably asleep at his post after letting you in.” She wouldn’t be ruined. Her future could be secure—after everything he’d done for her, she trusted him to ensure that. She repeated herself, but this time with the edge of a query. “No one will know.”
He shook his head, and his eyes burned with intense promise. “Never.”
“Except us,” she said softly, a warm anticipation spreading over her as she made her decision. “I should like for you to stay. Here. With me. And…continue. I am no longer the green girl I was, and I’m aware of the risk I am taking. I don’t know what my future holds. Iwantthis night. I wantyou.” She trembled with excitement and apprehension. Would he think ill of her? Worse, would he deny her?
“Nora, are you certain? There are things—”
She moved swiftly to the door and turned the lock, thankful that it even had one. Then she stepped toward him and put her finger on his lips. “Shh. I don’t wish to speak of them now. I have no expectations of you beyond this night. I’ll understand if your honor demands you take your leave, but I would much rather you stay.”
He wrapped his hand around hers, drawing her fingertip from his mouth. “What is honor when compared with this gift? You can have me. But it’s your choice. I want you to wield that power.”
Oh God, she did.
He unbuttoned his coat with slow, meticulous flicks of his thumb and fingers. He peeled the garment from his shoulders and tossed it to the chair. Then he repeated the act with his waistcoat. When his fingers tugged at his cravat, his gaze turned even darker, and the pupils grew larger. Watching him pull the neck cloth away, exposing the flesh of his throat, she felt like the most powerful woman in the world. This man was hers for the taking.
She’d claim this scrap of independence, of supremacy, and wield it. For the past nine years. For the future and whatever it would bring.
For herself.
She untied the sash at her waist and shrugged the night robe to the floor. Taking a deep breath, she pulled the night rail over her head in a single, rapid movement lest she lose her courage. “Show me what to do.” She looked him in the eye, and for a moment, desire stretched between them, became a palpable thing. She held her breath.
“You are beautiful.” He took a step toward her, his gaze moving over her with predatory intent.
She moved her hand to cover herself, but he reached out and stopped her. “Please. Don’t. I just want to look. Can I?” He raised his eyes to hers, and she saw stark need, but also courtesy. If she said no, he’d let her go. Of that, she had no doubt.
She let her hand fall to her side and forced herself to relax. There would never be another night like this. She wanted to immerse herself in the experience. In him.
