A Wicked Wager (Avenging Lords 2)

“Not in the least.”

A comfortable silence ensued.

His chin came to rest on her head, and he inhaled deeply.

Never had she felt so safe.

A rush of warmth filled her chest, and she looked up at him. His black eyes softened and the need to prolong the intimacy of the moment took hold. If she let this opportunity pass, there might not be another. She reached up with trembling fingers, stood on tiptoes and cupped his neck.

“Will you not ease my fears, Mr Drake?” The tremor in her voice was unmistakable. “Will you not touch your lips to mine and assure me all is well?”

The sudden flash of heat in his gaze stole her breath, and yet he hesitated.

Unable to fathom the reason for his lack of eagerness when he held her so intimately, she pulled his head down to hers and pressed her lips to his.

The kiss was soft, chaste, left her lips tingling, desperate for more. The brief touch told her all she needed to know—that she felt connected to him in a way she could not explain.

“Is this marriage not worth more to you than two names listed in the parish register?” she said, pulling away for he seemed unresponsive, lacked the drive to give more of himself. The pain of rejection made it hard to breathe. “When you said we would suit, tell me you meant as more than friends.”

Devlin closed his eyes briefly. “I don’t want to hurt you,” he whispered.

“Hurt me? You’re hurting me with these conflicting moods. You stare at me when you think I’m not watching. Push me away when we have an opportunity to grow closer.”

He shook his head. “I mean I don’t want to hurt you physically.” Perhaps her sudden shock at his comment was evident in her eyes for he added, “I often don’t realise my own strength, and you’re much smaller than I.”

Juliet took a moment to consider his words. “You do want to kiss me, then? You do want me as your wife for all the reasons marriage was intended?” The three nights spent alone in bed had convinced her otherwise. And yet the mystical ring on her finger gave her hope.

“I don’t want you to fear me.”

Why could he not simply answer the questions she posed?

“I don’t fear you.” Would she wrap her arms around him if she did? “But I fear if you do not kiss me there shall forever be a barrier between us.” She moved to pull away, but he held her in an embrace. “I cannot promise it will be a pleasurable experience. How can it be when I lack the skill—”

Devlin Drake’s mouth came crushing down on hers without warning. Strong, muscular arms held her captive while he assaulted her senses with a kiss so hot, so wild it robbed her of all rational thought.

His exotic cologne—some unusual spice from a faraway land—filled her head. It was so strong, so potent, so utterly masculine. She would remember it long after they parted.

A fire in her stomach ignited. Touching his chest, running her tiny hands over the solid planes stoked the flames. And when his tongue traced the seam of her lips, when he entered her mouth, heavens, she thought she might melt beneath the heat.

For a few seconds, she was out of her depth. He dominated the kiss, controlled it, manipulated her mouth to do his bidding. Large hands cupped her cheeks as he deepened his hold on her. Oh, she had every right to fear him. This man loved with a savagery she found intoxicating.

But the need to conquer the master, to prove that being small did not mean she was subservient took hold. After all, did a roaring fire not stem from a tiny spark?

Daring to be bold, Juliet grabbed the lapels of his coat in her fists and stroked her tongue against his. The sensation sent her head spinning. The drum of a pulse between her legs left her aching for something though she knew not what. But it gave her the strength to take control of this mating of mouths, and before she knew what she was about, she controlled the speed, the tempo.

A growl resonated in the back of Devlin’s throat.

Soon they were moaning into each other’s mouths, clawing at each other’s clothes.

The internal inferno grew, leading her to a reckless place that promised a wealth of pleasure. She had forgotten they were standing in the courtyard in full view of the grooms and stable hands.

Rufus was the one who brought them both crashing back to reality.

The excitable beast jumped up, the sheer power of the lunge forcing them apart.

Devlin’s dark gaze never left hers as he fought to catch his breath.

Juliet’s chest rose and fell so rapidly her pants filled the air between them. She touched her fingers to her swollen lips as her body begged for a deeper satisfaction.