Vexing the Viscount

“I didn’t mind it.” Heat crossed her cheek. “I meant that it wasn’t all that bad the few times I felt it.”

“So you like kissing men with beards?” A black brow rose in question.

She looked down. “At least one.”

He resumed his eating and the conversation came to a halt. Tia tried to think of something to say, but nothing came into her mind. Perhaps he was in a hurry to finish eating and move on to other things.

She sipped her wine, hoping for a little courage. She was certain this was the right thing to do. Well, maybe not right, but not wrong, either. She had no false expectations from this. Men like Middleton didn’t marry wise women. And that was all right. But she could be his mistress.

As they both finished dinner, he rose and walked to the brandy. “Would you care for some brandy?”

She giggled. “No, thank you. After the last time, I believe I will just finish my wine.”

“As you wish.”

Why did he seem so tense tonight? It wasn’t as if this was his first time. She was the one who should be nervous, but it was excitement that flowed through her veins. “Is everything all right, Braden?”

“I am fine.” He drank his brandy down in two large gulps. “Thank you for joining me for dinner.”

“You are welcome.” She slowly rose from her seat, eager to move to the bedroom.

“Good night.”

Good night? “What do you mean?”

“I am very tired, so I believe I shall retire now. Thank you again for dining with me.” He rose and walked to the door.

What was she supposed to do now? “I thought you might want to talk for a while,” she said, walking up to him.

“No. I’m tired.”

She smiled up at him in what she prayed was a seductive manner, then brought her hands to his chest and slid them around his neck. “Still too tired?”

“Yes, good night.” He broke away from her and opened the door.

Stunned, she looked up at him with tears blinding her sight. “Good night.”

Chapter 14

Braden slammed the door behind her, furious with himself for hurting her feelings. Why did he make that damned vow in the first place? So he’d been with too many women after Penelope. That didn’t mean he had to stay a saint. And poor Tia had no idea why he’d just rejected her.

Guilt slid into his gut.

He could hear her crying from the other side of the wall. “Dammit.” He had to talk to her. But the idea of seeing her in that gown would be his undoing. He’d never seen a more erotic and sensual sight than Tia standing in his bedchamber with that red silk dress. He’d wanted to rip it off her and take her to his bed. Instead, he had insulted her.

He had to try to explain to her why he had turned her away. Not that it would ease this agonizing desire he felt for her. He only hoped that she had changed into something less sensual. He walked to her room and stared at the door. Listening, he could hear her crying still, but no sound of anyone else in there. He slowly opened the door to her room and locked it behind him. The last thing he needed was Mrs. Abbott finding him in Tia’s room.

“Tia?” She lay across the bed with that damned gown still on her.

“How dare you come into my room uninvited?” She hurled a pillow at him. “Get out!”

“Let me explain,” he said softly, dodging a second pillow thrown toward his head. He walked up to the bed.

“There is nothing to explain,” she replied as she rolled over on her back. “I understand perfectly. You don’t want me as your mistress. Do not worry, I will not attempt to seduce you again.”

He couldn’t help but stare at her red eyes. But slowly, his gaze slid down her body until he reached her breasts. Laying back like that had cause one breast to move slightly, allowing a slight hint of pink areola to peek out from the black lace. His cock reacted.

“Just let me explain,” he said before looking away from the temptation. He sat on the end of the bed facing the wall and not her. “After Penelope, I went a little mad. Some men drown their sorrows in drink. I drowned myself in other women.” He raked his hand through his hair. “I was reckless and used more women than I can even remember. But trust me, the number was not near one hundred as I’ve heard rumored. Still, it was more than it should have been.”