Earl of Exile (Lords of Scandal 3)

She willingly bent, settling against him. Her derriere was pressed into his lap and he ignored the tightening in his groin, reaching up to stroke her face instead. He brushed his thumb along her eyebrow then swept down over her cheek. “Ye’re all right. Ye’re safe.”

“I know I am,” she answered as her face tipping up to his. “Thank you.”

“Ye’re welcome,” he replied looking down at her in the dark interior. Her eyes shone even in the dim light and her lips. Jesus, her lips held a full, soft pout that was so damned tempting.

He wasn’t aware of moving, but suddenly their mouths met in a soft kiss that should have been sweeter. Instead, it was full of the sort of passion that made a man ache. The one touch held so much promise that he nearly groaned aloud, just holding the sound in as their eyes met.

She arched her neck again, giving him another kiss and then another until one blended into the next becoming one long joining.

Slanting her lips open, he swiped his tongue along the inside of her mouth, tasting the sweet scent of her, fresh and clean with hints of mint. Diana moaned into his mouth, and in response, he gathered her even closer, deepening their kiss.

Her gloved fingers were wrapped about his neck. But he had the urge to touch her skin, feel its texture underneath his fingertips. Yanking off one of his own gloves, he stroked her neck then trailed his hand down lower until he reached the swell of her breast, still exposed by her evening gown. The smooth, silky plumpness made his thickening cock rock-hard and he cupped her breast outside her gown, wanting more of her.

She arched into the touch and he moved his other hand to the back of her dress. When had he decided to undo the buttons? He didn’t care. As the fabric slumped down her front, he reached for her breast again, only a thin layer of silky chemise separating her soft flesh from his hand. Her breasts weren’t overly large, but big enough. They filled his palm perfectly, and his hands weren’t small. What was more, Diana’s nipple puckered under his touch. They both groaned together.

“My lord,” she murmured, wiggling in his lap. “I want…”

“What?” His breath held in his lungs as he waited for her answer. What did she want? To make love to him? To have his protection always? To be his wife? In this moment, he might agree to any and all of it, if only she’d take off more of her clothes.

She swallowed and tipped her head back to look at him. “I want to talk to you.”

“No,” he answered, letting out a groan of frustration. “Anything but that.”

Diana blinked up at him. She could feel the evidence of his desire pressing into her backside. With a sigh, she started to sit up. Best to feel less of him if she wanted to actually have this conversation before they arrived at Minnie’s home. She was slow to move, though, because honestly, he felt delicious. Strong, hard, and so masculine, his powerful thighs flexed underneath her and near left her breathless and she needed to keep her wits about her. So, pulling herself up she slid backward to remove herself from his lap.

One of his hands, held her hip, giving it a squeeze. It pressed his hardness into her softness and her breath caught. She had the distinct urge to rub against the stiff flesh and test its length, feel the friction. “My—”

“It’s Callum,” he answered his voice husky.

“Callum.” She tested the name in her mouth. Something about the combination of sounds allowed the word to just roll off her tongue. “It suits you.”

“Thank ye.” He leaned down and captured her lips ag

ain. “I dinnae ken that I’ll ever have ye half undressed and in my lap again. I intend to take full advantage.”

She stiffened away, scrambling from his lap and, nearly falling, managed to toss herself into the seat across from him. Her dress was still undone and she held it up against her chest. “No man is taking advantage of me.” She swallowed down a lump of pain. “Not ever again.”

He looked across the carriage at her, quiet for a moment before he slowly raised his hand, extending it out to her. “Come here. Ye’ll freeze over there.”

“I shouldn’t.” But her body ached to fit against his again. What a traitor it was. Even now, she wanted to feel his touch, the hard press of him. Why? Likely because she was a harlot. Why else did she continue to be attracted to men who didn’t want to commit to her even after she’d allowed them liberties?

But he lifted from his seat and reaching for her hand, pulled her across the carriage and settled her back into his lap. Her breath shortened as she looked up at his handsome features, so rugged and yet somehow, comforting. Rather than kiss her, however, he began to rebutton the back of her dress. “I think ye’re right. It’s time we talked.”

Her mouth pressed together. She should jump on this opportunity. Instead, she wanted to burrow against him like a child. Why had her strength abandoned her? “All right.”

“Diana, what did ye mean when you said ye won’t let a man take advantage of ye ever again? Which man took advantage the first time?”

She sucked in her breath. Had she really said that? “I only meant you.”

He wrapped his arms about her back, hugging her to his chest. “Ye did not.”

She looked at the window, not that she could see out. The curtains were firmly drawn. “I had a suitor last year. I thought we’d marry. We didn’t.”

His arms tightened. “And what liberties did ye allow him?”

She shook her head, still not meeting his eyes. She shouldn’t tell him. Diana hadn’t even shared the truth with her sisters. But somehow, wrapped in his embrace, she’d never wanted to tell someone more. Share the secret she’d been holding inside. “I allowed him all the liberties a woman can give.”

Chapter Five