Earl of Exile (Lords of Scandal 3)

As the two couples left, Bad and Vice jumped up to follow. “Let’s listen at the door,” Vice said in a loud whisper.

“Good idea,” Bad answered, slapping the other man on the back. “This is better than the club.”

Diana started to rise to follow too. She was worried about Minnie and Emily, but Callum’s hand held her in place. “They’ll be fine. The child isnae Daring’s or Jack’s. Minnie and Emily will see that in time.”

“What shall we do, then?” Diana asked, turning to look at him. His eyes had darkened as he stared back.

“Well, considering I have a wound on my arm that’s yet to be bandaged, I’d love yer aid and I didn’t really fancy climbing through yer window anyhow.”

Diana pressed her lips together. “I should say no.”

He leaned closer, his breath tickling her ear. “I can’t leave ye alone. No’ tonight.” He brushed his fingers down her cheek and over her neck. “I just want to make sure no one tries to hurt ye.”

Her insides tingled.

How could she say no to that?

Chapter Sixteen

Exile half carried Diana to her room, his body taut with anticipation. He didn’t plan on making love to her. He just wanted to hold her in his arms, feel her heart against his, and know for certain that she was safe.

That was enough.

But then she leaned into his neck, placing a feather-light kiss against his rough skin and his breath halted in his chest, everything inside him tightening. Damn that felt good.

“Diana,” he rumbled, squeezing her tighter. “That feels too good. Ye cannae--”

“Can’t?” she whispered close to his ear, her breath sending tingles careening down his skin. “Why not?”

“I want to be a gentleman. I—”

She laughed then. A throaty little chuckle that made his cock swell. “You’re coming to stay in my room. How is that gentlemanly?”

“It isnae” he growled back. “But it could be.”

Diana pointed toward the right. “That way.” Then she tightened her hands around his neck. “So why was I going to leave my window open?”

“I…” He swallowed as she gestured to a door. Flinging it open, he stepped inside, then quickly closed the large wooden door and locked them in. “I want to feel yer heartbeat against mine. Feel yer breath and ken ye’re safe.”

She stilled, except her hands, which slid to his cheeks. “That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

Without thinking, he dropped his mouth to hers, giving her a kiss meant to be a promise but somehow, the touch grew and intensified until they were both panting for breath.

“What did ye think tonight would be?” he finally raised his head to ask.

Her eyes were half open and her lips pouty and swollen as she stared back. “I thought you would make love to me.”

He groaned and kissed her again. Damn, he wanted to. More than he could say. But tonight was not the night. First, he didn’t have to ask to know that his rescue had softened her. Made her more receptive. And he could justify making love to her because he had every intention of marrying her. But, the man he wanted to be would not take advantage. And honestly, he didn’t want to elope like Jack and Emily, because Diana wound up pregnant. Their wedding would be in a church with her entire family in attendance. If he were going to alienate the only family he had left, he would not push away hers too. “I would like nothing more.”

She quirked a brow as she rose up on tiptoe to kiss him again. Without thought, he squeezed her waist tighter, pulling her body against his. When she slid back down on her heels, her voice was playful. “Then I suppose we don’t have a problem.”

He cleared his throat. “Just one.” Sliding his hands up her back, he felt the large rip in her dress. There was no saving the garment. Rather than undo each button, he gave a tug, the bodice giving way and falling open. “I won’t leave ye with a child out of wedlock.”

Her mouth tightened. “That had occurred to me too. I will miss having a baby of my own.”

Exile scrunched his brow as he worked the sleeves off her arms. “I think we’ll have plenty of children.”

Diana shimmied the gown down over her hips. “How do you figure that? Didn’t you just say you didn’t want to impregnate me?”