Baron of Bad (Lords of Scandal 5)

A little gasping giggle erupted from her lips. It was funny and true and he was tickling the sensitive skin or her earlobe. “I’m not sure how to convince my mother otherwise. She seems rather determined. I think she feels cheated out of a proper wedding.”

“Is there a back stair where we can go to your room? It’s even chillier out here than I thought it would be and I have some things to discuss with you.”

“Discuss?” she asked just a touch of fear sliding down her spine that tinged with regret. She wanted so much more than a little chat.

He nipped along her jaw, finding her lips and giving them a long, lingering kiss. “About how we’re going to circumvent your mother.”

Her fingers wound into his hair. “Oh. Yes. That’s a good idea.” Then she kissed him again, long and slow, opening her mouth and slidi

ng her tongue along his bottom lip. She’d already forgotten about going inside. She rather liked being out here in the dark, cool night.

She hardly noticed he’d begun moving until they were at the back door and he set her down.

Grabbing her hand, he twisted the knob and peeked his head in. “It’s clear,” he whispered as he pulled her inside and softly closed the door behind them. “Which way?”

She led him up the servant’s stairs to the second floor and into her room. “We could have stayed outside. I was warm next to you.”

He gave her a soft glance, the sort that relaxed the muscles of his face. “We’ll be far more comfortable sleeping in a bed.”

At that, she tossed her arms about his neck. “I’m so glad to sleep in your arms.” Perhaps coming inside was an excellent idea after all. She should have learned by now that following him almost always worked to her advantage.

“I know it quiets your fears,” he whispered, his voice gathering a hoarseness that hadn’t been there before.

“It’s more than that,” she said as he clicked the door closed behind them. “I find that I am happiest in your arms.”

He stilled. “I pray you always feel that way.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” she asked leaning back. “Are you still afraid I’ll find you lacking? I love you exactly as you are.”

His hands came to her hair, brushing the strands back from her face. “How did I get so lucky as to claim you for my own?”

* * *

Bad’s chest tightened as he looked down into her lovely blue-eyed gaze.

She gave him a soft smile. “You’re lucky?” Her head shook between his hands. “You saved me, remember? I’m fairly certain all the pleasure has been mine.”

His own body tightened at her reference. “I got an immense amount of pleasure out of our night together.”

One of her brows quirked up. “Is that so?” She slid her palms down his chest. “Explain that to me. I want to know.”

His eyes closed for a moment. His cock had hardened just thinking about touching her. Now she wanted him to say it out loud? “Men are not so complicated as women. Looking at and touching a woman’s body makes us very excited.”

Her fingers continued skimming down his stomach and over his waist then further until she reached the head of his manhood, thick with desire. “Oh,” she gasped, exploring his man parts with tentative strokes. “Are they always this…large?”

He chuckled then even as his cock swelled bigger. “No. And I’m glad for you to know that fact. I can only hope it’s one of my qualities that keeps you interested.”

She gave him a firmer squeeze and a rumble of pleasure rattled in his chest. “Enough of that nonsense.” Her hand dipped lower, holding his sac. “I already told you that I am yours forever. You’re stuck with me. Soon it will be for better and for worse.”

His brain began to buzz and he drew in a deep breath, attempting to clear his thoughts. “That is what I wanted to discuss. There is a ship bound for Scotland tomorrow.”

“Scotland?” Her hand dropped to her side and he grimaced in regret. “Go to Scotland?”

Burying his fingers in her hair at the base of her skull, he tipped her head back. “We could marry tomorrow or the next day.” He should tell her that he loved her or at the very least explain that he had a desperate need to tie her to him in some irreversible way. Despite the words of love falling from her lips, he still feared she’d change her mind.

“Yes,” she answered and then stood on tiptoe to place her lips under his again. “Yes, I’ll go to Scotland with you. Where you go, I follow.”

His breath caught in his throat and he could barely speak as he stared down at her again. “Grace.” The single word tightened his chest. “Love.”