Marquess of Menace (Lords of Scandal 10)

And so she’d returned to her last trick. Sneaking into the carriage. At least this time, she waited inside the vehicle rather than riding on the back. That had been rather cold.

Footsteps on the cobblestone alerted her someone approached and so she pushed deeper into the shadows in case it wasn’t Dylan.

But as the door snapped open, it was her soon-to-be husband who climbed in.

“Dylan.” She quickly moved into the light again.

He started, swearing under his breath. “You scared me.”

“I’m sorry.” Not sure what else to do, she scooted across the carriage and settled herself next to him. Somehow, it would be easier to talk if they were touching. “But I needed to talk to you and—”

But she never got the words out. His lips came down on hers, taking her mouth in a scorching kiss that left her breathless.

She wrapped her arms about his neck as she pulled him even closer and in response, he tugged her into his lap, slanting her mouth open and ravaging her mouth with his.

Dylan surrounded her every sense, the feel of his muscular legs under the back of hers, the press of his chest, the touch of his mouth, his smell, the low rumble he made as their tongues came together.

Eliza was lost.

Every word she’d wished to say had left her head with the exception of one. She was glad she’d insisted on this dark meeting in the carriage. Because she’d never experienced anything like it.

This was better than any adventure she’d ever imagined in her life. The rush of her blood pounded in her ears as he flicked open her jacket and ran a hand down over breast.

She arched her back into the touch wanting more. Wanting all of him.

“My lord,” the driver called. “Are you ready?”

Dylan ripped his mouth away. “Go.”

The reins snapped and the carriage lurched forward, crushing them together. Eliza didn’t complain. In fact, she wanted to be closer.

“Eliza,” he rumbled again. “What did you wish to talk about?”

“Talk?” she replied, giving him a lingering kiss before she continued. “I’ve completely forgotten.”

He chuckled then. “My home isn’t that far so we’ve only got the trip there and then the return trip here to discuss whatever you wish to say.”

“Return?” She didn’t wish to return tonight. She wasn’t sure she wanted to go back ever. With startling clarity she realized that remaining in his arms was her future.

Their marriage of convenience was proving very convenient indeed. More than convenient.

She pulled back to look in his eyes. She loved him. She wished to be next to him always.

And then her insides twisted in pain. But he wanted her inheritance. Not her.

He’d been painfully clear on that front.

Still. They were to wed, and she would approach his feelings like she did everything else. She’d create a plan of attack and convince him to want her…not just her money.

And it started by staying right here in his arms.

“You have to go back, Eliza. Bash would have my head.”

She kissed him again, long and lingering and full of all the passion that had been building slowly inside her…until she met Dylan. And then it grew rather quickly. “Do we really care about Bash…” She kissed him again, sliding her hands into his hair.

“No.” he replied as he caressed her front, cupping one of her breasts. “But I do care about you. You should be tucked in Bash’s house. Where you belong. Where you are safe. And I wouldn’t want to worry anyone. Not with everything that’s happened.”

She sighed. That was decidedly smart. “Now who’s making responsible decisions?”