The Undoing of a Libertine (Somerset Historicals 2)

Rapture, pure and simple, was all he felt. That hot jolt at his groin fired right up the second he touched her mouth. His lips moved over her softer ones, and he nudged with just the tip of his tongue, trying to get inside her, if even in only a very small way.

Her lips parted to let him in, and when his tongue met her lips he didn’t know how he’d ever be able to stop. The firm exploration of her lips dragged on, for he was unable to pull back. She melted right into him, taking his tongue in, letting him know her.

Georgina was made for kissing, for loving. If he could just get her to accept him, he could make it right with her. He knew he could.

Jeremy had gone over and over his position in his mind the whole way here. Yes, there were hurdles to cross, but he didn’t see any other option for them. He wanted Georgina. He had to have her now. Protecting her from Pellton and his nephew wasn’t even in question anymore. Georgina was going to marry him and be safeguarded from those depraved monsters. They’d never get within shouting distance of his wife ever again. Jeremy could make that much happen at least.

He kept telling himself he could be patient with her. He could be so gentle and careful Georgina would be eased into bearing all that dutiful, heir-producing shagging. Lots and lots of shagging. An area in which he excelled. He could be a gentle lover for her. He could be that man.

Jeremy kept his mouth close to her lips. “Georgina Russell, you will not deny this sentiment between us. I know you feel it, too. I know, because you would not let me kiss you like this if you didn’t feel something. I don’t want to live regretting you for the rest of my life. You are the woman I want. Honor me. Be my wife and belong to me. Let me care for you. It is all that I want—to take care of you. I want you for the mother of my children—our children that will be cherished and beautiful.”

She held his gaze for a long time. Such a solemn expression she wore, telling of ancient wisdoms and womanly secrets as she sized up his offer, like she was peering into the future.

“You have to trust me,” he coaxed. “I want you, Georgina. The past is only that—behind us—over and done with. We can start a new life and forget about what came before. Don’t be afraid to trust me.”

She blinked slowly and then said the words he most wanted to hear. “All right, Jeremy. I will marry you.”

His mouth went forward again, a celebration of sorts—another kiss. A kiss to seal their bargain. This time he was just a bit more demanding of her than before.

Her lips parted and took in his tongue. He swirled it over the perfect smoothness of the inside of her sweet lips. He nibbled on her lower lip, grazing with just the lightest touch of teeth, thinking he could kiss her for hours. If she stayed soft like this, he could. She let him in so sweetly, and her scent stirred him in a remarkably familiar way, but he couldn’t understand how. Like he could lose himself to abandon but understanding that she controlled him utterly.

She pulled back, flushed and glowing. Taking a deep breath, she commanded, “Now you’ll tell me. You gave your word. Why did you leave before? I have to know the reason.” Her breath was a little heavy and got that husky sound he adored.

A glimpse of the spark of her fiery spirit returned as she eyed him. He loved when she was feisty, loved her strength and independence.

“Georgina, it was because I was afraid you’d be unable to bear my—my touch—the touch of any man because of what happened to you. And you would have to bear my touching you.” He lowered his voice to a whisper and spoke gently. “For I must get an heir. Ours must be a real marriage…in every way.”

She didn’t say anything, just looked at him with those serious, amber eyes.

“You know, when I take you to bed, and we are together as a man and a woman,” he prompted, knowing she must hear the truth.

“I—I understand. I know what you mean, and I am still afraid of just that.” She blushed but didn’t look away.

He watched her golden eyes get sparkly again. God, she had such bravery in her! It must be very hard to speak of this with him, but she did it with such genuine dignity, he was humbled.

Coming in very close, he gave a gentle kiss right below her left eye, atop her scar. He kept his lips near and spoke the rest. “But I was miserable when I left, and without any hope of you. I—I will never hurt you like that. I’ll be so very careful when we are together. I know it’ll be all right. It’ll be something good between us.” He kissed below her right eye. “If the way you let me kiss you is any indication, I think we’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“What if I cannot—” Georgina touched his lips a second time, probably to make him focus on her words, but she needn’t have worried for he was taking in every word and gesture. Jeremy couldn’t get enough of her and probably wouldn’t ever get enough, rejoicing in simply being close to her and knowing he could protect her and keep her safe.

“You can,” he assured, unable to refrain from kissing her fingertips, nibbling and pulling them partway into his mouth. She tasted divine to him. “I know you can.”

“How do you know? What if there’s something wrong with me?”

“There is nothing wrong with you.” He stroked a silky lock of hair at her crown. “I know you can do this because you’re so courageous.” He cupped her face and held it. “Georgina, I could never hurt you. Trust me to take care of you. I only want to make you smile and happy. The rest will come in its own time and in its own way.”

“And you still want me like that? Even after knowing what happened—”

“Shhhh. Hush.” Jeremy didn’t want to even think about what she had endured, and he certainly didn’t want her remembering, so he cut her off with a kiss instead to her sweet lips. His hands held her head steady while he plundered with a gentle, but determined pressure. Georgina let him. She even opened her mouth enough for him to get his tongue along the inside of her lips for a taste. And oh, the taste of her, soft and sweet like a ripe pear. “Does that answer your question about me wanting you? I am mad for you, and your past does not change that fact.”

“If you say it is so, I suppose I must believe you mean it.”

“Yes, you must because I do mean it. Now, I seem to remember that you’ve already agreed to have me.” He winked. “All that’s left is for you to trust me. Georgina, sweetheart, can you trust me?” He pulled his head back so he could see into her eyes, begging her to have faith in him. “Will you?”

Her eyes searched his, moving back and forth between the two. “Yes.” She mouthed the word.

He couldn’t hold back the smile that broke out widely. “Now I’m quite sure you just said, ‘yes.’”

She nodded in her gentle way and whispered, “Take me away from here.”