A Rake's Vow (Cynster 2)

His shirt hit the floor-he stepped forward.

Belatedly, Patience scurried three steps back-and fetched up against the bedpost. Before she could whisk around it, Vane was there, reaching around her, hands locking about the post behind her. Trapping her within the circle of his arms, facing him, and his bare chest.

Dragging in a desperate breath, Patience locked her eyes on his. "I told you-I will not simply marry you."

"I think I can guarantee there'll be nothing simple about our marriage."

Patience opened her lips on an acid retort-he sealed them, with a kiss so potent by the time he raised his head, she was clinging for dear life to the bedpost.

"Just listen." He said the words against her lips, as if they were forced from him.

Patience stilled. Her heart thumping wildly, she waited. He didn't straighten, or draw away. Lids lowered, her gaze fixed on his lips, she watched the words form as he spoke.

"I'm renowned within the ton as being cool under fire-around you, I'm never cool. I'm heated-I seethe-I burn with desire. If I'm in the same room, all I can think about is heat-your heat-and how you'll feel around me."

Patience felt the heat rise, a real force between them.

"I've gained the reputation of being the soul of discretion-now look at me. I've seduced my godmother's niece-and been seduced by her. I share her bed openly, even under my godmother's roof." His lips twisted wryly. "So much for discretion."'

He drew a deep breath; his chest brushed her breasts.

"And as for my vaunted, up-until-you legendary control-the instant I'm inside you that evaporates like water on hot steel."

What prompted her Patience never knew. His lips were so close-with her teeth, she nipped the lower. "I told you to let go-I won't break."

The tension, pouring off him in waves, eased, just a little. He sighed, and rested his forehead on hers. "It's not that." After a moment, he went on, "I don't like losing control-it's like losing myself-in you."

She felt him gather himself, felt the tension swell and coalesce about them.

"It's giving myself to you-so that I'm in your keeping."

The words, low and gravelly, rolled through her; closing her eyes, she drew in a shallow breath. "And you don't like doing that."

"I don't like it-but I crave it. I don't approve of it, yet I yearn for it." His words feathered her cheek, then his lips touched hers. "Do you understand? I haven't any choice."

Patience felt his chest swell as he drew a deep breath.

"I love you."

She shivered, eyes shut tight, and felt the world shift about her.

"Losing myself in you-giving my heart and soul into your keeping-is part of that."

His lips brushed hers in an inexpressibly tender caress.

"Trusting you is part of that. Telling you I love you is part of that."

His lips touched hers again; Patience didn't wait for more. She kissed him. Letting go of the post, she slid her hands up, framing his face, so she could let him know-let him feel-her response to all he'd said.

He felt it, sensed it-and reacted; his arms locked tight about her. She couldn't breathe, but she didn't care. All she cared about was the emotion that held them, that flowed so effortlessly between them.

Silver and gold, it wound about them, investing each touch with its magic. Silver and gold, it shimmered about them, and quivered in their fractured breaths. It was immediate compulsion and future promise, heavenly delight and earthly pleasure. It was here and now-and forever.

With a soft oath, Vane drew back and stripped off his trousers. Released, Patience lowered her arms and let her shawl fall, then tugged the tie of her nightgown free. A quick shift and a shrug sent the silk sliding to the floor.

Vane straightened-she stepped into his arms, setting her naked limbs to his.

He sucked in a breath, then let it out in a groan as she stretched sinuously against him. He wrapped her in his arms and bent his head to hers; their lips met, and desire ran free.