Sinfully Yours (Hellions of High Street 2)

Tonight, Anna decided, Caro would have to control the fire by herself.

“I shall see you in the morning.” Slipping out to the corridor through the side salon, she hurried up the stairs, anxious to gain the solitude of her quarters. The door was almost within reach when all at once the flitting shadows came to life as one dark silhouette stepping away from the wainscoting.

“It’s about time you tired of the festivities.” Devlin pulled her into the side corridor. “I have a more private celebration in mind to acknowledge the victory of Good over Evil.”

“We shouldn’t,” said Anna, seeing where his steps were headed.

“Oh, surely you are intrepid enough for one more adventure before the night is over.” His candle’s flame caught the roguish curl of his grin.

“You are a bad influence on me. Before I met you, I was a paragon of propriety. I only wrote about outrageous exploits, I didn’t dream of actually doing them.”

“Very bad,” agreed Devlin. “Wicked, in fact.” Opening the door to the Automata Gallery, he led her into the moon-dappled alcove. “I shall reform—perhaps—but first, we have an unfinished matter to resolve.”

“I thought we had resolved things rather nicely last time we were here,” said Anna, as he lay her down on the black velvet draperies and stretched out beside her. Snuggling into the crook of his arm, she set her chin on his chest. The faint sweetness of malt whisky and tobacco scented his skin, along with an earthy male essence that tickled her nostrils.

The Devil’s own scent. And suddenly her whole body was pulsing with a hellfire heat.

“Quite nicely,” he agreed. “However, something was missing.”

Flesh on flesh. Fire sparking fire. Two hearts beating as one. A shiver of longing coursed through her. “It was?”

“Allow me to demonstrate.” Gently, ever so gently, he eased off her gown. Her chemise was next, the whisper of fabric against her skin nearly as soft as the kisses he trailed over her injured arm.

She sucked in a breath, watching him strip off his shirt. In the pale pearlescent light, his chiseled torso glowed like burnished bronze.

Swiftly, silently, the rest of their clothes fell away. Moving in unspoken harmony, their bodies came together.

Anna held him close, reveling in the wondrous textures of hard muscle, coarse curls, and sculpted shoulders. With her tongue she traced the curve of his collarbone, tasting salt and a smoky spice too ethereal for words.

No fancy words, no well-turned phrases, she told herself. All rational thought surrendered to the magic of the moment.

Devlin let out a raspy sigh as he slowly eased himself inside her. She arched up to meet his thrust, match his rhythm. Her hands skimmed over the contours of his back, feeling his skin turn slick with heat.

Faster, faster. Devlin’s hips rose and fell—she could sense the tension taking hold of him. Need was cresting inside her, seeking release.

A cry, the ragged sound taking form as his name, as she came undone in his arms.

An instant later his body shuddered in climax.

Waves of pleasure washed through her, the first rush slowly ebbing to a soft ripple. He pressed a kiss to her brow, her cheek, the corner of her mouth. And they lay very still.

She must have drifted into sleep, for the next time she opened her eyes, the candle had burned down to a guttering stub.

“So, have I convinced you?” asked Devlin.

“That something is missing?” responded Anna. “I can’t imagine what could make it any more perfect for us.”

He reached to brush his fingers through her hair. “Marry me, Anna.” he was smiling, but a hint of uncertainty flickered in his eyes. “A storybook hero would likely spout an eloquent speech, but all I can say is I love you. I may not be worthy of you, but I am trying to be a better man than I am.”

Love. Her heart gave a lurch. That was more than enough.

“And I can’t bear the idea of not having you in my life. Please say yes.”

“Yes—on one condition,” replied Anna. “Promise me that I can use the idea of the winged eagle automaton in my next book.”

He rolled his eyes. “You drive a hard bargain, but very well. I look forward to writing a number of adventures with you.”

“Oh, I’m so happy.”