He lounged in a chair, a primal hunger simmering in his blood. A vision of Miss Darrow slipped into his mind. What was it he found so appealing? What was it that spoke to his soul?
The answer came when she pushed open the door and peered into the candlelit room. It was everything. Eyes with the healing power of malachite. Hair a vibrant cascade of copper. A body he’d glimpsed only once beneath the fine nightgown yet had pictured every second since. A sharp mind he wanted to explore and unravel.
“Welcome.” He crossed the room, a stirring in his loins. They were to play cards and eat pie, not fornicate on the tables. “I feared you’d fallen asleep.”
To endure another day without a kiss would have killed him.
“I was waiting for the chime of the tall-case clock, but then the house fell quiet, and I came to investigate.”
He beckoned her inside. “You were impatient. Desperate to beat me at cards and prove I lied about that plum pie you’re holding.”
“I can’t see how a plum could stir a lady’s passions.”
He was quick to enlighten her. “A plum drawn over the mouth would raise the required response. A plum stolen from between your lips would have the desired effect.” He closed the door and turned the key in the lock. Plum juice licked from her breasts would have her writhing in pleasure. “We can test the theory if you think I’m lying.”
“Perhaps.” She stepped farther into the room, inhaling the aromatic scent from the Orient. “I expected it to smell like cheroots in here.”
“It did, but I thought oil of frankincense might soothe your aching muscles.” He took the pie from her and placed it on the walnut console table, next to the silver cutlery, napkins and two china plates.
“Are you always so thoughtful?” She ran her fingers over the green baize, noting the neat deck of cards and poured wine.
“The occasion calls for a concerted effort.”
“Are we not to play a simple game of piquet?”
“Yes, but I mean to win back my forfeits and prove a point.”
She faced him, her eyes sparkling in the candlelight. “Is that the only reason you asked me here? Do you not have another motive for wanting time alone together?”
“What other motive could I have?”
A sweet hum escaped her soft lips. “Perhaps you seek to explore this strange energy that flows between us.” Her gaze dipped to his mouth. “Whatever the reason, consider our motto before you answer.”
The minx knew how to lure a man into a trap.
“The truth would have you fleeing the room. I’ll not ruin a wonderful evening before it’s begun.”
Something he’d said made her smile. “Very well. We’ll play for confessions. Let’s make a wonderful evening a magnificent one.”
Miss Darrow had a siren’s allure. The enchanting timbre of her voice promised a night of pleasure. The sensual haze in her eyes spoke of a slow, subtle seduction.
He drew out a chair. “Shall we begin, Miss Darrow?”
“Eleanor. Friends use their given names.”
Lovers did, too.
“Would you care to sit, Eleanor?” Saying her name tightened the muscles in his abdomen. “Drink some wine. Relax.”
“Are you trying to get me drunk, Theo?”
“Not at all. I want you awake and alert when we kiss again.”
She chuckled. “You seem so sure we will.”
“If you want a confession, you must earn it.” A thought struck him. Based on her inexperience, a round of piquet could take up to an hour. Why waste precious time when he had a different game in mind?
He sat beside her, shuffled the cards and dealt four each.
“Highest card wins,” he said, before sipping his wine. “Look at your hand. Decide which one will win a confession.”
The urge to win would see her using her best cards first.
Like a miser clutching gold, she held them close to her chest, giggling with excitement as she scanned them twice.
“Place your card face down on the table.” He threw down his lowest card, the four of clubs. “Remember what you’re playing for. You want to know why I’m sure we’ll kiss again.”
She pursed her lips as she studied the cards. Then she drew one and slapped it on the baize. “Who will turn first?”
“A lady always goes first.”
She turned over her card, an eight of spades. Interesting. He suspected that wasn’t her highest card. This woman knew how to mess with his mind.
“You beat my four of clubs.” He held her gaze and hit her with the truth. “Something happened the first time we kissed. Something indescribable. The second kiss ignited a blazing fire of passion between us. We’re both longing to see what would happen a third time.”
The lady gulped. “Yes, it’s like a terrible addiction.”
“Terrible?” he scoffed. “Your mouth is glorious.”
