“Allow me to rectify the problem.” He reached behind her and stuck his thumb into the pie before coating her lips with juice and sucking the residue. “Now, where were we?”
He was quick to remind her.
The kiss was slow, hypnotic, so deep it had her core muscles clenching. He tasted of claret and plums and an indefinable male essence. He kissed like the dangerous devil men feared. Like he meant to own her. Like he meant to ruin her for every other man.
Theo tangled his fingers in her hair, tilting her head back and baring her throat. He was panting when he spoke. “I want you to lie on the table, Eleanor. I’m desperate to claim my winnings.”
“On the table?” She shivered when he pressed his lips to the sensitive spot below her ear, arousal heating her blood. “Is it safe?”
“How many times must I tell you to trust me?” Setting his hands to her waist, he lifted her with ease and sat her on the table’s edge. “I’ve won an intimate kiss. I’m sure you know what that means.”
“Theo, every kiss we’ve shared has been deeply passionate.”
His subtle smile said he agreed. “I’m going to kiss you everywhere. Let me show you. Tell me to stop if you feel uncomfortable.”
She breathed through a pang of excitement. When it came to this man, the word stop wasn’t in her vocabulary.
He locked eyes with her, the intensity of his stare holding her spellbound. His lips parted as he gathered her skirts and slid them slowly up to her thighs.
A sweet hum escaped him, followed by a curse when he glanced at the ugly purple bruise marring her skin. “I’ll kill that devil when I catch him. As God is my witness—”
“Hush.” She touched his hand. She had more bruises on her back and bottom. “Let’s not think about that now.” These moments with him were precious. “Perhaps your kisses can heal wounds.” Perhaps they could chase away ghosts or fill the inner emptiness.
Like always, Theo was quick to find out.
The feather-light touch of his lips sent heat coursing through her. He kissed the bruise once, then twice, his tongue lightly tracing the tender skin as if he possessed a magical elixir.
“Lie down for me, love,” he said, his voice husky as he eased her back onto the baize. “Men take their pleasure at the tables. That’s how I intend to take mine. You look good enough to eat.”
Then he dropped to his knees, ready to worship her. He hooked her legs over his shoulders, pressed his mouth to her thigh and kissed a path to her forbidden place.
It was shocking.
It was heavenly.
It was the most thrilling experience of her life.
Every slide of his hot tongue over her bud had her gasping and gripping the table. He knew where to stroke her. Every sweep of her sensitive flesh had tremors shooting to her toes.
“Theo!”
He continued his wicked torment, the pleasure so intense her head felt light while her body quivered. The need to climax was so profound she arched her back and rocked her hips against his mouth.
It took the slide of one finger into her sex to make her come, her whole body shuddering as she moaned and panted his name.
When he rose between her legs, licking his lips and grinning sinfully, she didn’t want this night to end. She wanted more hours of mindless pleasure. More hours spent in his arms. She wanted to see his face aglow with the effects of his own release. To hold him inside her and never let go.
Don’t stop!
Those words danced on her tongue.
The sudden knock on the door dragged Eleanor from her reverie. She had been a moment away from offering herself to the man she couldn’t resist. Lust had the power to banish inhibitions. Having spent a lifetime stifled and denied a voice, lust brought a sense of liberation.
“Theo?” Aaron called, his voice hard, his timing abysmal.
“Just a second.” Theo straightened. He groaned in frustration as he scanned her bare thighs. “Perhaps you should return to your shop. At least there, we would have some privacy.” He reached for her hands. “Let me help you.”
Another loud rap had them straightening their clothes and gathering their wits. The knob turned, but thankfully the door was locked.
Eleanor sat in a chair and snatched her wine glass, though her body was still aglow from her dazzling release.
Theo unlocked the door and opened it wide. “There’d better be a fire,” he said through gritted teeth. “Or a bloody good reason for the disturbance.”
The air turned decidedly chilly when Aaron Chance strode into the room. He did not hide his emotions out of politeness.
“This room is reserved for gambling.” Aaron glanced at her attire, appearing more irritated by her lack of dishevelment. He did not like to be proved wrong.
Theo gestured to the table. “Which is why we’re playing cards and drinking wine. We’re on our fourth wager.”
Aaron inhaled deeply. Hopefully, the aromatic smell of frankincense filled his nostrils, not the scent of arousal.
“When I allowed Miss Darrow to stay here, I asked for one thing.” Aaron’s eyes were as hard as obsidian in the candlelight. “Keep me informed. Don’t let Daventry make me look foolish.”
Theo shrugged. “I told you everything during dinner tonight.”
“You omitted one minor detail.”
Eleanor stared at him blankly. “I assure you. Theo trusts you more than anyone. He would never keep you in the dark.” He would sacrifice his own happiness to ensure you’re not alone, she said silently.
