Lily and the Duke (Sex and the Season #1)(69)

“Daniel!”

He was in bed, naked, at least as far as she could see, as he was covered from the waist down. She gasped slightly at the sight of his muscular chest and beautiful face softened in sleep. He appeared to be alone. Thank God.

“Daniel!” she said again.

He stirred, rubbed his eyes, and looked up at her. “Lily?”

“Yes, it’s me. I want to go to the art gallery, and no one will let me in.”

“What the devil time is it?”

“Half past seven. Now, about the art room—”

“What are you doing up at this hour?” He sat up in bed, a lock of wavy gold falling over his brow.

“I want to paint, and I want to see the paintings in the gallery for inspiration.”

“Dear God. You are a handful, you know that?”

He got out of bed, and as Lily had surmised, he was wearing nothing. Not a stitch. She sighed at the sight of his well formed legs and buttocks as he put on a dressing robe.

“I wouldn’t do this for anyone but you.”

Her heart nearly leaped through her mouth as he smiled at her and rang for a servant.

“Lady Lily would like to use the art gallery. Please see that it’s opened for her, and let all the staff know that she is allowed to use it whenever she chooses. In fact, give her full run of the estate. I’m going back to bed.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” The servant bowed.

“There you are. Satisfied?”

“You didn’t have to give me full run of the estate.”

“You’ll have it in little more than a week anyway.” He flung the dressing robe on a chair and climbing back into bed.

Lily looked at the floor, suddenly sorry for her actions. “I apologize. You must think I’m nothing but a spoiled brat.”

“I know who you are, Lily Jameson. You’re not spoiled and you’re not a brat. But you are impulsive.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “There is not another person on this estate, including my mother, who would dare to barge into my chamber without knocking.”

“I just wanted—” She stopped. “There’s no excuse. You’re absolutely right. I do act on impulse. I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m exhausted and I’m going back to bed.” He winked seductively, eyeing her from head to toe. “Feel free to join me if you’d like.”

“I couldn’t…”

“At least come give me a kiss.” He held out his arms to her. “I missed you yesterday.”

He beckoned to her like a magnet. She went to him, and he pulled her down beside him, positioning her head in the crook of his arm, and kissed her tenderly. Moving on top of her, straddling her and using his knees for support, he held her arms over her head and kissed her again, exploring her slowly but hungrily.

Lily welcomed the honeyed spiciness of his mouth. The velvety caress of his tongue. The sweet pressure of his lips on hers. The kiss catapulted her into a frenzy, and the hardness of his naked body over her while she was fully clothed was almost too much to bear. Arousal tickled between her legs. She was dangerously close to surrendering to him.

She broke the kiss and gulped for air. “I have to go.”

“Stay. Please.”

“I…can’t.

“Tell me you don’t want me,” Daniel said, his voice a gruff rumble. He forced her gaze to his. “Look into my eyes and tell me you don’t want me to make love to you.”

“I don’t…” She looked away, burying her face in his satin pillow.

He cupped her cheeks and compelled her to look into his eyes again. “You can’t say it,” he said. “I can feel how much you want me. You want my kisses, my cock. Why are you punishing both of us?”

“I’m sorry.” She pushed him off of her. “Please don’t be angry with me.”

He sighed. “I’m not angry. A little dog drawn, but not angry.”

“Dog drawn?”

“I’ve a terrible cockstand, Lily. Lord, you’re beautiful when you blush like that.” He covered his eyes with one hand. “Go on and work on your painting. I’ll fetch you in a few hours. I want you to take you on a carriage ride.”

“We’ll need a chaperone.”

“I’ll take care of everything.” He breathed rapidly, his eyes still covered. “Don’t have lunch. We’ll eat while we’re out.”



* * *



“Where’s our chaperone?” Lily asked as Daniel helped her into his carriage. “You said you’d take care of everything.”

“I did,” he said. “I decided we didn’t need a chaperone.”

“You decided?”

“Yes, we’re betrothed. It’s an open carriage. Everything is fine.”

Lily couldn’t be too angry. The thought of being alone with him filled her with joy. And sorrow, remembering where he had been the previous day. “If you think best. Where are we going?”

He took her hand and entwined their fingers together. “I’m taking you to the outer vineyards. It’s beautiful, and the vines are beginning to bloom.”

“That sounds lovely,” Lily said. His hand felt perfect in hers. “What did you do in London?”