An Affair So Right (Rebel Hearts #4)(12)
“I’ve been alone for two years,” she murmured, teasing his chest with a gentle caress that he felt all over. “There are things missing from my life.”
“You’re a spinster,” he reminded her, frowning. Spinsters were not meant for dalliance, not unless one wanted to end up leg-shackled. Quinn wasn’t so generous that he’d marry this woman out of pity.
“I was to be a bride once,” she whispered.
It was hard to miss her meaning when her hand slipped downward purposefully to the waistband of his breeches. “I did not know that about you,” he struggled to say.
“Daniel, my betrothed, did things with me. In private.” She bit her lip. “I enjoyed those things very much.”
Quinn blinked in shock at her confession. Many an engaged couple anticipated their wedding night. However, he was not such a fool as to believe her serious in her offer. Too much had changed in the past hours for him to believe she knew what she was doing or saying right now. “You miss him, and I do understand. However, I’m sure you will agree that tomorrow, you will regret this discussion. We will not speak of this again.”
“I miss the warmth and companionship of a lover.” She drew his hand to her breast and held it against her softness. “The touch of a man’s body against mine at night is not something easily forgotten.”
Stunned, Quinn could only nod as she moved his hand a little, so he caressed her breast. Miss Dalton wasn’t thinking straight. “I hope you are not suggesting that your employment be a mutually beneficial arrangement?”
“It could be. I know how to keep your days and nights full,” Miss Dalton promised. She smiled slowly, her eyes glazed, and lowered her hand to cup his cock through his breeches.
Gods! The woman most definitely had experience when it came to the male of the species. That had not been an exaggeration on her part. Quinn couldn’t remember the last time a woman had come right out and offered pleasure so abruptly without any form of prior flirting.
He caught her wrist and held her still. “Do you keep this experience of yours a secret from your mother?”
“From everyone.” She lifted to her toes to whisper in his ear. “No one will ever know what we do together.”
Chapter 5
Even with her heart in danger of breaking, Theodora knew exactly what she was doing in offering herself to Lord Maitland. Men were uncomplicated creatures and often required an added inducement to render the right sort of aid. Although in Lord Maitland’s case, he did really need her. The moment she had stepped into this house, and discovered the disorder of Lord Maitland’s private office, she’d decided where to seek employment.
She had fleetingly studied Quinn Ford since his return to shore and resignation from the Navy, after what was reported as a distinguished and lucrative career. She had noticed his interest on more than one occasion, but had been too busy with her father’s concerns to do anything about encouraging him. He was a man with presence and sense, and that appealed to her more than his handsome face and easy smile for other ladies.
She was looking forward to finding out if the handsome viscount lived up to her expectations—but that would be after she’d straightened out his affairs.
She eased back before he could try to claim a kiss, heart hammering against her breast at her boldness. Sensations she’d set aside for so long stirred her blood a little too strongly for their current location. She had made her offer, and she’d not offer more until he agreed.
Daniel had taught her that timing was everything—in business and in pleasure, too. As much as she missed the man she was to marry two years ago, she couldn’t mourn Daniel forever. She had loved him with her whole heart and body, and not a day went by when she didn’t think of him or regret the future they might have had together.
Quinn Ford was real, flesh and blood, and available by all reports. And he suited her immediate needs for employment, if he could be persuaded. She wanted only brief employment, a casual liaison, and then she’d return to India to take up her former life and mourn her father properly.
This house was perfectly positioned for her needs, too. She wanted to keep an eye on the recovery of their remaining possessions. The coroner would also not ignore the importance of Lord Maitland’s wishes for a speedy investigation, if she nudged the viscount to lend his weight behind her request. The viscount would help her get to the bottom of her father’s death, whether he intended to or not.
“I do need a secretary,” he mused, but then smiled broadly. “However, as tempting as your offer is, I must decline.”
Theodora was taken aback by his refusal, and obvious amusement in her surprise. She had propositioned him in no uncertain terms. And she had no doubt Lord Maitland was fully engaged in her suggestion that they share a bed.
Despite the rebuff, she was quite desperate to win him over by any method she could. She stroked him, a firm caress, because he’d not stepped back out of reach yet. She dug her nails in at the last moment to heighten his enjoyment and earned a grunt in return. Daniel could never resist that. “I’ve no interest in capturing your heart, my lord, if you fear I have designs on marrying you to support myself,” she promised.
“That’s actually comforting.” His smile grew, and then he laughed softly. “But I still decline. I have a mistress. She’s the jealous sort. Hates to share.”