What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(68)

He laughed. “I’m not telling.”

“Good,” she said.

“Am I forgiven?” he asked.

She frowned. “For what?”

“This.” He leaned down and captured her lips.





Chapter Eleven



When he drew his tongue over the seam of her mouth, she opened for him, welcomed him, and hoped she would never forget the taste of this man she’d known since before she could remember. Despite everything that loomed between them—her past and his raking—she craved him. But it was more, much more than a craving. It was need, soul deep, for him, just him.

Little by little, he’d captured pieces of her heart. She remembered the sweat running down his face in the woods, despite the bitter cold wind, and his guttural shout as he’d swung that ax. She recalled the day at the folly when he’d thought no one cared about his mother’s grave, and though he’d clenched his jaw, she’d known it had hurt him. Most of all, she remembered his bleak expression when they had failed to turn up his mother’s miniature. She’d wanted to take him in her arms to let him know that she’d felt his loss as if it were her own.

She’d been in denial, because she was terrified of making another horrible mistake, but she recalled him saying he would make the engagement official that very moment if she wished it. There was so much more to him that others never saw. He’d hidden his wounds behind his sharp wit and rakehell reputation.


She could no longer deny what was in her heart. She was madly, deeply in love with him.

Unlike her bitter experience with Brentmoor, she did not have to persuade herself that she was on the verge of falling in love or nearly in love. There was no comparison. This time, she did not doubt her feelings. She felt giddy and anxious at the same time. No matter what happened—or did not happen—she swore she would never regret loving him.

The faint fragrance of sandalwood soap clung to him, and the warm scent emanating from his skin intoxicated her. Unable to resist, she kissed him back, and he grew more ardent. She was lost in the taste of his lips and threaded her fingers through his hair. When she dared to return his kiss, he answered with the sweep of his tongue. Rivers of desire coursed through her. She focused on the feel of his hard chest, his ragged breathing, and the heat emanating from his body. It wasn’t enough. She loosened the knot of his cravat, flipped up the shirt points, and tossed the long length of cloth aside.

He pulled her onto his lap, and she unbuttoned his waistcoat and ran her hands over his linen-clad chest. She somehow managed to get his waistcoat off. When he stood, he let her slide down his hard body, and she caressed him through the linen shirt, but it wasn’t enough. She yanked down the braces, pulled his voluminous shirt out of his trousers, and slid her hands underneath his shirt.

“God have mercy. What have I unleashed?” he said.

She withdrew her hands, pulled his head down, and captured his lips. Then she slid both hands over his rock-hard chest and down his flat belly. She feasted her eyes on the bulge in his trousers.

“I never thought it possible to ignite from a woman’s gaze, but you have seared me.” He kissed her again, a long, wet tangling of tongues. Then he reached for her bottom and pulled her up to her toes. She could feel his erection against her belly and planted kisses over his chest.

Then he lifted her in his arms.

“Colin, what are you doing?”

“I plan to let you have your wicked way with me.”

“Then set me down and let me.”

Angeline looked at his confident expression and decided to take matters into her own hands. She might have limited experience, but having seen his reaction to their previous kisses, she figured she could wrest control quickly enough. When he let her slide down his body, she reached out to him. “Your wrists, please.”

He grinned as he held out his arms.

She knew he was as strong as an ox, but she could distract him long enough to have her wicked way with him, as he’d put it so boldly.

When she tied his cravat around his wrists, he laughed. “What do you plan to do with me?”

“You will see,” she said, leading him upstairs by the cravat. “Mind the steps,” she said.

He clearly thought he had the upper hand, but she had something in mind.

“I’m anxious to see what you have in store for me,” he said.

“Behave,” she said.

“Oh? Will you punish me?”

She looked back at him. “Only if you beg.”

He was grinning from ear to ear as if he thought he would be the victor in this game, but she intended to have more than a little fun with him.

Once inside the lady’s bedchamber, she pushed him onto the edge of the mattress.

“What now, my captor?” he said.

She rose, cupped his face with both hands, and gave him a lascivious kiss.

He tried to reach up, but his hands were still tied. “Release my bonds.”

“Only if you behave.”

“Yes, mistress,” he said, laughing.

A moment later, he was naked to the waist. She caressed his chest and ran one finger down the center of his torso. She noted the line of dark hair below his navel and feathered her finger along the arrow.

He sucked in air. She noted the bulge in his trousers and smiled. “What do you want?”