“I doubt it,” Bad answered and then turned away.
She paused for a moment. Did she demand the man listen? But Exmouth leaned closer, his warm breath tickling her ear. “Are ye ready?”
Her stomach dropped. How did she answer that? While she knew he was asking if Diana was ready to leave, somehow she wanted him to ask for more. Much more.
Exile straightened a bit the moment they stepped out into the fresh air, it instantly cleared his head.
He glanced down at Diana, her arms wrapped about his middle as she walked him down the dark alley. Her body snug against his in the most satisfying way. Tall and slender, there was still a softness about her that felt…just right.
“Where’s your carriage?” she asked, her eyes scanning the alley.
“Douglas called for it, it’ll be here in just a moment.” Then he wrapped another arm about her. “Are ye cold, lass? I’ll warm ye.”
“No, I…” She stopped, searching the darkness again. “What was that?”
He peered into the night, blinking, then he scrubbed his face. Why had he had so much to drink. “I don’t see…” But his voice fell away. There was in fact a movement in the shadow. He gripped Diana tighter with one arm even as his other hand grabbed the short sword at his side and pulled the sharp metal blade from its sheath. “Who goes there?”
Diana sucked in her breath, her arms tightening about his middle.
A figure lunged from the darkness, making a grab for them but in a second, Exile reacted. He pushed Diana behind him and slashed with his blade. The man lunged away but not in time and Exile felt the tip of his sword rip through clothing.
“Ahhhhh,” a man yelled, wincing away.
Exile started after him even as the man ducked and spun.
“My lord,” Diana cried, a choking sound clogging her voice as she grabbed for his back. “Don’t leave me.”
He stopped, watching the man skulk away, slightly bent, one shoulder stooped lower than the other. Part of him wanted to chase after the man and sink his blade through his ribs. The last time he’d been attacked like that, Ewan had ended up dead. The blade had been meant for Exile but it had found his cousin instead. “I would never leave ye, lass. Dinnae ye worry about that.”
“I…” she whimpered. “I shouldn’t have come tonight.”
“No, ye shouldn’t have but no’ because of that pile of shite. I would never let anyone hurt ye.” He meant every word. The fight had sharpened his mind and as he looked down at her, her arms about her waist, a surge of protectiveness like he’d never felt before coursed through him. He’d protect her with his very last breath. Without thought, he reached out and pulled her close again, folding her into his arms. She pressed against him, her cheek resting against his chest.
“Will you take me to Minnie’s please?”
Her voice trembled and he nodded against the top of her head. “Of course.” He started rubbing circles along her back. “My carriage will be here any moment.”
She nodded against him, the top of her head snuggling into his chin. Her silky hair tickled his neck as her scent wafted into his nostrils. He held her closer, placing a light kiss on the strands. He wanted to hold her like this all night, keep her wrapped in his embrace where she’d be warm and safe. Would she notice if they just stood there, wrapped together?
As if in answer, the rumbling of wheels filled the alley along with the clop of horses’ hooves. He recognized his driver, and waving to the man to stay in his seat, he snapped open the door himself and lifted Diana into his arms.
Climbing into the buggy, he snapped the door shut again and then settled onto one of the bench seats, folding Diana onto his lap.
She willingly bent, settling against him. Her derriere was pressed into his lap and he ignored the tightening in his groin, reaching up to stroke her face instead. He brushed his thumb along her eyebrow then swept down over her cheek. “Ye’re all right. Ye’re safe.”
“I know I am,” she answered as her face tipping up to his. “Thank you.”
“Ye’re welcome,” he replied looking down at her in the dark interior. Her eyes shone even in the dim light and her lips. Jesus, her lips held a full, soft pout that was so damned tempting.
He wasn’t aware of moving, but suddenly their mouths met in a soft kiss that should have been sweeter. Instead, it was full of the sort of passion that made a man ache. The one touch held so much promise that he nearly groaned aloud, just holding the sound in as their eyes met.
She arched her neck again, giving him another kiss and then another until one blended into the next becoming one long joining.
Slanting her lips open, he swiped his tongue along the inside of her mouth, tasting the sweet scent of her, fresh and clean with hints of mint. Diana moaned into his mouth, and in response, he gathered her even closer, deepening their kiss.
Her gloved fingers were wrapped about his neck. But he had the urge to touch her skin, feel its texture underneath his fingertips. Yanking off one of his own gloves, he stroked her neck then trailed his hand down lower until he reached the swell of her breast, still exposed by her evening gown. The smooth, silky plumpness made his thickening cock rock-hard and he cupped her breast outside her gown, wanting more of her.
She arched into the touch and he moved his other hand to the back of her dress. When had he decided to undo the buttons? He didn’t care. As the fabric slumped down her front, he reached for her breast again, only a thin layer of silky chemise separating her soft flesh from his hand. Her breasts weren’t overly large, but big enough. They filled his palm perfectly, and his hands weren’t small. What was more, Diana’s nipple puckered under his touch. They both groaned together.
“My lord,” she murmured, wiggling in his lap. “I want…”
“What?” His breath held in his lungs as he waited for her answer. What did she want? To make love to him? To have his protection always? To be his wife? In this moment, he might agree to any and all of it, if only she’d take off more of her clothes.
She swallowed and tipped her head back to look at him. “I want to talk to you.”
“No,” he answered, letting out a groan of frustration. “Anything but that.”
Diana blinked up at him. She could feel the evidence of his desire pressing into her backside. With a sigh, she started to sit up. Best to feel less of him if she wanted to actually have this conversation before they arrived at Minnie’s home. She was slow to move, though, because honestly, he felt delicious. Strong, hard, and so masculine, his powerful thighs flexed underneath her and near left her breathless and she needed to keep her wits about her. So, pulling herself up she slid backward to remove herself from his lap.
One of his hands, held her hip, giving it a squeeze. It pressed his hardness into her softness and her breath caught. She had the distinct urge to rub against the stiff flesh and test its length, feel the friction. “My—”
“It’s Callum,” he answered his voice husky.
“Callum.” She tested the name in her mouth. Something about the combination of sounds allowed the word to just roll off her tongue. “It suits you.”
“Thank ye.” He leaned down and captured her lips again. “I dinnae ken that I’ll ever have ye half undressed and in my lap again. I intend to take full advantage.”