Her entire body warmed and tingled as he worked his lips over hers, his tongue sliding over hers and hands holding her close. Tendrils of heat and wanton passion unfurled within her and spread throughout her body. Her pulse thrummed, and the place between her thighs grew damp. The effect of his kiss was devastating, and all at once, addicting.
He cupped her bottom and lifted her from the ground. “Wrap your legs around me, sweetheart,” he said before capturing her lips anew.
Unwilling to stop herself, she complied, wrapping her legs around his hips as their mouths took greedily of each other. Juliet wanted more of this—she wanted more of him.
He carried her to a nearby table then sat her on its edge, his mouth never leaving hers. An unfamiliar sensation, a deep longing gripped her as he stroked one hand up her leg, pulling her skirt up with it.
This truly was too much. Another moment, a few inches higher, and she would reach the point of no return. She would be ruined if she did not stop him now. For she’d be unable to stop him later. She craved these new sensations he was causing within her—she wanted him.
Ultimately, she found herself powerless in the face of his seduction. When she should have pushed him away, she pulled him closer. Another minute. Another kiss. One more caress. She would allow herself one more minute of bliss, then she would demand he leave her.
He slid his lips from hers and blazed a trail of fervent kisses across her cheek, stopping to suckle her earlobe, then whispered, “You are so sweet. So beautiful.”
Her core throbbed as her heart delighted. She was a fool. A wanton she-devil destined for ruination. But most shocking of all was the realization that she did not care. Juliet had never felt so alive, so feminine and primal, and she reveled in the powerful awakening.
He trailed his kisses down her throat, suckling and laving her hot flesh as he stroked higher up her thigh. His touches gentle, his fingertips like little flames dancing across her thigh.
When he dipped his tongue into the valley between her breasts, Juliet whimpered with need. Her body begged for more, something else, something she knew only he could give her.
But she could not allow for it. This had to stop before they were caught. Before she let him go too far. Before, she gave all of herself to a stranger.
Juliet pushed at his shoulders. “Stop. We cannot.”
He brought his head up to meet her gaze but did not remove his hand from her thigh. “What is your name, sweetheart?”
“Juliet, Lady Juliet Gale.” She slid her tongue along her lower lip before catching it between her teeth. It was all she could do to keep herself from reaching for him and pressing her lips back to his.
“I will stop if that is truly your wish.” He brushed his lips against hers. A soft and sweet meeting of his flesh to hers. “Tell me you dislike my kisses.” He brushed his lips against hers a second time. “Say it is so, and I will leave you to your book.”
Her mouth went dry as she stared into his passion-glazed eyes. She really ought to tell him to go. Demand that he do so and deny enjoying his kisses. Yet, she could not find the words. Instead, she asked, “What is your name?”
He gave a devilish grin. “Giles Fortescue, and I am going to kiss you now.”
Surely, she’d gone mad, for she leaned in, desperate for him to do that very thing. She welcomed the press of his lips against hers and sank into the kiss. Juliet relished the desire burning within her as she gave herself over to him.
A woman’s shriek broke through the fog of Juliet’s mind a moment before Giles released her. She stared over his shoulder in shock and freight at the woman standing just inside the door. Her blood ran cold as the woman pointed at them and yelled. “He’s compromised her!”
Juliet’s heart tumbled at the sight of two older matrons standing several paces behind the younger woman. She’d wager that everyone in attendance would hear of this by hours end.
She closed her eyes and shook her head. Her reputation would soon be in tatters, and she had no one save for herself to blame.
She really should have stopped him.
Chapter 3
“There is no reason to carry on, Kitty,” Giles said, his voice firm as he took two long strides toward her. He wanted to wring her neck! But then, he could scarcely blame the woman. He had set up a tryst with her, then quickly forgotten when he came upon Juliet.
Of course, Kitty would be angry. But, bloody hell, she had no cause to scream and carry on. Juliet would be ruined if anyone else came upon this little scene.
He froze at the sight of the countess and baroness standing further back in the hall. Too late, for others were already paying witness. He’d had every intention to put an end to Kitty’s outburst and gain her silence on what she’d witnessed. But now…
Bloody hell. He could have succeeded where Kitty was concerned, but there was nothing he could do about the gossiping matrons. The thought sobered him, the effects of the brandy he’d consumed being no match for the fine mess he now faced. He patted his coat, wishing for more brandy to magically appear in his decanter as he faced the three women crowding the doorway.
The countess strode forward, her lips pressed into a disapproving pucker as she shook her head in a slow back-and-forth manner. She pointed one wagging finger at Giles and said, “You will marry her.”
“With due haste,” the Baroness added. Her ample red cheeks shook with the force of her words and furry.
Giles’s stomach churned and his pulse speed. “I am sure we can sort this out.” He turned his peering gaze on Kitty. “Lady Lambert can attest to my claim that nothing untoward happened here.” He turned a challenging gaze on her, “Isn’t that right, Lady Lambert?” he asked, his tone demanding and cold.
Kitty crossed her arms over her bust and huffed a furious sigh. “You had your hand under her skirts. Her legs were spread, and the two of you were kissing. Nothing untoward, my foot! You were ravishing her!” She said, with venom dripping from her tongue. “You ruined the girl, and quite thoroughly, I might add.”
Giles cringed inwardly as he wished Kitty had not added anything to the discussion. Why the duce had he thought she would help?
“I can explain,” Juliet said. She must have slid from the table because she marched past Giles without sparing him a glance. “This is all a mistake,” she continued. “A rather large one, I will admit, but still, all is not as it seems.”
The countess stared at Juliet. “Regardless of the circumstances, dear, he compromised you. Now he must do right and marry you,” the countess said with authority. “You must stand up for yourself.”
“There is no need for—” Juliet argued, but the countess cut her off before she could expound.
“There is every need, Lady Juliet,” the countess said, her tone brooking no argument. “You are ruined and will remain such if he does not wed you.”
“I am not ruined,” Juliet continued to argue despite the countess’s firm tone. “My virtue is fully intact.”
“No one will ever believe that,” Kitty drawled. “Why with a rogue like him… it’s laughable.” She laughed as she finished speaking, and the sound sent ice down Giles’s spine.
He should step in and help the lady make her case, but at this point, words failed him. He had indeed taken liberties with Lady Juliet. The sort that gave him intimate knowledge of her and quiet toughly ruined her. He’d wager no other man knew the curve of her silken thigh, or the sweet sound of her pleasure filled moans.