Except that, when she gazed at him as she was, he caught himself hesitating. Perish the thought! He—who never hesitated—suddenly felt guilty.
He’d visited her room to press his advantage, to take whatever she could be coerced into surrendering, but now, he was second-guessing. He had to behave more honorably than he’d envisioned he would. Not that he had to be a saint, but he couldn’t act like the most despicable sinner.
“It will be all right, Em,” he vowed. “Trust me.”
“I absolutely don’t.”
He chuckled, wishing he could be the man she needed.
“We’ll be cautious,” he insisted.
“Even if we’re cautious, you can’t predict what might occur.”
“Yes, I can. I’m the master of my universe. If I decree that nothing bad will transpire, then nothing bad will.”
She sighed. “Vain beast. How can I resist you?”
It was precisely the sort of capitulation he’d been anxious to attain.
He began kissing her, going slow, reveling in the moment, and he was astonished at how much he enjoyed it. Usually, he didn’t waste any effort on kissing. Since he fornicated mostly with whores, he never delayed. Carnal release was the goal, so there was no point in dawdling.
Yet with Emeline, he was content to tarry, and he was learning that the real pleasure was in the journey, not in the abrupt ending.
He dropped to her nipples, laving them as her hips flexed with his own. Her robe was open, her loins crushed to his. The fabric of his trousers was all that kept him from racing to ecstasy, and it took every ounce of fortitude he possessed to ignore his raging anatomy.
He touched her between her legs, his fingers sliding into her sheath. She was wet and ready, and instantly, he pushed her into a potent orgasm.
This time, she knew what was coming and what her body was doing. She soared to the heavens, oohing and aahing in a fashion that thrilled and sobered him.
She was so naïve, so unschooled in the wicked ways of the world. It was rare when he crossed paths with a person who was so . . . normal. He always forgot that she was unsullied and free from the depravity upon which he thrived.
Her excitement waned, while his ardor remained unassuaged. He shifted off her and spooned himself to her back. They were quiet, pensive, as he stroked a hand up and down her arm and hip.
“You’re smiling,” she eventually said. “Why?”
“I seduced you so quickly that I didn’t bother to remove any of my clothes. My shirt is still buttoned, and my boots are still on.”
“Should I worry about your lusty appetites? Are you in the habit of disrobing around women?”
He swatted her rump. “None of your business, my little scamp.”
She purred and stretched, her curvaceous bottom snuggled to his inflamed cockstand. He moaned in agony and pulled her nearer so he could relish a long thrust that was completely unsatisfying.
“You’ve made me a wanton,” she admitted.
“Good.”
“Next time, I want you to undress. I want to see you.”
“I’ll think about it.”
He was having enough trouble restraining himself with his trousers on. If he was naked, there was no telling what he might do.
“You never told me why you couldn’t sleep,” she drowsily mumbled.
“I have a lot on my mind.”
“Such as . . . ?” When he didn’t respond, she rose up on an elbow and peered back at him. “Share a secret with me.”
He stared into her big green eyes and was amazed to hear himself confess, “It’s so strange to be here at Stafford.”
“Why?”
“It’s supposed to be my home now, but I never had a home. I can’t fathom how to embrace it.”
“You’ll figure out how.”
“Yes, I imagine I will.”
He settled her down so she wasn’t looking at him.
He never talked about his feelings with anyone, and he didn’t like that he’d discussed his conflicted sentiments regarding Stafford. With how attracted he was to her, she had an enormous physical hold over him. He couldn’t have her garnering an emotional one too.
“What will become of me and my sisters?” She yawned through her query. “You never answered that question either.”
“What would you like to occur?”
“I’d like to suddenly discover that I’m heir to a great fortune. I’d like to be incredibly rich, where I never again have to fret over how to support myself. Sort of like what happened to you, for instance.”
“Very funny.”
“Your life isn’t so bad, you know.”
“I know.”
“You merely like to complain.”
He snorted. “You could be right about that.”
She reached over her shoulder and laid her palm on his cheek. It was a simple gesture, but it rocked him to his core. He shut his eyes and reveled in an onslaught of affection.
“Seriously, Em,” he said when he could speak again, “if you could have anything you wanted, what would it be?”
“I can’t think of a single thing. It’s been so long since I’ve had a wish come true that I’ve forgotten how to dream.”
Her reply was too sad, and he was on the verge of offering her gifts he was certain she’d never cherish.
It was the first time he’d genuinely appreciated his money and position. He’d like to spoil her—if she’d allow him to. The problem was that he couldn’t so much as buy her a damn dress without her spitting in outrage.
Wasn’t that just his luck? He’d finally found a female upon whom he’d like to lavish some of his largesse, but she refused his generosity.
“Let me reopen the school,” she begged.
“You and your blasted school,” he scoffed, though kindly.
“I want to be useful to you.”
“You are useful to me.” He caressed a naughty hand down her flank.
“Why do you hate Stafford so much?”
“Ancient history, Em. It’s not important.”
“It is to me.”
“Give it a rest.”
“I will—for now. But I’ll ask you again tomorrow.”
“I might tell you. If I’m feeling charitable.”
She grew quiet, and he thought she’d dozed off when
