A Duke in Time (The Widow Rules #1) - Janna MacGregor Page 0,102
answered with one of his own. “You’re welcome, Your Grace.” He turned his attention to Katherine. “Do you need anything else?”
“No, thank you,” Katherine answered, not taking her eyes off Christian.
After the pugilist walked away, Christian closed her office door with a decisive click.
His eyes blazed, and he was slightly out of breath. He reminded her of a warrior who would defeat any enemy he found in his path.
She’d never seen him so ruggedly handsome. His uncommonly long hair lay against one cheek as if hiding the flush of excitement from her.
She wouldn’t allow it. She walked to him and gently pushed the hair away from his cheek. Though he was clean shaven, the slight stubble tickled her fingers, kissing her palms. All she wanted to do was run her lips over his cheekbones. Then she noticed a sliver of dried blood around his mouth.
“What happened?” Katherine brushed the back of her fingers against his lips, seeking to comfort the split in his skin.
“I was in such a rush to see you, I cut myself shaving.” Christian placed his hand over hers, effectively stopping her caresses.
“Does it hurt?” She couldn’t resist this man. On her tiptoes, she brushed her lips against his.
“Not with you tending it.”
“You’re the first man outside of Mr. Warren and the Secretary to the First Lady of the Bedchamber to enter my office.” The warmth of his hand on hers made every sense come alive with want.
For him. She wanted to bottle such feelings for her own, a memory to carry forever.
“I had to see you.” The seriousness in his eyes was breathtaking.
Her heart pounded against its cage, desperate to reach him. She knew exactly how it felt. She’d surrender everything to him too.
“Why are you here?” she asked softly.
“For this,” he said, then circled his arms around her waist and brought her close. His lips met hers. A deep groan rumbled through him as she opened her mouth so he could deepen the kiss. Chest to chest, the sensuous feel made her tremble. She felt protected enveloped in his arms and allowed herself to revel in the feel.
This wasn’t a simple kiss, but one that possessed every inch of her—completely. She met his boldness with the same. Another moan escaped. Whether it was from him or her, she couldn’t tell. All her awareness was centered on this man who held her as if he’d never let her go.
She broke away to steal a breath. Christian murmured a slight protest before he pressed the small of her back until she was flush against him. The other hand skimmed her work dress from her hips to her breast. He teased by caressing his thumb against the tight nipple then captured her breast in his hand, kneading gently. A riot of sensation careened through her, sending a heaviness to rest in her lower abdomen like it always did when he touched her.
He nibbled on her lips. The iron taste from the blood of his sore lip rested on her tongue. She licked the wound again, as if stealing a part of him for herself. He wanted her, and that hunger fed hers for him, and only him. It also fed a want deep inside to belong to another. Not to have him would be akin to the inability to draw a breath. She’d gladly drown in the force of his passion rather than be smothered in a sea of banality.
Which perfectly defined her ordinary life before Christian.
Everything in her life had been nothing before he’d swept in like a rogue wave.
He gently pushed her against the closest wall and canted his hips toward hers. His hard length branded her through their clothes.
“Christian,” she pleaded against his lips as she sucked in a breath. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on before she fell to her knees.
“I had to see you.” He nipped at her lips. He cupped one breast in his hand, then groaned like a starving man. “God, Katherine, with all this linen around, please tell me you have a bed somewhere?” He dipped his head and sucked lightly on the tender skin of her neck. “Not that we need it, mind you.” His hands seemed to be everywhere, delivering a flurry of movement. Buttons were undone on the back of her gown, ties on her stays were untied, and then cool air met her back.
Christian was undressing her in her very proper and elegant office.