Last Dance in London (Rakes on the Run #1) - Sydney Jane Baily Page 0,50

with a little sigh. “I simply wanted a kiss. They are so delightful, but that is all. We can finish our wine, but then I must be heading home.”

Thunderstruck, Jasper stared at her, his heart still racing and his shaft throbbing with need.

“Can you mean what you say? We are finally alone. We have a bed, more than one,” he jabbed his hand upward to indicate the many rooms on the next floor, “any of which we can press into service. Come now, you haven’t been coy up until now. Are you hoping for flowery talk first — about the beauty of your eyes or your superb breasts — or mayhap vague promises you know I won’t keep?”

She shook her head. “No, it’s not that. I do desire you, as you can tell. And I was previously willing to allow the most decadent of liberties because I am fair weary of waiting to experience the grand mystery of love-making. However,” she paused.

“Yes?” he asked, realizing his tone was a little harsh.

“It’s my sister and Lady Daphne,” she finished with a shake of her head.

Jasper couldn’t help frowning. Then he grabbed his glass of wine, sat back, and drank the whole thing down. Finally, while knowing the invocation of Daphne’s name didn’t bode well for an afternoon’s assignation, he still had to ask.

“Please explain what you mean by your sister and Lady Daphne. They have not formed an attachment, have they?”

That made Julia smile for the first time since they’d entered the drawing room, changing the mood.

“No, but Lady Daphne explained the ramifications of my becoming involved with you, and particularly of my being caught in precisely this type of situation.” She gestured around her with a wave of her dainty hand. He wanted to grab it and press it against his aching arousal.

“For me, I think the consequences would not be so grave,” she continued. “No one knows who I am nor cares what I do, but for my sister, a countess, still scrabbling to gain a foothold in the world to which her husband thrust her, it would be ruinous. She would be tarred by the same bucket of shame as myself.”

Jasper knew Lady Daphne was correct in this advice, but it galled him how easily she’d turned Julia from him.

“That is all true, I suppose, but only if we’re caught,” he reminded her. “If I take you home now without our having enjoyed ourselves, there is no difference than if we had rolled around on the floor, rutting like beasts.”

Her lovely blue eyes opened wide while she considered his words.

“My apologies,” he said quickly, “for the vulgar image. I assure you our joining would not be like rutting farm animals.”

Although, if Jasper’s lust grew any greater, it was quite possible he would take her like a randy dog. At least the first time. And then the second time would be accomplished with his usual skill.

“What you say is correct,” she agreed, “but the sooner I go home and with my virtue intact, the easier it will be to look my sister in the eye should she ask anything.”

Her sister could take a long walk off the end of a short dock as far as he was concerned.

And the strangest thing was this refreshing woman seated beside him, not even asking Jasper to declare himself, to propose marriage, nor even hint at a future for them. She’d honestly disclosed her own desire for him, and then was willing to sacrifice it to keep her sister’s reputation safe.

She was the most intriguing female he’d ever encountered. And for that reason, he was persistent.

Setting his glass down again, he said, “I am unwilling to give up on what I know will be a stupendous coupling.”

With that, he leaned toward her until she had to lie back against the arm of the sofa.

“Why don’t we spend a little time and see where we end up?” he suggested.

She giggled beneath him. “I am quite certain where we’ll end up.”

But she let him kiss her again anyway, and since he was atop her, he could grind his rock-hard staff into the soft cradle of her skirts, directly between her thighs.

It was beyond vexing for both of them, as she arched and writhed, finally thrusting her breasts against him until he broke free of the kiss to nuzzle the dark valley she offered. She was a bewitching siren — and also a trusting innocent!

He jumped off her.

“Gah!” Jasper exclaimed, his hands going toward his hair