Emma. I won’t do this and beg prettily for your hand.”
And thank God for that, she thought.
“Good,” she said with a tilt of her head far more bravado than she felt. “Because you are the last man I should ever wish to tie myself to for life.”
“Then why?” he whispered before plucking a quick kiss.
“Why what?” she asked and then boldly reached up and kissed him. His strong arms wrapped around her, pressing her even closer.
“Why me? In your bed?”
Pulling back slightly, she looked up at him. “I don’t know why, Simon. You drive me mad with anger, frustration...and desire, unlike any man I have ever met.”
His lips turned up slightly, crinkling his eyes. “Good.”
“Good?” She smiled shyly.
He slid her off his lap and then rose to look down at her. “Yes, good. Because you do the same to me, and now, I intend to remove every stitch of clothing on your luscious body and kiss you from head to toe.
He stared at her with such a look of desire, her heart pounded. “Every stitch? Oh.”
“Starting with this lovely gown that is covering far too much of your beautiful body.”
He leaned over and kissed her breathless. As he continued his onslaught on her mouth, he walked her slowly back toward the large canopy bed in the other room.
The back of her legs hit the edge of the bed, stopping her movements. She pulled at his cravat, untying the white silk. As he unwrapped the cloth from his neck, she worked at the buttons on his waistcoat. Finally, she had him down to just his shirt and trousers. She slipped her hands under this shirt, skimming her fingers up his chest. She savored the sensation of hard muscles and warm skin. He groaned softly when her fingers crossed over the sensitive peaks on his chest. She wondered if they were as sensitive as hers.
“You’re driving me mad,” he rasped.
“Good.”
He lifted her as if she weighed no more than a feather and placed her carefully on the soft mattress. Her legs dangled over the edge of the bed. Instead of feeling awkward, the position allowed her to wrap her limbs around him.
His mouth returned to hers with a burning madness that she loved. Their tongues tangled together as his chest pressed into hers. She never wanted this kiss to end. When it finally did, she moaned her frustration.
While his mouth continued to enflame her senses, one hand slipped between her legs, opening her folds to her mound. She moaned as his fingers played there, pressing, flicking, and finally entering her.
Her body ached for release, but she had no idea what to do. She writhed under him. His finger slid in and out her until a second joined the first, spreading her slightly wider.
She moaned again.
He smiled down at her in such a wholly sensual manner she realized this was far from over. He moved away from her only to discard his shirt. Staring up at his chest, she noticed the fine black hair that formed a line and disappeared into his trousers. Curiosity ad her wondering how far down the line went. Would she find out now?
His fingers reached for the fall of his trousers and unfastened the two buttons there. Emma’s breath came in short pants as she waited for more. The intriguing bulge there seemed to grow larger as she stared.
A loud rap interrupted his movements.
“Go away,” he shouted.
“King! It’s your father. He says he won’t leave until you speak with him. He says it’s urgent.”
Simon swore violently. “I beg your pardon,” he offered.
Emma blinked rapidly to contain the sudden well of tears over her disappointment at the interruption. Slowly, reality returned. It must be important if his father has paid a call.
“You should go discover what is so urgent,” she mumbled, looking away from him.
“Stay here,” he urged her and then kissed her softly. “This won’t take long.”
SIMON CLOSED THE FALLS of his trousers and then pulled his shirt over his head. Seeing the look of disappointment in her blue eyes all but killed him. He’d be damned if Albert Kingsley would take more than a minute of his time.
Slamming the door to his private rooms behind him, he found Riley standing in the corridor with a scowl lining his face as he noticed the state of Simon’s clothing. The look of derision on Riley’s face confused Simon. It was hardly the first time his second in command had caught him with a woman in his bed.
“Sorry, King, he