must be more careful.” She glanced over his shoulder to the doorway. “Someone could come in and catch you saying something like that to me and we’ll end up married. If you’ll excuse me, I really must get dressed for the evening or I won’t be ready when my chaperones arrive.”
“Not so fast, dear Millicent.” He pulled her into his arms and cupped her close to him, bringing their faces close together. “Most business partnerships are sealed with a handshake, but I would rather we seal ours with a kiss.”
Millicent opened her mouth to protest, but what little sound she attempted was hushed by warm lips moving slowly to cover hers. Her mind told her to protest vehemently, and with her mind she did.
He is a rake.
He’s not to be trusted.
But he makes me feel so wonderful.
Within seconds her body relaxed into the warmth of his arms without effort. She thought only of the way he made her feel: wonderful, desired.
He increased the pressure of the kiss, and as if she’d always known what to do, Millicent opened her mouth and accepted his tongue with eagerness. She gave him her own, and he answered with a soft groan of pleasure. She slipped her hands around his neck, allowing his arms to tighten around her and pull her closer to his chest.
His hands slid down her back to her waist. He rested his palms on the soft flare of her hips for a moment before sliding them upward until he cupped her breasts, one in each hand.
At his warm touch Millicent’s legs weakened and she pressed closer to him, needing his strength to withstand his sensual assault. She didn’t know why her breasts were so sensitive to his slightest touch or why she felt such an eagerness to explore all these new and wonderful sensations with him.
His warm, soft lips left hers and he kissed her cheeks, her neck, behind her ear. Everywhere his lips touched her she tingled with awareness.
“I can’t understand why your kisses make my legs feel weak and my insides feel like they are fluttering.”
He raised his head and looked down at her and smiled. “That means you are extremely attracted to me.”
“Does it?”
He nodded.
“But how can that be when I think you are a rake and not to be trusted?”
“Perhaps that is some of the allure.”
She remembered what happened to her mother. Is this how her mother had felt?
Millicent shook her head. “No. I fear it is deeper than that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing. I shouldn’t be in your arms. God forbid Glenda or Mrs. Brown should walk in here and see me kissing you.”
He gave her a reassuring smile and held her tighter. “No one will see us. I’ve told you that I have had years of practice avoiding chaperones and maids. They usually make a shuffling sound with their feet or some other noise to alert their charge that they are coming. They really don’t want to catch us in a compromising position, you know.”
“Chandler, do I make your legs feel weak and your stomach fluttery?”
He laughed softly, seductively, but his gaze never left hers. It was as if he wanted her to see inside him and know that he spoke the truth. “Yes, and it means I’m very, extremely attracted to you.”
“But I am not a rake. So where is the allure for you?”
“Not a rake, but you are a seducer.”
“And that makes me attractive?”
“It must because I desire you more than any other lady I have ever wanted. Every movement you make, every word you say makes me want to take you into my arms and kiss you like this.”
He dipped his head again and captured her lips with his. Gone was the kiss of his lips moving gently over hers. This was a wild kiss that plundered her mouth, bruised her lips and filled her with hunger and passion for more and more. She didn’t understand the feelings he created inside her, but she didn’t have to understand them to enjoy them.
At the farthest reaches of her mind, Millicent heard a noise—tea cups rattling on a tray. Chandler must have heard it too because he immediately let her go and stepped away.
He swallowed hard. “Your maid, I’m sure, bringing in the tea.”
Millicent gasped.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her and give you a moment to catch your breath.”
He strode to the doorway and blocked it by standing in the middle with one arm braced against the doorjamb. “I’m sorry I can’t stay