A Little Bit Scandalous Page 0,47

she was also quite generous with her body, taking no fewer than six lovers since the man had died two years before.

This had been a waste of time. Roe came to his feet. “Thank you for your help.”

“Leaving so soon?” She walked over to him, ran her palms up his torso, then dipped a finger into the crook behind his cravat. “Roe, love, stay with me. Let’s have one more time together. I’ll remind you how delicious it is between us.” With one swift movement, she pulled the ribbon and her dressing gown gaped open, then slid off her shoulders. She wore nothing underneath. Her voluptuous curves were tempting. She was a beautiful woman, but he didn’t want her. He found his tastes ran a bit differently these days.

He grabbed her by the wrist when she made a move to unfasten his trousers. “Belinda, we are not having another affair. I told you, I am done.”

She sucked in her breath. “I see.” Her voice was tight and brittle.

“I came here to make those inquiries. I apologize if I caused you any distress.” And with that he strolled away.

Additional funds had been required from the board members more than once since Mr. Lamb had taken position as the director. He needed to speak with Mr. Simpson about how much of Roe’s money had been sent to the orphanage because of his mother’s board position. Mr. Lamb had asked for even more money at the meeting the other day. Perhaps it was time to pay a visit to the orphanage and see where all the money was actually going.

Chapter Ten

Caroline knew the minute Roe walked in the door that he had been with Belinda. His hair was tousled, for heaven’s sake, and she was fairly certain he had lip stain on his jaw.

“I thought you went over there to inquire about Mr. Lamb,” Caroline said before she’d thought better of it.

He stopped mid-stride and eyed her. “And you believe I went there for another purpose?”

“It’s quite evident you did.” She was annoyed, though she knew she had no reason to be. He in no way belonged to her.

Slowly he stalked towards her. “What do you think I’ve been doing?”

She swallowed and looked up at him, looked into his warm mossy-green eyes. “Your affairs are no concern of mine.”

“Your blush says otherwise, as does your breathing.”

He stepped even closer to her, so close she could breathe in the scent of him. Oh, how she could get lost in the masculine form, his broad shoulders, his height, the strength of his legs. Good heavens, she was becoming a poet and not a very good one.

He ran the back of his hand down her cheek and she closed her eyes.

“Caroline, I told you Belinda was my lover at one time, but is no more. I have no desire to enter into such an arrangement with her any time in the future.”

She opened her eyes and was so struck by his earnest expression that she did the unthinkable and kissed him.

His soft lips responded immediately as she leaned into his body. She kissed him as passionately as she could, pouring her desire into that one moment. He deepened the kiss and she thrust her fingers into his hair. It was surprisingly soft, considering how short he kept it.

His warm hands cupped her bare arms, gripping her tightly as he swept his tongue against her own. Coils of pleasure sprang from her abdomen and wound up around her body to tease and tingle her breasts.

As their tongues molded to one another, desire surged through her body, peaking her nipples. She was quickly losing control of the situation and herself. Kissing him had been foolish. You’ll get hurt, a voice inside reminded her. But she’d lived this long wanting Roe and it hadn’t destroyed her, she could continue to do so. It was not as if he loved her, as if he ever would love her. That would hurt. Still, she wished her desire for him would disappear.

It didn’t matter that she didn’t want to want him; her body did not want to listen, did not want to stay away. No, her body wanted to wrap her legs around him and have him make love to her right up against the wall of his study.

His lips trailed to her ear, then down her throat. He cupped her breast, and she arched into him.

Yes. She wanted this. She wanted him.

And then his lips were back on hers, hot and