A Little Bit Scandalous Page 0,48

hard against her own, and when his tongue invaded her mouth, she gasped. He took with this kiss, demanded, and her body reacted all on its own as if this was the moment they were supposed to be in. That was the last coherent thought in Caroline’s mind as Roe took over the seduction. She vaguely noticed he had picked her up and set her down on his desk. But he continued to kiss her, his hard body melding against hers, and she simply wasn’t aware of anything else but his mouth and his touch.

Desire, hot and slick, skimmed through her body, and she instinctively opened her legs. He moved himself between them, though her skirts blocked her from feeling him press against her.

His hand moved up to cup her breast, and she involuntarily cried out. Her whole body felt alive and full of delightful sensations. Roe pulled her to him and kissed her again, this time slower and with more tenderness. His hand stroked her cheek and desire soared through her body. She might never know what it was like for a man to love her, for Roe to love her, so she reveled in every touch, every breath, every kiss. But she knew eventually he’d remember who she was and he’d step away. And she’d once again see that look on his face, the one that told her she wasn’t good enough. If Belinda were the sort of woman he normally seduced, then Caroline knew why Roe had not been attracted to her. Standing next to Belinda, Caroline was overly tall, too thin, and not nearly curvaceous enough.

“You are beautiful,” he whispered against her hair.

Her breath caught and she closed her eyes, willing the moment to last forever. She’d been told that she was pretty before, but Roe had never once commented on her appearance. As far as she had known, he had scarcely noticed she was a woman. For a moment she believed him, then remembered what would happen if she stood there long enough. She would give herself to him completely and then where would she be? Heartbroken and alone. No, she needed to keep control of herself. She needed to be whole so she could care for the girls who would rely on her.

She took a deep breath, then pulled herself away from him. “I nearly forgot that I have an appointment, if you’ll excuse me.” She stepped out of his study as quickly as she could.

…

Damnation, he hadn’t expected Caroline to kiss him, but kiss him she had. He thought that he’d put an end to her desire for him when he’d told her the truth about Christopher. Evidently not, though clearly she had come to her senses at the end when she’d scurried away. He’d had to find something to occupy his mind else he’d do nothing but relive the feel of Caroline’s lips on his. So for the last few hours he’d sat in his study going over the new notes his solicitor had given him.

Roe still felt heavy with desire for her. He risked so much by allowing himself to lose control with her. He couldn’t afford to dally with her; she was an innocent. And to do to Caroline what he’d done to Penelope… that would be unforgivable. Caroline had no other man waiting for her to sooth her pain when Roe broke her heart.

Perhaps he should take Belinda up on her offer, sleep with her one more time to slake himself. It wouldn’t solve the problem, though, and he knew that. Attempting to sate his desire for one woman by plowing himself into another wouldn’t extinguish that flame.

Grimm stepped into the room.

“Your Grace, there is a Mr. Bishop here to speak with you. He says he is from America.”

It was on Roe’s tongue to tell his butler he didn’t know any Americans, but then he remembered the man Caroline had attended the opera with was an American. Roe waved his hand to let Grimm know to bring the man in.

In he came with his striped trousers and colored shirt, looking very much the dandy. “Now how is it that I’m supposed to address you?” the man asked.

“Formality would dictate you call me Your Grace, but there is no need for that here. You may call me Roe.” Roe pointed to the chair opposite his desk. He also moved the notes he’d been reading out of the way. “Now then, Mr. Bishop, what is it that I can do for