Chapter Four
Drew prowled down the hall, energy flowing through his veins. When had a woman ever felt so good in his arms? Was it just because she was so resistant? Well not entirely. He’d felt the way her fingers had curled into him at the brush of his lips. She was the exact right amount of resistance and yielding. The perfect balance of temptation and virtue. Damnation. When had he ever found any virtue to be tempting?
But somehow it was. It had never occurred to him before that a woman who saved all her affection for just one man would make him feel special. Of course his parents were a love match, but he’d always assumed no one but his mother would tolerate his father.
The thought of Danielle blooming in his arms for him alone? His already raging desire for her flared into an inferno.
His entire body stiffened. He’d gone to her room to attempt a cure, not further the disease! He scrubbed his face as he walked. What the bloody hell was wrong with him?
He turned a corner and headed toward his room. After opening the door, he rang the bell for his manservant as he stalked to the wardrobe. Until he’d kissed her, and gotten this whole silly business out of his system, he’d be damned if either of the other two jackals would get any alone time with his sweet little temptress. Because right now, she belonged to him.
He shrugged off his shirt and tossed it on a chair. His first plan had failed. The beginning had gone smoothly enough. He’d gone to her room and knocked as if he were the help. She’d called him in without a glance. But while Dani was quiet and accommodating, when it came to him at least, she wasn’t a pushover. She’d resisted his attempts at stealing a kiss with a series of swift yet decisive moves that would have made his army-trained brother proud.
He enjoyed the strong and capable side of her, though he had to confess he equally enjoyed her soft demure side that she revealed to the rest of the world. He ran his hands through his hair. Bullocks, this was getting complicated. He needed to collect that kiss and be done with this entire affair.
Dressing for dinner, he headed down the stairs well before the appointed time. First, he didn’t want to risk Keene or Marks beating him down and getting time alone with Dani. Second, he needed a new plan, one with a bit more finesse.
As he started down the stairs, he stopped to watch the servants as they decorated for the holiday. Bows strung on the door opening and on the banister of the grand stair. A Christmas tree was being erected in the foyer, and in the doorway, two maids hung mistletoe. A slow smile curved his lips and then he winced as the cut on his lip stretched uncomfortably, What a wickedly wonderful plan.
* * *
Danielle sat next to Lord Marks, admittedly having a good time as they waited for the staff to serve dinner. He was handsome and charming as he asked her several questions about herself and her life.
“What is your favorite hobby?” he asked, gently brushing her gloved hands with the tips of his fingers.
The touch was pleasant enough, but… her breath didn’t catch and her pulse certainly didn’t jump. How curious.
“I suppose needlepoint.” His fingers stilled at her words. Did he disapprove? Did she care?
“An excellent skill.” He smiled, resuming his subtle touch.
“Where do you reside most of the year?” she asked, subtly pulling her hand away. First, she didn’t want others to notice the gesture. While Lord Maddox had yet to join them with his brooding stare, Mr. Keene was in the room discussing the war effort with Harry while Sophie dutifully stood next to her husband, her eyes a bit glazed.
His face lightened as he straightened. “London. The country is all well and good, but it can’t compete with the action and adventure of the city.”
Danielle nodded but she couldn’t agree less. She liked the quiet of the country and dreaded trips to London.
Bar and Emily entered the room and spared her from answering. She stood and began crossing the room to greet her host and hostess when, just behind them, Drew walked through the door.
She stopped walking, the energy completely changing around her. She’d been relaxed before but as he met her gaze, she stiffened, filled with tension. She’d like to smack him for what he’d done earlier. Truth be told, a tiny part of her wished that she’d allowed him to kiss her.
She nearly sighed at herself. What a silly thought. He was a rogue who had no wish to marry and here she had the opportunity to get to know two men, both of whom were interested in providing a real life for her.
Starting again, she crossed the room, dutifully ignoring Drew.
Not that it did much. His eyes followed her, his attention singularly on her person, causing her insides to flutter and flop. How could she concentrate like this?
Turning about, she smiled at Mr. Keene who stood with Sophie and Harry. “Mr. Keene. Do tell me about your business.”
He gave her a slight bow. “I ship goods from the Orient to England.” He straightened, his chest puffing out.
“How exciting.” She gave him a smile. “So you have a fleet of ships?”
“I do, though I’m down a boat thanks to pirates or the French. I’m not entirely sure which yet.” The frown that always set upon his lips deepened. “I’ve yet to read all the reports with all of the travel for the holiday.”
Danielle inwardly winced, covering her stomach with her hand. Did he blame her for his loss of work time? “How dreadful,” she answered, unsure of what else to say.
He gave a stiff nod. “It’s an expected loss but painful nevertheless.”
Sophie cleared her throat. “That is too bad. You must have a different feeling about the ocean than we do. Miss Frazier’s home looks out over the bluffs, giving some stunning views. But perhaps you would enjoy that less than we might?”
“Not at all.” He shook his head. “Your village isn’t far from the Dover harbor. Quite convenient.”
Danielle pressed her lips together. Mr. Keene thought of little else besides his business. Admirable enough, as long as a woman didn’t mind playing second fiddle to ships all the time. “I hadn’t thought of it like that.”
A throat cleared behind her. She recognized the deep timber of Drew’s voice from the single sound without turning back. Her brow drew together. When had she grown that aware of him? “Mr. Keene, do you have any ships in the harbor now? Perhaps we could take a sail along the cliffs?”
“This time of year?” Mr. Keene spluttered. “We’d freeze.”
“So romantic,” Drew murmured, now just behind her.
She pressed her lips together to keep from giggling or sighing, she wasn’t sure which but either way, she would not encourage him. Why did that man insist on encroaching into her space at every gathering? She stiffened away and then shifted toward Sophie. She neither replied nor looked back, pretending she hadn’t heard.
Then she felt a hand brush her waist. Drat the man. He was too bold and far too comfortable touching her. Worse, she couldn’t make him stop without drawing attention to what he was doing and he knew it.
His touch made her tighten, heat causing her skin to heat. Freeze? She was in danger of burning. “I don’t know, Mr. Keene. A sail sounds lovely. Boats are very romantic.”
His face puckered as though he’d smelled something fowl. “They are death traps of discomfort.”
Sophie covered her mouth, and Danielle knew she was hiding a giggle. Danielle had to press her lips together, Sophie only made the situation worse.
“Good god,” Drew whispered behind her.
“Is there anything you like to do for fun?” she managed to ask Mr. Keene without laughing or frowning.
His brow dropping so low over his eyes, they could barely be seen. “Fun?”
Danielle swallowed a lump as Drew’s hand brushed at her back again. As if this conversation weren’t difficult enough.
“Do you like the theater? Or dances?” she asked. “I prefer quiet nights in myself, but…”
His brow lifted. “As do I.”
“He’ll be reading repo
rts, guaranteed,” Drew said under his breath.
“What was that, Lord Maddox?” she asked shifting away and drawing him into the conversation. He’d been distracting her for too long. “Do you also enjoy quiet evenings in?”
Their eyes met and Danielle realized her mistake. Looking at him distracted her more than feeling him behind her.
He lifted an eyebrow. “As a matter of fact, I do. A great deal actually. There is nothing better than spending a cold English evening tucked in front of the fire with a good glass of wine and even better company.” His eyes slowly traveled down the length of her body.
Her breath stopped for a moment. He spoke about feminine company, of course. Her statement had been one of innocence, but his? Anything but. She should be outraged but she warmed at the illicit thoughts flitting through her mind. “I quite agree. I find nothing more soothing than sitting by the fire as I work on needlepoint.”
Lord Marks joined the conversation. “A woman like yourself should be out dancing.”
How strange. That of the men here, the rogue shared her vision of a perfect evening. She near let out a sigh. She might be able to enjoy Lord Marks’ company if Drew weren’t here. But he was.
“If you would excuse me for a moment,” she murmured. She needed to escape and compose herself. Drew filled her thoughts in a most irritating way and she had to figure out how to remove the man from her brain.
“Where are you going?” Mr. Keene stepped toward her, his sharp eyes taking in every detail.
She swallowed. She didn’t like being the center of attention in this fashion and she certainly didn’t enjoy telling falsehoods. “I just need a brief repose,” she murmured, spinning about and heading for the door.
Chapter Five
Drew watched Danielle flee, anticipation filling him. How perfect.
He silently thanked his competition for their aid. Dani didn’t like disagreeing with people, except with him, of course. Rather than argue with either of their assertions, she’d chosen to simply leave. Which was exactly what he’d hoped for.
He watched her as she exited the sitting room and moved into the main hall. He waited for a moment, and then left through the other door. He didn’t want to arouse suspicion, nor did he wish to follow her directly.
Anticipation made his fingers curl. There were advantages to being in his own home, he knew exactly how to head her off in precisely the right spot.
Moving through two more rooms, he came out near where the main hall met the entry. He heard the soft patter of her slippers coming down the hall and smiled to himself. Excellent.
Drew stayed in the doorway out of sight. He’d allow her to pass then come up behind her. At the very top of the stairs hung a large bundle of mistletoe. Its merry green and red accents difficult to miss.
She passed by him and he watched from just inside the door as she went, anticipation making every muscle taut. She’d proven a challenge, which made her all the more interesting. Then doubt filled him. He scrunched his brow trying to decide why. He supposed a kiss might not cure what ailed him. Privately, she could be far more spicy than he’d ever imagined.
But also, the look on her face as she’d passed had been one of worry. And that made him ache on her behalf. He didn’t want to add to her anxiety.
Then again, he had the perfect opportunity and if he didn’t go now, he’d miss it.
Squaring his shoulders, he pushed out of the door and came up just behind her in the hall. “Dani,” he let that name roll off his tongue, finding that he liked the way the word felt in his mouth. She turned toward him, surprise making her lips part just the right amount. If he kissed her now, his tongue might brush on the inside of her lip.
“Lord Maddox,” she said, her chest filling with air, pushing her bosom higher.
Desire settled in his loins. “I think at this moment, you can call me Drew.” He began moving toward her. He’d need to act swiftly before she caught onto his game.
“I think I’d better not.” She placed her hands on her hips as she faced him more fully. “Your ability to behave inappropriately is unsurpassed.”
“Tell me more.” He chuckled and stopped just in front of her. Her chin tilted up to look at him as her spine straightened and color flushed her cheeks. “Do I infuriate you? Do I need a good tongue-lashing?”
“Yes and yes,” she said, her breath coming out in short little gasps, which did wonderful things to her cleavage.
She had just the right amount, not so much a man might get lost, but enough to spark his imagination. “You stir a similar feeling in me, but fear not. I’ve come up with a solution.” He nearly groaned in satisfaction as her look of irritation softened into curiosity. Her lips parted again as her head cocked. It was the exact correct angle for him to lean down and take her mouth. “We should share a single kiss. Work this whole thing out of our system. Prove we’re not actually suited to one another.”
Her brows drew together, and her tongue came out to give her top lip a tiny lick. Looking down at her, he realized the flaw in his logic. No matter how inexperienced, her lush lips wouldn’t disappoint. The flutter of her heart and her breasts against his chest, the touch of her delicate mouth, her scent—like flowers and sea—would only make him hungry for more. But he also couldn’t stop. Not now. Not when he was so close.
“Prove we’re not suited?” Her chin notched to the side as she considered his proposal. “You think that would actually work?”
“Oh yes.” He stepped closer, his body nearly touching hers, their heat passing back and forth. “What’s more, we’re standing under the mistletoe. It’s practically required that we kiss.”
She drew in a sharp breath and her chest brushed his ribs. Unable to stand another second, he reached for her waist and drew her against his body. The contact made every muscle in his body harden. Damn, she felt so good he could hardly stand the feel.
“I don’t know,” she whispered and then swallowed. The slim column of her neck working. “I’ve never…”
Those words were supposed to kill his desire. They had the opposite effect. When she kissed him, she would be all his. He’d forgotten everything else. His desire to remain single, his father, the nagging problem of an unwanted American heiress. All he could see and think about was Dani. “That’s all right, love.” He lowered his head so that their noses were almost touching. “I’ll take care of you.”
* * *
She should not be allowing this. Kissing Drew, a rakish rogue, was foolish and reckless. Yet, his body pressed against hers didn’t feel wrong. In fact, the sensation of him holding her was…strong and warm, like an anchor in a world where she often seemed adrift.
And his words…why did they make so much sense? Or was that wishful thinking on her part? Justifying her next actions. “I…” She started but didn’t finish. He breathed out and she drew in his breath, flavored with spirits. The smell intoxicated her, and she gripped his biceps to keep herself straight.
And then he did it. He kissed her. Just a gentle brush of his lips sliding against hers. Such a small touch but the entire world shifted as desire pulsed down her body, settling between her legs. Her very bones melted as she pressed deeper into him, every part of her front touching his. She tilted her head until she was completely exposed to him and yet still so safe in his arms.
He made a noise, deep in his throat, so low that she might not have heard it except that she felt the rumble through her own chest. A primal sound that amplified all the need inside. “Drew,” she begged, unclear what she asked for.
He seemed to know because he brushed her lips with own again and then again pressing them deeper each time until they were both panting for breath.
When his tongue slid against her bottom lip, she let out a moan. The touch was so deliciously wicked, so much better than she ever imagined, she opened her mouth a little wider to give him better access.
He groaned in response, sliding his hand from her waist, down over her bottom. He cupped her derrier
e and pressed their hips closer together as his tongue slid deeper into her mouth.
Both touches sent shivers of pleasure racing down her spine. As she shifted her hips even closer, the hard edge of something within his pants brushed her belly. She’d felt it already, of course, but moving made its shape and size even more pronounced. “Drew?”
The name had come out as a sigh as their breath continued to mingle. “Yes, love?”
“Do you feel cured?” she asked, withdrawing back a bit. “You know more about these matters than I do but I’m not sure…” She had a vague knowledge of how the act between a man and a woman worked and she was fairly certain that what she was feeling was the opposite of what he’d intended. Similarly, her own body only ached that much more for him.
His dark, hungry eyes stared down at her as his mouth pulled into a taut line. “You are not to allow either Keene or Marks to touch you. And you are especially not to allow either of them to kiss you, is that clear?”
She was about to nod that she did in fact understand, when her brow furrowed and then she pulled back. She forgot her bones had melted and as she tried to jerk from his arms, she stumbled to the side, but his hands shot out and steadied her. Huffing a breath, she tried to ignore how strong and comforting they were against her waist. “What does that have to do with anything?” She moved from his grasp again, more slowly this time. Her hands shook but she made a show of shaking out her skirts to hide them. “In fact, that kiss was supposed to make me not want you anymore so that I might be free to pursue marriage-minded men exactly like Keene or Marks.”
His face darkened even more, and he stepped toward her once again, the warmth of his body making her breath catch. “You want me?”
“Don’t be an idiot,” she stomped her foot as her gaze snapped back to his. “I wouldn’t have let you kiss me if I didn’t.”
“Is everything all right?” A deep voice called out from behind Drew. “You’ve both been gone for more than a few minutes.”
A Lady’s Christmas Rake Page 3
