Page 56 of His Revelation
“A Harlot’s Guide to the Forbidden and Delightful Arts.The day after we returned, I bought another ticket to York, marched myself into that dreadful auld antiquities store, and offered Brother Jimmy the price he wanted. It was still pennies compared to how badly my sister will want it.”
She was breathless as she closed the lid and took the box from his hands. “You did not have to do that, Lysander.”
“Aye, I did. I had to find a way to apologize to ye, and to show ye how much I care for ye. I love ye, Tiffany Oliphant. No’ because of yer beauty, but because of yer heart.”
“And I love you,” she whispered, leaning forward to cup his cheek. “But…there is no need to givemesuch a valuable gift. Just give it to Athena.”
“There ye go, thinking of others,” he scoffed. “The manuscript is fascinating, aye, but its worth is nothing compared to yer love and admiration, Tiffany. Please accept it. Ye must give it to Bonnie, who can sell it to Athena and buy her publishing house.”
Without turning away from where he knelt at her side, Tiffany placed the box beside her on the settee and cupped his other cheek. “You would do that for Bonnie?”
“I would do that forye.” He placed his hands on her knees, pressing forward, his hazel eyes intent as they darted between hers. “I love ye, and this was yer goal; to enable yer sister to buy her publishing house. Thus, it’s becomemygoal as well. Please let me help ye, Tiffany. Because my knees are killing me.”
He really was the most wonderful man, wasn’t he?
Tiffany pursed her lips, pretending to consider his plea, although inside her heart was racing in excitement. “And this has nothing to do with our bargain?”
“Bargain?” He rocked back and forth a little, likely to ease his knees, but his attention completely on her. “What do ye mean?”
She darted a glance at the wooden box beside her, her lips curling impishly. “You made me a bargain, remember? If you helped me reach my goal, I would grant you a kiss. Is that why you brought me the manuscript?”
He was grinning charmingly. “Did it work?”
Helping her sister had become her goal, and Lysander had made it happen. But at that moment, the dusty old manuscriptwasn’t what interested her. All she knew was he loved her as she loved him, and he was oh-so-close to her.
So with a laugh, she pulled him toward her, until he was sprawled halfway across her as they fell back against the settee. Lysander answered her with a groan, but he was smiling when his lips met hers, then his hardness settled between her thighs and a bolt of rawneedsurged through her. Her own moan was loud and unrestrained as she arched against him, her legs spread wantonly.
And his lips…? His lips were as perfect as she remembered. No, more so!
Becausethiskiss involved caresses and moans, and the way his tongue teased hers had her grinding her pelvis against him, desperate for the pressure and the release he offered. His hands skimmed everywhere, from the exposed skin of her throat—which made her shiver—to her breast behind what she was now realizing was an infuriatingly buttoned-up bodice.
Thiskiss proved what she wanted in herforever.
“Tiffany,” he growled against her skin, as his lips trailed along her jaw to the sensitive spot behind her ear, “I’ve wanted to do this since I first held ye in my arms.”
“Yes!” she gasped, arching her back and neck so he had better access. “Oh, Lysander, just like before,please!”
He chuckled, before swiping his tongue across her already-primed skin, causing her to shudder.
“Soon, love. Soon. We’re going to be together?—”
Whatever he was about to say was interrupted by the sound of a clearing throat. Breathing heavily, he stiffened and lifted his head. When he did so, Tiffany had a clear view of her sister, standing in the doorway, holding a laden tea tray. In the scurry to sit upright and straighten their clothing, Tiffany noted her sister was blushing and looking everywhere except at the embracing couple.
“I am sorry for interrupting,” Bonnie muttered, glancing over her shoulder, “but Mother has walked past the parlor door four times since I have been watching, and I had to sneak in. If I had known you were so…occupied, I would not have left— Well, I suppose you would not be sooccupiedat all, had I stayed.”
Breathlessly, Tiffany tried to set her coiffure and gown to rights, although she suspected it wasn’t much use. “ Well, I for one appreciate you leaving so we could be occupied.”
“Aye, verra occupied,” drawled Lysander, snagging her hands in his as he settled beside her, looking far too at ease for a man with what she knew was a raging erection. “And stop fussing. Ye look fine.”
Fine.
Slowly, Tiffany raised her gaze to his.Fine. Her whole life, she’d been more than fine—she’d beenbeautiful, gorgeous, stunning—but thanks to this man, she was realizing beingfinewas good enough. Because her worth wasn’t based on her appearance at all, was it?
She beamed at him.
From the way he was smiling at her, he understood her thoughts and approved of them.
“Congratulate us, Bonnie,” he called, without dropping his gaze from Tiffany’s. “Yer sister has agreed to marry me.” He dropped his voice. “Ye will, love, will ye no’? Marry me, but no’ the kind of marriage we thought we might have when we first met.” One based on beauty and charm. “Nay, I want a marriage where we’re equals, and we understand our strengths, and aye, we’re going to have to host parties and events, but we’ll do so together, each supporting the other. And we’ll use our influence to help those around us who need it.”
