Page 10 of A Reckless Wager
“Yes. But we should not stay out long. The hunt starts at ten in the morning.”
“Yes.” He stopped, and she stopped. They looked into each other’s eyes. Hers were guarded. His eyes probably frightened her with the desire they must reflect. Desire overwhelmed him, a need so intense it startled him. He reached for her gloved hand and tugged her toward him. The sound she made had him smile and relax…some.
His free hand traveled up her back, across her shoulder, and cupped her cheek. All the while, he believed she held her breath. He smiled wider, thankful that he affected her and the attraction wasn’t one-sided. Not that he had thought it was. But he’d been unsure and insecure since Amberville entered the picture.
“Do you have feelings for Amberville?” Bloody hell, he didn’t mean to blurt that out.
She stiffened and averted his eyes. “Yes.”
His insides sank. His stomach recoiled.
Her eyes met his again. “Not in the way you mean. He’s like a second father to me. My father would prefer me to feel differently. He’d like me to marry him.”
Instant relief. His hand caressed her cheek, his thumb traveling across her bottom lip. “You do not wish to marry him?
“I believe I made that clear.”
He lowered his head and gently placed his lips on hers, and suddenly his world righted. He finally knew where he belonged. To whom he belonged. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her close to him, and he moaned and reveled in her softness against his body. He slipped his tongue inside her mouth and sampled her. She tasted of excitement and comfort. Her arms came around his neck, pushing her breasts against his chest. Someone moaned. It didn’t matter who. He was lost.
He deepened the kiss. He needed all of her. The noises she made had his blood boiling and his cock turning to iron. He pushed his hips into hers, wishing their clothing would disappear. “I want you.”
“Want you,” she whispered back.
Against the spinning of his emotions, he pulled back and kissed her lips one last time. He didn’t let her go completely, just loosened his hold. He had to. Otherwise, he’d take her right here in her father’s garden. And that was something he would hate himself for. She deserved better.
He rested his forehead against hers as they both gasped for breath.
“Thank you,” he murmured.
“For what,” she whispered back.
“For my early winnings.”
“Winnings?” she gasped, and stepped out from his arms, making him regret his choice of words.
“That kiss had nothing to do with winning the hunt. I believe a revised wager is in order.”
He grinned. “Oh, you do, do you?”
She did not look pleased with him. “Yes. If you win the bet, which you will not, I will kiss you.”
“But…”
“Do not interrupt. If I win the bet, you must dance one waltz with me at each function we are both attending until the Westfield Ball.”
Did she think that was a hardship? “Deal.”
She glanced over her shoulder and said, “Rest up for the hunt tomorrow. You will need it.”
Georgiana couldn’t sleep. She kept reliving the kiss with Blackstone and how his arms felt heavy, in a good way, wrapped around her. The way her body molded to his, as though they belonged together. The surprising softness of his lips and how they made hers tingle. She’d heard people used tongues to kiss and thought it sounded odd. It was not. It was…heavenly. She needed sleep if she planned to be at her best tomorrow. Not that she cared either way, whether she won or lost. In her way of thinking, she won regardless. A kiss or many waltzes. A girl should be so lucky.
“Morning, milady.” Georgiana’s maid entered the room and opened the drapes, letting in bright sunshine.
She moaned. “It can’t be morning already?”
“Yes, it is. I brought you a tray. No need for you to be with all those men bragging about the hunt and who will win.” She laughed. “We both know you and the duke will.”
As she nibbled the food on her tray, not tasting anything, she thought she might not win today. Her father was an excellent grouse hunter. And for some reason, she woke up this morning not caring about the hunt. Blackstone was having a strange effect on her thoughts and body, which was presently warm. She would probably beg off if they weren’t paired up. She couldn’t abandon the duke.
