Page 41 of The Captain Claims His Temptress

The woman may not paint or sing. However, she was skilled in the art of flirtation.

They halted on the front steps of the chapel and waited for Lady Saxton to catch up to them. Thereupon, the three of them studied the colorful scenes depicted in the glass above the stone entrance.

“It was built in the 13th century,” Lady Saxton said.

“Inspiring awe for six centuries,” Stephen added.

“Let us go inside.” Madalene grasped Steven with one hand and her aunt with the other, tugging them into the building.

Their footsteps echoed as they ambled to the center of the Gothic chamber. At least twelve stained glass windows depicting scenes from the Old Testament framed the room. A few worshipers sat in the mahogany pews. An octagonal pulpit carved from marble and embellished with gold stood front and center.

“This is beautiful, but the chapel you must see is on the second floor.” Lady Saxton pointed. “The stairwell is back there.”

Stephen extended his arm, inviting the women to walk in front of him.

Lady Saxton waved him off and sat on one of the benches. “I am quite tired from our walk. I shall wait here.”

Alone with Madalene? Sir Saxton would forbid it. Lady Saxton played a dangerous game with Stephen’s life and her niece’s reputation. Although, surely, they would not be entirely alone on the second floor since people milled about the first.

He followed the siren. God strike him dead, but the temptation was too great, and the fantasy struck like lightning. Madalene Spencer’s naked hips swayed. Her bitable round buttocks taunted.

Before starting up the stairs, she looked over her shoulder and smiled. Damn his unruly cock.

The stairwell was tight and steep, making her delicious arse eye level as they climbed. He fisted his shaking hands to keep from grabbing and squeezing that perfectderrièreswishing beneath her skirts.

A short hallway off the stairwell led to the chapel, where the vaulted ceiling opened up into a brilliant display of color. Above them, the pointed arches created intricate patterns and cast exquisite shadows. A night sky of deep blue and twinkling gold stars had been painted on the plafond.

With her skirts rustling and her hips swinging, Madalene glided to the round rose window, which was twice her height. Using her index finger, she traced the intricate geometric patterns. Her finger swirled, stopped, backtracked, then moved on. She slowed down, circled, and drew figure eights.

Stephen moaned. Would she exhibit the same care when exploring a lover?

She faced him. Silhouetted by a halo of light shining through the colorful glass, his seductress had become an angel.

Since they were alone on the second floor, Stephen moved indecently close to her.

Bathed in blue, purple, and green rays, she met his gaze. “I am sorry I have been so forward with you.”

If only she knew how much he wanted her.

She fluttered her lashes. “I find I lose myself in your presence.”

He was a jumble around her, but as much as he ached, he could not kiss her in a house of worship while their chaperone awaited their return.

Her gaze slid to his lips and her breath hitched.

Dash it all. If God didn’t want him to touch her, he shouldn’t have made her so beautiful. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. Her soft curves molded to his hard lines. He brushed a thumb over her lips.

She whimpered.

Savoring her scent and taste, he trailed lingering kisses over her neck and shoulders while he confessed in whispers. “Madalene, I cannot think of anything but you. You consume me. You are under my skin.”

She responded with sighs that he captured and held onto until their essence filled him. He ran the tip of his tongue over her bottom lip, then gently sucked. So delicious.

“Oh,” she moaned.

Although he wanted to devour her, he gently nibbled. Her lips parted and she invited him in. His tongue explored and stroked the inside of her mouth as she cooed sensual sounds.

His attention shifted from their entwined tongues to his cock that ached from neglect. If they did not part right then and there, he would toss her onto the ground and bury himself balls-deep. He reluctantly withdrew from their kisses.