Page 31 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

Frigging bollocks. He needed to work on his confession. But for now, he would savor Katrina Harrington’s touch, incinerating his skin through layers of clothes. The irony. He’d tupped too many lasses to count, and the most erotic moment of his life was a tap to his ankle by a fully clothed woman.

Smelling of sweat and sex, Elizabeth bounced into their box, strands of hair tumbling from her coiffure. “I am sorry I took so long. I ran into an old friend, and we lost track of time chatting.”

’Twas as if his lungs were ripped from his body as Evan relinquished his chair to Elizabeth. The scent of her libidinous encounter was too much to bear with his senses already heightened.

“Excuse me,” Evan said around his ragged breaths. “I require fresh air.” Once steady, he strutted through the curtain and down the hall. He smiled and waved at everyone he passed. It wasn’t until he was outside the theater and away from prying eyes that he let go of his emotions.

“Bloody hell,” he growled as he kicked at an innocent clump of grass. Thereupon, he stomped about, grumbling under his breath until the audience poured out the exit.

Chapter thirteen

July 1st, 1818, After midnight

Kat propped her back against the headboard and tiltedNorthanger Abbeytoward the candlelight. After reading the same sentence three times, she closed the book and sighed.

My stars. What a night it had been. Alexander had been the picture of gentlemanly decorum, and she knew with all her heart that he would soon propose. The show had been akin to a magical dream, and Evan Eaton… Oh, Evan Eaton. He’d pressed his hip against her, and she’d lost all rational thought as she’d absorbed his masculine warmth. She’d even flirted back. Touching him with her foot had been wonderfully decadent.And indecent.

Truly, there must be something terribly wrong with her. Since she’d arrived at Brighton, her luck had turned to ash, and her list of indiscretions had piled so high, she’d never dig herself out from under them. She’d flitted about unlit gardens, splashed in the ocean like a fish, spied on a naked man at the beach, and practically fondled said man’s ankle with her slippered toes. And in public! She’d even barged into his chamber. And all of that seemed minor compared to kissing him when she thought him a masked stranger.

This was more than just the salt air. Dash Evan to hell for being so blasted handsome, devilishly alluring, and making her wish for untoward things.

But touching him, inhaling his scent, accidentally staring at those muscular thighs seated beside her just hours earlier…

How could she continue to ignore the way he made her feel? She had no idea what to do with all of her tingling body parts. Shame washed over her, and she whimpered.

Why could she not be more like her cousin? Beth had disappeared from their box for half the show—no doubt with a man. And she didn’t appear apprehensive or guilty in the least. Instead, her countenance had glowed, and she’d pranced about all evening like a proud peacock.

Kat craved Evan’s touch. If only he’d lavish her breasts with his mind-numbing kisses. What if he then trailed his strong fingers along the curve of her torso, to her hip, finally fondling that aching area between her thighs?

Dare she see if her own touch alleviated the overwhelming throbbing? If so, she must hurry, for Beth would return from her nightly ablutions any moment.

The book fell to the floor as Kat dropped her head onto her pillow. Closing her eyes, she reached for the hem of her nightdress and slid the garment up her body. She gentlydanced her fingers over a breast, and her nipple tightened. She pinched the bud between her fingers. Just as she squealed with delight, Beth opened the chamber door.

Kat ripped her hand from beneath her nightdress, sat tall, and feigned innocence. “You startled me, and I dropped my book.” She inclined her chin toward the discarded volume on the floor.

Her theatrical performance worked, for Beth seemed oblivious to her secret touches. She skittered across the room and climbed into bed beside Kat, prattling on and on about what a “charming evening” it had been.

Still quite shaky from her indecent self-exploration, Kat almost knocked over the candle on her nightstand. She steadied her nerves, blew out the flame, and settled in for the night.

“I hope you will forgive me for leaving you alone with two men.” Since Beth hadn’t extinguished the candle on her nightstand, it cast flickering shadows on her as she pulled the counterpane up to her chin and faced Kat. “It would be exceedingly fun to sit between two men at the theater. I always find two men to be wickedly fun. You should try it.” Placing her nose inches from Kat’s, she giggled.

But Kat only wanted one man, and it was not the one she was courting. There was no point in being untruthful with herself one second longer. She did not have romantic inclinations toward Alexander. Yes, she adored him, and the entire night, she’d tried to imagine kissing him. But it left her feeling like she was courting a cousin. That notion held very little appeal and unsettled her stomach.

Kat lifted her head to fight with her pillow. Once it was fluffed, she dropped her head onto it and huffed.

“Are you fretting again?” Beth asked.

Of course, she wasfretting again. How could she not be? However, she was tired of being a daft cow. “You were so brave sea bathing today. I wish I could be more like you.”

Beth beamed as if presented with a tray of sweetmeats. Or a chamber full of handsome men. “You proved quite brave in the end. You splashed about like a mermaid.”

Kat had certainly felt like a mermaid—an ecstatic mermaid with blood coursing through her tail-like legs.

Before she lost her nerve, Kat needed to ask. She opened her mouth, then clamped her lips closed. But she had to know. “Is making love to a man as wonderful as they say?” she asked so quickly her words ran together.

“Oh yes,” Beth said. “There is nothing quite like it. You leave your body behind as you soar.”

Whatever in the dickens that meant, it did sound pleasant. Kat bit her lip.