Page 6 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

“Shall we remove our masks?” he asked, his lips twisting into a crooked grin.

“Absolutely not. I must go.” She meant to pull from his embrace. She truly did, but the second his lips touched the corner of her mouth, she moaned.

He smiled against her skin. It was as if he knew his touch was awakening lustful sensations. He trailed gentle kisses along her jaw before returning to her mouth. His tongue gently nudged between her parted lips and tapped, then circled hers.

Tilting her head back and cupping his cheeks in her hands, she encouraged him to swirl and explore.

He tasted of mint. And decadence. And desire.

His slow, sensual kisses trailed to her ear, where he gently nibbled. Her legs grew weak, and she trembled.

“Princess,” he whispered in her ear.

Did he think her a princess, or was it a term of endearment? Not that it mattered.

“Yes,” she panted.

He placed an open mouth kiss on her neck, then blew. Kat gasped as a pleasurable shiver sent her body reeling. His firm grip steadied and grounded her.

“Katrina! How could you?” someone behind her bellowed.

She pulled from the man’s embrace and stepped back.

Beth stared at them, her eyes wide, her chin practically at her ankles.

Kat’s heart crashed. This was the absolute worst moment of her life. “I am so sorry, Beth.”

“Huh?” the mystery man mumbled as he scraped his fingers through his hair.

Beth stomped to them. “You were supposed to tell him to wait for me.”

“Wait for you?” he repeated, his brow furrowed.

“’Twas a-um-an accident,” Kat sputtered.

What kind of flimsy excuse was that? She’d behaved like a Jezebel. She dropped her forehead into her hands and moaned.

“I hate you, Katrina Harrington. I cannot wait until you return to London.” Beth turned and fled down the path.

“Katrina Harrington?” The man groaned. “Bloody hell. Anyone but Katrina Harrington.”

He seemed so horror-stricken that panic filled her. She turned on him. “Who are you?”

Please don’t let him be one of Alexander’s friends.

He exhaled and removed his mask. “Evan Eaton.”

Egad! Not only was he Alexander’s friend, but he was also her brother Ethan’s dearest mate.

However, the youngest Eaton sibling was her sworn enemy. She hated him even more than her brother William did. How Ethan could stand him was anyone’s guess.

She whimpered and then stabbed her finger in his chest. “My cousin hates me because of you.”

It was an absurd declaration since she shared responsibility for their indiscretion. But if he hadn’t been so dashed… God help her. The man was alluring.

A wide-legged, angry stance replaced his cocksure demeanor. “Because of me? You are the one who showed up here pretending to be her. As if I could be fooled.Pfft.You don’t even wear the same perfume.”

“You knew I wasn’t her, and yet you…” Kat threw her arms in the air. “You said the most wicked things to me.”