Page 69 of The Viscount's Silent Pugilist

“Fine. We will talk in the morning.” Chuckling, she hung her shawl over the back of her chair.

She was just about to snuff the candles, when the door latch wriggled, startling her. A second later, Jonathan stepped into her room. Exuding feral energy, he stood in the doorway, his shirt unbuttoned and untucked.

Her breath caught in her throat.

He closed the door behind him. On bare feet, he prowled toward her. “Why didn’t you lock your door?”

Before she had time to remind him that he hadn’t locked his either, he charged, wrapping her in his arms. He slammed his mouth over hers, devouring her lips with hungry kisses. Melting against him, she threaded her fingers through his hair and kissed him back with equal fervor.

They were both panting when he pulled back to gaze into her eyes. “I love you, Genevieve.”

“I know.” She smiled.

He chuckled. “You do, do you?”

“Yes. And it’s about time you realized it.”

“Minx.” He rubbed his nose over hers.

With a contented sigh, she nuzzled his nose back. “I love you too, Jonathan.”

“Thank Christ.” His eyes twinkled with mischief. “I don’t know what I’d have done if you had told me you hated me.”

“I could never hate you, you silly goose,” she taunted.

He sobered. “Seriously, I’ve been a fool. Just because I’ve never wanted to pledge myself to one woman, doesn’t mean I can’t do it when the right woman comes along. And you, my darling, are the right woman for me.”

Please let this be true.She was far from perfect—very far—but she would do her best to be worthy of his affection. Showering him with the love he deserved was a start.

“I convinced myself that you were delicate and I would hurt you.” The sincerity in his eyes matched his gentle tone, stealing her breath. “I was afraid that my touch would soil your purity. But tonight, it dawned on me that you are resilient and unbreakable. You, Genevieve, are the bravest woman I know.”

Thank heavens, because as a woman of one and twenty, she didn’t want him to see her as an innocent incapable of sensuality, especially since his presence made her so very wanton. She may have been fragile a few months ago, but currently, she felt invincible.

“What a pair we are.” She pressed her palms against his chest, absorbing the vibrations of his thumping heart—a heart that pumped kindness and generosity through his veins. “An intelligent, kind man who thinks he is a brainless scoundrel, and a brave woman who has convinced herself she is a coward. Ironic, don’t you think?”

“Indeed. However, I don’t just think I am a scoundrel. I am one. Times ten.” His gaze fixed on her bosom.

“Wasa scoundrel. Now, you are a gentleman.” A gentleman who was gawking as if he meant to pounce and devour her. She peered down to see what had him so enthralled. Nipples that tingled atop breasts that had grown heavy with need poked through the sheer fabric of her nightdress. Jonathan should be the one to solve her problem since he was responsible for it.

She fluttered her eyelashes coquettishly. “Now that you have come to your senses, why don’t you tell me more about those indecent things you want to do to me?”

“Oh, darling, you have no idea what you are opening yourself up to. You should probably prepare yourself.”

His chuckle vibrated through her core in the most delicious of taunts.

“Tell me.” The sensual rasp of her demand took her by surprise. Who would have guessed that a flirtatious vixen resided beneath her anxiety-ridden compunction?

He leaned close, his lips cupping her ear. “I want to explore those beautiful breasts and listen to you gasp as I suckle from those pert nipples.”

Fabulous, because that should ease her overwhelming ache.

“I want to drink the sweet dew from between your thighs. Lap up every delicious drop.”

Desire was definitely making her wet downthere.

“And then”—his voice was so deep, it rumbled—“I want you to stare into my eyes while I slide my cock into your quim and fuck you until you scream my name.”

She gasped more from desire than surprise.