Page 53 of Gone with the Rake

“It did fool you,” she whispered back.

“Not for long. I know you. I—”

He didn’t have time to finish his thought, for the next moment, her lips were on his. She devoured him hungrily, probing his mouth with her tongue, tasting him, demanding more from him. Her hands roamed his body, leaving traces of heat behind.

Before he realized it, his waistcoat was off. She struggled with the buttons on his shirt, tugging at the fabric.

“Here, let me,” he said against her lips and undid his shirt for her. Her warm palms were instantly on his body.

God, how he’d missed this feeling.

Being touched by her was another kind of sweet torture. She slowly made her way up his sides, then pressed her palms against his chest.

Thorn groaned. His hands traveled up her back, then one hand caught her nape, his fingers fisting in her hair, drawing her closer still, so he could continue devouring her mouth while another hand squeezed her bottom, pressing her closer to him.

His groin pulsed with need, rubbing against her hot body through the layers of their clothes. He needed to feel her, more of her.

“No!” Lydia pushed at his chest and turned away as he took a step back.

His chest heaved with the force of his breaths.

“No,” she repeated again. Her lips were wet and swollen from his kisses, her hair disheveled, her cheeks rosy. She was just as caught up in passion as he was. Why stop? “No. I can’t do that,” she whispered to herself.

With another shake of her head, she turned on her heel and fled.

Thorn rushed after her but stopped cold on the threshold to the alcove. She managed to quickly disappear among the crowd.

“Lily,” he whispered. His hand immediately went to his chest.

His heart beat strongly against his ribs as his palm met his hot flesh unbarred.

The ring was gone.

Wakefield Manor

Eleven Years Ago…

Thorn lit a few candles around the library, arranged blankets by the hearth, and placed several books upon them. Everything was ready.

His pulse danced in his veins, elation rising to the surface.

The past few weeks had been the happiest of his life. He’d read countless books about love, but none had prepared him for the reality of it. For it had to be love—there was no other explanation.

He couldn’t take his eyes off Lily the entire day. He was supposed to be spending his time studying, helping his father, looking after his sister. And he did all those things, but his mind was always with Lily.

He ran to sneak a peek at her any chance he got. And if she were alone in a room, he always managed to steal a couple of kisses.

The kitchen help cast suspicious glances his way any time he appeared beside Lily, but he didn’t care. He loved her. That was all that mattered.

At night, they didn’t need to hide. Every gossiping servant was in bed, and his father was too, which meant he and Lily could finally be together.

They’d been meeting under the veil of moonlight for a few weeks now, reading, talking, kissing… And he’d never felt happier than during those moments.

The door to the library creaked open, and Thorn shot up to greet Lily. She peeked inside tentatively, as if not certain she should enter. She always did that—afraid that someone was inside. Someone else.

Her smile lit her entire face as she saw Thorn coming toward her, and the next moment, she was in his arms. Thorn kissed her soundly, exploring every corner of her mouth.

“Mmm…” Thorn moaned as they broke the kiss. Neither wanted to be far from the other, so they stood toe to toe, nose to nose, their lips only a hair’s breadth apart. “You taste so sweet.”