Page 127 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke

The room grew quiet again. She had moved closer without either of them noticing. Their shoulders nearly touched. The fire painted amber light across her hair. He could smell lavender.

His pulse slowed instead of quickening. It felt dangerously easy to sit beside her. She looked up.

“So serious.”

“I am thinking.”

“Dare I ask about what?”

“You.”

A blush warmed her cheeks. “That sounds ominous.”

“It is.”

She smiled. “I should probably flee.”

“You should.”

“But I will not.”

“No.”

Their eyes held. Neither looked away. He reached up almost without thinking and tucked a loose curl behind her ear. She leaned into the touch ever so slightly. The movement was almost imperceptible.

It undid him. He cupped her cheek.

She covered his hand with hers. “Hector.”

Hearing it now nearly unraveled the last of his restraint. He bent toward her. Slowly. Giving her every opportunity to pull away.

She closed the distance herself. Their lips met in a gentle kiss. She smiled against his mouth. He kissed her again. Longer thistime. Deeper, parting her lips with his tongue. He savored the sweetness of her mouth.

His hand slid to her waist, drawing her a little closer until he could feel the steady rhythm of her breathing. His fingers slid up the bodice of her dress, cupping her breast through the fabric.

Jane arched into his hand, whimpering into his mouth. He felt himself harden instantly. Without thinking, he pulled her into his lap, never once breaking the kiss.

Her eyes widened, and they stared at one another until Jane began to move against him. Even through all the layers of fabric, he felt her as if they had been flush against each other.

She rested one hand lightly against his chest. His heart pounded beneath her fingertips. He knew that he had to stop this now or they wouldn’t be able to. He did not want to put her in that position.

He shifted her off of his lap. Neither moved very far.

“I have thought about doing that,” he admitted quietly.

“So have I.”

He smiled. A real one. One she seemed delighted to see.

She brushed her thumb across his cheek. “I rather like it when you smile.”

“It is not a common occurrence.”

“I noticed.”

He laughed softly. She answered with another brief kiss. This one lingered. His resolve began to fray. He drew a slow breath and reluctantly leaned back.

There was unmistakable longing in his eyes as he searched hers. “You make restraint exceedingly difficult, Jane.”