Page 39 of The Rogue’s Offer

The thud of his heartbeat in his ears subsided to a quiet beat as he enjoyed the way her warmth blended with his own. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so satiated in a woman’s arms. The sudden lazy movements of her fingers stroking his back made him murmur a sound of pleasurable satisfaction. There was something warm and comforting about her touch.

Her soft laugh brushed across his neck like a hot breeze in the middle of summer. It emphasized the contentment he was feeling. The sound of her quiet sigh made him lift his head to stare down at her. Her eyes were closed, and there was a small smile on her tempting lips.

“I take it you approve of lesson two this evening?” he said with amusement. Her eyes fluttered open, and her smile broadened.

“Yes, I heartily approve, and I would like to do it again, please.” The teasing look she gave him highlighted the golden flecks in her brown eyes.

“I consider myself equal to the task of pleasuring your body with mine on a regular basis, my sweet, but there are limits even to my own ability for a repeat performance so quickly.” He laughed. “But, I promise you, I intend to spend the rest of the night enjoying the pleasures of your body and emphasizing just how intoxicating you are.”

An odd light flickered in her gaze, and with a gentle push, she made him roll off her onto his back then sat up to hover over him. Brown hair spilled over her breasts hiding them from view, while the smile on her dark pink mouth had vanished. Despite the serious expression on her lovely face, she was temptation personified. Already she had his body responding to her on the most base of levels. When her serious expression didn’t disappear, he narrowed his gaze at her. As if sensing his perplexed reaction, she shook her head.

“I cannot possibly spend the night, Mathias. While it’s highly doubtful my father will note my absence, Lizzie will.” She nibbled on her lip. “I should leave now.”

“Not yet. Stay an hour or two more. I’ll make certain Thomas sees you safely into your house through the back door.” A look of indecision swept across her face, and he caught her hand to pull her forefinger into his mouth. “I’m not ready to part with you yet, especially when I can promise you’ll enjoy our next few lessons.”

“You truly are a rogue, Mathias Gilchrist,” she whispered as desire darkened her eyes. He grinned with satisfaction that she’d silently agreed to stay awhile longer.

“You have no idea how much of a rogue I am, Lady Havenstock.” Mathias’s hand slid around her neck to pull her down to him. As he kissed her gently, he murmured against her mouth. “You have no idea at all.”

§ § §

Ophelia woke to the warmth of masculine arm draped across her stomach. For a moment she wasn’t sure where she was. Slowly turning her head, she saw Mathias sleeping soundly beside her. Almost immediately her heart skipped a beat. Awake he was strong, handsome, and virile. But asleep he looked much younger, almost boyish. She lightly touched his cheek with the back of her hand, but he didn’t wake. He simply shifted his head in a small movement.

As she stared at him, Ophelia remembered the pleasure he’d given her. With every touch, stroke of his hand or body, he’d driven every perverse, unpalatable moment of her marriage out of her head. It was a gift she could never repay. Last night she’d discovered what it was like to hold sway over a man and demand he make love to her. But what she hadn’t expected was how much pleasure there was to be had in a man’s arms. No, Mathias’s arms. She wasn’t sure she would ever be able to share another man’s bed as she had shared Mathias’s last night.

She grew still at the thought. Dear Lord, had she fallen in love with the man? She immediately dismissed the possibility. No, she might be capable of passion and desire, but love wasn’t something she would ever allow herself to feel. Her determination never to marry again was a guarantee against surrendering her independence, but falling in love would make her a slave to her feelings and the man she loved. She’d spoken the truth when she’d told Mathias a liaison wasn’t possible for her, any more than marriage was.

Last night had been nothing more than a pleasurable interlude. With each caress, Mathias had taught she was more than capable of receiving pleasure and giving it. He’d also helped banish the self-doubt George had relentlessly cultivated in her throughout their marriage. Mathias had helped destroy the demons of her past, and for that she would be eternally grateful.

Certain he would protest her leaving she carefully slid out from under the weight of his arm. When she was free of his grasp, Ophelia quietly gathered her clothes and began to dress. When she picked up her gown she eyed the dress and its lack of buttons with a grimace. She’d been so determined to make Mathias let her stay she’d failed to consider the ramifications of a keeping a gown on without buttons to hold it in place.

The short shawl she’d worn last night wouldn’t cover up the state of the dress. She would have to ask for a cloak to hide its disheveled state. When she was dressed, Ophelia quietly left the room and made her way downstairs. Almost as if she was expected, the servant who’d answered the door the night before emerged from the back of the house. Embarrassment made her cheeks burn as she met the polite gaze of the man.

“Thomas said he would be waiting for me.”

“Of course, my lady, please follow me.” The man quickly moved to where her shawl hung on a coat rack, clearly intent on covering her shoulders. She shook her head in protest as she tugged the shawl from the man’s hands.

“If you don’t mind…I…I require a cloak.”

As if it were the most natural thing for to ask for, the servant bowed slightly and moved quickly into a room off the small foyer. When he returned, he made a move to drape it over her shoulders. With a shake of her head, she took the cape from him and hastily swung it around her to cover her back. The servant headed toward the back of the house with a polite gesture to follow him.

“Ophelia. Stop.”

Startled, she jerked her gaze upward to see Mathias hurrying down the steps in his pants and nothing more. The sight of him made her heart skip a beat. When he reached the bottom of the steps, he caught her hand in his.

“You’re leaving without saying goodbye.” The irritation in his voice made her smile.

“You were sleeping. I didn’t want to wake you.”

“Don’t do it again.” The firmly spoken command made her stiffen. As much as she wanted to tell him there wouldn’t be another time, something told her to remain silent. He narrowed his gaze at her. “I shall call on you tomorrow for a ride in the park.”

“I doubt I’ll be up that early,” she murmured as she glanced at the grandmother clock over his shoulder. “It’s almost five o’clock now.”

“Then lunch at Rules.”

“I don’t—”

“You have to eat, Ophelia.” The almost belligerent tone of his voice made her nod.