Page 40 of Love with a Notorious Rake

“Most people aren’t when they are sick—or naked.”

Aidan snorted. “You’re supposed to say, ‘Aidan, that’s not true. You’re a stunning specimen.’”

“I think not. Your ego is healthy enough without my compliments.”

He laughed, and the rusty sound of it warmed her insides. “Nothing fazes you, it seems.”

She shrugged. “I’ve even dissected a man’s corpse.”

His mouth dropped open. “What?”

“When I was studying anatomy, my father procured a cadaver from the hospital in Watford. It was most enlightening. The male body holds no mystery to me.”

His expression showed admiration, and something more heated that Cristyn could not determine. “As I said, I absolutely adore you.”

“Enough to do as you suggested last week?” My, how entirely audacious of her. The words slipped out before she could think. But Aidan stating he adored her had temporarily cast aside her rules of engagement—at least at this particular moment.

His eyes took on a fiery heat. “And what did I suggest, my sweet?”

Cristyn took a step closer. “You said that if you tunneled your hand under my skirts and slipped your fingers between my swollen folds, you would find me wet and wanting.”

“And will I?” His voice rasped, his gaze sultry.

Oh, she was wicked. And not the least bit ashamed. Society claimed women should be above such desires. Complete nonsense. The moment he suggested they hurry toward his room, she’d had every opportunity to depart, but chose not to. For deep in her heart, no matter how much she spoke of keeping her distance and all the good reasons why she should, Cristyn longed for him to touch her in the most intimate of places.

“Yes,” she whispered huskily. “You most certainly will.”

Chapter 12

Jesus. His heartbeat pounded in his head and blood rushed to his cock, making it stiffer than when he had kissed her. If he were a decent, honorable man, he would escort her to wherever it was she was staying and not look back.

But at his core, despite his downfall and his eagerness to redeem himself, he was still that notorious rake. To seduce her thoroughly would be a sweet victory. But conquering Cristyn was not his objective. He would not force her into anything—not that he had ever forced any woman.

Cristyn was special. Not at all like the women in his dissipated past. What set her apart? Her fresh beauty? Their shared experience of his addiction nightmare? Her compassionate nature and innate intelligence? It was all of that, and more.

Aidan spoke the truth when he said he adored her, though he suspected his feelings ran much deeper than mere adulation. But that was all he was willing to acknowledge today.

She was correct: She was no trembling virgin, but he wouldn’t take anything from her that she was not freely offering. Cristyn asked him to touch her. Yes. Stepping before her, he grasped her shoulders and walked toward the wall. Once she rested against it, he lifted her leg and draped it across his hip. Her breathing came in short breaths, her chest rising and falling with each exhale. Cristyn’s beautiful eyes were bright and filled with passion. With slow purpose, he trailed his fingers under her skirt, caressing her leg, reveling in the feel of her sheer stockings until he reached bare skin on her upper thigh.

Aidan moaned. Skin as soft as silk. Warm to the touch. He continued his exploration while nuzzling her neck and found she wore a type of undergarment that was flared enough for him to tunnel his hand inside of it. As his fingers brushed by her curls, she gasped, then sighed.

Passionate, as he knew she would be. He kissed her while he parted her folds and growled when he found her wet. Their kiss grew ferocious, and he wasted no time plunging two fingers inside her. Cristyn gasped again, and the sound of it urged him on. Moving in and out of her, simulating sex, his thumb pressed on her swollen clit. His mouth slid to her neck and he nibbled on it, savoring the taste of her flushed skin. “Yes, Cris. Let it happen. Come for me, sweet.”

“Oh, my God,” she panted.

“You’ve touched yourself, haven’t you? Tell me.”

“Yes.”

“How often? Do you think of me?” he commanded, increasing the speed of his finger thrusts.

“Aidan…”

“Answer me.”

“Nearly…every night.”

Fuck. Her breathless confession had him ready to explode. “And?” he gruffly urged.