Page 29 of Outrageous

They were both breathing hard, their eyes locked, Eva searching for an explanation for what had just happened.

An emotion she didn’t recognize spasmed across his face and he stepped back. “You should be able to untie the rest. There is a table set in my room,” he said, gesturing vaguely in that direction. “I’ve forgotten something. I’ll be right back.” He strode toward her door, opened it, and then closed it so softly behind him that she didn’t even hear the latch click.

Eva remained in the same place, frozen, the thud thud thud of her heart loud in her ears, every nerve in her body poised on the brink of... something.

She stared unseeingly at the door: What had all that been about?

* * *

What the devil had all that been about?

Godric glared at the door he’d just closed, as if it were to blame for the cockstand in his breeches.

Well done, Colonel Fleming, his inner critic mocked.

Oh, shut up.

He pressed the heel of his hand against an erection that was hard enough to break rocks and groaned at the pain/pleasure sensation.

Turn around, go back in, and take her. Why not? You’ll be married in twenty-four hours—unless you get lucky and trees fall across every road to Scotland.

Godric knew that was true, and yet . . .

He paced the length of the dim hall and then back, thinking grim thoughts to combat his lust.

Why combat it? Why behave like a guilty parson dipping into the church coffers? What difference does a matter of hours make?

He paused and leaned against the wall, considering his behavior. Only a few days ago he’d been willing to kidnap a married woman and complete the job of ruining her reputation. And now he’d become all noble about bedding a woman he’d be stuck with for the rest of his days. Really, what did it matter when he bedded her? Before the ring was on her finger—metaphorically speaking, since he had no ring—or after?

There’s a lad! Besides, it’s been a long time since you’ve had a woman—weeks. Mounting her would calm you and clear your head.

Godric chewed the inside of his cheek; he wished he could head down to the taproom and continue drinking. Of course the four whiskeys he’d consumed while struggling to compose his damned letter were probably a large part of why he was currently as hard as granite and unable to control his rampant thoughts.

He absently noticed the wretched condition of his boots. He’d given his valet of almost twenty years—a man with the unfortunate name of Darling—the entire month to spend with his family. Mainly because he’d not wanted him frowning at Godric the whole time he’d plotted to kidnap and humiliate another man’s wife. Godric could only imagine how Darling’s face would look if he heard a chit fresh from the schoolroom had kidnapped him instead.

He groaned. What a bloody muddle this was.

That’s the first sensible thought you’ve had in ten minutes. It is a muddle—one of her creation. You might as well get something out of it: like satiated.

No, he told the lustful, nagging presence driving him. I know we shall be man and wife soon, and I’d much rather she doesn’t associate the loss of her maidenhood with dirty linen in a filthy inn.

What a romantic you’ve turned out to be.

Godric pushed off the wall; he’d already wasted enough time dithering in the corridor. He strode down the narrow, dingy hall toward the third door and yanked it open.

Eva was seated facing the door and looked up, pausing in the act of lifting a small piece of cheese to her mouth with her fingers.

His cock, which had begun to deflate, flared back to life at the sight of her plump, parted lips. Smug laughter echoed in his head.

She lowered the untouched food back to her plate as he eased into the chair across from her. “I’m sorry, I would have waited for you but—”

“No, I’m glad you didn’t.” He forced his mind away from his groin and looked across at her beautiful face, which currently wore a puzzled, questioning and innocent expression. “I needed to have a word with the innkeeper,” he lied, lifting the bottle of wine he’d ordered and sniffing its contents. It wasn’t as bad as he’d feared, but it wasn’t good, either.

“Wine?” he asked.

She hesitated and then nodded, pushing her glass toward him.

Her hesitation made him wonder how often she drank.