Page 34 of Never Dance with a Duke

Good heavens.

This was just like something from the romance novel she’d finished last night. A Not so Sensible Thing had been the third book she’d read that Mathias had gifted her, and she’d sighed when she’d read the last page.

Scrambling around for something to talk about, she said, “Did you know Megan has ridden an elephant and a camel?”

“And do you wish to ride such exotic creatures?” Humor danced in Mathias’s eyes as if he knew how much he rattled her composure.

“An elephant, most definitely, but I’m not positive about camels. Megan says they spit.”

“An African elephant or Asian elephant?” His words spilled over her, heightening each sense to painful awareness.

How could he possibly make speaking about pachyderms be a sensual experience?

“Oh, both, I should think.”

“Hmm.” He made that low humming in his throat, and another wave of desire crested over her.

“You’re staring, Mathias.”

“I know.”

A thrill jolted through Nicolette. She licked her lips, and his mouth curved the merest bit upward.

“People will notice,” she murmured, lowering her regard to his firm mouth.

How could a man’s mouth be so captivating?

And why, above all else, did she yearn to feel those lips upon hers?

“I know that, too.” He rolled his shoulder the merest bit. “And I cannot bring myself to care one jot.”

Her heartbeat and pulse accelerated at his admission.

Could he possibly feel what she did?

At last, she averted her gaze, focusing instead on his jacket lapel. “But I do, Mathias, as much as I loathe to admit it. I’ve borne their harsh, unforgiving scrutiny for so long.”

She peeked at him.

With an affectionate smile that made her silly heart flop behind her breastbone, he shifted his attention to her mouth.

“Now you’re staring at my mouth,” she said, her voice husky and throaty.

Good heavens, she sounded as wanton as Lady Calbraith.

“Because, at this moment, my darling, there is nothing I long for more than to kiss you.” He brought his mouth close to her ear. “To taste your sweet lips and explore your honeyed mouth with my tongue. To start.”

Nicolette’s heart skipped a beat then resumed beating at twice it’s normal rhythm.

God above.

His gravelly timbre had her ready to dissolve into a molten puddle on the sanded floor.

She missed a step, but he caught her, speedily setting her to the right cadence once more.

“Easy, darling,” he whispered, his warm breath wisping across her ear, full of sensual promise.

The image he conjured, describing how he wanted to kiss her clouded her vision, and God help her—she wanted that, too.