Chapter 7

Seven

C onstantine startled at the rapping on her door. She'd dismissed her maid after bathing and could not imagine who else might come to her room.

She turned from the fire and pinned her gaze on the door. Perhaps it was Auntie? Or a confused house guest?

The rapping sounded again, low but insistent in its intensity. Constantine stood, then pulled her dressing gown tight around her before moving to the door. The light tapping started anewas she reached for the handle.

Whoever it was, they were persistent.

Pulling the door open enough to peek out, Constantine's breath hitched.

"Are you going to leave me out here?" Lord Gulliver asked. "Or invite me in?" The wickedness in his tone matched that of his words.

Constantine's pulse ticked up as she stared at him, not at all sure what she should do.

Finding her voice, she said, "Why are you here?"

"I came to check on you." He produced a snifter and two cups from behind his back. "And I brought something to warm you."

She hadn't even noticed that he held one hand behind his back. The shock of finding him at her door had rendered her speechless and destroyed her skills of observation.

Surely he was mad! Gentlemen did not go about visiting unmarried lady's bedchambers. What was he thinking?

"I will leave if you wish it." Lord Gulliver said as his gaze searched hers. After a few heartbeats, he bent down and placed the decanter on the carpeted hallway floor along with one glass.

Her heart hitched. "No. Come in," she pulled the door fully open and stepped aside to allow him entry. She must be mad to allow this, but she couldn't turn him away. Not when she longed for his company.

He placed the glasses on the fireplace mantle, then turned to her and gave a rakish grin before pouring brandy into each of them.

Her heart fluttered at the wicked gleam in his eyes, and she determined that they were equally mad, indeed—the both of them.

Most startling of all—she wanted to be mad with him. To lose herself and indulge in whatever fate had in store for them.

Constantine wanted to make memories with him; however, fleeting and scandalous their time together may be.

"My lady," he said with an exaggerated flourish as he handed her a glass.

"Thank you." Constantine gave a speculative half-grin as she accepted the brandy. Just what was he up to? Seduction? She narrowed her eyes, studying him.

Lord Gulliver tapped his glass against hers, causing the crystal to make a ringing sound, then brought his glass to his lips.

Constantine did the same. Only she took a large gulp then sputtered as it burned its way down her throat and stole her breath.

"Easy," Lord Gulliver said, pulling the snifter from her lips. "Brandy is meant to be sipped."

Her face burned, though she'd not attribute it to the heat of embarrassment alone. This was not her first experience with the amber concoction, and she well knew better than to chug it.

She forced a smile. "Yes, of course. I'm afraid the shock of you being in my chamber stole my good sense."

He stroked his finger along the curve of her jaw. "Relax, darling. I have not come with ruinous intentions. As I said, I only wished to check on you. I feared you may have gotten chilled from the rain and thought the liquor would warm you if you had."

She swept her arms from her shoulders to her thighs. "As you can see, I am no worse for the wear."

Precisely at that moment, she considered her clothing or lack there of. She squeezed her eyes shut against the fresh flood of embarrassment that pooled within her.

"Indeed," he drawled. "You are the picture of perfection."

The cad was teasing her! Indignation replaced her embarrassment, and she leveled her gaze on him. "What did you think, coming to my bedchamber like this? Surely you did not expect to find me fully dressed and ready to receive company."

He winced, his gaze turning apologetic. "Forgive me. I meant no disrespect."

Constantine peered at him as she took a sip of the fortifying liquor still clutched in her hand.

"Truly, I meant only to compliment you. You're a beautiful woman regardless of what you are wearing." He stepped closer, bringing his body so near to hers that only the glasses they held separated them. "You must realize how tempting you are."

"Me? Tempting?" She barely got the words out, and her heart beat wildly.

He brought his face closer to hers, then said, "You most certainly are."

The low timber of his voice sent spirals of thrilling heat through her. She gazed up at him, her lower lip caught between her teeth as she considered his words. No one had ever accused her of being beautiful, let alone tempting. She didn't know what to make of it.

Constantine was prettyenough in the dull sort ofway, but she certainlywasn't the type to catch men's eyes. Her figure was too full, and her blond hair was not the correct shade. Neither did she possess the blue eyes that diamonds did.

He smoothed his thumb over her lip, freeing it from her bite. "You possess the most kissable lips, and your expressive golden-flecked eyes captivate me as much as your spirited nature does."

"No one has ever spoken to me in such a way," she whispered.

He brought his hand around to cup the back of her neck. "That is a shame for a woman like you deserves to be worshiped."

Constantine pivoted out of his hold and strolled to the other side of the room. "You said you weren't here to seduce me."

"I'm not." He strolled over to her and took the glass from her hand, then set it on a nearby table. "But you cannot fault me for telling you how I feel. I'll see myself out."

Constantine reached out, catching his arm. "Kiss me."

"That is a terrible id?—"

She wound her arms around his neck, pulling his head to hers and crushing her lips against his. Her pulse beat a wild rhythm as she suckled his lower lip, then parted her own to welcome a deeper kiss.

Constantine thrilled when his tongue met hers, and her belly fluttered as heat pooled low in her body. She reveled in the feelings as she urged him to continue. To show her all he knew.

She dragged one of her palms around to his chest, resting it on his pounding heart while she twined the fingers of her other hand into the nape of his thick, dark hair.

He trailed kisses across her cheek to her jaw, then down to her neck, spreading the fire within her.

She tipped her head back, and a sigh of passion floated from her lips. He was special, and she wanted more—Constantine wanted…

He pulled back, but did not release her as his gaze met hers. "I think I should go."

"Don't think," she said, then pulled his mouth back to hers. It was reckless and more than a little wicked, but she'd not deny herself.

With little urging from her, he sank back into the kiss.

He played and teased at her lips, cupping her bottom as he tasted and explored her mouth.

When his lips once more moved to her neck, she reached for the tie of her dressing gown and pulled it free.

Constantine might be innocent, but she'd heard a thing or two about the relations between a man and a woman. Surely what she felt—this building need and the thrilling sensations that accompanied it—were desire. A raw passion that wanted answering.

He pushed the dressing gown further open, capturing one of her nipples through her nightgown and suckling.

The action sent a pulsing need straight to her core. She gripped him hard as she threw her head back, delighting in the new sensation and building need. "Oh, Seth. Oh, goodness," the words came out husky and low. "Please. I need… more"

He scooped her into his arms, then brushed his lips over hers. "Constantine, are you sure? Do you know what you are asking for?"

She shook her head. "Yes… no. I know you do something to me. I have this coiling need deep within me. A craving I know only you can satisfy."

He smiled, then brushed his lips to hers again before capturing them in an all-consuming kiss.

She clung to him as he carried her to the bed, then laid her down before coming to rest beside her. "I'll not ruin you."

"Please. I need?—"

He pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her. "There are other ways." Then he feathered his fingers across her chest and shoulder, pushing her nightgown down to reveal her breasts.

Her nerves tingles as she watched him, watching her. She cried out with pleasure when he fastened his mouth over one hard nipple while needing her other breast in his hand.Never had she felt something so…divine.

The sensations of need and desire grew tenfold as he trailed a hand up her thigh. Her center now throbbed with a pulsing desire she never would have thought possible, and she let her legs fall open.

"Yes, darling. Don't be shy," he said, his breath tickling her sensitive skin. His wicked fingers stroked her folds, slicking through the wetness that had gathered there, then moved to the hard nub above.

"Oh!" She exclaimed, "That… it's divine." She arched into his hand, a primal need driving her. "Seth… Oh my. It's not enough." She sighed more than spoke the words as she writhed and moaned.

He lowered his body, bringing his mouth to her hip where he suckled and kissed as his wicked fingers continued their exploration. As he trailed smoldering kisses over her heated skin, he slipped one finger into her core.

Constantine bucked against him as her sheath gripped his finger, hungry for something she still could not name. "That's right, darling. Take what you need," he encouraged as he moved his finger in and out to stroke her sensitive flesh.

The pressure within her built until it was nearly unbearable. Every touch, every kiss, pushing her closer to madness.

Yet she could not stop. She tangled her fingers in his hair and rocked her hips as she searched for that something she needed.

"Let yourself go, darling." He licked the bundle of nerves at the hood of her sex, and she thrilled, pressing herself harder against his hand, his mouth.

He stroked his finger faster inside of her as he teased the tiny nub with his mouth, and something broke loose within her.

She threw her head back, her breaths coming in rapid waves as relief washed through her, her body pulsing around him.

Seth dropped a trail of soft kisses from her thigh to her hip. He trailed them over her bellyand up her chest, then brushed his lips against hers. His gaze met hers, and he asked, "Better?"

She could not help the delighted smile that overcame her as she nodded. "Much."

He grinned back, a roguish glint in his warm, blue gaze. Then he gathered her into his arms. Holding her close, he stroked his hand over her hair and made small circles on her back.

Constantine reveled in the closeness, as well as, the intimacy they shared. She did not know how this man fit into her life, but somehow, he did.

And then the most scandalous idea came to her.