A Persistant Attraction (12 page)

He laughed softly. “I’ll give you what you need,” he whispered against her skin as his lips traveled lower. He gathered her shirt in his hands. “Lift yourself,” he urged as he tugged the garment upward. He made quick work of her shirt and the cloth that bound her breasts, leaving her naked to the waist.

“You’re so damn beautiful,” he murmured as he lowered himself on top of her.

She closed her eyes, concentrating on the feel of his skin on hers. When his lips made contact with her nipple, she jerked in surprise, seared by the stimulation. He suckled her, drawing the stiff peak into his mouth. Lines of fire seemed to run from her breast to the juncture of her thighs where a storm of need seemed to be gathering.

The pleasure was so acute it bordered on pain. She didn’t think she could stand more, yet she never wanted it to stop. Her hips rose and fell rhythmically, and she thrust her hands into Rhys’s hair, holding his head to her. The harder he sucked, the more she writhed. Sensation built inside her and she feared her body would catch fire.

Rhys knew the situation was quickly spinning out of control. He fought for the ability to stop and failed. Instead, he trailed his tongue down the smooth, satiny skin of Amanda’s stomach while his hands worked the buttons of her breeches, opening them as he nipped at the skin below her waist. She moaned and tugged at his head, trying to pull him back to her breast.

He smiled at her enthusiasm. “Lift your hips for me.” She did as he asked, and he pulled the breeches down her legs and tossed them aside.

She lay before him utterly naked. He bit his lip to hold in a moan. He’d dreamed of seeing her like this for months, and now he knew she was as beautiful as he’d imagined.

But even with her body’s charms exposed, she called to something deep inside him, something that had nothing to do with lust, something he’d do better to ignore.

For now at least, she was his. No other man had seen what his eyes feasted on.
I’ll
kill any man who does.
Frightened by the intensity of his feelings, he pushed that shocking thought to the back of his mind.

He straddled her and leaned forward, teasing her by kissing and licking all around her nipple but never once touching it. His hand caressed the inside of her thigh, moving ever closer to the heat he longed to touch.

Finally, he closed his mouth over her nipple just as his hand reached the juncture of her thighs. She screamed from the dual sensation of his mouth and his finger pressing into her.

She was so wet, he slid into her easily. The urge to take off his trousers and take her fully nearly overwhelmed him. He forced himself to concentrate on her pleasure, to enjoy the little whimpers and cries that came from her lips as he drew his finger in and out. He was going to bring her to ecstasy, but he knew he couldn’t let himself go any further.

He let go of her breast and sat back on his heels, wanting to see her face. She’d closed her eyes, and a pink flush covered her face and neck. He slipped a second finger into her and watched as she bit down on her bottom lip, tossing her head from side to side.

Once she’d adjusted to this new, fuller sensation, he rubbed his thumb back and forth across her clitoris. She jerked upward, thrusting her hips against his hand and taking his fingers even deeper.

He kept up his rhythm, caressing her while her hips pumped against him. Her eyes flew open. “Rhys, please.”

“Please, what?” He smiled down at her.

“I…I don’t know.”

He curled his finger up as he stroked her. She made a strangled cry as she reached her peak. Her internal muscles clamped down, and she squeezed her eyes shut as her hips jerked violently.

When her tight muscles relaxed and she lay still except for the shaky rise and fall of her chest, Rhys pulled back. He was close to losing control, but he hadn’t the strength to lift himself from the carpet. He lowered his head into his hands as he fought to slow his breathing. No matter how hard he tried, all he could think about was his cock. He felt big and hard enough to rip the seams from his pants.

He told himself to think of Mark and of what his friend would do to him if he stole Amanda’s innocence. Hell, Mark might kill him for what he’d already done, but if he took Amanda’s virginity too, Mark would make sure his death was long and painful.

Unfortunately such thoughts did nothing to cool his lust.

“Rhys, are you all right?”

He nodded, unsure he could make his voice work.

He heard Amanda moving around, but he didn’t look up. He hoped to God she was putting her clothes back on. After a few seconds, he risked a peek. She was sitting on the edge of the sofa in nothing but the man’s shirt she’d worn.

She must have sensed him looking at her, because she looked up before he could close his eyes again. He wanted to look away, but the hurt and anger in her eyes made his desire ebb as nothing else had.

He lifted himself to the sofa. “I’m sorry. I just needed a moment.”

“Why didn’t you…I know there’s more and…didn’t you want to?” He couldn’t have been more shocked. Could she truly not know how much he wanted her? “I wanted to more than I’ve ever wanted anything. Why do you think I’ve been sitting here like an idiot?”

“I didn’t know. I thought maybe—”

“I’ve been fighting like hell to keep myself under control.”

“Why?”

“Surely you understand that we can’t, that I can’t—”

“But that was the point of our bargain wasn’t it? In exchange for your help, you would get the opportunity to seduce me.”

“I was playing with you, seeing if I could make you mad. I never intended to go this far.”

“You haven’t seemed inclined to stop before.”

“That’s because all we’ve done is kiss, and I didn’t
want
to stop tonight.”

“But you did.”

Dear God, she was exasperating. “I did what I had to do. I know you think I’m no gentleman, but nevertheless I do not make a habit of deflowering innocents. I’m supposed to be protecting you, not ruining you.” Amanda’s cheeks turned a deep shade of pink. Anger flared in her eyes, so hot he feared she might combust. “I’m so damned tired of your notions of protection, I could scream. I am quite capable of taking care of myself and that includes deciding when and how I want to experience what men and women do together.”

“Amanda, setting aside what Mark, Cassandra and your most formidable aunt would do to me, I—”

“If you think I’m going to believe you let other people’s thoughts dictate your actions, then you’re not as smart as I thought you were.” Up to that point, Rhys had been merely frustrated. Now anger exploded inside him.

“Just because I refuse to play by the rules of the
ton
does not mean I care nothing for what others want or feel. I’m trying to be chivalrous. I want to keep you from doing something you will surely regret.”

“That’s a decision I should make for myself.”

“Amanda, I swore to protect you. I will not—”

“Just like you protected me the other night when you wore a mask so I didn’t know who you were. Then you took me home and kissed me senseless, making me feel like a complete wanton for responding like that to a stranger.” She must have figured it out from his stupid comment about the alley. He’d never been so careless with other assignments. If he had, he’d be dead. “How did you know?”

“Your fighting style.”

“What?”

“You fight like you dance, with grace and skill. Two different men could not look that beautiful while killing others with their bare hands.” It took a moment for her words to sink in. He felt a surge of pride at her appreciation of his fighting skills before he sobered, remembering what tenuous ground he was on. “I shouldn’t have deceived you.”

“Did you follow me from my aunt’s house?”

“I wanted you to learn a lesson. I could have stopped you from going altogether.

Instead I chose to follow you, thinking you’d get scared when you saw what kind of place the Black Eagle was and turn back. Obviously, I underestimated your determination.”

“I am thankful for your assistance, but I’m not sure I can forgive you for not revealing yourself.”

Her voice was cold and hard. He wanted to say something to defend himself, but what? He’d deceived her for no other reason than to have a chance to kiss her without their usual animosity.

Amanda turned to face him. “Our agreement is off. I’m no longer interested in the protection you’ve offered.”

For a few seconds, he watched her walk away, unable to fully comprehend how they’d ended up arguing. A few moments before they’d been tangled on the floor burning with a passion like none he’d ever felt. Now she was just going to leave?

He snapped out of his stupor and chased her down the hall. “Amanda, wait. At least let me escort you home.”

“Meadows will call the carriage for me. You needn’t worry about my safety ever again.” Her voice cracked and he thought he saw tears in her eyes.

Amanda couldn’t stop shaking as she huddled in the corner of Rhys’s plush carriage.

Facing Meadows with dignity had been difficult, but she’d managed to hold herself together until she was alone.

Anger, sadness and fear swirled in her mind, mixing with the afterglow of pleasure that still existed no matter how much she wanted to hate Rhys. She wasn’t sure whether she was mad at Rhys or herself or exactly which mistake, his or hers, had inspired the rage that pumped through her veins.

At least she knew why she’d let things go as far as they had. Seeing him vulnerable had done something strange to her insides. He’d opened himself to her and let her know for certain that there was far more to him than the rakish veneer he showed the
ton
.

But he’d failed to trust her judgment once again. She wasn’t a child, and she deserved to be a woman in every sense whether or not she chose to marry. He made her feel like a fool for having dared to be the seducer. What a damned inconvenient time for him to develop a conscience.

Every time she thought of what they’d done, of the glorious explosion he’d caused in her, she wanted more. But that wasn’t going to happen unless he was willing to strike a very different bargain.

But what was she going to do without him? She’d told him she didn’t need his protection. And when it came to escaping from her room or deciding when and how she wanted to lose her innocence, that was true. When it came to facing down men who wanted her dead, she needed him in the worst way.

She knew she was better prepared to deal with her current situation than most of the silly, frivolous women she’d met in London. But she’d never be a physical match for the villains she’d encountered in the last week.

By the time Rhys’s footmen saw her safely over her balcony and into her room, she was exhausted, mentally and physically. Sleep was the only thing she was capable of.

Maybe after a good night’s rest a better solution to her problems would come to her.

“I can’t wait to hear where you’ve been.”

Amanda jumped.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. Though I must admit you had me rather worried.

I’ve been waiting for hours.”

Amanda’s heart slowed when she recognized her sister’s voice. “What are you doing in here?”

“Waiting for you.”

“You must have had a reason to come looking for me.”

“I’ll explain later. First I want to hear what you’ve been up to.” Amanda took a deep breath and lit the lamp on her bedside table. She heard the bed creak as Elise changed positions.

“You were with Mr. Stanton, weren’t you?”

Amanda sat next to her sister. Elise was stretched out on Amanda’s bed wearing a delicate pink nightgown. With her hair down she looked far too young to be in town for the Season, much less to be speculating about Amanda’s dealings with Rhys Stanton.

“Whatever would make you think that?”

“I suppose I could believe you went out alone. But if not, I can’t think of anyone other than Mr. Stanton who would accompany you on such an adventure.”

“What sort of adventure do you think I’ve been on?”

“One that would necessitate you dressing like a boy.” Elise waved her hand to indicate Amanda’s costume. “If I had to guess, I would say it had something to do with the man who attacked you the other night.”

At least her little sister hadn’t assumed Amanda and Rhys were lovers. But what could Amanda tell her that would satisfy her curiosity but keep her from worrying too much, or worse, wanting to get involved? “I wanted a chance to see more of London than ballrooms. I met Mr. Stanton at a tavern. We had a drink, and I returned home.”

Elise threw a pillow at Amanda. “Stop protecting me and tell me what’s really going on.”

Stop protecting me.
Exactly what she’d said to Rhys. But this was Elise, her little sister. Amanda took a deep breath. Despite her current appearance, Elise was all grown up now and likely believed she was as capable of taking care of herself as Amanda.

Was she? She’d been too young to take part in the lessons their cousin, Edward, had given Amanda on using guns and knives and fighting hand-to-hand. But while she might not be a very good shot, Elise was an intelligent young woman who knew how to think for herself. She deserved to know what was really going on.

“Promise me you will not repeat any of this to Aunt Claire.”

“I promise.”

“Mr. Stanton and I were trying to locate the man who attacked me.” Elise’s eyes widened. “So the attack was personal?”

“Yes.” Amanda proceeded to tell Elise about the threatening letters, her enlistment of Rhys’s aid and her attempts to find the man who’d sent them. She left out her brush with death and Rhys’s attempts at seduction.

By the time Amanda finished her story, Elise looked pale and frightened. Amanda wondered whether she’d made the wrong decision in telling her. She took Elise’s hand in hers. “Are you all right? I didn’t want to scare you.” Elise squeezed Amanda’s hand. “It’s just hard to believe someone wants to kill you.

Can you trust Mr. Stanton to find him?”

Amanda nodded. “That is one thing I can trust him with.” Elise looked at Amanda quizzically, but she changed the subject. “Do you have any idea who the attacker could be?”