Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (207 page)

64

Lord, Pickpocket Miss

resolve the crisis facing her.

couldn't help

with that.

"Are we still looking for things to Julian swung off the bed and approached her.

"No, I mean, what am I going to do about di Brazzo?" Sophie raked her hands through her hair.

Julian drew her to him. "Correction, my dear.

The question is what are
we
going to do. I will not let you face di Brazzo alone."

The pronouncement stunned her. This serious side of Julian was quite unexpected and so unlike the witty, careless rake who had played strip piquet with her just that morning, divesting her of her gown with no gentlemanly qualms. "Why would you help me?" Even in her desperation she was skeptical. Perhaps this was all an elaborate ploy to chase her out of town and keep the diamonds for himself.

Julian smiled down at her. "Because somewhere between being thrown down on a sofa and losing the shirt off of my back, I've come to like you, my dear. These have been the best two days I've ever had."

Sophie laughed. "You're a horrible sap, Julian." But she pressed her head against his chest, her hands gripping the lapels of his coat.

Scott

She let his

wrap around her, enclosing her in

their strength. For the moment, she was safe. For the moment, she had a champion. Julian Burke made her feel the closest she'd ever come to being invincible. Wrapped in his embrace, she could almost believe anything was possible.

Julian's member stirred against her skirts.

With her cheek still on the fabric of his coat, Sophie smiled to herself. Nothing could be done about di Brazzo until tomorrow. This one last night was hers and she

what she wanted.

"Julian," she said

turning her face up to his,

"take me to bed."

wolfish grin spread across his face. "My dear, I thought you'd never ask."

Julian

out of his coat and reached

for the buttons on his shirt, but Sophie stayed his hand. "Let me," she whispered. "I wanted to do it this morning, but you were too quick." Sophie made fast work of the buttons. She pushed back the shirt and let her breath catch. From the firmness of his upper chest to the sculpted planes of his abdomen, Julian was all male muscle and hardness, so exquisitely put together a sculptor would have difficulty doing any better. "Julian, you're so

She was awestruck, even

66

Libertine Lord, Pickpocket Miss

though she'd seen his naked chest before. She imagined she'd never tire of that particular view.

No wonder the women of

could talk of

nothing else but Julian Burke.

"If you like this, wait until you see the rest,"

Julian teased. He stepped away

her and

pulled off his boots. She reveled in the flex and play of his muscles as they tugged off the dusty footwear.

hands went to his trousers and the atmosphere around them was serious again. The of a few moments ago had evaporated,

replaced by a sensual tension. Sophie had never guessed a man disrobing could be this stimulating.

When Julian came to her, he'd find her more than ready for him.

His trousers were finally off. Julian kicked his feet out of them and strode toward the window to draw the curtain, treating her to an unadulterated view of him

all angles. His

confidence in his own nakedness was a potent aphrodisiac. This was man who knew what a bedroom was for. She lay back on the pillows of the bed and waited.

"Sophie, you're trembling." Julian sat on the side of the bed. He ran a hand under her skirts,

Scott

searching for the garter that held her stockings, his touch feather-light as he skimmed her private places.

"That's your fault

Sophie said, slightly

more breathless than she'd have liked to have been. It was frightening how quickly he'd reduced her to a trembling pool of jelly and how much she liked it.

"Sit up and let's get this dress off you." Julian deftly unfastened her gown in record time, petticoats and undergarments following their predecessor to the floor.

Julian covered her, moving himself between her legs, and she welcomed him. There was no sense in any more games. They both knew what they wanted, perhaps they'd even known last night that such a moment was inevitable. His member nudged her entrance, testing, looking for assurances that she was ready. She was vaguely aware of his

reaching out to the console

beside the bed, searching for something. Then he drew back

her and fitted a sheath onto his sex, his eyes never leaving hers. She reached up and drew him back to her, settling him where she wanted him.