Love's Portrait (11 page)

“Good morning, Julia.”

“St. Claire.” She nodded her head in greeting as he reined in his animal to walk beside hers.

“I think we’re beyond such formality, don’t you? Especially given the fact that I can still taste you on my tongue.”

The audacious words made her gasp as she glared at him. “How can you mention something so…so…hedonistic in the light of day?”

“If I’m epicurean so be it.” He shrugged. “But I confess that the taste of your delicious hot honey on my tongue has pleased me more than anything in recent memory.”

Unable to respond, she stared at him in shock while the heat of embarrassment burned her cheeks . His obvious amusement only enhanced his good looks, and he grinned with almost boyish delight at her appalled expression. Unable to think of a suitable reply to his decadent statement, Julia prodded Solomon into a trot. She should be furious at him, but his words, as wicked as they were, had pleased her. Had he really liked tasting her as much as she’d enjoyed the pleasure he’d given her? He appeared at her side again, his expression unrepentant.

“Come now, my sweet. I thought we had disposed of that prim and proper shell of yours last night.”

“What occurred last night is not a subject for discussion here.”

“I see. Then I shall call on you later this morning to further elaborate on the finer qualities of your honey pot, and the plans I have for filling it completely.”

“
Morgan
.” She shot him a scandalized look while she struggled to maintain control of her growing arousal.

“Say that again.” There was almost a note of tender possession in his gruff command.

“What?”

“Say my name as if I’d just made your honey flow hot and sweet.”

“Dear Lord. Will you please stop?” His hot words warmed her blood, and the muscles below her stomach clenched then shuddered with a tiny spasm. She shot him a glance, and when his blue gaze met hers, she could see the passion glowing in his eyes. He narrowed his eyes then reached over and pulled her horse to a halt.

“Sweet Jesus. You’re hot and slick for me right now. Aren’t you.”

She swallowed hard at the desire tightening his jaw into a harsh line. Glancing away from him, she tried not to squirm in the saddle. Already her nether regions were screaming for his touch. If only she could make him ache the same way he was arousing her.

With a daring she didn’t know she possessed, she slowly raised her gaze to meet his. Deliberately, she wet her lips with her tongue, her eyes meeting his boldly. His jaw went rigid at the action.

“Yes.” She saw him swallow his tension. “Isn’t that how you like me? Hot and wet on your tongue?”

He stared at her in amazement. She bit back her smile. It wasn’t often one could silence Morgan St. Claire twice in less than twenty-four hours. His eyes narrowed on her as he shifted uncomfortably in his saddle.

“Take care, Julia. There are plenty of places here in the park for more than just a slight tryst.” The hoarse sound of his voice thrilled her. He was as painfully aroused as she was.

“Indeed. Then I must guard my honey well until we meet again tonight.”

Not waiting for his response, she lightly tapped Solomon’s hindquarters with her crop and cantered away from Morgan. She’d actually matched wits with the man and bested him. Or at least not allowed him to think of a rebuttal. Invigorated by her daring, she smiled.

For once, she had gained the upper hand with Morgan St. Claire. She liked the way it made her feel. Powerful, witty and feminine. Something she’d never felt before in her life. She’d shared control of their conversation and even managed to arouse him with her words.

Tonight, no doubt, he’d make her pay dearly for her behavior. The thought excited her almost as much as it surprised her.

Chapter 7

Morgan surveyed his bedroom. Everything was ready. All that was missing was the beautiful, seductive Julia. Earlier in the day, he’d sent her a note inviting her to dinner at seven. While she’d not replied, he’d considered sending another note demanding a reply. Then he recalled the memory of their conversation in Hyde Park, which eased some of his misgivings.

The memory of her words from earlier that morning made him inhale sharply. Damn if the woman hadn’t made him rock hard with just a few choice words. He grinned. Tonight he’d extract a delicious punishment from her. But he’d ensure that it was just as pleasurable for her as it was for him. Tonight was the night he’d been waiting for since he’d first set eyes on her nude portrait.

It had been a long time since any woman had captured his interest the way Julia had. Despite everything he did to push her out of his thoughts, she was always there. He tried to convince himself it was only lust talking, but it was becoming more difficult to think of her just in terms of his bed. Too often, he’d visualized her waiting for him when he came home from a long day at the office.

Home and hearth was something he’d avoided like the plague. It was why he lived in the hotel. Homes simply condoned the state of marriage. That trap wasn’t for him. The hellish existence of his childhood had taught him better. The life he led now was simple and enjoyable. No screaming matches, vile accusations or displays of affection that couldn’t even warm an iceberg.

Here at the Clarendon, he could enjoy himself without the worry of his latest mistress thinking he might be persuaded into that state most women wanted to enter. But with Julia, his thoughts had wandered far enough off course to think about what it would be like to wake up with her each morning. He grunted with exasperation. Bloody hell, he was becoming far to enamored with Julia Westgard. The sooner he expended his lust for her, the better.

The clock began to chime the seven o’clock hour, and he glanced toward the door. As the timepiece chimed off a note for each hour, an unfamiliar jolt of apprehension made him tighten his mouth. Well, if she didn’t come, he’d go to her. The thought had no sooner popped into his head than a quiet knock sounded on the door.

Eagerly he crossed the floor to let her into his suite. She stood in the corridor wearing a long evening cape with her face completely covered by a veil that deftly hid her features. Realizing she’d not wished to be recognized, he frowned. She’d been forced to cross the hotel lobby under censorious eyes. It was the one arrangement he’d failed to make for her arrival tonight.

“Damnation, I should have found a more discreet way for you to come here,”

he said in a gruff tone. It was the first time he’d ever regretted not having private lodgings.

“It’s all right. The day you had your migraine, I found a side entrance to the hotel. I used it this evening.” She entered his suite and came to a halt a few feet into the main room. “It’s quite discreet, but thank you for caring enough to be concerned for my reputation.”

Relief drifted through him when he realized she’d not had to endure the curious looks from hotel guests in the lobby. The night of their wager, he’d thoughtlessly expressed a lack of concern for her reputation, and he bit down on the inside of his cheek. The last thing he wanted was for her reputation to suffer because of him. At least he’d had Henri prepare a cold buffet. It would eliminate the possibility of any of the hotel staff recognizing her. There would be no servants to spread gossip amongst the Set.

Her gloved hands unfastened the cape at her throat, and he helped her slide the garment off her bare shoulders. Unable to help himself, his fingertips brushed across her soft, smooth skin. Dressed in a emerald green evening gown, the silk garment hugged her body as though she’d been sewn into it. The neckline plunged downward into a vee, revealing the cleft between her breasts. Her veil still covered her face making her even more seductive and arousing. Clearing his throat, he waited quietly as she slowly rolled up her veil to reveal her lovely features.

His cock swelled in his trousers as she stared up at him. The sultry expression in her hazel eyes intensified the craving in his body. Almost as if she were aware of his reaction to her, she slowly removed her gloves in a leisurely manner. Her movements were unhurried, simple, and erotically seductive. Desire spread its way through him. Bloody hell, he wanted to tumble her to the floor this second. No seduction, no teasing, just raw passion the driving force between them.

Morgan swallowed hard. He couldn’t recall any woman ever igniting such an urgent need inside him the way Julia did. With any other woman he would have simply labeled his craving one of lust. But deep in the back of his mind, he’d already admitted that Julia was special. Somehow it he didn’t think it would be as easy to let her go as he had other women. A small smile tilted the corners of her mouth. Even her amusement was enough to make him ache with need.

“Something smells delicious,” she murmured as she glanced around the room. Unable to help himself, he leaned into her to breath in her soft, tart scent.

“
You
smell delicious.”

“Said the lion to the lamb,” she said with a laugh.

Although there was no hesitation in her gaze, there was just a hint of trepidation as she met his gaze without flinching. Wanting to put her at ease, he turned toward the buffet servers the hotel staff had brought upstairs.

“Come and satisfy your taste for whatever food you like.”

As she moved to stand at his side, he lifted a silver dish cover. Julia immediately gasped with delight at the poached salmon arranged on the platter.

“You remembered,” she exclaimed and looked up at him in surprise.

“I make it a point to remember everything about you.” He smiled with satisfaction. Deep down inside he recognized it as happiness. It was a startling revelation.

“I think you remember what will serve you in some form or fashion at a later time,” she said with a laugh.

Although her tone wasn’t critical, he flinched at the observation. He didn’t like the idea that she might really see him in such a light. Without answering, he gestured for her to fill her plate before following suit. Moments later, they moved to the small table set near the fireplace where Morgan pulled out her chair for her.

∫

A wave of heat enveloped Julia as she brushed past him and took her seat at the table. The sensation sent her heart skidding along at an alarming rate. It accelerated to a frantic pace as his fingertips trailed across the nape of her neck then along the top of her shoulder. It was a feather light touch, but the effect on her senses was devastating. She darted a quick look at him only to feel the full force of his charm raining down on her as he offered her a wicked smile.

He’d scorned a jacket this evening, and the shirt he wore was open at the neck. Beneath the white linen shirt, his muscles rippled as he moved to take his seat opposite her. There was a relaxed air about him that spelled danger. But it was a danger she wanted to explore—if only for one night.

A comfortable silence fell between them as they ate, and she relished the poached salmon he’d ordered for her. He finished his meal first and reclined back in his seat to study her. The assessment in his eyes might have intimidated her weeks ago, but no longer. Although a wager had brought her to this point, she couldn’t deny that she really wanted to be here.

The thought worried her slightly. Her attraction for him was beginning to spiral out of control, making her all the more vulnerable to him. Shoving the thought aside, Julia reminded herself that it was for one night only. She had no intention of continuing this relationship beyond this evening. For one night she would enjoy the pleasure Morgan’s touch gave her, while doing her best to tempt him as well.

“You really don’t realize how beautiful you are, do you?” His unexpected observation made her jerk her gaze up to meet his quizzical one. She laughed with a healthy dose of disbelief.

“There it is again, that famous St. Claire charm. You have a way of making a woman feel as though she’s the only one you’ve ever paid a compliment too.” Her response made him frown for a moment, and once again, the flash of annoyance in his gaze puzzled her.

“Are you always so quick to dismiss someone’s compliment? I
never
say something I don’t mean, Julia.” The quiet words sent a warm heat cresting up into her cheeks.

“Forgive me. I’m unaccustomed to being the recipient of any type of praise.”

A short silence hovered in the air between them, and she struggled to keep her expression serene as she saw the assessment in his blue eyes. The man had the ability to read her more easily than anyone she’d ever met. Her heart had slowed its pace during their meal, but it now resumed its frantic pace.

“Why did you do it?” His question startled her, and Julia shook her head in confusion.

“Do what?”

“The portrait. Why did you have Peebles paint you in the nude?” The question made her throat close up, and she quickly reached for her wine to ease her discomfort. When she didn’t answer, he folded his arms across his chest and eyed her with that piercing gaze of his. “I’m waiting.”

“I don’t know that you’d understand,” she said quietly as she set her glass back on the crisp damask tablecloth.

“Try me.” The gentleness in his voice was soft and reassuring. Deep inside, something said she could trust him. She drew in a quick breath at the thought before she acquiesced to the instinct.

“I wanted to do something daring.”

“An act of defiance?” His astute question made her curl up her fingers into a fist in her lap. She shrugged her shoulders.

“Perhaps. I know my husband would not have approved of my actions.” A tiny sliver of satisfaction slipped into her consciousness. Oscar would have been livid.

“If I were him, I doubt I’d have approved either.” The quiet response made Julia stiffen and clench her teeth .

“But you’re
not
my husband, and Oscar’s no longer here.” She knew instantly she’d revealed far more than she’d intended. Morgan’s eyes narrowed and studied her with an intensity that made her avert her gaze for fear of him seeing deep into her soul. She couldn’t afford to give him that much power over her.