Two Shades of Seduction

by Monica Burns

  “Quentin…I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I should not have—”

  “Should not have what, my lady?” he snarled as he turned to face her. “I am well aware of my reputation in this county.”

  “A reputation that is undeserved,” she said adamantly.

  “First you insult my honor and now my intelligence.”

  “I am not questioning your intelligence,” she exclaimed. “And I should never have questioned your honor.”

  “Perhaps you were not wrong to do so, my lady.” Quentin smiled coldly. “After all, you’re at my mercy at this point in time.”

  “At your—” Sophie gasped as he stepped forward and ripped his coat from her shoulders.

  “There now. That’s much better,” he said in a brutal tone. “This is the look I’m accustomed to seeing on a Townsend woman.”

  Stunned, she stared up him in shock. He’d just compared her to Eleanor. The accusation was as brutal as anything her father or stepsister had ever said to her. No, it was far worse. Pain sliced through her at the way his words cut so deep into her soul. Without a word, she turned and walked to where she’d laid her habit over two rickety chairs.

  “Bloody hell,” he exclaimed in a harsh voice. “That was unforgiveable of me, Sophie.”

  She didn’t answer. If she did, she knew she would cry. And she refused to let him see her cry any more than she would ever allow her father or Eleanor to do so. Sophie picked up the skirt of her habit, her fingers fumbling with the wet material as she fought back tears. A warm hand closed over hers, and she tried to jerk away, but his grasp was unrelenting.

  “Sophie, please.” The remorse in his soft words sent a shudder through her, and she shook her head.

  “I must go,” she rasped. “I’m certain the groomsman will have notified my father or brother that I have not returned.”

  His strong hands gently turned her to face him. She closed her eyes in an effort to keep the tears at bay, but a tear escaped to run down her cheek. Immediately, he released a harsh noise and gently wiped the droplet from her skin. She bowed her head to avoid looking at him and brushed at her eyes.

  “You can’t go out in the rain until your clothes have dried more, and I’ll not have you catch your death of cold.”

  “Quentin—”

  “No more, Sophie. We both said words we regret.”

  It was an apology and forgiveness in one simple statement. With a nod, she laid the skirt of her habit over the back of the chair. A moment later, Quentin’s jacket rested on her shoulders again. Gently, he guided her back to the fire.

  “I’d offer you a seat, but the only thing that isn’t falling apart in here is that.” He jerked his head in the direction of the narrow bed against the far wall.

  “I’m fine,” she murmured.

  An awkward silence settled over them as they stared down into the fire. Quentin threw another log on the flames, and Sophie stretched her hands out to warm them. Overhead, the rain beat steadily down on the thatch roof, but as the minutes passed, Sophie realized her chemise had begun to dry. She glanced at Quentin, and noted that his breeches were drying quickly as well.

  It wouldn’t be long now before they were dry enough to leave, unless the rain failed to ease some. The thought of riding home in the wet, chilly weather was an unappealing one when she was warm and dry here. A mocking laugh echoed in the back of her mind. It wasn’t simply the weather that was making her reluctant to leave.

  She quickly rubbed her hands in the warmth of the fire to hide their sudden shaking. He’d brutally insulted her, and yet she wanted to remain here in his company. She was a fool. The quiet in the hut was suddenly broken by the sound of Quentin clearing his throat.

  “You’re nothing like her, you know.” His statement made her jerk her gaze in his direction before she quickly looked away. “You have a generous heart. Eleanor has no heart at all.”

  “Thank you,” she said softly. “It must be hard to love someone who’s treated you so badly.”

  “I don’t love Eleanor.” He shrugged his shoulders with an air of apathy. “I doubt I ever did.”

  “Oh,” Sophie said quietly, uncertain how to respond to his confession.

  “Although, I didn’t realize it until your brother took a swing at me the other day.”

  “You must forgive him. Spencer has been away at school for the last six years. His knowledge of events over the last few years has been gained through Eleanor’s letters.”

  “In other words, Eleanor’s lies.” Bitterness echoed in Quentin’s reply, and Sophie reached out to touch his arm. Beneath her fingers, his muscles were taut with tension.

  “He’s still young, but has a good heart. He only wishes to protect those he loves,” she said fervently.

  “What about you? Would he be so quick to defend you?” His question made her laugh.

  “The recent bout you had with him will be nothing compared to his defense of me.” She smiled with a shake of her head. “Spencer and I are as close as any real brother and sister would be.”

  “Then I shall be prepared for his arrival at the keep when news of our marriage reaches his ears.” There was amusement in Quentin’s voice, and she looked up at him with a smile.

  “That is most advisable, my lord.”

  “I thought we had agreed to dispense with formality, Sophie.” The quiet observation sounded more like a command, and she stiffened slightly at the irony of his comment.

  “In my current state of déshabille, I would say we have dispensed with all formality.”

  There were several feet between them, but despite the distance, she immediately sensed the tension that made him go rigid beside her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him turn his head to study her. Nibbling on her lip, she met his gaze and watched his eyes narrow slightly.

  “Your current state of undress is due to poor judgment on your part. It shows a complete disregard for your safety.” The displeasure in his voice made Sophie glare at him.

  “I am quite capable of building a fire, and I was in the process of doing so when you burst through the door,” she said with irritation. “If you’ll recall, I was the one who gave you the flint with which to start the fire.”

  “I’m not talking about your ability to build a fire, Sophie. What would you have done if some other man had found you here? Dressed like this,” he growled as he gestured at her thin chemise. For a moment, she stared at him in amazement before she laughed out loud.

  “I imagine he would have been as embarrassed by my state of undress as you were,” she said with amusement.

  “I wasn’t embarrassed, Sophie. Far from it.” There was a hard edge to the softness of his voice that made her heart skip a beat as she blinked at him in surprise.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “Do you have any idea how delectable you looked when I came through that door? And still do for that matter.” His voice had the low, quiet rumble of a tiger. It made her breath catch in her throat as his gaze slid slowly down her body. “Do you really think any man wouldn’t be tempted by you?”

  “That’s absurd.” Sophie gulped as she took a quick step back from him.

  “Is it?” he murmured as he stepped forward and immediately negated her retreat.

  “It’s a ridiculous suggestion. I am not so naïve as to believe any man would desire a spinster of my age.” This time she took several steps backward only to have him follow her.

  “You underestimate your charms Sophie.” His voice was like a warm, silky blanket that wrapped her skin in a sensation of heat and lethargy. Perhaps I should prove to you how tempting you are.”

  “Tempting?” she gasped.

  Alarmed by the excitement spiraling through her veins, she stumbled several steps backwards. In her haste, his coat jacket slid off her shoulders and landed on the floor. Slowly, he bent down to pick the jacket up. He draped the wool garment over a nearby chair without taking his gaze off of her then continued to close the distance between them. />
  “Surely, you’re not afraid of me, Sophie.” Amusement filled his voice and it made her bristle with anger.

  “I most definitely am not,” she exclaimed.

  “Not even the least little bit.” His firm lips curled upward slightly, which only emphasized the scar on his face. He looked every bit the scoundrel he claimed himself to be.

  “No,” she bit out between her teeth. It was a lie, but she refused to admit it to him.

  “Liar,” he said softly as if soothing a skittish mare. Narrowing her gaze at him, she shook her head.

  “You, are mistaken, my lord,” she said with defiance.

  Determined not to let him see how much he really intimidated her, Sophie stepped forward and pressed her body into his. The warmth of him engulfed her in a split second, as he jerked with surprise. The tension in Quentin’s body was emphasized by the way his muscles became rock hard against her hands. Her audacity astonished her, but she liked knowing she’d caught him off guard.

  In the back of her mind, she heard a warning to take care, but she ignored it. Instead, she tugged his head downward and pressed her lips against his. Heat seared her mouth as she gently moved her lips against his in a soft kiss. Slowly, she pulled away from him and smiled with triumph.

  “As you can see, you’ve already taught me a good deal,” she said with elation.

  When he didn’t respond, she eyed him carefully. The expression on his face was unreadable, but the jagged scar cutting its way down his cheek was taut with tension. Something powerful and dangerous filled the space between them, and Sophie’s heartbeat accelerated its pace as she met his gaze. A dark emotion glittered in his gaze, and she immediately realized she’d made a mistake. She’d offered him a challenge, and if there was one thing she already knew about the Devil of Devlyn Keep, it was that he enjoyed a challenge.

  “No, Sophie,” he growled low and soft. “We’ve not even begun to explore the dark depths of sin, simply because I’ve had no wish to frighten you.”

  “While your consideration is greatly appreciated, Lord Devlyn, I am not so innocent that you need to treat me like an ingénue.”

  Sophie almost groaned at her reckless response. She’d already issued him one challenge, what was she thinking to provoke him further. The answer made her senses reel. She wanted him. Strong hands grasped her arms, and he pulled her forward until she found herself crushed against his hard body.

  “Then perhaps I should show you exactly why you need to fear me.”

  A strange fire glowed in his eyes as he stared down at her, and his clean, male scent mixed with smoke washed over her. The rough pads of his fingers grazed her throat as he lifted her chin and lowered his head toward her. The moment his mouth settled on hers, it was obvious she’d miscalculated the potency of his touch.

  Hot and searing, his kiss heated her blood with a fire she’d never felt before. Unlike his other kisses, he didn’t coax a response from her. This time he demanded it. Helpless in the onslaught of his caress, she sighed and clung to him as his tongue mated with hers. A shudder of excitement sailed through her as his mouth slid off hers and nibbled its way down her neck to the small crevice of her shoulder.

  She wasn’t sure how, but she was suddenly tumbling backward onto the straw mattress of the hut’s narrow cot. One knee pressed into makeshift bed, Quentin towered over her, the scar on his cheek highlighted by the bright flames crackling in the fireplace. Hands braced on either side of her arms, he stared down at her with an expression that sent a rush of excitement and alarm shooting through her blood.

  “Unlace your combination.” His mouth thinned when she hesitated to obey the command. “Now, or I’ll do it for you.”

  The dark command was as rough as the straw pricking at her skin. Her mouth went dry as her fingers fumbled with the laces holding the lightweight corset closed. Beneath his glittering gaze, her skin grew hot, and her breathing became little more than short, rapid gasps for air.

  Slowly she undid the laces, all too aware of his dangerous gaze watching her every move. As she pulled the last cloth tie from its loophole, she swallowed hard at the fire blazing in Quentin’s eyes. The undergarment was only partially open, and as his gaze drifted downward, she immediately felt her nipples stiffen against the linen lining. She flushed at the realization he could arouse her without even touching her. His mouth curled at one corner in the semblance of a smile.

  “Show me your breasts.”

  Her eyes widened at the command and she gave a slight shake of her head. She wasn’t ready to expose herself so fully to him. She needed more time. His eyes narrowed at her hesitation.

  “Afraid, Sophie?”

  The mockery in his voice infuriated her, but still she hesitated. An instant later, his large hand tugged the garment open. She gasped as the cool air of the hut brushed over her skin. It hardened her nipples even more, and she heard Quentin suck in a sharp breath.

  The raw desire in his face sent her heartbeat skittering out of control, and she trembled as she looked up into his green eyes. When he cupped her with one hand, she drew in a sharp breath. A split second later, his thumb flicked over one nipple, and she moaned from the sheer pleasure his touch brought her.

  Without thinking, she closed her eyes and arched her back slightly hoping he would suckle her as he’d done the day before. His thumb continued to circle her nipple, and her mouth went dry at the sinfully delicious sensation it created inside her. It was a heavenly torture that made her body long for more.

  He bent his head, and his tongue flicked out to circle one nipple before he blew across the wet skin. A quiet sob broke out of her at the wicked caress. God, if only he’d take her into his mouth. With another flick of his tongue, he circled the taut tip of her.

  “Tell me what you want.” At his demand, her eyes flew open to meet his piercing gaze. Hot color burned her cheeks. He knew. But how could he? She gasped as he gently tweaked her nipple.

  “Tell me, Sophie.”

  “I want…I want you to…”

  “There are many things I can do to you, sweetheart. Tell me what you want right now.” A wicked smile curved his lips, and her cheeks burned hotter. She inhaled a quick breath as his thumb circled her nipple.

  “You know what…you know what I want,” she rasped.

  “Do I?”

  The playful note in his voice was emphasized by the way his fingers rubbed over one nipple, massaging it and the flesh around it. A sense of desperation filled her. God help her, but he was going to make her beg for it. She tried to control the fire spreading through her body, but all she could focus on was how much she wanted him to suck on her.

  “I want you…oh God, Quentin…please take me in your mouth.”

  With pleasure,” he murmured.

  An instant later his tongue flicked across a rigid nipple before he clamped it between his lips and sucked on her. The gratification was sharp, intense, and instantaneous. She bucked beneath him as he nipped at her taut nipple with his teeth. The sensation tugged another moan from her as she slid her fingers through his dark hair.

  She’d never felt so incredibly wicked in her entire life. Dear lord, was this what it was like between a man and a woman? If it was, then she wanted more. His teeth scraped across her nipple once more, and the cried out at the keen sensation that engulfed her at the gentle bite.

  Ever so slowly, his mouth caressed the top of her breasts as he slid his body over hers. The weight of him pressed her deeper into the straw mattress until she was a willing prisoner beneath him. The raw essence of him tantalized her senses.

  She breathed in the tangy scent of spice mixed with smoke. It was a seductive male scent that sank into her body like a drug. The moment his mouth touched hers, her pulse skidded out of control. His tongue danced with hers, and wrapping her arms around his neck, she clung to him as she matched the harsh intensity of his kiss.

  Strong, warm fingers slid beneath the edge of her corset and tugged the soft linen of her drawers downward
until his fingers were stroking the bare skin of first her buttocks and then her thigh. The hedonistic touch made her stiffen against him with a gasp. He quickly smothered her protest with another kiss, and she relaxed against him.

  His mouth teased and bruised hers as his hand grazed her skin with the rough pads of his fingers. The intensity of his kiss deepened as a low growl rumbled out of him. A second later, she suddenly realized she was completely naked from the waist downward. Alarm sailed through her. They weren’t married. What if he took what he wanted and simply walked away from her?

  Deep inside, a voice reassured her that he would honor his bargain. Even if he didn’t, could she deny herself this one moment of passion? A moment that might never come again. He nibbled gently at her neck then worked his way down to her shoulder. Sweet heaven, the man was driving every sensible thought out of her head. The seductive caress made her sigh with pleasure as reluctance gave way to surrender.

  Slowly, he pushed himself up to hover over her. The heat of his hand warmed her calf as he bent her leg. A sharp gasp flew out of her as she suddenly realized she was fully exposed to him. His gaze locked with hers, and what she saw blazing in his eyes made her shudder with excitement. Her body tingled with a longing for something she didn’t fully understand, and as he trailed his fingers down her leg, he smiled. Aroused by the sinful curve of his mouth, her erratic breathing intensified. Oh god, was he going to make her his at this very moment? She experienced no fear at the thought. This was what she’d been longing for since their first kiss.

  “Tell me what other delights I should show you, my sweet.”

  “I don’t…don’t understand.”

  At her response, he lowered his head to trace a small circle with his tongue at the crease of her bent leg. The sensual nature of the caress distracted her from his real purpose. The instant his fingers stroked the nub of flesh at the heart of her sex, she cried out in surprise. His response was to kiss the inside of her thigh as his thumb rubbed against her sex with increasing pressure.