Tempting a Gentleman by Smith, Ann (bearly read books .txt) 📕

that wot ye and Lord Hadfield have been discussin’ behind closed doors for past few nights—the bloomin’ list?”

His chest rumbled in her ear. “Landon will be your brother soon. He won’t tolerate you referring to him as Lord Hadfield.” His hand came to rest atop her head and then trailed down her neck and along her spine.

Emma snuggled closer. She’d always kept her distance from others, but she was drawn to Christopher and his caresses. It made her feel treasured. Emma drummed her fingers over his chest instead of working on sliding the three buttons of his jacket loose. “Ye didn’t answer me question, luv.”

Christopher’s hand paused mid-stroke down her back. “I like it when you call me love.”

“Then I shall continue—if ye answer me questions.”

He chuckled and said, “Yes. I was gathering the names of the members to be selected for the assignment of supporting Lord Burke. I wanted Landon’s insight, but in fact, for once in our lives, he proved as unfamiliar with the topic as I. So you see, my dear, it is your assistance I need.”

His request wreaked all sorts of havoc on Emma. He wanted her opinion, which meant he valued her judgment. Emma flattened a hand upon his chest and pushed herself up to sit astride once again. She searched her soon to be husband’s handsome features. Honest. Sincere. Christopher was not the complacent second son she had assumed him to be. “Ye need me?”

“Aye. There is no one else I trust.”

A lump formed in her throat. Emma’s finger traced the outline of one of his buttons. She let the wave of pleasure of being desired roll through her. Emma raised her gaze to his and said, “I’ve faith in ye too.” She kissed him once more. The rub of his coat against her chest and the intensity of his gaze brought about both a physical and a more profound need within her. She wanted to reassure him he’d not misplaced his trust in her. Staring into his eyes, she shifted her hips lower. She wanted more than kisses. The craving to prove she was his and would be forever had her hips rotating until she felt his cock bulging against her core. Her dress slipped off her shoulders. Christopher had managed to release the ribbons of both her dress and stays and was skillfully divesting her of her clothing. Smiling at his talent, she rose slightly to pull her hands through the gaping sleeves, but in order to be free of the material, she had to pull back further from his warm body to shimmy out of her dress. The gleam of desire shone brightly in Christopher’s eyes. Emboldened, Emma ran her fingers along the seam of his coat until they reached the top button.

Christopher inhaled sharply. “You, my dear, are eliciting every ungentlemanly thought I possess.”

She eased the top button through its hole. “And ye are makin’ me blood boil.” She began to work on the second button.

Christopher emitted a low growl from the back of his throat.

She paused and lifted her gaze back to his eyes. “Is somethin’ the matter, luv?”

His lips thinned into a straight line. Christopher slowly rolled his head from side to side. Emma freed the last button and spread his coat wide before running her hands up his sides and over his chest. The friction of the fine material against her palms sent shivers through her. “I fink it only fair I see ye naked before we wed.”

She tugged on his waistcoat, urging him to sit up. Christopher complied, rolling to a sitting position, which shifted her hips, causing her center to graze against his manhood. The ache between her legs intensified, stalling her hand on his cravat.

“What will you do once you have me naked?” Christopher’s voice deepened.

Emma grinned at his teasing remark. “Hmmm. Perhaps I’ll lull ye to sleep, as ye did to me last time.” Her bare skin pebbled at the memory of his hands kneading her muscles.

Emma slid the material from his neck as he removed his waistcoat, and together, they tugged his lawn shirt over his head. Emma didn’t wait to run her hands over his shoulders and down his naked chest.

Christopher trailed light kisses along her neck and shoulder. “The thought of your hands roaming all over me isn’t likely to induce my body to sleep.”

Chest to chest, Emma delighted in the intimacy of being held close with no barriers between them. “Ye’re still wearing yer breeches, and I want them off.”

Effortlessly he lifted her by the waist and maneuvered her to sit next to him. While he did as she bid, she moved the heavy basket out of the way. Emma began to adjust the brightly colored pillows, but she froze. Christopher’s smooth, creamy skin simply begged for her attention.

Intrigued, she skimmed her hand up over his torso that was adorned with a sprinkling of dark hair. He inhaled deeply and held his breath as she lowered her trembling hand back down to rest at his waist.

His gaze bored into her.

She ran her unsteady hand over his taut stomach. “Yer skin is hot.”

“And I see you are cold.” He trailed the back of his fingers along her arm. “Come, let me warm you.”

Emma snuggled into his arms—he was her new haven. Christopher lowered them to lie upon the floor on their sides. She rested her head on his arm and closed her eyes. The brush of Christopher’s warm breath upon her face set her cheeks aflame. She lay bare, ready to give herself over to the man she was to wed. His warm lips gently urged her mouth apart. She enjoyed his slow, tantalizing kisses. She wrapped her arm around his waist, palm flat against his back. Emma released his mouth merely long enough to whisper, “I love ye,” before her tongue peeked out to tangle with Christopher’s.

She raked her fingertips down his back, and every muscle of her future husband tensed. “I’m sorry—did I hurt ye?”

“Nothing to be sorry