Page 5 of One Night with an Earl

She blinked in surprise. She now realized where he’d led her—to the corridor nearest the vestibule. He hadn’t meant to lead her upstairs to share the night, but for her to flee the Silver Chalice.

Her breath quickened, and her cheeks grew warm with humiliation. Had she misinterpreted so badly? What made her believe she could pull this off? She was as far from a seductress as a woman could be.

Foolish, Ana. Go back to your dull working life, your cold, empty bed. Spend night after night wondering about the pleasurable experience that slipped through your fingers because you were not bold enough to seize it.

Her embarrassment quickly turned to annoyance, then determination. This was her one chance, and she’d never get an opportunity like this again. She understood the risks, had contemplated each and every one in detail for weeks, before arriving here tonight and slipping into the tight red dress.

Tomorrow, she would return to Malvern Manor with memories—memories which would have to suffice for the rest of her days.

Raising her chin, she spoke in a husky whisper. “I don’t want to go, and I don’t think you want me to, either.”

Long, anxious moments passed as their gazes held one another.

Her heart pounded so loudly she wondered how he didn’t hear it. As he watched her, she had the strange impression that he was battling his own restraint. How odd. Didn’t most men who walked through the brothel’s doors expect to be led to one of the rooms?

Finally, he let out a slow breath, his chest rising and falling beneath a meticulously tailored coat that emphasized his broad shoulders. “You should not have fallen into Moore’s hands.”

“I did not intend to seek out Moore, but you.” She boldly laid a hand on his chest. Beneath layers of broadcloth and linen, his own heart beat strong and sure.

His gaze narrowed. “Why?”

“I saw someone I desired.”

His hissed in a breath, and her confidence grew. Her first instinct had been right. He was attracted to her; she was sure of it now. “Would you like to kiss me, my lord?”

“Yes. Very much.”

“And still you hesitate.”

“I do not do this.” A flash of anger crossed his face, and once more, she had the impression he was fighting something, like a man dying of thirst but who feared the well was poisoned.

“Do what? Kiss a woman?”

“No. Frequent brothels.”

Neither do I. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she held back. He mustn’t suspect a thing. Besides, if he spoke the truth about not seeking out demimondes, then perhaps he would not notice her inexperience.

But that was foolish thinking. Just because he was not one of Madame Crescent’s frequent customers did not mean he was sexually inexperienced. She’d have to convince him otherwise regarding herself.

“Allow me to make the choice for you, then.” Standing on tiptoe, she leaned forward, raised her chin, and closed her eyes.

And waited.

Seconds ticked by. She cracked her eyes to find his gaze fastened on her mouth. What would it take for this man to kiss her?

She wasn’t entirely innocent and had taken a turn once or twice in the gardens of a ball and had been kissed before. But that was years ago, when she’d had a dowry and suitors. Her mother may have been from the Middle East, but her father was an English baron, and Ana had been accepted by most of society.

His fingers clenched at his sides. “You’re intent on carrying this out, then?”

“Yes.” She challenged him, challenged herself.

She held her breath and kept her eyes open as he lowered his head. Rather than capture her mouth in a wet, sloppy kiss, his tongue leisurely licked her full underlip. Her lips tingled, and she sucked in a breath. The touch was nothing like the awkward kisses she’d experienced.

“I’ve been wanting to do that since I first saw you.”

He had? A delightful shiver of wanting ran through her, and she parted her lips and grasped his upper arms. Her pulse raced as if she had run around the perimeter of her family’s summer estate on a warm afternoon after a long winter of dreary cold. Then he lowered his head once more and sucked in her full bottom lip as if he were taking a red cherry into his mouth.

Oh, my.