Page 21 of To Steal a Kiss

“Yes?”

“I don’t know anything about you. Not even the rest of your name.”

Nate raised her hand to his lips. “Nathaniel Hunt, Miss Dowding. Enchantée.”

“Hunt!” she exclaimed in shock. “B-But you’re… Matilda’s brother?”

He nodded, a little anxious. Had she believed him someone else, someone better? A nobleman, perhaps, or at least a gilded member of the ton? “Guilty as charged,” he said, with a glibness he was far from feeling. “Do you mind?”

She let out a breath and shook her head. “Of course I don’t mind,” she exclaimed. “Only I can’t believe I never realised…. My word, you even have the same eyes, the same colouring. How could I not have seen it?”

“It was dark,” he murmured, turning her hand and undoing the buttons on her glove with deft fingers. He tugged it from her before putting her hand to his cheek and holding it there. “And we were rather preoccupied with other matters.”

“We were,” she agreed, rather breathless now. “So, you are the notorious Nathaniel Hunt, proprietor of Hunter’s. My father has been trying to gain membership there for almost two years.”

“Ah,” Nate said awkwardly. Mr Dowding was an overbearing sort, loud and dull, and too ingratiating with those of higher rank. He got louder and duller the more he drank. He was wealthy, however. The last time the man had applied, the Earl of St Clair had told Nate in all seriousness that he’d give up his own membership if Dowding was accepted.

Alice just laughed. “Oh, don’t look so mortified. Don’t, I beg you, give him membership. We may be wealthy, but he is too easily led into extravagance. Mother worries about his gambling as it is. So, I don’t care why you deny him, just continue to do so, or the poor woman will never sleep sound again. I promise you I am not the least bit affronted.”

Nate gave a huff of amusement and turned his face into her palm, kissing it. “My sister told me you were a meek little thing, sweet and frightened of your own shadow. Why do I not see that when I look at you?”

She stared at him for a moment before she answered. “She’s quite correct, I’m afraid. Much as I hate to admit it, and I can’t really explain except… you make me brave,” she said, before taking a deep breath and reaching for him.

Nate did not need asking twice. He moved closer beside her as her hand slid behind his neck.

“Kiss me… please,” she asked, hesitant in her request, as if it were necessary to negotiate for his attention.

“No,” he murmured, smiling to reassure her that he was only teasing. “I’ve spent the last ten days dreaming of a red-haired temptress who kissed me like no woman has ever done. You’ve ruined me, Alice and I long for the taste of you. Sweet as barley sugar. I want that. I want it again. You kiss me, Alice… please.”

There was too much emotion in his voice, too much raw need, but he was helpless to disguise it. There was no hiding from her.

And then she did. She kissed him. Oh, God in heaven, she did, and Nate was lost.

***

Alice clung to him as Nate’s arms went around her. She was still in shock. Matilda’s brother, of all people! She wondered if she should feel guilty about it, for meeting him here in such a way, when surely Matilda didn’t know. Did she? She’d arranged the first kiss after all; no wonder she could assure Alice that he was someone she trusted.

Could Alice trust him, though? How well did Matilda know her brother?

She knew she ought not be here, she knew she was risking everything for this stolen moment of pleasure, and for what? Nate’s reputation preceded him by a mile or more. Everyone had heard of the charming rogue, charismatic proprietor of the notorious gaming club that bore his own name. Hunter’s, a place where fortunes were won and lost on the turn of a card, or the throw of a dice. The world knew him as the dashing young buck who’d sworn to never marry because it would be bad for business. Alice knew that, and surely she should run for the door right this minute. He would never marry her. This was likely only a game to him, a game of chance with her as the prize.

Was Alice gambling the only thing of value she owned with him now? Was this how his club had become so successful? He only need flash that charming smile, speak a few words in that honeyed, beguiling voice that sounded like sin and magic twined together, and the world fell at his feet, or into his arms.

It worked on her, that was the only thing she knew for sure. Well, that and that the act of kissing Nathaniel Hunt should to come with a warning attached. He was addictive in the best and worst possible ways.

She tried to press against him, to get closer as he kissed her, that sleek tongue exploring her mouth with deepening kisses. The angle was all wrong, though. He stood at her side and she had to twist, to angle herself towards him. Alice gave a frustrated little sigh and Nate drew back, wicked amusement in his eyes that made heat and desire uncoil inside her.

He moved to stand in front of her, holding her gaze, silently asking permission. Alice’s breathing picked up. Surely, she couldn’t be so brazen, but….

She opened her legs and he moved forward, into the space she’d made for him.

“Will you dance with me later?” he asked as he pressed closer, taking her in his arms once more.

The question surprised her, perhaps more than was reasonable. After all, they were doing this all back to front. The dance should have come first or, at the very least, before… before this.

Alice hesitated before smiling at him. “Yes, I’d like that.”

His keen gaze studied her face. “But?”