Page 12 of To Hunt the Hunter

“Don’t move,” she warned.

If he put his hands on her they would both be lost. Matilda took hold of his wrists and pressed his hands to the tree trunk.

“Like this, or not at all.”

“But…” he began, and she shook her head.

“Don’t touch me. Promise?”

He let out a pained huff of laughter.

“Promise,” he said begrudgingly, his tone dark.

Matilda glanced down the hill to see Phoebe was still occupied with catching fish before looking back at Lucian, whose eyes were fixed upon her.

“You said it would be sweeter if I instigated our first kiss. Do you remember?”

A sweep of blond eyelashes shuttered his expression for a moment. “Don’t remind me of all I have said and done. I am well aware of how little I deserve this, and yet… I was right, was I not?”

“Let’s see,” she said, and placed her hands upon his chest.

His heart thundered beneath her palm, which was reassuring as he was outwardly as placid as always, save for the way his eyes had grown dark, the pupils wide and blown. She slid her hands to his shoulders, lifted onto her toes and leaned in, pressing her mouth tentatively against his. Her breath caught and sensation lit her up like a lightning strike as desire lanced through her. Lucian kept his word and did not move to touch her, though his breath was coming fast now. Matilda moved her mouth over his, another soft press of lips, and he uttered a low sound that made her heart skip about. She drew back and he followed, seeking more, but she pressed a finger to his lips, a warning.

“Is this retribution?” he asked, his voice husky. “Will you tease and torture me when I have given you my word not to touch?”

Matilda laughed and almost agreed but decided on honesty instead. “No, this is me daring to pet a tiger. It’s self-preservation, Lucian, and you know it.”

“Then for God’s sake, take what you want. I’m dying here.”

So she did, pressing closer, her breasts against his hard chest, her mouth firming over his. He angled his head and she gasped as his tongue traced the seam of her lips, seeking, asking. It was both too much and not enough as his tongue found hers and stroked. Oh, she was lost, this was too sweet, too delicious. He did not move, did not break his word, and yet he was utterly in control, drawing her closer with his kiss, making her want more and more with each press of that sinful, wicked, mouth. She had seen him use words as weapons, seen the cruel set of that mouth when he was at his most austere, and yet now it was so achingly tender, so soft, tempting her down a path she could not take.

Matilda pressed closer still, her body alive with need, the place between her thighs that clamoured for him throbbing and damp. Good Lord, but Phoebe was close by, and she… and she wanted….

Matilda broke away from him and stepped back, breathing hard.

“Matilda.”

Her name was a plea. His eyes said more and please and don’t go. She couldn’t look at him, aware of how close she’d been to asking him to touch her, to do anything he wanted.

“I’m sorry,” she said, shaking her head and turning away from him. “I… I should not have—”

“Don’t,” he commanded, his voice sharp. “Don’t regret it, for the love of God. I’ll remember this until the day I die, Matilda. You did nothing wrong. Damnation, I want you so badly. I don’t know….” He gave a soft laugh, though there was no humour in it. “How do I let you go? Tell me how.”

Matilda wanted to cry but she forced herself to smile, though she could not bear to turn and look at him. “You say, goodbye, Matilda, and I leave. It’s quite simple. But I shan’t go until I know what I can do to help you.”

He made a sound of disgust. “There is nothing you can do, and I suppose that will save you. It is the one thing that can force my hand and make me send you away. My uncle has consistently failed to put a period to my life, and so he will make me pay instead. He will hurt me through those I love, as he has always done.”

“Phoebe,” Matilda said in a rush as she turned back to him, her hand covering her heart as it was struck with fear. “That’s why you left London. That’s why you were afraid, you were scared he would hurt her.”

Lucian nodded, his expression grave and regretful. “And you, Matilda. If he had the slightest idea how I feel for you….”

Her breath caught at the look in his eyes. Did he mean…?

“Look!”

Matilda almost jumped out of her skin, not having heard Phoebe approach, too caught up in Lucian and his words.

“I caught one!”