Page 14 of Seduction of a Widow

“MacLaren,” the viscount growled.

Lady Carr grasped the crook of Evan’s arm and pressed her breast against his forearm. “Our card game is not going as planned. Lady Dunn is correct; I am not a woman to settle for a single stolen kiss.”

“What’s this talk of kisses?” Dunn demanded.

Lady Carr shifted her gaze onto him. “You are wise to keep a close eye on your wife, sir. It was not Mr. MacLaren who made advances, but her.”

Isabel shot to her feet. “How dare you?” She lunged for Leslie.

The viscount grabbed for her and Evan seized Lady Carr’s arm to pull her aside, but she yanked free and nimbly stepped away, narrowly missing Isabel’s grasp. Lady Carr spun, yanked up her skirt, and gave Isabel a kick in the buttocks. Isabel stumbled several more paces, caught herself, then whirled. With a screech, she charged.

This time, Evan grabbed Lady Carr’s arm and pulled her into his arms as the viscount stepped in front of them. Lady Carr’s head snapped up and her eyes met Evan’s as Isabel slammed into the viscount. His mouth went dry at the crush of Lady Carr’s breasts against his chest. Isabel dropped to the carpet on her buttocks and cried out. Her husband grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. She cast a glare Evan’s way. The guests in the room stared as the viscount led his wife from the room at a fast walk.

Evan looked down at Lady Carr. “Shall we take that walk, my dear?”

He didn’t wait for her answer, but started them toward the balcony. She didn’t resist. He hadn’t thought she would. After all, the walk in the garden was her idea. What had she said? “I am not a woman to settle for a single stolen kiss.”

If ever there was proof of a merciful God, this was it.

Evan caught the glances cast their way as they swept across the room and out the open doors. The night was cool for the start of summer. Even more perfect. The balcony opened to the east lawn. Beyond the lawn, trees lay in thin moonlight.

She chuckled. “In a hurry, are we?”

He looked down at her. “As a matter of fact, I am.”

Her head snapped up and he was satisfied to read the surprise in her eyes.

“Do you mind?” he asked, as they slowed and descended the three steps to the lawn.

He caught the twitch of amusement at the corner of her mouth before she looked straight ahead again. That wasn’t quite the reaction he’d hoped for. They strolled across the lawn.

“I take it you and Lady Dunn are old friends,” she said.

There was no mistaking the laughter in her voice, but any recrimination was absent.

“I met her nine months ago in Italy. I had no idea she was married,” he said, then regretted the confession. He sounded as if he made excuses. Had he been?

“She seems dissatisfied with her marriage,” she said. “Is Lord Dunn difficult?”

Evan snorted. “Compared to Isabel? Nae.”

“You met her in Italy? Does that mean you have a lady in every port?”

Bloody hell, if that wasn’t genuine curiosity in her voice.

They reached the edge of the soft light that spilled from the open doors and slowed in the darker shadows of a massive alder.

“No one of import,” he said.

“Indeed?”

“Indeed,” he murmured, and swung her into his arms.

She gave a small gasp of surprise as he bent his head. Their lips touched, and his cock leapt to life. She slid her arms around his neck and he pulled her flush against him. Her breasts flattened against his chest. He eased her back against the tree and slid a leg between her legs. Her lips parted in surprise and he flicked his tongue against her tongue. She tangled her tongue with his and his cock pulsed with startling need. He’d only just met her. He’d bedded Isabel the very night he met her and that had been a terrible mistake. Would making love to Lady Carr so soon be a mistake, as well?

She slid her fingers into the hair at the back of his neck. He shuddered when she tightened her grip. She nipped at his lower lip. The lady liked to play. His heart pounded. This was the finest stolen kiss he’d ever had. Might she like a bit more? Evan flattened a palm on her ribs, then slid upward and cupped her breast. She sighed into his mouth. Surely, making love to this woman wouldn’t be a mistake. She was nothing like Isabel. He’d wanted Isabel, but he hadn’t considered a relationship beyond the boudoir. Was he considering more with Leslie?

She arched into his palm. Slowly, Evan slid her sleeve down until her breast was exposed. He broke the kiss, dipped his mouth to her hardened nipple and flicked it with his tongue. She breathed deep and blood thundered through his ears. He suckled the nipple. She drew in a sharp breath and he feared he would spend himself in his breeches. The woman was intoxicating. She released his hair and he froze when she cupped his erection. He’d never known a woman to be so bold. Gently, she kneaded his cock. He suckled her nipple harder. She kneaded him more firmly.