Page 31 of Seduction of a Widow

He fully faced her and said, “Am I intruding?”

Her heart beat wildly. He stood, tall, handsome…powerful, and he was here, in her room where they could…

Her mouth went dry, but she managed in an even voice, “Not at all.”

His brow furrowed slightly. “How are you feeling?”

Her heart warmed. “Better,” she said.

He gave a single, slow nod. “I am relieved. Are you in the mood for company this evening?”

The juncture between her legs tightened. Oh, yes, she was in the mood for company.

“What did you have in mind?”

Without a word, he unbuttoned his coat, then laid it over the wing-back chair in front of the hearth. He tugged his cravat loose, then unknotted the fabric and pulled it from around his neck. Slowly, he rolled up each sleeve to his forearm. Despite the warmth of the fire, she shivered when he took two steps and knelt beside the tub. He reached across her, his mouth so close to hers, she could almost taste the whisky he’d drank, and picked up the soap in the dish on the small table beside the tub.

Leslie realized she was breathing hard. He hadn’t touched her, yet her sex throbbed with such intensely that she had to grip the tub edge to keep from lifting her hips while pushing his head between her legs. He leaned back and grasped her hand. Leslie remained motionless while he lathered first one arm, then the other. Next, he washed her left, then right leg. When he pressed the soap to her shoulder, she grasped his neck and pulled his mouth to hers.

Their lips touched and a ravenous hunger whipped through her. She wanted his flesh against hers, his hardness deep inside her as his heart beat in unison with hers. His tongue slipped between her lips and she sucked him in deep. He drew a sharp breath. Her already peaked nipples further hardened. He covered a breast with one palm. Heaven help her, might he slip a finger between her legs as he had earlier. Might he use his mouth on her as she had him. Her head whirled. She couldn’t—

A soft knock on the door caused her to jerk. Evan pulled back from the kiss.

“Lady Carr,” a female voice called.

Millie.

The doorknob jiggled.

Evan shoved to his feet as the door opened.

Millie peered around the edge of the door. “My lady—” She gasped, her eyes on Evan.

“I gave you leave to retire for the evening,” Leslie said.

The maid’s eyes jerked onto her. “A-aye, my lady. I, uh, I have a note for you.”

“A note?” Leslie asked.

Millie nodded.

Leslie waited.

Millie stared.

“The note,” Evan said.

The maid’s eyes widened, but she didn’t move.

“Have you the note?” he asked.

She nodded vigorously.

“You may give it to her ladyship,” he said.

She looked at Leslie as if uncertain, and Leslie nodded. The girl slipped into the room and hurried to Leslie. She handed her a small folded notecard.

“Thank you.”