Page 42 of His Improper Lady

Now and then, Tom would stroll outside the club, stopping to chat with the guards and keeping a watchful eye on the street. Once or twice, he walked up and down the surrounding streets, searching for the distinctive carriage.

There had been no sign of the man by the time they left the club and climbed into the waiting carriage. Desiree settled down in the seat beside Tom. She was warm, the faintest sheen of perspiration on her face as she removed the mask. Desiree leaned back against the seat, closing her eyes, and let out a sigh.

“Tired?” Tom asked.

“A bit.” She opened her eyes, rolling her shoulders. “It gets cramped sitting there for so long. I quit early tonight. Today was rather wearing.”

He grinned. “You could say that.” He paused. “You want to do it again tomorrow?”

“Of course.” She flashed him a grin. “You don’t think I’m going to quit after one day, do you?”

“No.” He smiled back. “But I thought you might want to wait a day or two.”

“No. If it gets too taxing doing that and going to the club in the evening, I’ll skip the games. It’s not as if I have to do them.”

“We might do the Marylebone districts tomorrow. I think the one near Percy Circus may be more likely than the area in Kensington.”

“Very well.” They pulled up in front of the Malone house as Desiree spoke.

Tom exited first, looking up and down the street before giving her his hand to climb down. “I’ll walk around a bit after you go in, make sure he’s not parked farther up the street.”

“Let’s both walk,” Desiree suggested, and when Tom hesitated, she went on, “You know I’m not fragile or a liability. I’d like to walk after all that sitting tonight.”

His hesitation had not been from fear she wouldn’t be able to handle herself if they discovered their pursuer. It was the thought of being with her alone in the warm darkness that gave him pause. It wasn’t wise. But he said, “Of course.”

Desiree took his arm as they strolled. “What did you think about the club this evening?”

“I think it has good security, a high-level clientele, and it probably rakes in a lot of money. Your brother is, as you said, very visible and active in the club.” Tom stopped in the shadows of a tree, turning toward her. “And you had the whole table in the palm of your hand.”

She arched her brow. “Now you’re going to say how that tells you I’m wicked?”

“No. It makes you talented. It makes you intriguing.” His eyes glinted as a grin flashed and was gone. “And maybe it makes you a little dangerous.” Tom curved his hand against her cheek. “I like you, Desiree. I can’t seem to keep myself from it.”

“But that doesn’t mean you trust me.”

“No. More than that, it means I don’t trust myself around you.” He bent and touched his lips to hers.

Desiree’s arms slid around his waist, and when Tom started to draw his head back, she followed his kiss. Hunger rolled down through him. He’d been wanting to kiss her from the first moment he saw her in the club. Now something broke inside him, and he allowed himself the pleasure. He followed his instincts instead of his head.

The result shook him. He was lost in the moment, heat surging through him, pulsing at his restraints. He had no thought for the man they sought, for the street around them or the danger that might lurk there. His world had narrowed to Desiree’s lips beneath his, her soft body against him, the desire thrumming through his veins. He could feel the heat rising in her, too, and she molded her body to his in a move that sent his hunger spiraling even higher.

There was, moreover, a heady pleasure in knowing that Desiree did exactly as she wanted, that anything she gave, she gave freely. There was no need to consider whether she was trying to please or placate or tempt him. No reason to worry that she might regret this kiss or that he was taking advantage of her vulnerability. Desiree Malone didn’t regret, and nobody took advantage of her.

When at last their lips parted, he gazed down into her face, his chest rising and falling rapidly, his skin tingling as heat flooded him. Desiree didn’t look away, her eyes intent on his.

“You’re making this very complicated for me,” he murmured.

“No.” Even here in the shadow, he could see the twinkle in her eyes. “You’re making it complicated. For me, it’s quite simple.”

“You have no concerns, no doubts, no worries about what will happen?”

“I didn’t say that. But my desire is to let it all play out. That’s part of the fun, isn’t it, discovering what you don’t know?”

Tom couldn’t deny that. The desire to know her in every way was hammering in him right now. He kissed her again, wrapping his arms tightly around her and pressing her into his body. Their kiss was long and deep, and when Tom finally raised his head, they were both flushed and breathing hard, the heat between them palpable.

“I think...” Tom said, taking in a calming breath. “Perhaps right now we ought to tend to business.”

“Of course,” Desiree replied and stepped back, curling her hand around his arm once more and turning to walk forward. “After all, there’s always tomorrow.”