Free Love and Let Spy (Lord and Lady Spy) by Shana Galen

tea?”
    “Yes,” Dominic said.
    “No,” Miss Bonde argued.
    Lady Smythe sighed. “I had a feeling that might be your answer.”
    Dominic had to walk quickly in order to reach the door of the drawing room and open it for Miss Bonde. Whatever anyone else said, his mother had raised him to observe some conventions. He needn’t have bothered, as the butler opened the door before Dominic could touch the handle. He then closed it and moved away. Miss Bonde waited until Wallace was out of sight before hissing, “As you can see, I am perfectly fine. You may return to”—she waved her arm vaguely—“whatever it was you were doing.”
    “That would be rude. The Smythes are serving tea.”
    She gave him an exasperated look. He rather liked her when she was angry. She looked less perfect and more human. “The tea is not for you. You do not even know them.”
    “Neither do you.”
    “They are friends of my uncle.”
    “As am I.”
    She clenched her hands into fists. “Mr. Griffyn, there is a private matter I wish to discuss with the viscount. If you would be so kind—”
    He grabbed her wrist and unfolded her fingers. “No, I am not kind. No one has ever accused me of that vice, and I won’t begin now.”
    “Let go of my hand.”
    “You’ll only clench it again. You, Miss Bonde, are hiding something.”
    “So says the man who was lurking in a church cemetery.”
    He allowed that to pass without a reference to glass houses and stones, which he thought showed a rather formidable amount of forbearance. “You intrigue me, Miss Bonde. Much more so tonight than when we first met.”
    She gave a disbelieving snort. “And so you accost every woman who does not intrigue you?”
    “Are you referring to the incident in the hedgerows?” he asked.
    “You know I am.”
    “In that case, need I remind you that you kissed me ?”
    “No, I did not .”
    “You quite lost yourself in my arms.”
    “I most certainly did not!” Her eyes, so darkly blue they were almost violet, flashed with anger.
    “Must I show you again?” He tugged on the hand he still held, pulling her closer. Damn. He was going to kiss her again. All of this kissing would wreak havoc on his reputation as a heartless seducer.
    “You wouldn’t.” She was flush against him now. “Do not dare!”
    That sealed her fate. He pressed his mouth to hers, merely intending to give her a taste of what they’d shared the other night. And perhaps he intended to remind himself as well. He hadn’t quite forgotten the first taste of her. He did not think he ever would. She’d pressed her lips firmly together, and he brushed his own against them until he felt hers soften. She exhaled, a tiny puff of air that feathered against his lips. He clenched her hand more tightly and wrapped his other arm around her back, holding her in place. Holding her against him. He could feel her body trembling now as he used his tongue to tease her lips open.
    He could have explored her lips for hours, perhaps days. She had perfect lips—moist, plump, and warm. He licked her lower lip then took the ripe flesh gently between his teeth. One of her hands came up to grasp his coat. He thought she might push him away, but instead she moved the wool coat aside and spread her hands on his chest, only the thin, finely made linen separating their flesh. He moved quickly, clenching her hand and removing it from his body. He held it trapped at her side. If this were to continue, he would have to explain the rules to her.
    He slanted his mouth over hers. He was in no hurry and took her slowly, completely. His hands sank into the softness of her flesh as their bodies came together. But he wanted more of her. Using gentle pressure, he opened her lips to his. He eased his tongue inside, tasting her, reveling in the heat of her. A frisson of white-hot arousal shot through him when his tongue rubbed against hers. She must have felt it as well, because she gasped, and her body went rigid in his