Free Beguiling the Earl by Suzanna Medeiros

replied, his voice was filled with regret. “This isn’t going to happen, Catherine. It can’t.”
    She took another step forward, her spirits rising when he didn’t back away from her. “I think we both know that isn’t true.”
    His eyes searched her face and she could see that he was very close, finally, to accepting what had always been inevitable.
    “I’m supposed to keep you safe, not ruin you.”
    She shook her head and took the final step that removed the distance between them. They were so close now she could feel the heat of his body reaching out to her. Beckoning to her. “I don’t care about that. I only care about being with you.”
    In an attempt to keep some distance between them, he raised his hands to her arms. The heat of his fingers on her bare skin had an almost dizzying effect on her.
    “You should care, Catherine. I want…” A spasm of emotion crossed his face. “You know what I want, but until I am free, I am in no position to make promises.”
    “I am not asking you to make promises.”
    His eyes squeezed closed as though he were in pain. “We can’t do this.”
    Instead of gripping her arms tightly to keep her away, his fingers relaxed and his thumbs made little circles on her skin where he held her just above her elbows. Despite his words to the contrary, his resolve was weakening. She moved closer to him. He resisted for only a moment, and then his grip slackened. Taking advantage of his moment of weakness, she raised her arms to clasp his shoulders and pressed herself against his hard chest, rejoicing when his breath shuddered.
    “Kerrick.”
    He must have heard her need, because his eyes snapped open. Heat blazed in their depths, almost searing her with their intensity.
    “I want this,” she said.
    “You don’t know what you’re asking.”
    “I know exactly what I’m asking. I also know that whatever happens, I will have no regrets, even if we can only have this one night together.”
    This time there was no hesitation when he released her arms and drew her more firmly against him. He lowered his head and took her mouth with a desperation that threatened to steal her breath. A corresponding need rose swiftly within her.
    She was actually going to make love to the man she couldn’t imagine being without. She’d told him she didn’t need the promise of a future together to be with him tonight, and she’d meant those words. That didn’t mean she’d stop hoping for more. But for now, this would be enough.
    Her tongue warred with his as she wove her fingers into his hair. She was afraid to let go lest this turn out to be only a dream. When he pulled back, she started to protest.
    “Shhh.” He laid a finger over her lips to forestall her argument.
    Mere inches separated them, and she could still feel the warmth of his breath on her face. Acting purely on instinct, she clasped his hand between hers and drew his finger into her mouth, circling it with her tongue and drawing on it. His eyes darkened with approval.
    “You’re the very devil,” he said, removing his finger and running it over her now-sensitized mouth. “A temptress sent to lead me into the flames of hell. But it would take more strength than I possess to stop now. You do not, however, deserve to be deflowered on the floor of my study.”
    He took her hand again, this time leading her down the darkened corridor to the main stairs. She was relieved when they reached his bedroom without encountering any of the household staff. It had taken all her nerve tonight to come, alone, to his home, and she didn’t think she had any bravery left for knowing glances and whispered words belowstairs.
    His bedroom was a reflection of him. Dark, masculine. What surprised her most, however, was the lavender orchid in a small vase on his night table. Was that a coincidence, or had he remembered her telling Mr. Clifton how much she loved orchids?
    He must have noticed the direction of her glance for he cleared his throat