Free The Temptation of a Gentleman by Jenna Petersen Page B

so,” she said, but her voice was suddenly hoarse.
    “ Hmmm?” With his opposite hand, he gently cupped her chin. “Because even a false seduction must appear real.”
    “ I think I’ll be able to handle it,” she whispered as she swallowed hard.
    “ Are you certain?”
    With aching slowness he lowered his mouth toward hers. She lifted her face immediately and he brushed his lips against her mouth. At first he meant only to kiss her lightly then release her, but when she sighed and her hands came up to grip his elbows, he couldn’t seem to control his reaction.
    “ Marion,” he whispered against her lips, pulling her up flush to his chest. Her body molded naturally with his own.
    She hesitated for just a moment. With timidity, she brought parted her lips a fraction. He flicked his tongue between them, testing the sweet softness of her lips before delving into the cavern of her mouth. She tasted like peaches as much as she smelled like them. It was a heady flavor and made him yearn to taste her skin, to explore her body until her scent filled him.
    “ Noah.” Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck. He could feel her pulse pounding wildly through her veins.
    What was left of his rational mind screamed at him to stop, to think of his promise to Charlotte or his duty to his country. But when Marion relaxed in his arms and began to return his kiss with as much fervor as he gave, those thoughts were dashed.
    He ran his hands up her sides and gripped the nape of her neck. She stiffened at the boldness of his touch, but let out a gasp of pleasure when he deepened the kiss. How he wished he could press his skin against hers, but he certainly couldn’t do that here in the garden where anyone could see.
    Anyone could see.
    Startled, Noah pulled back as his sensible side finally won the battle with his hungry body. He jumped off the bench as if on fire and took a few long steps away from Marion. She looked up at him with dazed, hurt eyes.
    “ I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
    Marion reached up to brush her lips with her fingertips, as if reliving their kiss. Noah’s muscles tensed, but he didn’t return to her side as he would have liked. At the moment, he couldn’t trust himself to be so close to her.
    “ Wh-why?” She dropped her eyes to the grassy ground.
    Noah groaned. How could explain all the reasons why he couldn’t continue his seduction?
    “ Because if I’m not forced to ruin you, I won’t.”
    “ Oh.”
    Marion sat gathering her tangled thoughts for a moment. What a wanton she must be, for all she desired was for Noah to sit back down beside her and take her in his arms again. She stole a quick glance at him. If his scowl was any indication, that was the last thing he wanted.
    Pinching her lips together into a determined line, she stood up. She wouldn’t show him how embarrassed she was or how much she wanted his touch. Marion Hawthorne had some pride.
    She straightened her hair and adjusted her dress as if what had occurred between them was an everyday event. “Where do we start with your plan?”
    He looked out over the garden silently. She took the opportunity for a greedy glance at his broad shoulders and big hands. Hands that had just done things to her she’d only dared to dream about. Her father’s refusal to let her out into the marriage market had convinced her she would never experience either love or a physical union. But then, that was before she met Noah.
    “ We should start by my leaving Toppleton Square right now.” He turned back to her. His eyes were dark as they moved over her body. At his quick perusal, blood rushed hot to Marion’s face.
    “ Why?” she asked, suddenly desperate to have him stay.
    He smoothed his crisp linen shirt with an uncomfortable shuffle of his feet. Marion realized she was throwing herself at him. Her actions obviously made the Marquis uncomfortable.
    “ I don’t want Lucas to find me here and become suspicious. Feeding his jealousy