Amelia Grey - [Rogues' Dynasty 06] by The Rogue Steals a Bride

delicately rounded shoulders and straight spine. His hand slipped to her narrow waist and rested there for a moment before inching down the flare of her shapely hip. Her body was as slim, firm, and supple as he imagined it would be. The soft, feminine sounds she made heated his body and filled him with an eagerness to do the unthinkable… to lift her skirts and possess her.
    “Oh, yes,” he said huskily. “This is much more intoxicating than freckles.”
    She stretched her arms around his neck and pressed him closer. He moaned softly. He fitted his lower body tightly against hers by cupping her bottom with one hand while his other hand slid down her chest to capture her breast and cover it with his palm.
    Sophia gasped and leaned into his palm. He heard a crinkling noise and knew her hand was tightening on the sheet of vellum she held. He liked what he was doing to her, and what she did to him.
    Matson held her tighter and smiled to himself as his lips left hers and he kissed the warmth of her neck.
    “Sophia,” a high-pitched voice called.
    They quickly broke apart.
    Sophia raked the back of her hand across her lips as if she could erase what had just happened between them. “It’s Aunt Mae. Did she see us?”
    Matson looked through the shrub. “No. She’s just coming down the steps. She couldn’t have seen us.”
    “I have to make sure she doesn’t. I must go.”
    Sophia spun and headed down the footpath.
    Matson peeked back through the hedge, watched her enter the garden and greet her aunt by the fountain. He blew out a deep, sighing breath.
    “Damnation,” he whispered.
    He was already trying to think of a reason to see her again.
    ***
    “Sophia, why were you outside the gate?”
    “Looking for my poetry, Aunt Mae.” She held up the sheet of vellum. “A gust of wind blew it away, and I had to run after it.”
    Her aunt took the paper from her and looked at it. “Thank goodness you found it, but it’s wrinkled. What a shame. You’ll have to copy it again.”
    “I shall be happy to do so. I’m just glad I saved it.”
    “This is very good, Sophia. Come inside and have a cup of tea while I read the rest of it.”
    Sophia gave another glance toward the hedge as she picked up her paper and pencils from the table and chair. She could have sworn she saw Mr. Brentwood watching her through the hedge as she followed her aunt into the house.
    “You’ve been out a long time,” Mae said. “Your cheeks are quite rosy, Sophia. You’re not chilled, are you?”
    “No, no, my woolen shawl has kept me quite warm.”
    “Good. I have to admit it gave me a start when I first went into the garden and you weren’t there.”
    Sophia placed her writing materials on the center table in the drawing room and asked, “Would you have been shocked if I had told you I was meeting a handsome prince in secret?”
    “No.” Mae’s eyes brightened. “I’d say that’s the most romantic thing I’ve heard in years, but I wouldn’t have believed you. Obviously, if your mind was on a handsome prince, you were getting ready to write romantic poetry.”
    “It’s true that my mind is on a handsome gentleman. But just as my poetry was swept away by the wind, I fear my dreams are being swept away too.”
    Sophia turned away from her aunt and touched the tips of her fingers to her lips. How could such a simple kiss breathe so much life into so many different feelings inside her? Feelings she hadn’t known existed. Because it wasn’t simple. The kiss he had given her in the corridor last night was simple. His kiss a few minutes ago was passionate.
    Mr. Brentwood appealed to all her senses. She’d wanted him to kiss her. But it was foolish. She had to deny his charms and not give in to them again. He could never be the match for her. Fulfilling her oath to her father for her selfish and childish behavior and gaining redemption for ruining his life meant she must marry a title. And even if that vow were not weighing heavily on