Snowbound With the Notorious Rake by Sarah Mallory Page A

with relief as she recognised her attacker. How could she not know the feel of those strong arms around her, the arresting mouth that worked on hers in such a demanding way? She was in Lawrence’s arms, where she had so often dreamed to be. For a few moments she clung to him, her body compliant, ready to surrender, then she recovered her senses and pushed against him. She was powerless to free herself, his arms were like iron bands holding her fast, but he released her mouth, moving his lips to her ear.
    ‘I do believe you have been avoiding me, Rose.’
    His voice was low and warm. Desire stirred. She closed her eyes, steeling herself to reply.
    ‘Have you not been avoiding me these past weeks?’
    ‘Ah. So you noticed that.’ There was a purr of satisfaction in his voice. ‘I had not meant to come here tonight, but the temptation to see you again was too strong. Why would you not dance with me?’
    He was holding her very close, his cheek rubbing against her hair as her body leaned into him. Her heart was jumping in her throat, making speech difficult.
    ‘I…I did not wish to dance. I did not want to be near you.’
    ‘You enjoyed being near me last Christmas.’ His teeth nibbled gently at her ear and she bit down hard on her bottom lip to counteract the pleasure curling and growing inside her. ‘You called it an idyll.’
    ‘We knew it would not work. We agreed…’
    ‘We agreed that you were coming back here to marry Emsleigh. That has not happened.’
    ‘Single or wed, it makes no difference.’
    She put her hands against his chest, determined not to give in.
    ‘No?’ The single word was so low, so quiet, yet her body reacted; her breasts grew taut, almost painful as they pushed towards him, aching for his touch. He traced one finger down her cheek and drew it gently along the line of her jaw. Rose closed her eyes. She stopped trying to push him away and instead her fingers clutched at his jacket. This was madness. She could hear voices calling her. She looked up, trying to see his face; Lawrence had pulled her into a shallow alcove where the shadows were deep and black, adding to the unreality of the situation. The temptation to give in to him was almost irresistible. He was a devil to torment her so!
    ‘No,’ she managed at last. ‘Go back to Knightscote, Sir Lawrence. Better still, go back to London. I’ll have none of you.’
    ‘Too late for that, Rose. What if I tell your friends how you came calling upon me last Christmas Eve?’
    She caught her breath in dismay.
    ‘You would not do that. I would be ruined!’
    She felt the heartbeat’s hesitation before he replied.
    ‘No, I will say nothing, but if you continue to avoid me quite so blatantly people will begin to wonder why you shun me. It is only a matter of time before tongues begin to wag.’
    ‘You expect us to meet as…as indifferent acquaintances?’
    ‘We must, unless you wish to be something more…’
    ‘No!’ She hissed out the word, panic adding urgency. ‘Oh, will you not go away and leave me in peace?’
    His arms tightened. He said angrily, ‘Do you think I like this situation any more than you?’
    ‘Then leave, sir. My life is here. I cannot do so.’
    ‘No more can I, at least not yet!’
    It was as if the words had been forced out of him. Rose frowned.
    ‘Why should that be—what keeps you here?’
    He did not reply, and into the silence came the clatter of boots on the stair. She heard Magnus saying irritably, ‘She is not upstairs, nor in the retiring room. Where can she be?’
    Rose tensed. Any moment he might turn towards the shadows and discover her. The dark shape that was Lawrence drew her closer. He whispered in her ear.
    ‘Your friends are looking for you. You must go.’ His lips brushed her cheek. ‘The next time we meet at least treat me with some semblance of civility. I am going to be around for a good while yet, Rose, so you had best get used to it!’
     
    Lawrence gave Rose a little push and