Swept Away by Candace Camp Page A

relative?”
    â€œNo. I’m not his guardian, merely a trustee of his money.” He made a dismissive gesture. “I am afraid it’s not very interesting.”
    â€œOh, no, it sounds quite interesting. So you invest his money and such?”
    â€œWe direct it. There are two other gentlemen who are trustees, also. But let’s not talk about that.” He brought her hand up to his lips. “I would much rather talk about you. Or not talk at all.”
    Julia raised a coquettish brow. “Indeed? Do you find talking with me so boring?”
    â€œNever.” He began to kiss each individual finger, his eyes gazing into hers all the while. “It is just that there are so many other interesting things about you.”
    The warmth of his lips against her fingers sent tingles running through Julia. She did not understand how something so small could set up such a strong reaction within her. “My lord…”
    â€œDeverel,” he murmured, turning her hand over and planting a lingering kiss on the inside of her wrist.
    â€œDeverel…”
    â€œWhat?” He was kissing his way slowly up her bare arm, his lips hot and velvety on her skin, stirring her senses.
    â€œI don’t think we should be doing this.”
    â€œWhy not?” She could feel his smile upon her skin.
    â€œUh, well, anyone could walk out here at any moment and see us.”
    â€œThat’s true. But unlikely.” He had reached the point of her shoulder and now began to trail kisses across her collarbone to her neck.
    Heat welled up in Julia so quickly and explosively that it almost frightened her. “Deverel, stop.”
    There was a touch of panic in her voice, and Stonehaven lifted his head, looking at her in a puzzled way.
    â€œWhy? What’s the matter?”
    â€œI—” Julia was embarrassed by her moment of fear. She looked up at Deverel. His eyes were dark and smoldering in a way that made her insides quiver. Her eyes dropped to his mouth. She thought about their kiss a few nights earlier, and warmth blossomed in her loins.
    She could not stop now, she told herself. She was not about to act the coward. She had to lead him along until she got him to talk. It was a delicate line to walk—to give just enough to keep him interested without giving in entirely. She had known that from the start. She had also known that Lord Stonehaven was no schoolboy to fall easily into her trap.
    Julia drew a steadying breath and smiled at him. “Nothing. Nothing’s the matter,” she said, putting her hand behind his neck and pulling his head down.

5
    T hough she had experienced it before, Julia was not quite prepared for the torrent of sensations that flooded her at his kiss. She trembled beneath the onslaught, and her fingers tightened against his neck, as if to help her hold on. She had never touched a man so boldly before, and she was very aware of the warmth of his skin and the way his hair brushed her fingers.
    He kissed her long and deeply, as if he could reach her very soul, and his arms wrapped around her, pulling her into him until she could scarcely breathe. Their bodies strained together, a little awkwardly because of their seated positions on the bench, until finally Deverel pulled Julia onto his lap. She leaned back against his supporting arm, giving herself up to the pleasure of his kiss.
    When at last he broke their contact, it was only to trail kisses across her cheek to her ear and take the fleshy lobe between his teeth, teasing it gently. She could hear the harsh rasp of his breath, and the sound was somehow exciting, too. Little shivers of delight radiated through her. She knew she must get a grip on herself, must control what was happening, but everything was too new and startling.
    He began to kiss his way down the side of her neck, and as he did so, his hand slid up from her waist until it cupped her breast. Julia jumped in surprise, drawing in her breath