When I'm With You Part III by Beth Kery Page B

regret.
    â€œCome here,” he said quietly, his hands on her shoulders. He helped her to her feet. His fingertips caressed the smooth, dewy skin of her cheeks. He felt her heat and knew she was aroused. Again, regret flicked through him.
    â€œI don’t think they’ve noticed us missing yet,” he said, hastily refastening his pants.
    â€œLucien—”
    â€œLater,” he said, his voice tense with unspoken words. The ringing silence was a remonstrance. She deserved more than that. He stepped toward her and took her into his arms. She felt small and warm and very feminine pressed against him. He kissed her, once on each warm cheek, then on her nectar-sweet mouth. His musk lingered on her tongue, the unique combination of their flavors compelling . . . drawing him deeper.
    â€œYou gave me great pleasure,” he murmured honestly a moment later.
    â€œI’m glad.”
    He paused for a moment, his mouth open, undone by her sweet, simple reply. His head lowered to kiss her deeper, and damn the circumstances.
    In the distance, he heard a door close and froze. He found her hand and enclosed it in his own before he reached for the door.
    â€œI’ll take you to the bathroom so you can freshen up. Give it several minutes, then go back up to the terrace and rejoin the party until we can make a graceful exit.”
    The muted light from the hallway allowed him to see her golden beauty flushed with arousal . . . her puffy, reddened lips. A muttered curse blistered his tongue. Her dark blue eyes looked huge and glazed with desire. She looked stunning, radiating pure sex appeal. There would be those at the party who’d put two and two together and know she’d been sucking cock with that beautiful mouth.
    * * *
    â€œI’ll bring some ice to the bathroom,” Lucien muttered quietly, firming his hold on her hand and leading her down the hallway.
    â€œWhy?” she asked dazedly. Her brain was foggy. Bringing Lucien pleasure had left her lust-drunk. She wanted to do it again. She wanted to climb all over him.
Right now
. He opened a door and she distantly realized it led to a powder room.
    She stilled when he touched her lips. “Because some bastard has been abusing your gorgeous mouth, that’s why. The ice will bring down the swelling a bit.”
    She shivered at his touch and sexy tone. “Ten lashes to the perpetrator.”
    â€œTwenty to the victim,” he countered quickly.
    Her brows shot up in curiosity and interest. His gaze grew fierce.
    He started to walk away, but she grabbed his hand. She purred with pleasure a moment later when she pulled him down to her, and he covered her mouth with his, his rough moan a blessing.
    Yes.
She had him now.
    â€œForget the ice,” she whispered seductively next to his lips a moment later. “Let’s go to your place.”
    His gaze ran over her face. She felt his body stir and triumph soared through her. “It is what I plan, Elise. But later. I should try and smooth things over with Ian and Francesca, and we need to say our good-byes.”
    â€œFrancesca and Ian are grown-ups. They know these things can happen. We’ll apologize tomorrow.”
    â€œJust give it a few minutes. We’ll go soon.”
    She arched her back and pressed her mons against his belly. “No,
now
.”
    His nostrils flared as he stared down at her. She felt his body respond. Her heart dipped when he blinked and looked away. She sensed the spell was broken.
    â€œMy rules, Elise. Be patient,” he said gruffly, kissing her cheek with lingering lips and leaving her arms.
    â€œDo not walk away from me again, Lucien,” she warned. God, she didn’t think she could stand making herself vulnerable to him yet again and having him turn his back on her. Didn’t he realize how much she desired him? Didn’t he know now that Elise Martin had finally found the man to whom she was willing to risk