John slowly stood from the desk and took one step towards her. She sat completely still as he reached out and stroked her cheek. His gaze was as soft as his caress. “I find it hard to believe that this mouth didn’t have anything smart to say.” A huskiness lingered in his voice causing Victoria to tremble under his touch. John’s thumb rested against her bottom lip, stroking the curve with an aching slowness that relaxed the muscles in her shoulders. “Claire the governess always has a clever retort in her arsenal.”

“You’re reading the book?” she asked as his fingers trailed down her jaw towards her neck. “Why?”

“I’m a man who does his research. And this research was especially worthwhile.” He leaned over her, close enough for her to sneak a peek of chest hair through the small V of his shirt collar, and adjusted the lever of her office chair. Victoria shot up a few inches, closer to his face. She fought to keep her eyes open and remain upright in her chair, but the scent of forest knocked her senseless. His hand, at her neck, gently pushed her against the soft leather back. With his hands planted on her armrests, he leaned forward and brushed against her lips while he spoke. “The duke proved he was a skilled lover, but I noticed there were certain things missing from his repertoire.”

“Like what?” She was desperate to know what the duke was lacking. Even more desperate to know what John would bring to the table.

“I could tell you,” he breathed. “But could I just show you?”

Victoria’s breasts tingled against the silky fabric of her blouse. A hot ache vibrated between her thighs, making them clench involuntarily. Her cheeks flushed when she felt the warm slickness wetting her panties. She gave a jerky nod. “Yes,” she whispered.

John’s tongue traced the soft fullness of her bottom lip, taking it gently between his own lips and tugging. His kiss was a slow and drugging one that sent new spirals of ecstasy through her body. Victoria was tentative in her response, testing the waters with a lick and nip, while her hands raised to meet his jaw and neck. While John’s tongue made a long and languid exploration of her mouth, she tried to savor every second. Under her hands, she felt the slow rhythmic movement of his jaw as he plied her lips with each deep thrust of his tongue.