His gaze softened, and he cupped her face. No one had ever looked at her like that or made her feel more cherished. “Evie, you probably don’t want to hear this, but I love you. I’ve loved you for so long, and I don’t want to keep it inside any longer. I would do anything to protect you, to honor you, to show the world how incredible you are, and how very much you mean to me.”

With every word he said, her heart expanded, and her throat constricted. “I don’t want to love you,” she croaked. But she did. “I don’t want to hurt or feel lost or—”

He kissed her, and she clutched at his coat, desperate for him. She didn’t want to be alone either.

Gregory broke the kiss and swept her into his arms, making her gasp, then he carried her from the drawing room and up another flight of stairs.

“Where are we going?”

“Somewhere more suitable for ravishment.”

Evie couldn’t find fault with that. She held on to his neck as he opened the door and bore her into his chamber. He didn’t set her down until he reached the bed.

She didn’t particularly want to waste time disrobing, but after rushing back to close the door, he was already stripping his coat away, then his boots. Evie worked quickly, removing garments until she was down to her corset. The laces knotted, and she muttered a curse. Suddenly, Gregory was there, plucking the strings free. The garment came loose, and he pulled it from her body.

Though she wasn’t yet nude, he was, and that was all she needed. Reaching between his legs, she curled her hand around his cock and stroked his length.

“I need you, Evie,” he rasped, his lips against her ear as he tugged the lobe with his teeth.

She clasped his shoulder, digging her fingers into his bare flesh while continuing to work his shaft. “Then take me. Now.” She kissed him in a torrid frenzy, her tongue tangling with his.

He pushed her chemise up, breaking their kiss long enough to whisk it over her head. She still wore her stockings, but hoped he wasn’t going to take the time to remove them.

He did not.

Instead, he lifted her. “Wrap your legs around me.”

She was reminded of the time he’d come to the cottage and been eager for her. Guiding his sex to hers, she lowered her pelvis as he thrust into her. Evie closed her eyes as rapture flooded her. There had never been a more blissful joining—not for her. He drove deep, and she encircled his waist with her legs, locking her feet behind him.

He held her tight against him, rocking his hips and pushing her toward ecstasy. She kissed his neck, licking and sucking as she sought to taste and feel more of him.