His hands spasmed on her ass, digging in harshly. “You say it so easily, I almost believe it’s true.”

It had been. It still was. She had a feeling it always would be, though Cael wouldn’t believe it. Not now. Perhaps not ever. “It is.”

“No, it’s not.” He released her abruptly, yanking one hand out from beneath her dress to clasp the base of her neck. He bent her back a little, kissing down her neck and dragging his mouth over the curves of her breasts through her dress.

And then his other hand was there, stroking her pussy through her panties. “So wet,” he murmured. “So fucking eager to let me in when the ball’s going on. There’s not even a closed door between us and the rest of the guests.”

It wasn’t the first time they’d snuck away from some event, all desperate hands and filthy words. She shivered as he dragged her panties to the side and pushed a single blunt finger into her. “You get off harder knowing someone could walk in, don’t you, Eleanor.”

“Yes.” She tried to keep her moan quiet, but she couldn’t think properly with his hands on her again after so long apart. “Cael, please.”

He fucked her slowly with that single finger. It wasn’t enough. He knew it wasn’t enough. He was just teasing her, tormenting her. “Please what?”

“I need more.”

“Mmmm.” He dragged his thumb over her clit lightly. Still teasing. “More what?”

She moaned. “More of you.” Without thinking, she tugged down the bodice of her dress to bare her breasts. Cael froze for several rapid beats of her heart. Just when reason threatened to take hold and ask her what the hell she thought she was doing, he cursed and descended on her breasts. He pushed a second finger into her even as he sucked hard on her right nipple, drawing it to a tight point before moving to the left one and giving it the same treatment.

He withdrew his fingers, but she barely had a chance to make a sound of protest before he lifted her and reversed their positions, her on the couch and him kneeling between her thighs. Cael held her gaze as he pushed her dress higher and higher, bunching the fabric in his large fists until she was bare from the waist down the same way she was from the waist up.

And then he just looked at her.

She tensed, her gaze flying to the door on the other side of the room. The couch faced it, but they were deep in shadows, only the faint light from the moon through the windows relieving the darkness. The lights from the hall itself didn’t reach their position.

“Anyone could see you.”

She jerked her attention back to find him watching her. He’d never looked as dangerous as he did in that moment. Eleanor shivered. “I know.”