She wanted to forgive him. But she wanted something else too.

“Thank you for that,” she said in a quiet voice. His eyes opened, and he looked relieved. Until her next words. “You might be sorry,” she continued, raising her chin, “but do you understand?”

He began to nod, then caught himself, taking a deep breath. “Explain it to me,” he said. “Please,” he added, after a moment.

It was the “please” that made her heart soften, just a little.

Well, that plus how ridiculously large and handsome he was. And how clearly he was suffering.

There was definitely something wrong with her.

But something she wanted to explore.

“Take your jacket off,” she demanded.

He looked puzzled for a moment, but then did as she asked, placing the jacket on the dining room table.

It wasn’t enough.

“Undo your cravat.”

He did, his fingers working swiftly to undo the fabric, tossing it on top of his coat.

His throat was bare, and she could see his strong neck. Her teeth practically ached to bite him.

“Put your hands on your thighs.”

He complied, and she wished his alacrity at obeying her didn’t make her so tingly. But she couldn’t lie to herself, could she?

It absolutely did.

She walked toward him, keeping her gaze on his face. He looked up at her, immobile, as though knowing he shouldn’t move.

She reached him, then bent down to spread his knees apart. “Keep your hands there,” she ordered.

He nodded, and she glanced down to confirm he hadn’t moved. Well. She also saw something else—just how aroused he was.

It seemed as though he might be enjoying this also.

She stepped between his legs, placing her hands on his shoulders to support herself. Then she swung one leg over one of his, then the other, so she was splayed out on his lap.

“Hands there,” she reminded him as she felt his body start to shift as though to embrace her.

“Whatever you want,” he replied, his voice a harsh rasp. She felt his erection against her, hard and urgent, and unable to ignore.

She slid her hands around his neck, pulling her body up against his. Placing that part of her that burned against his cock.

Oh. That felt good.

His jaw was clamped, and she could feel how he was keeping himself still—for her. Because that was what she wanted.

It felt delicious.

She leaned forward to place her mouth against his neck, sliding her right hand over his shoulder and down onto his chest. His firm, glorious chest.

“Can I touch you?” he asked in a ragged whisper.

“No,” she replied, shaking her head. She dragged her teeth over the strong cords of his neck, feeling him shudder.

“You’re going to let me do whatever I want to you,” she continued. “Is that understood?”

“Yes.”