Lifting up on her toes, she placed her hand at the back of his head and took his mouth as though it was her right to do so. He responded in kind, cradling her in one arm, bending her over slightly, bettering the angle so the kiss deepened. She had a strong urge to ask him to go to the ball, wait for her in the garden. She could join him there so he could ravish her—but in such a way that when she returned to the ballroom no one would be the wiser.

She couldn’t imagine anyone else kissing her like this, with so much passion and yearning, giving so much of himself to the endeavor. His groans mingled with her sighs, creating the perfect music for a waltz. She feared having waltzed with him in her shop, he had spoiled her for waltzing in a ballroom. Would she be able to dance with any other gentleman and not be able to reminisce about how wondrous it had been to dance within his arms?

At her first ball, she’d been comparing other men to him, but now she had so much more to compare. Punting, a picnic, the taste of wine on his tongue. The taste of scotch. The taste of him, dark and rich and so very flavorful. She might even be detecting a hint of toffee. She couldn’t stop herself from smiling with that thought.

He drew back, his eyes heated by passion and desire. “What do you find so humorous?”

“I think you ate a toffee earlier.”

“You’ve gotten me addicted to the damn things, and I can’t have one without thinking of all the sensual movements of your mouth while you suck on one.”

“I enjoy sucking sweets.”

“Ah, Christ.” His growl echoed around her, his hold on her loosening so quickly she nearly lost her balance. He took two steps back, then two more. “I have to leave now before I convince myself that you know exactly what image your words were going to create in my mind.”

Her words had been spoken with all innocence, but his reaction now had her remembering how he’d suckled at her breast and she wondered if she could bring him pleasure in the same manner. “Are there parts of you to suck?”

“God, Fancy.” He spun on his heel and headed for the doorway.

“Have I offended you?”

“No, but you have reminded me how innocent you are.”

She hurried after him as he descended the stairs. “Did Lottie offer to suck something for you?”

He spun around so fast, she nearly ran into him and sent them both tumbling down the stairs. Narrowing his eyes, he studied her for a full minute before saying, “She did as a matter of fact.”

“Will you go to her now?”

His gaze grew soft as he tucked his bent finger beneath her chin and stroked his thumb over her lips. “No.”