Gritting his teeth, Daniel hurried to collect his vest and jacket and refused to turn and look at Suzette. He was holding on to his control by a very thin thread. If he turned and saw her there all tossled and sated, her gown twisted around her waist, he knew damned right well that control would snap. There would be no way to keep from doing what his body was aching for and bury himself deep in all that damp passion he’d brought about.

He had been an idiot for starting this in the first place, Daniel acknowledged as he quickly buttoned his vest and then pulled on his jacket. It was his damned pride that had made him decide he had to show her it wasn’t the punch, and that not just any man could bring about this state. But he should have known better. After all, did they not say pride went before a fall? Like an idiot, he’d gone through with the urge, never considering the strain it would put on him. Or maybe he just hadn’t wanted to. Maybe in his secret heart of hearts Daniel had hoped something would happen to break that control so he could finally claim her and find his release. Fortunately, Suzette had brought up the bit about marrying her and Daniel still had a sliver of conscience left. She was his best friend’s sister-in-law, or would be once Christiana and Richard married. He was in his best friend’s home and she was a noblewoman, not to be trifled with. Until he made up his mind to marry her . . .

Daniel grimaced at the half-baked thought. Who was he kidding? At this point, if it were legally possible, he’d grab the first priest off the street, drag him up here to marry them and then be buried inside the woman before the door had quite closed behind the man. Suzette was fire in human form, her body hot and liquid in his arms, her responses to him honest and unrestrained. He’d had several mistresses over the years, a few of whom Daniel had thought wonderful lovers, and they had been. Practiced and technically impeccable, they’d milked him of passion with a skill that spoke of experience but, he now saw, little real passion.

Suzette was different, her responses were honest, her need real not feigned to jolly the exercise along, and that passion in her had called out to his own. Feeling her tremble with excitement had excited him, tasting her passion had made his own hunger stretch and roar, and just watching her find her release had nearly brought on his own. He wanted to possess that, and if it took marriage to do it, then dammit, Gretna Green here he came.

“Daniel.”