His mouth descended slowly, carefully, as if he sensed how desperately she wanted the kiss and derived a perverse pleasure in denying her. Unfortunately, she didn’t have much time.

This kissing business needed to get underway, now.

Rising up on her toes, she met him the rest of the way, her mouth covering his, and a resulting tremor went through him. Then he kissed her back, taking over and pushing her toward the counter. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she dug in, clinging to him like a raft in a churning sea. His tongue plunged into her mouth, seeking and stroking, their soft grunts and pants melding together in a frenzy. He surrounded her, hands roaming her back as her arms wound around his neck, their bodies nearly flush.

He kissed her like he couldn’t get enough. Like air was overrated and unnecessary. Like he was starving for her. This was no practiced seduction or flirting. This was Kit wild with passion. Wild for her.

And she loved it.

Breaking off, he kissed her jaw, her neck, then bit her earlobe. She gasped, the pain like an electric shock that ran to her nipples and between her legs. He licked the flesh, as if to soothe it. “How much time do you have?”

“How much time do you need?”

He chuckled darkly. “I’ll keep you all night, if you let me.”

She shivered. If only. The clock showed almost four o’clock. Her maid would return at five. “Thirty minutes, I think.”

His teeth scraped over her throat. “Perfect. I only need ten, perhaps fifteen.”

“For what?”

“You’ll see. Come with me.” Taking her hand, he led her into the main room, where they dodged the tables and chairs until they reached a door. Kit turned the knob and held it open for her.

It was an office, with a desk, two chairs, a sideboard and sofa. “Sit,” he said, and pointed to the sofa. Then he shut the door, locking it behind him.

Oh.

Stomach fluttering, she lowered herself onto the sofa and watched as Kit stripped out of his coat. After tossing it onto an armchair, he removed his cuff links. Then he began rolling his sleeves up, never taking his eyes off her. His lids were heavy, his gaze dark. “Do you trust me?”

Why did he keep asking her that question?

“Of course. Would I be here otherwise?”

“I want to make you feel good. And I promise, it will leave your innocence intact.”

“Kissing, then.”

He pursed his lips and raked her body with a hot look. “Definitely kissing, but not on your mouth.”

Where, her neck? Her chest? Her breasts?