“That’s true,” she said. “But you must believe me when I say that my touching you tonight had nothing to do with pity. I’ll admit I was worried about you, but I’ve imagined this moment”—she skimmed her palm over his chest and felt him shiver in response—“for a very long time.”

“I have too,” he said, low and deep. “It feels even better than I thought it would.”

Sophie’s belly flipped at his admission. Still, she couldn’t help but notice that apart from initially holding her wrists, he’d made no move to touch her. His hands lay flat on the bed, almost as though they’d been strapped down. “What now?” she asked.

“That’s entirely up to you,” he said. “But if you’re in need of ideas, I have plenty.”

“Please,” she said, her voice surprisingly raspy. “Tell me what you think we should do.”

He leveled a heavy-lidded gaze at her and let out a low growl. “I think we should kiss, long, slow, deep, and hot. I think we should press our bodies together till I can feel your heart beat against mine. I think I should worship every inch of you with my hands and mouth till you cry out with pleasure.” He shot her a lazy, wicked smile. “That’s the abridged version of what I think we should do.”

Her heart fluttered like it might fly away. “Abridged or not, your ideas have merit.”

He suddenly rolled onto his side, propped himself on one elbow, and looked at her with an intensity that curled her toes. “I want this, Sophie, but only if you want it too. If all we have is tonight, then I’ll take tonight. I just need you to say the word.”

She thought briefly about her family and Lord Singleton. She thought about her friends and the Debutante Underground. She even thought a little about Miss Haywinkle and all the cautionary tales the headmistress had shared.

And then, she decided she was tired of thinking about all those people, all those things. She was tired of thinking, period. Because she knew what she felt for Reese, and she knew what she wanted for herself.

She wanted him.

“Yes,” she said, brushing a lock of hair off his forehead. “Yes to breaking our rules. Yes to seizing a night that is just for us.”

The words were barely out of her mouth before he reached for her hand and laced his fingers through hers. The pressure of his hand made her feel like she was wrapped in a warm blanket and, at the same time, like she was about to dive headfirst off a cliff. Her whole body tingled, and she knew her world would never be quite the same.