Her Wicked Proposal novel Chapter 23

Anne focused on Cedric's face, secretly enjoying the wealth of emotions that flitted across his features as he told her the story. "You don't think the Arab will return for you, do you?"

Cedric smiled. "He left London shortly after he delivered the mares to me. He simply had to make a show of pride before he left, and I had to respond in kind. It is the way of things when the stakes are so high."

He showed more animation than she'd seen from him since he'd gone blind. For a brief few minutes he'd been the old Cedric again, the one who...

Anne shook her head, dispelling thoughts of the past, thoughts that stung too deeply.

"You men and your pride. Is there nothing else that matters to you?"

Cedric's deep laugh poured over her. "Oh, my dear, you bait me with your innocence by asking that."

"What do you mean?"

Cedric cupped her chin and tilted his head down in reply, finding her lips with ease. Anne stiffened as his tongue traced the seam of her lips. Her hands fisted against his chest, as she went rigid in his lap.

Cedric pulled his mouth away to whisper, "Don't forget what you promised, Anne. Don't turn to ice in my arms, love." He brushed his nose against her cheek. "Please, my heart, don't shut me out."

His coaxing words tugged her down the slope of desire. It was more than lust, more than carnal craving. She might have been able to stop herself, to keep herself from surrendering, if he hadn't dipped his mouth to her neck and nipped her skin, following it with a slow, teasing lick. The sharp but light sting of his teeth sent a wave of pleasure through her. Anne lost control and melted in his lap.

Cedric growled low as she let herself go limp in his arms and trembled at his kisses. He reached out to the side of the settee, gauging the distance to the other side before he slowly tilted Anne back to lie beneath him. He slid her skirts upward, pushing them into a pool around her hips. Then he palmed her knees, before gently nudging them apart. She should have clamped her thighs together, but instead she threw her head back and let her knees fall apart.