“Do you know, if she had put all this guile into honest investments and business she could have become very wealthy without hurting anyone or breaking the law.”
“I have discovered over the years that many see those things, investments and business, as a worse mark against you than any criminal venture one might have gotten caught up in.”
“I am sorry you were hurt by this latest trick of hers.”
“Oh, it was not so bad. I did feel a pang at first but the way Stone and Emily showed their approval of me in ways that began to become a little embarrassing,” she grinned when he laughed, “but touching as well. It also worked. Most of the ones spreading the tales quickly closed their mouths and refused to listen to any more or repeat them. It will be fine. It was just a surprise. But, I really must make notes of all I heard concerning those businesses and all.”
“Later. Eat, woman.” He winked at her. “You will be in need of your strength.”
She blushed and turned her attention to her meal. Her heart was pounding for she suddenly realized what Brant was doing. He was seducing her. She was more than ready to be seduced. Glancing at the candles, she realized he was also trying to be a little romantic.
By the time they finished the meal and sat on the rug before the fire sipping wine, Olympia realized she was probably not one inclined toward long, slow seductions. Her whole body was aching to be rid of her suddenly too constricting clothing and to rid Brant of his. She wanted to be skin to skin with him.
“Relax, Olympia,” he said as he leaned closer and kissed the side of her neck. “Are you uncertain now that we have been apart for a while?” he felt compelled to ask but he prayed she would say no.
“I was just thinking that I may not be a woman who enjoys what I believe is a slow seduction. Or”—she turned her face toward his and brushed her lips across his—“it has just been too long since I felt your skin beneath my hands.”
He shuddered. “Wretched woman. I wanted to go slow. To show you how one can build that delicious heat slowly, savor it, revel in it.”
“Oh. That does sound lovely but perhaps it is all too new for me.”
He began to unlace her gown. “This is new to me as well.” He noticed how her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Not an empty compliment, I swear. I rutted, Olympia. That is all. I am embarrassed to admit that a lot of times I was so drunk I remember little of what happened. You? I ache. I want. I remember every touch, every kiss, and want more.”
She thought about that as she undid his waistcoat. It made sense even though she hated to think of him with those other women. They were no more than a different kind of drink for him. He lost himself in the pleasures of the flesh but had no interest in who gave him that pleasure. One thing she was certain about was that he enjoyed her company. It seemed an odd thing to be so happy about when he offered no more than the delights of lovemaking, but it did make her happy. She opened his shirt and kissed his chest, enjoying the faint tremor that went through him.
“Olympia,” he whispered and tried to remove her gown with some skill even though his hands were not as steady as they should be. “I begin to think you may be right.”
“Oh, how nice.” She took off his waistcoat and tossed it aside. “I truly do love to be right. Even more do I enjoy the fact that you actually say I am. The men in my family can be very reluctant to say such things.” She took off his shirt and tossed it after his waistcoat.
The touch of her mouth against his skin had his blood running so hot, Brant could not think clearly for a moment. He tossed her gown to the side and stared down at her lacy shift and a lacy style of drawers, something considered outrageously scandalous by most of proper society. There was a naughty side to his Olympia and he decided he liked it very much indeed just before he began to remove the last of her clothes. He was a little surprised at how skillfully and quickly she removed his as well, his boots the only thing that caused them to have to pause in undressing each other.
“I shall have to remove them the moment I am alone with you,” he muttered as he tossed them aside and then sat still as she removed the last of his clothes.
“It would not take long for my family to guess why you are always in your stocking feet around me.”
“I know. Even the boys are a little too clever by half.”
“Kiss me,” she whispered as she put her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his, savoring the feel of his warm flesh against hers.