Temptations by J L Pearl

Author:J L Pearl [Pearl, J L]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-10-30T04:00:00+00:00

4

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Elizabeth’s head spun.

She had never expected to receive Mr. Darcy alone and to hear these things from him. Then, when he did tell her of his love and his wish to marry her, he had done it so arrogantly as to be entirely off-putting. But beyond that, she felt quite sure that he had somehow turned the situation to his advantage and made her take pity on him. As if he were some kind of victim. She nearly laughed at the thought.

His eyes.

They were dark, and as full of mystery as ever, but there was something new there now. Something familiar. An aching, the cry of one soul to another, a fiercely burning desire to reach out and touch, to know the other, to see the other for themselves.

To love.

He rose to his feet. Her pulse quickened. From where she sat, her eyes naturally took in his full frame—his broad chest, the top portion just slightly bare where he had clearly struggled with his collar under the hot summer sun—his imposing stature, the strength of him, the confidence of his body. Suddenly aware that she was openly gazing at his form, she snapped her eyes back to his, only to catch him appreciating her own body in turn. When their eyes met again, she found they were both blushing. He smiled gently.

“Elizabeth,” he said softly. “I have lied to you.”

“How so?” she said, as if entranced.

“Only a moment ago I said I would not repeat my profession of love. Only now I find it nearly impossible not to do so.”

“Mr. Darcy,” she said, feeling her heart fly to her throat, “I, too, fear I may have deceived you.” She stood, holding the desk to steady herself.

“Oh?” He took a step toward her, inviting himself into her sphere of personal space, but stopping short of contact. In answer she too stepped forward.

“Yes,” she murmured. “I told you I had never desired your good opinion, only… I find that, perhaps, now I do.”

He inhaled, a long, slow breath, and she wondered if he meant to smell her. She was enveloped in his scent now, and she found it heady and strong, virile but refined, as attractive as everything else about him. With a start she had a shocking realization. This man, this wealthy, upstanding, gentleman, could be hers. If she wanted him, she could have him. She could marry him tomorrow. She could have him right now, right here on the floor of the drawing room, if she wanted.

If she wanted.

“Have you ever wanted anything,” she said, “but not been sure if you should?”

He smiled, eyes half-lidded. She was quite sure he was gazing at her lips now. She wet them, just in case. “Have you been listening to nothing I have said?” His voice held a note of playfulness, as if he meant to make a joke of his failed proposal.

She laughed, a small, breathy sound, just enough to let out some of the tension building in her body. He laughed too, his eyes locked on hers.

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