A Scandal Before Christmas by April Moran

Author:April Moran [Moran, April]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: April Moran Books
Published: 2021-09-29T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 12

God help me, what manner of devilish torture is this? How am I to keep from ravishing her when she’s dressed like this?

Theodore stared down at her, grateful that her eyes were momentarily closed so he could drink his fill of the delectable sight she presented. The nightclothes, while not overtly sensuous, were crafted with an eye toward wicked purity. The soft, pale pink of innocence contrasted sharply with the nearly sheer muslin fabric. He never expected finding her dressed in such a manner, much less in a way giving him undeniable access to her slender body.

His blood pounded in his ears. Christ, he could see her nipples through the material. They were just a shade darker than the blush-hued muslin.

He knew what they tasted like, how they felt under his tongue. Sweeter than the first raindrops of spring. Softer than the innermost petals of his garden’s first rose.

“Lauren, why are you dressed so?”

Her eyes lifted slowly as if doing so was a struggle. “Your instructions were clear. To say I have retired for the evening.”

“Are all your nightclothes designed in such a manner?”

Her brows knitted together. Glancing down, she appeared befuddled by her attire. “How strange.”

Theodore lifted her chin with a forefinger, holding her gaze. “What is that, my love?”

Something sad flashed in the silvery depths of Lauren’s eyes. “This was part of my wedding trousseau. It must have been packed by mistake.”

Her wedding trousseau. Theodore felt his muscles tighten in response. Had their wedding gone as planned, he would have seen Lauren in gowns even more revealing since consulting with the seamstress himself. He would have demanded a private showing of every single article before stripping the last one from her body and tossing her onto their marital bed. They would have enjoyed the pleasures found there for the rest of their lives together. Night after night.

If he could convince her their engagement was still very much a reality, there was still hope for his fantasy to come true.

“It is very lovely, and you are a vision in it,” he said softly, hoping she would not become melancholy with the reminder of their botched nuptials. Especially when he was working so desperately at amending the situation.

Lauren met his gaze unflinchingly. “Thank you, Theo.” But when she resisted his increasingly tight embrace, he let her go. Her fingers twisted together, a nervous habit.

“Would you care for a brandy? I had some brought up.” Her nod toward a table by the fireplace drew Theodore’s attention to a tray with a decanter and one glass.

“Yes, but I will pour.” Theodore smiled. “One for you, then perhaps a bit more for me.”

Only when he pressed the glass into her hand did he realize her body was trembling. Indeed, nearly invisible tremors racked her. Was she frightened of him? Did she regret allowing him entrance to her room? Did she think he might pounce on her and take with no regard for her feelings on the matter?

Frowning, he waited patiently until she swallowed the liquor, choking on the fiery stuff.

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