Read on for an excerpt from the book:
Canace carried on an animated conversation with Edward, laughing gently at something he’d just said. Truthfully, she wasn’t really listening. Instead her focus was on Jett, though no one in the room, not even Duncan, would be able to tell. She was aware of Jett’s eyes on her, following her every movement. He frowned when she touched the back of his brother’s hand and tried to catch her attention, but she tactfully ignored him.
This was going better than expected. Canace had decided that if she had to marry the man, she would do so on her terms, not his. He didn’t deserve her, he didn’t deserve her money, and he didn’t deserve the title she would bring him. If he wanted her or anything that came with her, she was going to make him work for it. Make him earn it. The only real question she faced was how to accomplish this.
Make him come to her, of course. And to do so, she’d treat him the way she sometimes treated Bentley. When Bentley was truly irritating, she ignored him. After a while, he always came around, submitting to her because it was better than being ignored indefinitely. Jett might be a man, but no one liked being ignored. So far, it seemed to be working to her advantage.
Jett cleared his throat. Canace ignored him, turning instead to answer a question the duke had just directed at her.
“I was feeling unwell,” she explained. “Something didn’t quite agree with me, I’m afraid.”
Edward practically choked on his wine at her words. Glancing at him askance, she wondered again what he knew. Throughout the meal he’d said or done things to indicate he might know something about the spat between her and his brother. It was possible Jett had told Edward something of their disagreement, but if that was the case, Edward hadn’t told his parents. For that, at least, she was grateful.
“But you’re better now, are you not?” the duchess asked.
Canace nodded. “Of course, Your Grace. I feel much improved.”
“Enough of that, my dear.” Rosemary almost shook her finger at the girl. “It’s ‘Rosemary’ to you.”
“I apologize. I’d forgotten.” And she had. A flush warmed her cheeks.
Across the table Nora claimed her attention. “If you’re feeling up to it, would you ride with us tomorrow, Canace? Edward and I usually ride in the early afternoon, if you’re amenable.”
A genuine smile lit her face as Canace nodded eagerly. Not only did she love riding, but she quite liked Edward’s wife. She had yet to meet their son and daughter, but the mother was sweet enough.
That gave her an idea. “Perhaps your children should join us,” she suggested.
Nora’s eyes sparkled. “I’d like that. If Edward doesn’t mind, of course.” Her gaze moved to his.
“Of course I don’t mind.” He raised his wife’s hand to his mouth and dropped a quick kiss on her knuckles. “They would love to meet their new aunt.”
Canace almost snapped at him, almost insisted she wasn’t their aunt, but she stopped herself in time. This was not the time to be shrewish, not with the duke and his entire family before her. She caught Duncan’s eye and saw the amusement reflected there. He had been sure she’d react, but she deliberately nodded and turned back to Nora.
“And I’d love to meet them.”
“Then it’s settled.” Nora smiled at her brother-in-law. “And you, Jett, must join us, of course.”
Still smiling, Canace grit her teeth. Jett was supposed to ask if he could tag along, not be invited by the all-too-sweet Nora. It was too late to do anything about it, but she’d have to look for another opportunity to force Jett to chase her. She was already starting to tire of this little game.
Jett smiled and agreed. She resisted the urge to throw something at him. Duncan frowned at her, reminding her that she had indeed promised to give Jett a chance. A chance to what? Prove that he didn’t like her? Prove that he wanted to control her? He’d already proven all that. But she was supposed to give him another chance, to act like a lady even when she wanted to hit him. With a sigh, she continued to play her part, but she quickly came to despise it.
It was almost a relief when Jett asked if she’d play chess with him. He even went so far as to claim he needed to salvage his pride by either winning or discovering she was indeed the better player. She agreed to play, but only because she wanted to leave the duke’s table.
Jett led her to the nearby parlor where they’d played on her first night here. She remembered that game, remembered Duncan’s advice, and decided she just couldn’t do it. She couldn’t let him win. It wasn’t in her nature. Biting her lip, she hesitated before moving her first piece.
“Can I ask you a question, my lord?” she asked, hand hesitating over her pawn.
“Of course.” He settled back in his chair to watch her.
Canace dropped her hand. “The other night…Duncan says I should have let you win, but I don’t want to do that. Can I truly play, or should I just let you win?”
His eyes flashed, but he managed to keep his voice low and measured. “I’d be offended if you did. I don’t want you to let me win, Canace. If I lose, it means I have to play with greater skill next time. It means that my opponent has some talent, or that I was too distracted to watch my king. It doesn’t mean that I want you to let me win. That would be an affront to my pride.”
“Duncan said—”
“Maybe we can agree that Duncan doesn’t know everything.” His gaze moved over the exposed tops of her breasts. “Though if he had a hand in your appearance tonight, I might rethink that assessment.”
Her brow furrowed in annoyance. “I had a hand in my appearance tonight, thank you.”
A quiet chuckle rumbled forth. “Then I heartily approve. You’re lovely tonight, Canace.” Her name rolled off his tongue and tasted sweet in his mouth.
The compliment seemed genuine, so Canace rewarded him with a radiant smile. Her hand moved from her pawn to her knight and the game was begun.
They played in silence for a time, speaking only when one of them placed the other in check. Canace won the first two games, but Jett took the third when she foolishly placed her queen in danger too early. She laughed at herself as his bishop swept in, endangering just about every piece she had left.
“Well, that didn’t work. I was trying to draw out your rook.”
He nodded. “I saw that. You play exceedingly well, but you sometimes forget that your opponent has plans of his own.”
“I hate it when my opponent has plans of his own.” Seeing his queen about to harass her king, she forfeited. “Your game, my lord.”
“Can’t you call me by name?” His voice was smooth and low, his eyes smoldering as he gazed at her.
Canace felt a shiver sneak down her spine. “Jett,” she whispered, lowering her eyes.
Jett’s throat went dry as his name floated on the air. He watched her hands, her breasts, and her face as she set the board for another game, but he’d lost all interest in chess. He had eyes for her and her alone. The candlelight reflected in her golden eyes, making them shine in the dimness of the parlor. Those eyes were stunning, but they weren’t looking at him. In that moment, he wanted them to.
“Canace,” he breathed. She looked up, their eyes locked, and Jett was filled with the sudden need to be near her. Since she wouldn’t come to him, he’d have to go to her.
Jett rose, licked his lips, and moved swiftly to the arm of her chair. She jumped and pulled away, but she didn’t actually run from him. That was a start.
“The game—”
“I don’t want to play.” Well, he did, but not in the way she meant. He reached out and took her hand in a firm grip.
She instantly tensed. “No!”
“Hush,” he whispered. “I won’t hurt you. I just want to touch you, perhaps even kiss you.”
“Isn’t that what caused all the trouble before?” Her words objected to his touch, but she didn’t take her hand back, not even when he raised it to his lips.
He ignored her as he dropped kisses on her fingers. “If we’re to be married, we need to know each other. Intimately.” Smiling at her, he turned her hand over and kissed her palm, letting his tongue dart out to taste her soft flesh.
A gasp was torn from her throat as a hot wave of…something…washed over her. A moment passed before she was able to identify the sensation. Desire, raw and pure and like nothing she’d ever felt before. Her lips tingled, her breasts ached, and something uncurled deep in her belly.
Jett nibbled gently on her fingers, almost chuckling as she shifted in her seat. The urge to toss her on her back was strong, but she wasn’t ready for that. He needed to start slowly. He needed to seduce her.
“Just let me kiss you,” he begged. Her eyes flew to his, letting him see the desire there. “You enjoyed it last time.”
He was right about that, and her lips did ache for his. As his lips moved to her wrist, Canace nodded slightly, giving him tactic permission to kiss her in truth.
Tactic permission was all he needed. Before she could object, he swept her into his arms, took her seat, and deposited her on his lap. A sharp squeal almost escaped her, but he merged his lips with hers to cut it off. With one hand at the small of her back and the other holding her head in place, he allowed himself to explore her mouth. She tasted of sweet apricots and smelled of something earthy. On the bluff he’d assumed the scent and been the greenery surrounding them, but now he realized it was her. She smelled of the earth, and it was a heady scent indeed.
She squirmed on his lap before raising her arms and placing them around his neck. When she did so, he moved his hand downward, from her back to the delicious curve of her hip. No objection was apparent, so he moved his hand again, cupping her bottom with one large hand. Her flesh was soft and yielding beneath his touch. There was also a decided lack of padding. He’d be surprised if she wore more than her shift under the thin silk of her gown. For a moment he almost chastised her, but eventually decided against it. He didn’t want to shatter her desire for him, and he also rather appreciated being able to fondle her without having too much fabric in the way.
Canace was awash in sensation. His lips and tongue were divine, and she was vaguely aware of his hand where it shouldn’t be, but she wanted more. That more was a mystery to her, but she wanted it anyway. His hand kneaded her bottom, sending shivers up her spine. She knew she should stop him, but it felt good, his touch. She wasn’t about to stop something so pleasurable. It wasn’t until his hand moved from her bottom to the curve of her inner thigh that she finally pulled away, breaking their kiss.
“No,” she gasped. “Not there.”
Knowing that he’d gone too far, and not wanting to frighten her as he had at the bluff, Jett immediately removed his hand, placing it at the small of her back once more. His lips captured her again; she yielded willingly. It was only a moment before she was making little mewling sounds deep in her throat. Those sounds encouraged him to continue. He deepened the kiss, inviting her tongue to play with his, trying to put aside his own mounting desire before he truly ravaged her.
Canace kissed him right back, her tongue meeting his thrust for thrust. She loved the feel of his lips on hers. This she would allow without hesitation. Wanting more of him, she wrapped her hands in his hair and pulled him ever closer until her breasts were pressed against his chest. The sensation was so incredible she pulled her lips from his, crying out as she flung her head back.
The moment her neck was exposed, Jett buried his face in the hollow of her throat. Her neck tasted of lavender. No, not lavender. Something else, something he couldn’t quite identify. It didn’t matter. He liked the taste. He liked her scent. He could lose himself in both.
His hand inched upward almost of its own volition, caressing the taut silk covering her breasts. When she didn’t object, he cupped one rounded globe, squeezing ever so gently. Instead of pulling away as he’d fully expected, Canace arched her back, pushing her breast into his palm. He almost came out of his skin at her response. If this went on too much longer, he’d be past the point of no return.
Only barely able to hold himself in check, he let his lips drift lower as he plucked at her nipple through the fabric of her gown. Since she wasn’t wearing a corset, and he was starting to doubt she even wore a shift, it was almost like caressing her bare breast. Almost, but not quite. Her nipple tightened, proving her desire, so he reached up and started tugging at the silk.
Canace immediately pushed him away. “No.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, but was firm nonetheless.
With a groan Jett moved his hand back down to cup her breasts. “We both know you enjoy it.” He squeezed, causing her to sigh with pleasure.
Denying his statement would have been futile so she didn’t try. “We’re not married yet.”
She had a point, but he didn’t like acknowledging it. To avoid having to talk about it, he took her nipple between his thumb and forefinger and rolled. Canace squealed in surprise, then gasped in pleasure. As she squirmed in his lap, Jett put his lips to her ear.
“Imagine how it would feel if I took that plump nipple into my mouth,” he whispered. “Imagine how good it would feel if I licked it, nipped at it, suckled it. Imagine the pleasure.” One more quick tug and he was removing his hand. He could still see the nipple puckered through the silk, once again reminding him that she must be wearing nothing under her lovely gown.
“Why did you stop?” Canace asked, breathing hard.
He raised an eyebrow at her. “You’re the one who wanted me to stop. I’ll happily continue if you wish.”
As tempting as he was, she shook her head and struggled to sit up. With gentle hands he kept her where she was. It was only then that she realized she was spread across his lap, legs slightly sprawled. A flush covered her face at her awkward position.
“Don’t sit up.” His mind cast about for a reason to keep her there, but all he could think of was to cup her breast again. He felt the hardened nipple through the fabric once more and finally asked, “What are you wearing under that gown?”
She blinked at him in surprise. “What do you mean? I’m wearing my…undergarments,” she finished lamely.
His chuckle was low and deep. “I doubt it. You’re clearly not wearing a corset.”
“No,” she admitted. “I don’t need one.”
“That’s obvious. Your waist is too trim and your breasts are too pert to worry about it.” A gentle tug on her nipple brought another gasp to her lips, making Jett chuckle and kiss her for what seemed like the millionth time tonight.
Finally his lips lifted long enough to whisper, “I think you’re naked under that gown.”
“I am not!” The urge to unfasten her gown to show him she was indeed properly attired—or almost so—was strong, but she restrained herself. “I’m wearing my shift and a petticoat.”
A dark eyebrow crept upward at her rather short list. “I don’t believe you. You can’t possibly have a petticoat under that clinging skirt of yours.”
“I do so!”
There was a challenge in her voice, even if she didn’t realize it, and he was most willing to take her up on it. Moving slowly so she’d know what he was about, Jett reached for her delicate skirts. Her eyes widened, but she didn’t object, not even when he tossed up the blue silk to reveal the golden petticoat. Jett took the flimsy fabric in one hand.
“This little thing can hardly be called a petticoat.” A warm hand stroked its way up her calf. “And you’re not wearing any stockings.”
“Are you scandalized?” she asked, watching his eyes for the truth.
They smoldered with desire. “Intrigued, I think.” His fingers feathered up her legs, passing her knees without meeting any resistance. “Now where is that shift you spoke of?”
It was only an excuse to keep exploring her thighs and she knew it. Sensing that he wouldn’t be satisfied until he found her elusive shift, Canace sat up, pressed her legs together to stop his questing hand, and plucked at the laces of her gown. His eyes fastened on her breasts as she did so, but she had no intention of letting him see too much. Instead of baring a breast as he clearly hoped she would, she only loosened the laces enough to tug the gown off her shoulders, revealing the transparent material of her shift.
Ignoring the shift, Jett let his eyes play across her exposed flesh. He doubted she realized it, but when she’d tugged at the gown, she’d pulled it down just far enough to allow a sliver of pink nipple to peek above the blue silk. If he pointed it out, she’d cover it up, so instead he leaned down to rain down a few kisses on the exposed flesh. When his mouth reached her nipple, he gave a quick lick, letting his tongue move under the gown and shift to brush roughly against the puckered bud. She pushed him away, but not before she moaned at the new sensation.
“Tell me you didn’t like that,” Jett challenged as he watched her pull her gown back into place.
She couldn’t tell him that unless she lied, and she didn’t feel like lying right now. “I should probably return to my bedchamber.”
He wanted to object, to tell her to stay right where she was, but he was nearly mad with desire. His body was so taut with need he wasn’t sure he could go any further without claiming her virginity. At this point, it was either bed her or let her go. As much as he wanted to bed her, this wasn’t the time.
With a reluctant nod he set her on her feet. Her leg immediately collapsed, forcing her to sag against him.
“Shall I carry you up?” he whispered in her ear, one hand caressing her rounded bottom.
Canace didn’t say anything for a moment, giving him—and herself—a chance to enjoy the intimacy of their embrace. But when his hand strayed downward she knew it was time to take herself to bed. Alone.
“I have to go,” she breathed, pushing away from him. Her legs were shaky, but they would hold. Picking up her skirts, she rushed from the room as quickly as her tense body would allow.
It was a long time before Jett was able to rise and do the same.
