Chapter 10
On his third cup of whatever lukewarm monstrosity Knightwood was serving, Jackson pinned his glare on the dancing couple capturing everyone’s attention—not even trying to conceal his scowl.
Long before Kate walked into the ballroom, he knew she’d be there. A beautiful young woman in her first season, she probably never missed an evening affair. He was the interloper. If he had any self-preservation, he would have told his father to bugger off, thus leaving Jackson free to rouse the sort of distraction guaranteed to diminish whatever fresh hell Lady Katherine Baxton had awakened in him.
Apparently, he was a glutton for punishment because instead of giving Father a firm ‘no,’ he stood, trapped. Forced to watch Kate share her beauty with the man who would one day possess her.
Which is how it should be. Jackson had no intention of claiming any part of Kate. Tricking her into spending time with him was a lark. A way to pass the hours until he left England and his father’s ultimatum.
It certainly wasn’t a desire to be in her company, or recall how the sunlight had flickered through her dark hair that morning at the pond, warming her tresses to a deep chocolate. Or the delight of teasing a smile from her full pink lips.
He had a plan, one that didn’t threaten his bachelor status.
Jackson pried his besotted gaze from the sweet curves of Kate’s body, though a searing fire burned recklessly within him at the duke’s offensive hand, resting heavy on her waist. It would not be prudent if his father noticed his fascination, his unreasonable jealously—
“We need to stop meeting like this.”
Jackson groaned, not bothering to muffle the sound as he turned toward his brother. “Considering we arrived together, your jest falls short of humor.”
Edward laughed. “I can’t accustom myself to seeing you in society.”
“With you to keep me company, I’m at a loss as to why I resisted crossing into the privileged sphere.”
“You could try to appear friendly. Then, someone might actually take pity and speak with you.”
Jackson gave the room a quick glance, strategically avoiding the dancing couples. “Since there isn’t anyone I wish to converse with, I don’t think my churlishness makes a difference.”
“It is going to be rather difficult for you to meet Father’s demands if you don’t give it any effort,” Edward pointed out. “Women like to be courted.”
“Perhaps I don’t have any intention of yielding to his demands.”
Edward’s brow lifted toward his hairline as he scrutinized Jackson. “What mischief are you about?”
Damnation. His brother’s suspicions had been roused. “Nothing. I simply don’t feel like being his pawn.”
Suspicion clouded Edward’s features. “I don’t see how you have a choice. Not if you want funds to live upon.”
“I have my ways.”
“And would those ways involve Lady Katherine?”
It took all of Jackson’s wherewithal to keep his face from betraying him. “Lady who?”
“I don’t know what is more pathetic, your effort to dissuade me or your pitiful attempt to keep your eyes from straying in her direction.”
All pretense dropped, Jackson growled at his brother. “What do you want?”
“Besides knowing what you have planned for Blackthorn’s nearly-intended?”
“What do you want for your silence?”
Edward waved him away. “I’m not trying to extort you. It would not be fitting.”
As much as he wanted to despise his brother at the moment, Edward had the right of it. Their different aspirations might keep them from being the best of friends but they were far from enemies.
Either way, Jackson had wearied of his brother’s company. “Get to the point.”
“Watching you wriggle your way out of this one will be enough to keep me quiet. Just remember, Blackthorn is a duke, which means he has the power to destroy whatever it is you have planned.”
Edward’s warning echoed in Jackson’s ears long after his brother vanished into the crowd. Was there a possibility of Blackthorn preventing Jackson’s joint shipping venture? If the duke wanted to make his life difficult, it could be achieved with minimal effort.
Realizing the waltz had long ended and Kate was no longer wrapped in her betrothed’s embrace, Jackson indulged in the single action sure to bring him nothing but disaster.
He searched out the woman who fascinated him.
It didn’t take long to find her. In mere minutes, he could bring about a moment of privacy. He just needed to be patient and wait for her to excuse herself from the two women who, despite lacking Kate’s thrilling beauty, were clearly her sisters.
Anticipation pulsed in his veins.
Jackson followed a pace behind Kate as she exited the ballroom in the direction of the retiring rooms. His steps quickened when an open door to the right beckoned him. Without a word—and ignoring the taunting voice warning him he was making a colossal mistake—he secured Kate by the arm and had her sequestered in the empty room before she could voice a squeak of resistance.
As soon as the latch of the door clicked shut, she let her displeasure be known. “What are you doing?”
“I need a moment of your time.” The excuse, even to his ears, sounded lacking.
“I can’t be here.” She took a step to move around him but he shifted, remaining between her and the door.
Her eyes met his and second thoughts for what he was about to do fell away when his body combusted from the desire burning within those deep brown orbs. Contrary to her words, there was no denying what her body conveyed.
“Just a few minutes, Kate.”
“Why?” The solitary word was a whisper but he felt it to his bones.
“I just . . . I need . . . hell, I don’t know. I’ve got to wash away the vision of you in his arms.”
His commonsense in shreds, Jackson reached for her and folded her against his chest, deep into his embrace.
“Why? Why do you have the power to make me feel this way?” he groaned, then thanked God for small miracles when she didn’t pull out of his arms.
“Me? You have the power to destroy my future. I’m about to have everything ever expected of me.”
“Then tell me to go.”
She fell silent as her eyes roamed his face. He held still under her scrutiny when he ached to crush her lips beneath his.
Her softly uttered, “I can’t,” as she placed her palms on his chest, had the power to rescue him from the hell of watching her with Blackthorn.
His eyes fell to her lips and he gave up the fight. “Just a taste,” he muttered as his head lowered and he kissed her.
All possibility of giving her mouth a chaste caress vanished when her hands slid up his chest. Slipped over his shoulders. And she edged further into his embrace. His tongue flicked against her lips and she didn’t hesitate before opening under his onslaught.
His feet shuffled backward as he pulled her along, until his back landed against the door. Using the solid wood to support him, he tightened his hold, pressing her against his hardening cock.
Her body, flush against his, wasn’t enough. He needed more. His mouth released hers as he scattered kisses along her jaw on a path to the soft skin below her ear. When he reached his destination, he placed his lips against the shell of her ear and moaned, “I could feed off your sweetness forever.”
She stilled, the words breaking through the haze cloaking them. If he persevered, he could have her melting once more. Though it went against what his body craved, he lowered his arms. But not without first allowing his hands to caress along her curves.
He rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes with a heavy sigh, opening them to find her somber regard.
Words escaped him as his frustration seemed to be reflected in her beautiful gaze. Bestowing one last kiss, he gently set her away as he stepped to the side, allowing her access to the door . . . and the chance to flee.
To his surprise, she didn’t take the opening, but turned toward him. “I don’t know what this is, why I can’t stay away. But it must stop. Blackthorn doesn’t deserve this.”
“I know,” he managed.
“Then you’ll relinquish my ring?”
His answer was immediate. “No.”
Almost as if she’d expected his response, she gave a quick nod. Turning the knob, she opened the door, and slipped from the room.