He yanked at his shirt, pulling it free from the waist of his breeches, and she followed his cue by slipping her hands under the fabric and running them along the hot skin of his back. She'd never touched a man this way;she'd never touched anyone like this, except maybe herself, and even then, it wasn't like she could easily reach her own back.
He groaned when she touched him, then tensed when her fingers skimmed along his skin. Her heart leaped. He liked this; he liked the way she was touching him. She hadn't the least clue what to do with herself, but he liked it just the same.wYou're perfect," he whispered against her skin, his lips blazing a trail back up to the underside of her chin. His mouth claimed hers again, this time with increased fervor, and his hands slid underneath to cup
her derriere, squeezing and kneading and pressing her up against his arousal.wMy God, I want you," he gasped, grinding his hips down. "I want to strip you bare and sink into you and never let you go."
Penelope groaned with desire, unable to believe how much pleasure she could feel from mere words. He made her feel wicked, naughty, and oh-so-desirable.
And she never wanted it to end.wOh, Penelope," he was groaning, his lips and hands growing more frantic. "Oh, Penelope. Oh, Penelope, oh—" He lifted his head. Very abruptly.wOh, God."wWhat is it?" she asked, trying to lift the back of her head from the cushion.wWe've stopped."
It took her a moment to recognize the import of this. If they'd stopped, that meant they'd most likely reached their destination, which was...
Her home.w Oh, God!" She started yanking at the bodice of her gown with frantic motions. "Can't we just ask the driver to keep going?"
She'd already proven herself a complete wanton. There seemed little harm at this point in adding "shameless" to her list of behaviors.
He grabbed the bodice for her and hauled it into place. "What is the possibility your mother won't have noticed my carriage in front of your house yet?"wFairly good, actually," she said, "but Briarly will have done."wYour butler will recognize my carriage?" he asked in disbelief.
She nodded. "You came the other day. He always remembers things like that."
His lips twisted in a grimly determined manner. "Very well, then," he said. "Make yourself presentable."wI can race up to my room," Penelope said. "No one will see me."wI doubt that," he said ominously, tucking in his shirt and smoothing his hair.wNo, I assure you—"wAnd I assure you," he said, leaping on top of her words. "You will be seen." He licked his fingers, then ran them through his hair. "Do I look presentable?"wYes," she lied. In truth, he looked rather flushed, with swollen lips, and hair that didn't remotely adhere to a current style.wGood." He hopped down from the carriage and held his hand out to her.wYou're coming in as well?" she asked.
He looked at her as if she'd suddenly gone daft. "Of course."
She didn't move, too perplexed by his actions to give her legs the orders to step down. There was certainly no reason he had to accompany her inside. Propriety didn't really demand it, and—wFor God's sake, Penelope," he said, grabbing her hand and yanking her down. "Are you going to marry me or not?"
CHAPTER 14
She hit the pavement.
Penelope was—in her opinion, at least—a bit more graceful than most people gave her credit for. She was a good dancer, could play the piano with her fingers arched perfectly, and could usually navigate a crowded room without bumping into an uncommon amount of people or furniture.
But when Colin made his rather matter-of-fact proposal, her foot—at the time halfway out of the carriage—found only air, her left hip found the curb, and her head found Colin's toes.wGood God, Penelope," he exclaimed, crouching down. "Are you all right?"wJust fine," she managed to get out, searching for the hole in the ground that must have just opened up, so that she could crawl into it and die.wAre you certain?"wIt's nothing, really," she replied, holding her cheek, which she was certain now sported a perfect imprint of the top of Colin's boot. "Just a bit surprised, that is all."wWhy?"wWhy?" she echoed.wYes, why?"
She blinked. Once, twice, then again. "Er, well, it might have to do with your mentioning marriage."
He yanked her unceremoniously to her feet, nearly dislocating her shoulder in the process. "Well, what did you think I would say?"
She stared at him in disbelief. Was he mad? "Not that," she finally replied.wI'm not a complete boor," he muttered.
She brushed dust and pebbles off her sleeves. "I never said you were, I just—"wI can assure you," he continued, now looking mortally offended, "that I do not behave as I did with a woman of your background without rendering a marriage proposal."
Penelope's mouth fell open, leaving her feeling rather like an owl.wDon't you have a reply?" he demanded.wI'm still trying to figure out what you said," she admitted.
He planted his hands on his hips and stared at her with a decided lack of indulgence.wYou must admit," she said, her chin dipping until she was regarding him rather dubiously through her lashes, "it did sound rather like you've, er—how did you say it—rendered marriage proposals before."
He scowled at her. "Of course I haven't. Now take my arm before it starts to rain."
She looked up at the clear blue sky.wAt the rate you're going," he said impatiently, "we'll be here for days."wI... well..." She cleared her throat. "Surely you can forgive me my lack of composure in the face of such tremendous surprise."wNow who's speaking in circles?" he muttered.wI beg your pardon."