“Imagine…he wrote all of those books. All those stories came from his mind. What a brilliant man he must be.”
Edward shifted in his seat. Rearranged the napkin in his lap. Frowned.
“We begin working tomorrow. What kind of story do you suppose it will be? Pirates? Vikings? Slave traders in the Far East?”
“You have a salacious imagination.”
“His books are all very naughty. Impropriety was particularly wicked. Do you suppose he will have me draw pictures of spankings?”
He shifted again. “May we talk about something else?”
“Of course, Edward. What would you like to talk about?”
“I’d like to talk about you coming over here and sitting on my lap.”
“Really? I am far too excited for that. Tomorrow we begin on his new book.” She sighed and propped her chin in her hands. “What do you suppose it will be about?”
“A girl, no doubt.”
“He does write about girls.”
“A girl who does not obey.”
Oh my. She did like that look on his face. It was…intriguing. And ominous. She loved when he was ominous.
“A naughty girl.” She took another bite of syllabub. “So you do think there will be spankings?”
“Kaitlin.”
“Yes?” She blinked innocently.
“Come over here and sit on my lap.”
“I shouldn’t. I have to work tomorrow, Edward. I really should go to bed.”
“That was my plan.”
“Alone, silly. I must have my rest. Heaven only knows what he shall command of me.” She pretended to shudder again.
The look on his face was beyond price. A mix of fury and arousal and…confusion. “Kaitlin—”
“I have to go to his offices wearing a mask. How lurid is that?”
“He is probably just trying to protect your reputation.”
“What kind of club do you suppose it is?”
“Kaitlin!” He leaped to his feet.
She blinked. There was no need to bellow. “Yes, Edward?”
“Stop talking about Lord Hedon.”
“But you said you wanted to hear every detail.”
“You’ve gone over every detail.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “Now come over here and sit on my lap.”
She tipped her head to the side, letting a wicked smile tease at her lips. “You’re no longer sitting.”
He sat. Patted his thigh. “Don’t make me punish you.”
This time, her shudder was real. Lust curled through her. He was so hard and strong and commanding. Perhaps she didn’t need very much sleep after all.
Chapter Eleven
Edward fumed as he waited for Kaitlin to arrive at his rooms at Madame Chantilly’s. Damn. Damn and blast. He’d never expected this. That she would meet Lord Hedon and become so enamored with him. How on earth was he going to keep up the charade? Pretending to be her employer, when all he really wanted to do was fuck her?
It would be hard enough remembering to keep up that ridiculous accent—the one she loved—much less keeping his hands off her.
And had he really arranged to meet with her here?
Madame Chantilly’s was the seat of all his decadence.
He and Mabry had spent countless hours posing the girls for one plate or another, discussing plot twists and devices. Hell, he’d spent countless hours here partaking in other activities as well.
That he was bringing Kaitlin here, with all the simmering lust this place engendered, made him slightly uneasy.
He’d thought to have Bess or Nellie pose as she sketched, increasing the play with each assignment. Initiating her slowly into the divine delights of dominant play. She surely had an affinity for it.
He, however, doubted he possessed the resolve. How long could he resist tossing her on the bed and planting himself in her quivering body?
Oh, he’d had her this morning. Made damn sure of it. But his cock was heavy and ready again. He couldn’t get enough of her.
A scratch at the door shattered his gloomy reverie. He stormed to the door and wrenched it open and—
It was her.
Kaitlin. In a long dark cloak and mask. Clutching a large sketchbook. Her hair, unrestrained, tumbled over her shoulders.
Damn. She wore her hair down for him?
Annoyance snarled in his gut.
“Come in,” he barked. When she complied, he slammed the door.
She spun around, her eyes wide. “My lord, am I too early?”
“What?”
“Am I disturbing you?”
“Not in the slightest.” She disturbed him a great deal, just not the way she meant.
“I… Well, fine.” She set her book on the table and took off her mask, glancing around the opulent chamber, taking in the desk against the wall, the wardrobe by its side and the two comfortable chairs—one with arms, the other without. Her gaze stalled on the bed. “You have a bed in your offices?”