Chapter 4

• I can hear the music in the distance as I stare at my reflection in the mirror and reapply my fuchsia lipstick. My thick shoulder-length blonde hair is down and pulled back on one side behind my ear. My pink strapless dress fits perfectly and clings to my curves. I roll my lips as I stare at my reflection. Eventually, I exhale heavily and snap my lipstick back into my silver clutch.
• Most eligible bachelor in London, an appalling rake.
• Great. The first man I’ve been attracted to in forever and he’s a womaniser. Typical.
• For once, I would like to meet an honourable man who is actually appealing.
• Why does it have to be one or the other? Who made this god forsaken rule that any man who is a tad interesting must be a player? And why are all the good men as boring as hell? God must definitely be a man.
• With one last look at myself, I head back out into the garden and make my way up the path towards the party.
• “Charlotte,” a deep voice calls from behind me.
• I turn and falter, taken aback. It’s him.
• It’s Mr Spencer.
• He smiles sexily and his eyes hold mine. “Hello.”
• My heart rate spikes. “H-hi.” I smile nervously.
• He steps towards me and takes my hand in his, and I inhale sharply. He holds my hand up in the air and nods, as if bowing. “Forgive me for following you, but I had to come and meet the most beautiful woman in the room tonight.” He kisses the back of my hand tenderly, and I raise my brows. “My name is Spencer.” He smiles against my skin.
• Oh, he’s really quite…
• I pull my hand away sharply. “I know who you are, Mr Spencer.”
• He smirks, and his mischievous eyes hold mine. “You do?” he asks smoothly with a raise of his brow.
• I clasp my hands nervously in front of me. “Your reputation precedes you.”
• His smirk breaks out into a broad smile. “Ah, you can’t believe everything you hear, now, can you?”
• His voice is deep and permeating. It somehow sinks into my bones when he speaks.
• “Can I help you with something?” I ask. What the hell does he want?
• “I hope so.” He smiles and picks up my hand again. “Would you do me the honour of dancing with me?”
• I swallow nervously, and he smiles and drops his lips to the back of my hand to kiss me softly. His sexy eyes stay fixed on mine.
• Okay, hell… he’s good. Really good.
• “I…” I stop talking because I really can’t concentrate when he’s touching me.
• He’s so forward.
• “Charlotte?” he repeats, pulling me out of my thoughts.
• I shake my head in a fluster. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
• He turns my hand over to gently kiss the inside of my wrist. I feel his touch deep inside my stomach.
• “Why not?” He gently licks my wrist and my knees nearly buckle out from underneath me.
• Oh, for the love of God!
• “My father and brother…” I frown as my voice trails off. How in the hell am I supposed to string two words together when he’s doing that to me?
• He steps forward and takes me into his arms. “We’ll dance here then.”
• What?
• He pulls me close to him, takes one of my hands in his, and he smiles down at me as he begins to sway to the music. “You’re a wonderful dancer, Lady Charlotte.” He smiles mischievously.
• I smirk at his sheer audacity. “Does this routine work on every woman you meet?”
• He smiles his first genuine smile and I feel the effects of it hit me deep in my stomach. “Please don’t talk about other women. I’m in the courting zone, concentrating on you and only you.” He spins me around, and we both chuckle at his ridiculousness.
• He lets me go and holds one hand up, and then he spins me in his arms and pulls me back to his body with force until we come face to face.
• I stare up at him, my heart skipping a beat. “I have to go,” I whisper.
• “Why?” His intoxicating breath washes over my face.
• “My father will be looking for me.”
• “How old are you, Lady Charlotte?”
• “Too young for you, Mr Spencer.”
• He smiles softly. “I have no doubt.” He bends down and softly kisses my lips.
• My chest constricts.
• He kisses me again, soft and tenderly, hovering his lips over mine. Unable to help it, I smile, and that’s when he kisses me again but this time more urgently, his arms curling around my waist and bringing me to his body.
• I’ve never been kissed like this.
• His tongue sweeps through my open mouth and our tongues dance together.
• For three whole minutes, I drink him in as we kiss like teenagers.
• “Jesus fucking Christ, Charlotte,” he gasps as he kisses me again.
• I lose control and my hands go to his hair, and then I feel something hard up against my stomach.
• Is that…?
• I instantly pull out of the kiss and step back, panting for breath.
• He reaches for me again, but I step back farther. “Don’t touch me!” I whisper sharply, holding my hand up in defence.
• “What? Why?”
• I shake my head. “I’m not the kind of girl you are used to, Mr Spencer.”
• As if confused he shakes his head as if at a loss. “And what kind of girl is that?”
• “I’m not one of those high society sluts. Y-you should go back inside and find someone else to… entertain you,” I stammer.
• “I never said you were and I don’t want anyone else!” he snaps. “If I overstepped the line, I apologise. I never… I mean…”
• He’s tripping over his words as he tries to right the situation.