The Geek Girl and the Scandalous Earl by Gina Lamm

heavily and set his candle down beside hers on the small side table outside his door. “Can it not wait until morning?”
    She shook her head. “No, it can’t.”
    He gritted his teeth and crossed his arms over his chest. Her knuckles were white as she clutched the neck of her dressing gown closed, her braid lying over her shoulder. He ignored the itch in his fingers, the one that longed to see if her hair was as soft as it looked. “Be quick about it, then.”
    She blinked several times, tongue darting out to wet her lips. She opened her mouth, blew out a breath, and then closed it, clearly at a complete loss for what to say.
    The image of her at the mercy of those ruffians by the docks leapt unbidden to his mind, and he didn’t even attempt to stop the words that broke her extended silence. “If you meant to apologize for earlier this evening, please do not. I’m sure you have learned the dangers that can befall a woman unescorted on these streets. I trust you will not be so foolish a second time.” His voice dripped with anger.
    Her high brows and soft mouth disappeared in an instant, replaced by a mask of outraged temper. Her eyes snapped as she said, “I already told you that I wouldn’t. I’m not stupid, you know.”
    He barked out a laugh. “It is difficult to believe you when you have insisted upon doing foolish things since your arrival, Miss Marten, not the least of which seems to be earning my ire.”
    His blood heated as she dropped the neck of her dressing gown and it fell open, revealing the soft curve of her breast beneath her night rail. She set her candle next to his and put both hands on her hips, exposing more of her front to his gaze. Her display would have been more alluring had her face not looked so cross. “I wouldn’t insist on doing stupid things if I had a blessed clue what was right and what was not here. This place has more rules than a dictator’s regime.”
    “I do apologize if the accommodations are unsatisfactory. Perhaps you would care to end your stay?” She couldn’t go. Not now. She’d probably attend the mill at the heath if he wasn’t around to prevent it. Senseless, beautiful wench.
    “You know I can’t go anywhere right now.” Her frustration was plain in her voice.
    “Ah, yes. You must stay near the magic bureau. Well, it appears you will have to make the best of it then.” He didn’t even attempt to hide his triumphant look.
    She glared at him. “You don’t believe me at all, do you? You think I’m crazy, a liar, and weird to boot. I don’t know why I ever thought I wanted to kiss you.” Her chest heaved as she clenched her jaw.
    He found the challenge too much to ignore. He stepped toward her, but she didn’t back down. Tilting her head back to accommodate his height, she kept her eyes locked with his. The fight in her was very tempting, he had to admit, and he was done fighting the temptation.
    After a long moment in which his gaze never broke from hers, a shuddering breath left him. “Jamie”—she trembled sweetly as he said her given name—“for anyone to kiss you, you must remain silent.”
    When her mouth opened with surprise at his statement, he wasted no time. Closing the gap between them, he kissed her.
    Her body was stiff against his, but her lips were as smooth and soft as he’d imagined. He was tender with her, coaxing her submission with gentle movements that asked rather than demanded. As she relaxed against him, he drew her body a bit closer to his, relishing the feel of her soft form through the thin cotton of her night rail. His tongue traced her lower lip, and he nearly groaned when she opened her mouth wider, allowing his tongue to delve inside. The moist heat there fired his blood, arousing him further.
    He tasted her deeply, thoroughly, but he wanted more. His breath mingled with hers, his hands resting on her slim back, but it wasn’t enough. But at the slight pressure on her back, she pressed her soft breasts fully against