the only one who could understand what could happen to her, so he was the only one who could shield her. Not once did it ever dawn on him that Chloe was never in any danger. He saw his own situation in her, and the young viscount guarded her zealously.
It was only to Chloe that his true vulnerability was revealed.
John threw a rock across the water, watching it skip across the surface. Remembrances of his past always brought on a melancholy mood. Why had he even ventured there? It had no place in his life today, no bearing on his current situation.
What should he do about Chloe's proposal? Marry her to secure her estates? The idea, which had at first seemed ludicrous, now held a certain appeal. Especially in the quiet of this garden, next to the pond.
Stretching out on the soft grass, he rested his head on the pillow made by his folded arms. The light wind riffled his hair, cooling the back of his neck. The sound of the lapping water soothed him, and he felt himself relax, becoming drowsy.
What should he do about Chloe's proposal?
It was not gardens or estates he thought of as he drifted off to sleep. In that state between waking and dreaming, the lapping water became waves of red hair floating toward him. In his mind's eye, he saw himself reach out simply to touch a tendril of hair before it floated away, and instead found himself wrapping the strand securely around his fist.
There was no way in hell he was going to let it slip by him.
John was lying prone on the grass, fast asleep.
The classically handsome face turned toward her was almost completely hidden by his loose hair. Black breeches molded muscular buttocks and powerful thighs.
He looked too beautiful by half.
Chloe shook her head. John could fall asleep anywhere. She supposed it would be a necessary trait for a rake to possess.
She sat next to him on the lawn. Watching him. There was a silly little grin curving those sensual lips, and he seemed inordinately pleased with himself. The arm his head was resting on had a clenched fist.
I wonder what he's grabbing . She could just imagine the sordid exploits the rogue was dreaming about! Chloe sighed. It was going to be difficult to reform him.
But not impossible.
She knew just what she had to do in order to achieve her objective. Chloe was going to give him enough tether in the rope she offered to him so that he might hang himself. Metaphorically speaking.
How can such a wicked man look so innocent when he sleeps ? She rolled her eyes at the preposterous picture he made. An innocent Lord of Sex. Ha ! Trying not to laugh outright, she leaned forward to gently smooth back a strand of hair from his face.
John was worth reforming.
There was something extremely likable about him; everyone who met him saw that at once. Still, Chloe had always believed there was more to John than simply his easygoing, likable, rapscallion self.
Indeed, throughout her life he had given her glimpses of so much more.
The truth with John lay buried deep within: a heart of gold imprisoned by the walls he had erected. Chloe hoped with all her being that she was the key to unlock it.
Undeniably, from the moment they met, he was hers. Oh, not in body, to be sure, but definitely in spirit. It was something she had always sensed: they belonged to each other.
They always had.
And they always would.
It was up to her to make the dunderhead see it. Then admit to it.
There was the rub.
How does one bring a six-foot-two-inch rogue to heel ? Well, she was about to find out and write the book. She took a deep breath. I can do this… I know I can . It was Chloe's once-in-a-lifetime chance and she was going to reach for it. Snapping off a blade of grass, she bent over him and lightly ran the tip across his lips. John's green eyes opened a fraction. As she suspected, he was very sensitive to physical stimuli.
" Mmm , hello, sweet," he whispered sleepily.
Trusting as a babe, she thought with a snort. At least until he regained full
It was only to Chloe that his true vulnerability was revealed.
John threw a rock across the water, watching it skip across the surface. Remembrances of his past always brought on a melancholy mood. Why had he even ventured there? It had no place in his life today, no bearing on his current situation.
What should he do about Chloe's proposal? Marry her to secure her estates? The idea, which had at first seemed ludicrous, now held a certain appeal. Especially in the quiet of this garden, next to the pond.
Stretching out on the soft grass, he rested his head on the pillow made by his folded arms. The light wind riffled his hair, cooling the back of his neck. The sound of the lapping water soothed him, and he felt himself relax, becoming drowsy.
What should he do about Chloe's proposal?
It was not gardens or estates he thought of as he drifted off to sleep. In that state between waking and dreaming, the lapping water became waves of red hair floating toward him. In his mind's eye, he saw himself reach out simply to touch a tendril of hair before it floated away, and instead found himself wrapping the strand securely around his fist.
There was no way in hell he was going to let it slip by him.
John was lying prone on the grass, fast asleep.
The classically handsome face turned toward her was almost completely hidden by his loose hair. Black breeches molded muscular buttocks and powerful thighs.
He looked too beautiful by half.
Chloe shook her head. John could fall asleep anywhere. She supposed it would be a necessary trait for a rake to possess.
She sat next to him on the lawn. Watching him. There was a silly little grin curving those sensual lips, and he seemed inordinately pleased with himself. The arm his head was resting on had a clenched fist.
I wonder what he's grabbing . She could just imagine the sordid exploits the rogue was dreaming about! Chloe sighed. It was going to be difficult to reform him.
But not impossible.
She knew just what she had to do in order to achieve her objective. Chloe was going to give him enough tether in the rope she offered to him so that he might hang himself. Metaphorically speaking.
How can such a wicked man look so innocent when he sleeps ? She rolled her eyes at the preposterous picture he made. An innocent Lord of Sex. Ha ! Trying not to laugh outright, she leaned forward to gently smooth back a strand of hair from his face.
John was worth reforming.
There was something extremely likable about him; everyone who met him saw that at once. Still, Chloe had always believed there was more to John than simply his easygoing, likable, rapscallion self.
Indeed, throughout her life he had given her glimpses of so much more.
The truth with John lay buried deep within: a heart of gold imprisoned by the walls he had erected. Chloe hoped with all her being that she was the key to unlock it.
Undeniably, from the moment they met, he was hers. Oh, not in body, to be sure, but definitely in spirit. It was something she had always sensed: they belonged to each other.
They always had.
And they always would.
It was up to her to make the dunderhead see it. Then admit to it.
There was the rub.
How does one bring a six-foot-two-inch rogue to heel ? Well, she was about to find out and write the book. She took a deep breath. I can do this… I know I can . It was Chloe's once-in-a-lifetime chance and she was going to reach for it. Snapping off a blade of grass, she bent over him and lightly ran the tip across his lips. John's green eyes opened a fraction. As she suspected, he was very sensitive to physical stimuli.
" Mmm , hello, sweet," he whispered sleepily.
Trusting as a babe, she thought with a snort. At least until he regained full
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