Desired by the Famous Rake of Monclair
[WARNING: MATURED CONTENT (R18)]
She was the last woman he should want… but the one he couldn’t forget.
Penelope Anderson, long past the age society deems “marriageable” and burdened by rumor, devotes herself to securing a perfect match for her younger sister after experiencing an unsuccessful courtship. Everything proceeds as planned until Lord Anthony Ravenport, a notorious rake she once met under scandalous circumstances, becomes her sister’s most promising suitor.
Though Penelope knows he is dangerously unsuitable, his status makes him impossible to refuse. As tensions rise, so does an undeniable attraction between Penelope and Anthony, one that threatens to ruin not only her sister’s future, but the fragile reputation of their entire family.
***
“Why do you despise me so much that you consider everything I do unworthy of your blessings!” he demanded, eyes bright with frustration and restrained fury.
“Because you are unworthy of one!” she yelled back, her gaze holding the same frustration as his. “You’re unworthy to be a husband, unworthy of my sister, and unworthy of love! Your presence is only making things worse for Francesca.”
“And your presence isn’t?!” he spat back, his composure gradually dwindling as seconds passed. “Just because you think you’re better off unmarried doesn’t make her one. She shows interest in me as much as I do her!”
“Oh, is that so?” She countered, mockery and disbelief laced in her tone. “I know men like you. And men like you thrive on pity and selfishness, believing women to be nothing else but breeders and assets! How dare you speak of interest when all you think of is what benefit my sister possesses!”
“I know women like you,” he retorted, keeping his voice likewise. “Women whose conclusions are based on personal grudges. Women who are blinded by rage, envy, and jealousy, disguised under safety. Women whose hearts are hardened by grief and sorrow, and all they can think of is affecting other people’s lives!”
“How dare you,” Penelope seethed, expression cold in fury and her gaze heated in cold rage.
No one has ever talked to her the way he did, and it annoyed her to such an extent that she could barely recognize herself anymore.
“Oh, are you pained?” he snorted, mockery plastered in his expression.
They were so close, so improperly close that their breath fanned against each other, eyes brightened in rage, chest rising and falling from such pressure. But neither of them seemed to realize.
“You are… insufferable!” She spat.
“And you’re… aggravating!” he returned, hot breath matching hers, as their chest rose and fell in exasperation.
For a moment, the world revolved around heated glares and venomous expressions.
Finally, those pair of grey eyes left the storm of dark-brown ones, descending on her lips that were only an inch away.
Sensing his diverted attention, her breath stuttered in response, eyes descending against those inviting lips in return.
Penelope’s heart raced wildly, breath puffing furiously as she swallowed the lump down her throat, unconsciously wetting her lips.
“S-Stay away… from my sister,” She said, words barely above a whisper.
Her heart raced, echoing in her ears, causing her to feel dizzy.
His eyes darkened as they remained on those inviting lips. “What are you doing to me?” he whispered back.
There was something in the way he said it that made her core shiver in a forbidden anticipation. Penelope knew she shouldn’t feel this way, but the desire was tormenting.
He leaned in, closing the distance between them. “Stop me, or I’d kiss you,” he said halfway, their faces merely inches apart.
Penelope could hardly think. Every fiber of her being hummed in response as his breath fanned against hers.
“Fiery,” he warned, and his voice lowered, almost desperate, “Please,”
“Kiss me.”
For a moment, he seemed entirely taken aback. But in the blink of an eye, his lips crashed against hers like that of a starving beast.
