He sat in his study eyeing his ledgers, not able to concentrate. He smiled because he was severely distracted by his thoughts of Emilia. The things she did to him were...breathtaking, lusty, damn near bordering erotic. Although they made love for the first time they continued their little cat and mouse game, Him being the mouse of course and her his lioness, he chuckled to himself. But the tables changed in his favor and the lion sought out his mate.

He closed his eyes reminiscing in their last encounter it was so hot his cock jumped at the vision of it in his head. He could not forget the look in those gorgeous green eyes when he surprised her at Lady Dabney's luncheon. He took advantage of his invitation, never doing so before he showed up. Oddly enough, he didn't see her, so he went in search for her. Admiring the view of her, He stood behind her in the study where he found her. She preferred the solitude and the comfort of being alone in a quiet place. When he checked his surroundings, he shut and locked the doors. Leaning against them, he watched her stiffen and slowly turn.

"Our last game of hide and seek left me.... Unsated." his low, seductive voice made her eyes twinkle.

Slowly stepping behind a chair, she rested her fingers on its backing and looked up at him with a teasing stare.

"Oh! Well, I distinctly remember m'lord the rules clearly stated that if you found me, you could have me." She bit her bottom lip enjoying her taunt.

Slowly he walked forward and stood before the chair. The sight of him was exquisite. An Adonis in his own right.

"I would like a rematch then." he grinned seductively.

Contemplating she stared at him cocking her head to the side as she looked him up and down then smiled.

"What does the winner get?" She bit her lips.

With a devilish grin, he looked down at her.

"Pleasure"

"And the loser." she added, licking her lips.

"Give in to the winner's wishes"

She smiled and looked away from his devilish smile.

Her cheeks turned a deep pink her eyes held his as he slowly walked around the chair and she moved carefully around the opposite side.

The chase was all the more exciting as their hearts raced with the thrill of a sexual encounter.

She darted quickly to his side, dodging him, but she wasn't quick enough. His muscular arm caught her by the waist and she gave in to his warm embrace. His heavily breathing near her lips, he claimed victory. He kissed her so passionately she let out such sweet moan. He kissed her neck and the skin near her breasts.

He whispered in her ears, hot and ready for her.

"I can't wait to get you alone; we can't take our chances of getting caught here." he growled.

She broke away the kiss and looked up at him.

In her eyes, he saw she had other plans. With fluid motion, she undid his cock from his breeches turned him towards the chair sat him down, straddled him and glided it into her.

"Sweet Mercy!!!" He cursed.

She covered her lips with his and provocatively sucked and kissed his lips. She began grinding her waist and her rump onto his erection until the tightness, friction and warmth had him swearing. He grabbed her waist and guided her up and down slowly. His release came like barrels of hot water over him. He groaned out loud and she covered his mouth with her hand and mischievously put her finger to her lips and gave one last grind before he spilled his seed in her. Her throbbing and tightness made him shudder. With a shaky breathless chuckle, he pulled her close for a kiss.

"Minx!" he grinned.

The game just got interesting.

She wrinkled her nose and stuck out her tongue teasingly, kissed him then quickly left.

*****

The slight knock on the door broke his thoughts. He bid Bufford to enter.

"M'lord Dimitri is here for a visit."

With a nod, he waited for his friend to enter.

The smile of his old friend came into view. With a hearty laugh, he grabbed his friend in a bear hug.

Holding him out at arm's length, he grinned.

"Congratulations, my friend, I see the newlywed life has done you good, look at you, " he pat him on the back with another hug before showing him to a nearby seat.

"You my friend, are looking mighty rested, I see a light in you I have never seen before," Dimitri leaned back and looked at Dominic with a grin.

With a laugh, Dominic looked away grinning not able to contain his own joy.

"Tell me brother, hold nothing back," Dimitri with an interested glare waited for Dominic to talk.

With a smile and a sigh, Dominic through his head back looking up at the ceiling, he looked for the words to express what was the cause of so much joy.

"Brother, I don't know where to begin." Dominic chuckled

"Start from the beginning is it a woman?" Dimitri grinned.

Dominic smiled, nodding his head.

With wide eyes, Dimitri leaned forward.

"Lady Hannah finally widowed and you plan to marry."

Dominic scowled shaking his head.

"No, my brother I can assure you it is not lady Hannah that has me this way." He gave a wry smile with little emotion.

With raised eyebrows, he sat back and waited for Dominic to reveal his secret.

"I'm completely in love with a young beauty."

"Do you remember the young girl at The Wakefield Ball? Emilia Westham?" Dominic asked.

Dimitri nodded confused.

"How?... when...? Did you get close enough to meet her?" Dimitri sat forward now peaked with interest.

Dominic began from the beginning of his story to the present day. Dimitri sat back for a while in awe.

"You cheeky bastard!, When were you going to tell me all of this?" Dimitri in surprise smiled.

Dominic laughed, then he fell silent.

Concern grew in Dimitri's eyes.

"What is wrong?"

"I love her. And, I don't think I can bare the thought of losing her to another man." Dominic voice faltered on the last word.

"Then why don't you marry her?" Shaking his head Dominic stood and turned to the window.

"I can't, it is complicated, " He hesitated.

"Why is it complicated?" confused Dimitri looked at him.

"You know the scandalous life I live, the women, the drinking, the gambling. I am not a good match. The sordid life I lived will pose a problem for her,"

"Dominic what does that have to do with marrying the woman you love?"

"Come now Dimitri! you know with a union like ours, they will surely chew her up and spit her out with gossip and scandal. I can't put her through that. You know how harsh the ton is." He angrily replied.

"Besides, she needs a good husband. Someone with good standing and an unmarked past, scandal free." the bittersweet reality fell from his lips and he hated the truth that wrung from it.

"Oh, Posh!, since when do you care what the ton says. So, you would prefer to let a crotchety old man take her for his wife?"

Silently, he listened to Dimitri. His friend was right.

They talked freely about everything.