A Scandal By Any Other Name

Rowan stopped moving completely. His hands froze holding the bandage. He lowered his gaze back to her face. His long fingers moved down. His hand gently teased the soft, sensitive skin at the nape of her neck. He stroked the fine hairs there, sending a warm shiver straight down her spine.

He spoke, his voice completely losing its playful tone. It became thick and heavy with desire.

"I might just kiss you," Rowan whispered, leaning in a fraction closer, "and take you right here on this bed."

The air between them suddenly became very hot and thick. The teasing game was instantly gone.

Delaney looked at his face. A few stray blond strands of his hair had fallen forward, resting over his forehead and partially hiding his beautiful brown eyes.

She raised her hand. Her soft fingers reached up and gently pushed the blond strands away from his face, tucking them neatly back. Her hand lingered on his warm cheek.

She looked at his mouth, and then back up to his eyes.

"Kiss me," Delaney said softly, her voice filled with open, honest longing. " Just a little kiss."

Rowan closed his eyes for a long, heavy second. His chest rose and fell as he took a deep, shaky breath. The muscle in his jaw ticked tightly. It took every single ounce of willpower he possessed to pull his face away from hers.

He slowly opened his eyes and shook his head.

"I can’t," Rowan replied, his voice rough and tight with restraint.

Delaney frowned slightly, letting her hand drop from his cheek. "Why not?"

Rowan looked deeply into her hazel eyes. The warm, brown color of his eyes suddenly darkened, turning into a deep, stormy brown. The gentle, careful nurse was completely gone. In his place was a fiercely passionate man holding back a massive wave of pure desire.

"Because," Rowan explained, his breathing slightly uneven, "I am afraid I will not be able to control myself. If I kiss you right now, in this bed, I would not be able to stop. I would take much more than a simple kiss."

He moved his hand from the back of her neck and rested it gently on her waist, his thumb tracing the curve of her hip through her simple morning dress. His voice became incredibly serious, low, and completely dangerous.

"I will take your whole body," Rowan warned her softly, stating the absolute truth. He wanted her entirely, but he wanted to do it properly, after they were married, without rushing her recovery.

Delaney felt her heart hammer wildly against her ribs at his dark, honest promise. A rush of heat flooded her cheeks. She could feel the tense, coiled energy in his broad shoulders.

Then, just as quickly as the dark, dangerous storm had appeared in his eyes, it vanished.

Rowan let out a soft breath. He smiled brightly, his eyes returning to their usual, warm brown color. He instantly returned to his cute, gentle, caring persona.

"Let’s finish this bandage," Rowan said cheerfully, picking up the loose end of the white linen, "so you can go downstairs and see your aunt. She has traveled a very long way for you."

Delaney blinked, slightly dizzy from the sudden shift in his mood. She puffed out her cheeks and pouted slightly, wishing he had kissed her anyway. But she knew he was right. Her aunt was waiting downstairs and she wouldn’t want to keep her waiting.

She nodded her head in obedient agreement. "Okay."

Rowan worked quickly but carefully. He finished wrapping the clean bandage around her head. He tied it securely but comfortably, making sure it would not slip.

When he was completely done, he leaned forward. He pressed a very gentle, very sweet kiss directly to the center of her forehead, right below the white cloth.

"There," Rowan said, pulling back with a satisfied smile. "You can go now. You look beautiful."

Delaney smoothed down the skirts of her dress. She looked at him, waiting for him to stand up. When he did not move from the bed, she looked at him with a confused expression.

"You are not coming with me?" Delaney asked, slightly surprised. She wanted to introduce the man she loved to her new family.

Rowan shook his head gently. He reached over to the bedside table and picked up some important papers he had been reading earlier.

"I have some urgent estate matters to finalize in my study," Rowan replied smoothly. He looked at her with a highly understanding, deeply empathetic smile. "But mostly, you two need to be entirely alone to catch up."

Delaney tilted her head. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Rowan insisted softly. "You haven’t seen her in twenty long years, Del. You both will likely cry, and you have so much family history to discuss. I absolutely do not want to be an awkward third party in your private, emotional reunion. This is a moment for your family."

Delaney felt a deep swell of appreciation for him. He was always so thoughtful, always putting her emotional needs above everything else. He was giving her the space to simply be a niece again, without having a Duke hovering over the conversation.

Rowan reached out. He took her small hands in his large one. He lifted her hand and pressed a warm, firm kiss to her first knuckle. Then, he moved his lips and pressed another soft kiss to her second knuckle.

"Besides," Rowan smiled, his eyes twinkling with a charming, polite light, "she will see me very soon when I come to your residence to formally call on you in the drawing room, just like a proper gentleman."

Delaney laughed softly. She loved when he played the role of the traditional suitor.

"Okay," Delaney smiled brightly. Her heart felt so full and light.

She stood up from the large bed. She smoothed her dress one last time, took a deep, nervous, but highly excited breath, and walked out of the bedchamber. She walked down the long, carpeted hallway, heading straight for the drawing room.