She bit her lip, her hips making tiny thrusts she probably was not even aware of.
“Imagine my cock thrusting into you instead of my fingers. Just as your mouth was a substitute for your sweet channel moments ago, I want to feel your muscles milk my fingers, your little bud harden and convulse against my thumb like I trembled on your tongue. Come for me, Peaches.”
She let out a keening moan under her breath, and her chin dropped, her hands clenching and unclenching on his arm as her internal muscles did the same to his fingers. Her nub hardened even further and spasmed under his thumb as he rubbed it.
Finally, he slowed his movements, and her hands released him. “I shall see you tomorrow, then? Do you prefer to come to me or me to you?”
She giggled. “Both, obviously.”
As he withdrew his hand, he pinched her thigh.
“Ouch. I’ll come to you, Robert.”
If only tomorrow goes as well as tonight.
Chapter Eighteen
No. I want to be yours, not theirs.
Her words had shocked her. Robert had taken them in stride, and at the time, they’d stoked the fires of lust higher. Then she’d gone home, expecting to enjoy the sleep of sexual satisfaction, only to toss and turn as her reply and her body’s response to the idea of being his echoed in her head.
Always before, she’d enjoyed playing with any and all who wished to participate—or watch, as the case may be. She still believed all of those to be perfectly acceptable ways to have fun. However, she no longer wanted that for herself.
Just when he’d solved one form of frustration, he’d created another, the dratted man. Not a single breast, chest, calf, or hand appealed, unless it was Robert’s rough callused palms smoothing or pinching or his broad chest lowering to tantalize her with his mouth.
Like it or not, she needed to hear what he wanted from her. She was too invested in him to let it play out over time.
From what he’d shared of his childhood, she understood his desire to avoid the scrutiny of the Ton. That and their time apart had allowed her to see that she’d overreacted. She could accept his preference for multiple models if there was no touching involved, especially as she’d received a reply from Helen Montague indicating interest. She also wished to discuss expanding the use of the catalogue.
Robert put his work aside when she let herself in. “Hullo, love.” He bussed her cheek. “Come, sit with me. Sherry?”
“No, thank you.” She perched next to him on the settee, which had been cleared of leather designs. Apparently, he had planned for their conversation. Was that a good sign or bad?
He sat angled toward her and took her hand in both his.
Uh oh. Feels like a bad sign.
“First, I want to be with you, to spend more time with you. For instance, I should like your continued help in blacksmith shopping. But privacy is important to me. So can we keep things somewhat quiet for now, and I will consider a path forward?”
Ugh. She’d just resolved that she did not want this to drag out, as she’d subject herself to more hurt the longer it did. On the other hand, she’d seen how private he was and understood him needing more time. Mayhap a trip to the school could give them more time together, as Peterborough had.
She gave a reluctant nod.
“Thank you.” He raised her hand to his mouth and brushed a kiss on it. “Second, I apologize. I was somewhat abrupt that night about the catalogue.”
She arched a brow. What part did he regret?
“You did not give me a chance to explain.”
Possibly true. But she stayed silent. She’d wait for the explanation before coming to any conclusions.
“I wanted to create the catalogue to please you. It was an excuse to spend more time with you.”
She beamed, then frowned as she replayed his words. He still wasn’t excited by the idea.
“But the more I contemplated it, the more concerned I became regarding exposure. I should not have laid out mandates, however. I am happy to discuss ways to ensure anonymity.” He stared at her expectantly.
“You do not need an excuse to spend time with me. In fact, I planned to discuss that with you this evening. But let us address the catalogue first.” She took a breath. “I feel sure we can find a way to keep your identity a secret.”
