She wandered upstairs, unsure if she wanted to talk to Robert or what she’d say. Her body’s hum of arousal intensified from the mere knowledge that he was in the building. Brushing her hands over her dress intensified the ache, her skin sensitive to even her own touch.
Most of the doors above-stairs stood open. Assignations were more likely later, from what she remembered, although they would not preclude the doors remaining open. Toward the end of the hallway, a couple wandered out of an open doorway, whispering with their heads together.
As she walked by each room, she envisioned people in them, enjoying all sorts of acts. If only Robert were more like her, they might be one of the couples. He’d strip her dress off, leaving her breasts in only a chemise above the cut-out cups of the leather corset that she’d have worn for him. He’d untie her petticoats, letting them drop and then mayhap simply tug her short chemise out of the corset, allowing the warm supple leather to mold to her skin. Producing a set of straps, he’d open her to his desired position and buckle her into immobility. Then he’d strum her and pluck her and build to a crescendo, made even more titillating given the audience.
Her excitement dulled at that last thought. Always before, a crowd had enhanced her enjoyment. Their appreciation of her appearance and performance increased her arousal.
Now, only the lure of Robert’s care and skill with her, not just her body, had her nervous, excited, and wet.
A servant approached from the back stairs with a pile of leather, disappearing into a room.
Her mood morose as she realized her bluster about other partners was just that, Beth lingered in the doorway to watch the footman lay out Robert’s wares.
When he placed a set of cuffs attached to a collar by a long strap upside down, she stepped in to correct him.
****
Robert turned through the doorway to the usual “sales” room and stopped short.
Beth stood at a table against the wall, running her hands over an arrangement of leather straps with a collar.
His cock surged in his breeches.
They’d never played with collars. Robert had used them, but only occasionally, and almost always with cuffs closer to the collar to keep the person’s hands out of his way. The ones she touched had cuffs down a long strap, allowing the hands to sit near the waist.
Peaches—Beth—had advanced to rarely needing cuffs to remain still for him after the trip to Peterborough. When he did want her tied, he preferred her spread, so he could feast on every gorgeous inch of her.
His cock pulsed, jerking upright, poking against his clothes.
Beth turned and gasped.
He hardly heard her over the roaring in his ears when he caught the shadow of her areolas through the pale gown. His mouth watered, and his teeth ached to close over those tips.
Good lord, he had missed her. Her voluptuous curves made his palms itch to smooth over them, but her mind… He wanted to lay sketches at her feet and beg for her thoughts. He had questions about the blacksmith as well.Ugh.
Reason reasserted itself.
She’s here with rouged nipples, deliberately drawing attention to herself.
Even in the improbable likelihood she was trying to garner his attention, it was a perfect example of her not worrying about others’.
“Beth.” It came out as a rumble, and he cleared his throat. “Did you wish to purchase that?”
“No, thank you. ’Tis not one of my preferred styles.” She flipped it over and set it down again. “It had been laid incorrectly.”
“Ah. You have my gratitude then.”
She lingered, walking the length of the display, trailing her hands over the pieces. Here and there, she’d finger the leather, testing thickness or suppleness.
His gaze and his cock followed her progress hungrily. Mayhap a quick tup in a back room with the door locked? No, their interludes had never been rushed, and he wasn’t about to change that now when it might be their last time together. To leave her with less than his best effort would exacerbate their issues, not lessen them.
“Aren’t you concerned about someone finding you in here?” Her tone was contemptuous, and one lip curled in a sneer.
“Few people come up this early. I wished to check on the same thing you found—that items were properly displayed.”
“Why do you care?” She stepped closer so the servant could not overhear. “If you’re so rich, why even sell these? Just give them away to your friends.” She flung out a hand and stamped a foot.
His eyes nearly crossed as her bosom jiggled with her stomp and her scent wafted toward him. He was so distracted by her proximity, he could not form a reply. Thankfully, she hadn’t seemed to notice his cockstand.
