“God bless her.” He started to unlace it, but Juliette stopped him.
“Not yet.” She led him over to the desk and bade him stand against it. This wasn’t about her—she wanted to learn about his body and what he desired. She reached for his waist and drew her hands around him. His face was unreadable, and when she touched the first button of his trousers, his hands covered hers.
“I don’t like seeing you this way,” she murmured. “You’re unhappy and avoiding me.” Her hands were trembling on the first trouser button. She knew what her sister had told her to do, but fear held her back. She didn’t know if he would want her to touch him in that way or if it would please him the way Victoria had said it would.
He held her gaze in his and opened the first button. “I’m not unhappy at all.”
“Aren’t you?” She opened the second button, and his hard length both intrigued her and terrified her.
“You’re doing a fine job of arousing me.” His mouth curved into a wicked smile. “But then, I suppose you know that.”
“May I… touch you, then?”
“Aye.” His eyes held unbridled lust as he finished helping her unbutton his trousers. He removed his drawers, standing naked before her. Instinct roared at her to be afraid, but this was different than the night she’d been violated. This man was her husband, a man who loved her. He was offering himself without any barriers at all.
And she held all the power over him.
Her hands trailed downward, to touch his hardened flesh. He was smooth and warm, a column of heat. From the moment her hand curled around him, he drew her close, inhaling sharply. She was dimly aware that he was loosening her stays, but she was too fascinated by him. Slowly, she moved her hand against his shaft and was rewarded with a bead of moisture on the tip.
“Lift up your hands,” he ordered. When she obeyed, he removed the corset and swiftly stripped away the chemise. Though the room was dark, she was self-conscious of being bare before him. The last time had been safely beneath the covers.
“God above, I could kneel before you and worship,” he said roughly. He didn’t ask permission but bent his head and took her breast into his mouth. She shuddered at the wet heat, bending and yielding against the onslaught.
Each time he touched her, it was easier. He was kissing her with reverence, arousing the needs she’d never known were there. As he suckled her, she reached out to him again, caressing his length with her hand. He pulled her to him, so that he was cradled against her petticoat between her legs.
“Wait,” she murmured. “I wanted this to be about you. I wanted to please you.”
“A chrìdhe,don’t you know that touching you pleases me?” His gaze turned heated. “I could do this all day. And before I leave in the morning, I’m wanting you to remember this. Remember what it was between us.”
He spoke as if he didn’t plan to return, and her bones went cold at the thought. “I’ll remember it because you’re coming back to me,” she insisted.
When he didn’t answer, the coldness turned to ice. “Paul, youarecoming back.”
“I might.” But the tone of his voice sounded unconvinced. “But that doesna matter. You have this house, and you’re wise enough to mind the accounts. You’ll always be taken care of. Safe.”
“You’re not going to leave me a widow,” she commanded. “Look at me, Paul. I don’t care what Strathland did to us. If I can put it in the past, so can you.”
The words struck hard, for she realized they were true. Shedidwant to move forward, to erase all the shadows.
She touched his face with both hands, drawing his mouth to hers. He kissed her with fervor, his hands moving everywhere. She removed her petticoat and stockings until she stood fully naked before him.
Although the door was locked, there was a sense of danger, almost as if anyone could walk in on them. Against the far wall was a small velvet settee.
She took his hand and led him toward it. He started to guide her down, but she shook her head. “You lie down first.”
He obeyed, and she ran her hands over him. Touching every hard line of muscle, learning where his skin was softer. And when her hand brushed against his erection, he gave an audible intake of breath.
She studied him, wondering what he would like. He’d enjoyed it when she’d touched him, and she did so again, exploring the hard ridge and the soft sac that hung below. His fingers dug into the velvet, but he spoke not a word.
Although he looked as if he were in pain, not once did he tell her to stop. Instead, he leaned into her touch, increasing the pressure.
She lowered her mouth to his heart, and her bare breasts pressed against him. He surged forward between them, and she thought of how wonderful his mouth had felt upon her nipples. Would he… want her to kiss him as well?
She moved to his nipple and licked at it, watching the way he responded. His hands slid into her hair, and he pushed her lower.
Juliette kissed at his stomach, her hands caressing his ribs and moving to his legs. Paul surrendered to her touch, letting her do as she wished, and she reveled in the complete control. He would not force her to do anything—all of it was her choice.
Lower still, and his erection brushed against her cheek. She wasn’t certain if he would want her to do this, but she brushed her mouth against the side of his length.
