“Our house partywasa marvelous success, wasn’t it?”
“All due to you. I am very proud. Proud and appreciative.” He caressed her face. “But far be it from me to allow Hurtheven’s selfishness to go to waste.”
Alicia curved her lips in seductive invitation. “A few hours of peace—is that what you have in mind, Ash?”
His eyes gleamed with wicked intent. “I’m more plunder than peace, truth be told.”
“Well, then.” Alicia threw her legs over the side of the bed. “How do you plan to despoil?”
“I was just thinking,” Ash cocked his head, “how very long it’s been since you’ve wornthe dress.”
“The dress...” Alicia bit her lip and creased her brow. “The dress with the tiny pearl buttons that take an age to unfasten?”
Ash shuddered. “Not that one.” He parted her knees with his leg.
“Oh!” She glanced up through her lashes, all innocence. “You must mean the dress with the red lace.”
“Mmm.” His face relaxed with indulgent recollections. “I like that dress, but I love...”
She dropped his banyan from her shoulders. Cool air titillated her breasts, fully exposed above the transparent, diaphanous layers falling from the gathered waist. “This dress?”
Ash’s cheeks darkened, his eyes dilated.
His wife worked the buttons of his falls. “I love it when you look at me that way.”
Ash hardened beneath her fingers before he caught her wrists in his hands.
“I know a few other things you love.”
“You do, do you?”
Ash sunk to his knees. “Absolutely.” Placing his lips against her breasts, he proceeded to prove his point.
Alicia laughed, throaty and low. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”
“My darling duchess,” he said, “the debt is entirely mine.”
THE END
