With a deep sigh, she cleared away his bowl, resumed her place, and then refilled her glass. She needed more courage. She downed the wine in almost a single swallow.
“If I told you you’d had enough, would you listen?” He sounded amused.
She narrowed her eyes. “No.”
“Thought not,” he replied. “Well then, by all means, carry on.”
“I shall.” She refilled her glass and then toasted him. “Excellent shumpine.”
He lifted his brows. “Doesn’t appear you’re bothering to taste.”
“Oh, I’ve an excellent sense of taste…ifyou can recall.” She finished the rest, set down her glass, and looked her husband in the eye.Now or never.“Rayne, I want to be kissed. Not just kissed—I want those other things you promised, too.”
He inhaled sharply. Disquiet flickered over his features. She’d taken him off guard.
She made her voice louder, deeper, surer. “Idemandto be kissed.”
His gaze fixed on her lips. “Other things?”
“Don’t pretend you didn’t understand. You’re holding back. I canfeelyou holding back. It made sense at first. I was inexperienced. But now…now you’re just afraid.”
He kicked back his chair. For a moment, she thought he was going to rise. Instead, he slouched low in the seat and rubbed the back of his finger across his bottom lip.
“Do you realize,” he finally said, “you’re asking to be debased?”
“Is that how you see your desire? Mine?” Her voice fell to a whisper. “I want you to bed me any way you wish, as long as it’s tonight.”
His eyes widened, black pupils slowly spreading out into icy blue pools. If he denied her, she couldn’t imagine surviving the humiliation.
“Come here,” he said gruffly.
The tart, spiced edge in his voice smoldered in her gut.
Ah, the relief.
She’d missed this—the weighted feel of want. The increased focus—the desire that melted the world away. Her limbs felt heavy with leaden lust as she rose and then swayed her way across the room, trailing her fingers on the tablecloth. She stopped between his legs, leaned one arm on his shoulder, and fisted her other hand against her hip.
He lifted that hand, turned over her tightly squeezed knuckles, placed his lips against her wrist, and nipped, his eyes never leaving hers.
“There. Kissed. Consider your demands satisfied.” The dare in his expression promised otherwise.
Her temperature rose. “It’s rude to remain seated while a lady is standing.” She cocked her brow and flicked his chin.
He widened his legs. “So, sit.”
She hadn’t seen him look like this—not since the tub. Her insides melted intoyes. Still, she didn’t move, knowing the greatest provocation would come from stillness.
“I said,sit.” His voice boomed through the dining room, echoing in her core. “Or, better yet, kneel.”
She grew wet with the same urgent need she’d felt when he’d first drawn her arms above her head. She lowered herself onto his knee, legs between his, hands folded in her lap. If she touched him, she wouldn’t be able to stop.
“Did that arouse you?”
Her cheeks flooded as she nodded.
His fingers brushed up and down the back of her neck, kneading softly as he went. “But you’re still scowling.” He smoothed the point between her brows.
“It doesn’t matter.”
