Of course hewantedhelp, but she had asked him to undress himself. “I can do it.”
“Go on then.”
“As you command, my lady.” He unlaced them, then drew them down his legs, letting his erection spring free. She was still fully dressed, though he could see the slight outline of her nipples behind the material of her dress, and the awareness of his vulnerability made desire pulse through him. His cock twitched. She tracked the movement.
“Well?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow. “What next, my lady? Do you wish for me to be on the bed so you can ride me again?”
“No.” She sat on the edge of the bed, drawing her skirts up and removing her shoes. Then she rolled down her stockings and glanced back at him, mischief and intent in her eyes. He thought then that he might be lost. Forever was a long time, and yet he suspected he had already given it to her.
No—she had taken it when he was not looking. And by God, he had not been a man until she had made him into one.
She knotted the stockings together and approached, taking his one good arm and drawing it behind his back. From there, she tied his wrist to the bedpost. Then she took a blanket from the bed—a rather ragged, worn thing—and wrapped it around his upper chest, tying it in a knot behind the bedpost, holding him upright.
From there, she surveyed him, lips pursed, and he strained to be closer.
“Emily,” he said.
“Can you break free?”
“If I tried, I expect I could. Do you wish me to try?”
“No.” Her frown lightened, and she smiled. “I think this is precisely where I want you.”
“Helpless before you?” He swallowed as she removed a pillow from the bed and placed it on the floor by his feet. Surely she wasn’t about to—
“Yes,” she said. “That. Now.” She rested one hand against his thigh, and he sucked in a breath. The anticipation made him feel as though he was walking on air, as though he might be struck down to earth by lightning any second, but heaven above it was worth it. “I have not done this for a while. Give me instructions if I don’t please you.” She cast him a long look from below, the angle making her eyelashes look as though they almost reached her brows, and he thought it would be a miracle if he survived this. “But this is not all I intend. You may not finish.”
Now that would be the greater miracle.
“I will try,” he said.
“Do not try.” Her fingers squeezed his thigh. “Succeed.”
He had barely a moment to prepare himself before her lips slid down on him and all thoughts emptied from his brain. Against his will, his hips bucked, wanting more of that sweet heat, but she pressed that hand into his thigh in a silent command. He gathered himself enough to obey. Her mouth was heaven—hot and wet, her tongue caressing him as she slid slowly up and down. The slightest accidental graze of her teeth sent shivers through him. Heat barrelled down his spine, and he stiffened, his hand curling into a fist behind him.
If he really wanted, he could escape. She had not tied her knots tightly—either she did not know how, or she wanted to leave him this small freedom. Theabilityto disregard her wishes.
Perhaps that was the greater show of control.
She cupped his balls, squeezing softly, and he made a sound partway between a whine and an anguished groan.
“Slow,” he gasped. “This is—” His head fell back against the post. She was turning him systematically inside out, and he could do nothing about it. Hewantedto do nothing; this was the singular greatest pleasure he had experienced thus far.
His knees trembled. She glanced up at him from where she knelt, that delectable mouth curved into a knowing smile. “Slow?” she echoed, and licked the sensitive skin right at the top. “Are you certain?”
“If you wish me to keep my word to you, then yes.” His knees buckled as she treated him to another long lick, as though he were a delicacy she was only just experiencing. He cursed, low and under his breath, and when she chuckled, he cursed again, louder. “Have mercy on me.”
“Mercy.” She rested both her hands on his thighs and looked up at him, a vision of such sensuality that he groaned aloud again. “I don’t think I will. Remember your promise, Oliver.”
When she lowered her mouth on him again, he knew it was a challenge.
He was almost certain he would fail.
What man could succeed in the face of such provocation? He wanted her too badly, and the hot slide of her tongue was a pleasure so great, he thought it might stop his heart.
“Please,” he said, the words slipping free. “Please, Emily. Slow, slow. Go slowly now.” He shuddered as she brought him to the edge, then paused, testing his restraint. Gritting his teeth, he held back with every ounce of his being.
“Hm?” She pressed a kiss to his hipbone. “What did you say?”
