‘I was hoping you’d say that.’ He reached behind her, pulling at the lacings on her stays, but she arched away from him, curving her hands over his shoulders and squeezing tight.
‘Wait.’
He froze. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing.’ She splayed her fingers, relishing the feel of the muscles beneath. Her breasts felt heavy with want and her whole body was coiled tight with desire, but she only had a vague idea of what she was doing and she wanted to prolong every sensation for as long as possible.
‘Forgive me.’ He pressed his forehead to hers. ‘It’s your first time. I didn’t mean to rush you.’ He started to lift her off his lap. ‘We can wait.’
‘I don’t want to wait.’ She clenched her thighs around him, refusing to go anywhere. ‘But it’s my turn.’
‘Turn?’ He sounded confused.
‘Yes.’ She licked her lips, looking pointedly at his cravat. ‘That looks so tight. It must be uncomfortable.’
His eyes widened before flaring with heat. ‘It is.’
‘I’d better remove it, then. May I?’
He made a sound of assent like a growl.
She leaned forward, pressing her breasts against his chest as she slowly unravelled the knot, then slid the fabric from around his neck and tossed it aside. ‘Now you.’
‘Thank you.’ He grinned, holding eye contact as his hands moved back to her stays, hurling them in the same direction as her dress.
‘Mmm. What next?’ She tapped a finger lightly against her chin for a few seconds before slipping her fingers beneath the shoulders of his jacket and pushing it down his arms. ‘How about this?Andthis…’ she moved her hands quickly to his waistcoat ‘…since you’re wearing more clothes than me.’
‘I’m aware.’ He made a low rumbling sound, waiting until she’d finished before smoothing his hands along her thighs and down her legs, slowly unrolling her stockings.
‘Then I’d better hurry with this…’ She moved on to his shirt, her fingers fumbling a little with the buttons.
‘Let me.’ He wrenched it over his head, while she did the same with her chemise, then lowered his head to one of her breasts, tracing his tongue around the nipple in a way that sent a thrill of sensation shuddering straight to her core, causing a rush of molten heat between her legs.
She tipped her head back, her heart pounding so heavily, she thought he must be able to feel it through her skin, but she didn’t care. The touch of his lips felt so good, she didn’t want him to stop. Ever. It made her feel shameless too, so much so that she couldn’t even bring herself to blush as she writhed and strained against him.
He stiffened at the movement, muttering something she couldn’t understand before lifting his head again. ‘Florence…’ his breathing sounded as ragged as hers ‘…did your mother or Lady Wadlow tell you what to expect?’
‘No.’ She gave a shuddering laugh at the idea. Her mother probably hadn’t thought it was necessary before she went to London and she didn’t suppose Lady Wadlow would have said anything even if shehadbeen talking to her.
‘Oh.’ He swallowed, his expression taut.
‘But…’ she put a finger to his lips as he opened them again ‘…I grew up on a farm. I have a rough idea.’
‘You have no idea how glad I am to hear that.’ He gave a ragged laugh, his muscles loosening again with relief. ‘Only our game isn’t over quite yet. I’m still wearing too much.’ He tilted his head. ‘Maybe you should make yourself comfortable?’
She smiled slowly as she slid off his lap, laying herself down on the cushions to watch as he removed his boots and breeches. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen him naked, but the sight was just as stirring as it had been that morning, the broad lines of his body so toned and chiselled, she felt her fingers twitch with the urge to reach out and stroke them.
‘That’s better.’ He threw the rest of his clothes aside and then lowered himself on top of her, one hand on either side of her body, his gaze roaming over her face as if he was searching for the answer to some question there. In response, she threaded her fingers into his hair and drew him towards her. And then there was no space, no air, no anything between them. Their tongues met, tentatively at first, then hungrily, tangling and sucking and tasting each other, while his hands smoothed a path over her skin, exploring and caressing her in such places that it made her feel light-headed, coaxing out sensations and sounds she’d never even imagined making before.
‘Leo?’ She gasped as his fingers slid between her legs, stroking her gently.
‘Is this all right?’ His voice was so deep, it seemed to vibrate all along her spine.
‘Yes.’ She nodded frantically. ‘Don’t stop.’
‘I won’t.’ He kissed her again, even more deeply than before, while his fingers moved in slow, tantalising circles that made her mind reel.
‘You feel so good…’ He released her lips finally in order to slide downwards, touching his tongue to the hollow at the base of her throat.
