Benedict considered for a moment how to best phrase his question. “What is it you want to happen today, here, now? Do you want anything more?”
She swallowed. “Are you— Is—” Eliza shook her head in irritation with herself. “I was so brave yesterday. I’ve used up my entire reserve—you had best be prepared for self-indulgent foolishness.”
“I am so very glad you were able to be brave when you needed to, Eliza. You needn’t be brave now.” He pulled her in closerto his chest, wrapping both arms around her to keep her close. “You’re safe here.”
“I know,” she whispered, which might have been the most wonderful thing she’d ever said to him. Quite an impressive feat given the very long list he’d accumulated from that morning alone. He kissed her forehead in gratitude.
“You cannot disappoint me. There is nothing to bungle. Would it help if I listed some of the infinite possibilities? Any of which would please me greatly.”
Her curls brushed against his chest as she nodded.
“You can stay right here, and I can hold you just like this, and we can hide from the world awhile longer.”
She shuffled in closer to his side but said nothing.
“I can feast on your sex again until you forget how to walk. I’m rather partial to that option—I would like it noted.”
He sensed her smile against her chest.
“Together, we could wrap your perfect fingers around my prick. While I must assure you, it is quite literally not possible for you to touch me incorrectly. I can show you how I touch myself when I think of you.”
“You think of me?”
“I’ve thought of no one else since the moment we met.”
Eliza hummed against his chest. “What else?”
“You could take my cock inside of you. We could move together until we reach a peak.”
“That is— That is what I hoped for when I arrived.”
Benedict’s thoughts tripped over the realization that she had longed for that physical connection the way he did—had come to him for that very purpose.
“Eliza, I should warn you—that is what everyone means when they mention ruin. Everything we’ve done before now?—”
“I know. I trust you,” she said, shattering his head and heart.
He swallowed a tidal wave of conflicting emotions threatening to overtake him.
“Tell me what to do,” she demanded as she leaned back, a charming little pout crossing her lips.
“Come here,” he whispered before catching her lips with his own. His sweet violet met him at every step, slotting against him with perfection, her tongue engaging his in a carnal dance. Her hands roved over his body with abandon, tracing the planes of his chest, teasing his nipples, the edges of her nails grazing his shoulders before sliding along his side to slip beneath the loose fabric of his trousers and cup his arse.
Her touch was still hesitant and a little unsure, but she was every bit as bold as he hoped. And because she was Eliza, thoughtful and loving, she was careful to avoid grazing the wounds on his back.
She slipped from his lips to taste the skin of his neck. Benedict clutched at the back of her head before flopping onto his back to ease her experimentation. His back only merited a wince before Eliza’s determined exploration washed any discomfort away.
“Breeches off,” she demanded, lips against his throat, adding a sheepish, “please?”
Benedict could deny her nothing, nor was it a hardship to obey her. He lifted high enough to shove the fabric past his hips before kicking it off.
Satisfied, Eliza threw one leg over his thighs once again.
Benedict pressed up with one hand, aiming to capture her lips again. She indulged him in a sensual, all-too-brief kiss as her palms splayed across his chest, shoving him back down.
“Show me?” she asked, glancing down at his prick and back up to meet his gaze.
He sent a silent prayer to whatever deity prevented a man from spilling too quickly before he drew a hand between her thighs to gather a bit of her dew.
