“Sprite, let go,” he bit out. “I can’t hold back—”
She came up for air. And to whisper, “I don’t want you to.”
At her words, his control seemed to snap. His fingers tightening in her hair, he surged powerfully into her mouth. She welcomed his plunging strokes, savoring his abandon, his surrender to her. As an experiment, she used her free hand to cup his stones, rolling the heavy, velvety sac in her palm.
“Bloodyfuck,” he groaned.
He jerked suddenly and thenexploded. His essence flooded her senses, the hot, salty spurts overflowing her mouth. His shattered breaths, the knowledge of the pleasure she’d given him, filled her with joy.
Still hard, he eased away gently, and this time she let him.
He drew her to her feet and kissed her.
“Christ.” His voice ragged, he ran a thumb over her bottom lip. “You taste of me.”
“I like it,” she whispered.
The wonder in his eyes made her tremble. “Tessa, it’s never been like this. I…I’ve never felt anything like—”
“Ahem.” They both jumped at the Duke of Ranelagh and Somerville’s loud and not-so-subtle tones coming from the seating area. “Is anyone back there in the shelves?”
Bennett cursed under his breath, his hands fumbling with his trousers.
Gathering her wits, Tessa said in hushed tones, “Stay here.”
Before he could stop her, she drew a breath and marched out.
Ransom was standing by the hearth. He didn’t look overly surprised when she emerged.
She forced a smile. “You startled me, Your Grace. I was just touring your library. It’s, um…very well endowed.”Blast it, why did I say that?Hastily, she added, “I mean, you have an impressive number of books in your collection.”
“Size matters, my dear, and never let a man tell you differently.” His brows arched. “Would you like a personal tour of my…collection?”
“No! That is,”—she floundered for an excuse—“I’m rather parched. I was just about to go in search of refreshment. Would you escort me?”
With a hope and a prayer, she made for the door.
“A moment, Miss Smith.”
She froze as the duke came up to her. Her breath caught as he reached out…and righted the furry ears that she hadn’t realized had been dangling from her coiffure. For an instant, the veil of indolence lifted from Ransom’s eyes; his cold, predatory stare lent his costume a chilling authenticity.
“If pussy goes out to play, we must ensure she returns in her proper state,” he said.
Crikey, does he know?
Heart thudding, she fought not to blush. Not to cast an incriminating look toward the shelves.
“Th-thank you, Your Grace,” she stammered.
The veil fell back in place. Ransom smiled as he held out an arm. “Shall we?”
29
“Promiseyou’ll stay close to the others,” Harry said.
“I have promised. A hundred timesat least.”
He could tell that Tessa was fighting not to roll her eyes. He didn’t care. He was already regretting that he’d let her talk him into her harebrained scheme. She’d sprung her proposal on him on the way home from the ball last night when the aftermath of pleasure had put him in an indulgent mood. The intimacy they’d shared, beyond anything he’d ever experienced, had primed him to yield to her whatever she wished.
