“He only comes if I summon him. And not always then.” He undid the strings of her corset as expertly as any lady’s maid. What could he say? He’d had practice. And he was glad for it for now he could employ every skill he’d learned to pleasure the woman before him.
The woman who…mattered.
He tossed aside the corset. “Arms up, love.”
She bit her lip. To his everlasting satisfaction, she obeyed.
Unlike the fashionable ladies he’d known, she wore only a single petticoat. Which meant fewer hindrances for him. He divested her of her layers until all she wore was a pair of mended white stockings and plain garters. He plucked the pins from her hair, and the tresses cascaded to her waist, the sunlight from the window picking out the ruby glints. Perched on the mahogany desk, her hands covering her breasts and legs crossed, she was that most beguiling of contradictions: a prim yet sensual goddess.
“Christ, you’re a sight to behold,” he said huskily.
Her gaze darted to the windows overlooking the gardens. “What if someone looks in?”
As scintillating as their encounter in the cave had been, having her in the light would be even better. He couldn’t wait to watch her in the throes of passion.
“That’s the one advantage of being impoverished: less nosy servants about. There’s no one to look in, sweeting.” He pried her hands from her chest, his nostrils flaring at the sight of her exposed breasts. “Did I ever mention that you have the most delightful tits?”
“Your language.” Her reproving tone didn’t hide the fact that her nipples puckered at his naughty praise.
“Might as well get used to it. You bring out the randy devil in me.” He nuzzled her neck, her shiver causing his erection to strain against its confines. “In fact, I have a game in mind.”
Her brow pleated. “What sort of game?”
“One inspired by all your talk of striving and self-improvement.” He ran a hand along her side, past the dip of her waist to the swell of her hip. God’s teeth, he liked her shape. “The last time we made love, how many times did you spend?”
She flushed, squirming on the blotter. “That’s hardly proper—”
“More than once?”
A heartbeat passed. She mumbled, “Thrice.”
He adored her honesty. “I’ll aim to do better this time.”
“Better?” Her eyes widened. “I don’t think that’s possible.”
“Ye of little faith.” Before she could argue, he kissed her.
Within moments, he had her sighing beneath him on the desk, her hair a fan of spicy fire against the mahogany. He caught a cherry-ripe nipple between his lips, sucking hard. Her moans resonated in his ears as he rolled its twin between his finger and thumb, plucking and tugging until she writhed delightfully. He alternated between her plump mounds, giving each breast an equal share of his attention. When he gently used his teeth, her back arched, her tit pushing into his mouth as she came.
One down, three to go.His gaze roamed hungrily over her breasts, the tips swollen and glistening from his kisses. Seeing the reddened patch on the top of her breast, he rubbed his thumb over the slight abrasion.
“You have sensitive skin. Did I hurt you?” he muttered.
It took a moment for her glazed eyes to clear—and he loved that.
“No, it just tingles.” Her smile was both shy and sultry. “I like it.”
Fire licked his insides. “In that case…”
He returned to her breasts, circling her nipples with his tongue, teasing the erect buds to rise even higher as he slid a hand between her smooth thighs. His blood thrummed with satisfaction: she was drenched for him. Still sucking on her breasts, he found her pearl, diddling the bold bud. Stroking the center of her sensation until her limbs began to quake. Her legs suddenly clamped around his wrist, and she climaxed with a breathless sigh.
He straightened from the desk. Holding her gaze, he brought his hand to his mouth, licking her honey from his fingers. Her taste shot to his erection, making it throb against the taut ridges of his abdomen. And the way she was looking at him, in all her despoiled primness and awakened sensuality? He was so aroused that he feared spilling in his trousers like an untried lad.
“Ready for round three?” he asked.
He hoped to God she was. Because he wasn’t certain how much longer he could play this game.
Despite two powerful orgasms, the desire in Maggie hadn’t abated. The need smoldering in Rhys’s eyes filled her with feminine power, unleashing a hunger she’d held in check for years. Seeing him take pleasure in pleasuring her unspooled her inhibitions, made her want to give back to him what he gave to her.
