He couldn’t resist teasing her. “I’m not absolutely certain.” Seeing her crestfallen expression, he said silkily, “You’re overdressed compared to her, and one ought to compare apples to apples, don’t you think?”
He cupped her nape, loving her shiver of awareness, which turned into a deeper trembling when his fingers continued onto the silk-covered buttons on the back of her dress. He’d chosen the garment because it resembled a tunic gown of the Far East, gathering beneath her bosom and flowing down in a graceful column…and because it was easy to remove.
As he unhooked the last button, the garment slid down, pooling at her slippered feet. His nostrils flared as he saw she’d followed his instructions to the letter: no corset, no petticoats, not even a chemise to hide her beauty from him. The only thing she had on were sheer white stockings held up by frilly garters and her slippers.
He stepped back. “Take off the rest.”
When she bent over to comply, presenting him with her peach-shaped arse, his erection strained against the fall of his trousers. By God, she was delicious and so willing to play out their mutual fantasies. There wasn’t a woman in existence who suited him better than his own wife.
Straightening, she whispered, “Now what should I do?”
“Lie on the couch the way Venus is doing,” he said huskily. “So that I may fully judge the resemblance, hmm?”
Looking flustered, Gabby did as he bade. She reclined against the pillows, and he had to smother a grin as she awkwardly flopped this way and that, trying to emulate Venus’s seductive, side-lying pose. Although Gabby’s self-confidence had grown by leaps and bounds, she was still sweetly shy by nature. He didn’t mind. In fact, he enjoyed unraveling her inhibitions strand by silken strand.
Posed on the couch, she bit her lip. “Will this do?”
God, yes.His cock heartily approved the picture she made. But the game was just beginning, and he liked to draw out their marital pleasures.
He went over and casually tapped her hand where it lay on her top hip. “Is this where Venus has her hand?”
Her gaze slid to the painting, her cheeks growing rosier as she shook her head.
“What part of herself is Venus touching? Use the proper word, the one I’ve taught you,” he said in a deliberately strict tone.
“Which word do you mean?” She peered at him with guileless blue eyes. “Because thus far I’ve learned a few. There’spussy, cunny,andquim.And let’s not forgethot buttered crumpet…”
Perhaps his wife had come along farther than he realized. Saucy minx.
Then it occurred to him.
“I’ve never called it a hot buttered crumpet,” he said with narrowed eyes.
“It must have been someone else then.” At his pointed stare, she added with a laugh, “One of myfemalefriends mentioned that she overheard a footman use that term. We found it ever so amusing.”
In recent months, Gabby’s circle of ladies had become even more tightly knit. They bonded regularly over tea and mischief, to the amusement and exasperation of their husbands.
“Kent was right: we husbands ought to plant a listening device when you ladies get together.” Adam’s lips twitched. “Now, Scheherazade, stop diverting me with your fascinating vocabulary and tell me where Venus has placed her hand.”
“On her pussy.”
Christ, he loved hearing dirty words uttered in his wife’s sweet voice.
He arched a brow. “So where should your hand be?”
“On my pussy.” After a moment, Gabriella moved her hand over the gentle swell of her belly to her sex. Her fingers hovered over the coppery nest like birds poised to take flight.
“Good,” he allowed. “Now tell me, do you think Venus is being modest…or naughty?”
Her eyes went first to the painting, then to a reflection of herself.
“Naughty,” she said, her voice breathy.
“I agree. Now show me exactly how naughty you can be.”
He watched, his jaw taut with arousal as his wife’s delicate fingers dipped between her thighs. She was always shy when she did this for him, which was why he loved having her do it. The sight of her petting her pretty cunny made his cock weep. She was similarly aroused, her fingers and slit glistening with her honey.
“So beautiful and you’re all mine.” He placed a hand gently over her throat, feeling the rapid flutter, the warmth of her pleasure flush. “Say it.”
