“Good.” He stroked her pearl in a hard, circling motion. Satisfaction burned in his gaze, the sapphire flames searing her soul, incinerating her will and returning it as fiery pleasure. “Then come for me. Spend all over my hand like a good girl.”
The wickedness of his demand and touch catapulted her into bliss. She cried out as she crested on ecstasy, his caresses keeping her soaring. Each time she thought it was over, he unleashed another gust of pleasure that kept her afloat.
When Livy returned to earth, she was utterly spent and as limp as a rag doll. Ben set her clothing to rights and sat her beside him on the bench, keeping an arm around her. She gazed contentedly at the man of her dreams, who was even more potent in reality. In the play of shadow and moonlight, his chiseled features had an austere cast that made him seem like a stranger…and it excited her.
Finally, he was showing her the part of him he’d held back. He was treating her not like a little girl, his pseudo-sister, but like a woman. The lover she wanted to be…and which, she realized, she wasn’t quite yet.
She peered down at the huge bulge straining the front of his trousers.
“Is there, um, anything I can do?” She moistened her lips. “For you?”
He smiled then. That slow, beautiful smile she had always loved.
“You have done quite enough, little queen,” he said.
“But you didn’t…you know,” she said shyly. “Enjoy yourself.”
“Oh, but I did,” he replied.
His gaze holding hers, he brought his hand to his mouth. He licked the tips of his index and middle fingers. When she realized those fingers had coaxed her to bliss, her inner muscles trembled.
“Delectable,” he murmured. “Next time, I am going to sample from the source.”
Even as her brain steamed up at the possibilities his words conjured, she said anxiously, “Will there be a next time?”
He studied her with unwavering intensity. “Do you want there to be?”
“More than anything,” she said fervently. “All I have ever wanted is to be with you, Ben.”
The possessiveness that darkened his eyes sent a thrill up her spine.
“Your wish is my command,” he said softly.
He wants me, he wants me!her inner voice sang. And if the teensy part of her not given over to joy fretted over the promise she’d made to not keep any secrets, she told herself she would deal with it later. The details of their relationship could be ironed out; for now, it was enough—everything—that he wanted to be with her.
Giddy with happiness, she teased, “I rather thoughtyouwere the one in command.”
His lips twitched. “Then stop being cheeky and give me your mouth.”
Smiling, she tipped her lips up and welcomed his claim.
Finally.
A while later, Livy snuggled up against Ben in his carriage. He was taking her back to Charlie’s. Luckily, before they’d departed Cremorne, Livy had spotted Charlie by the banqueting hall. She’d given her mentor, whose impeccable male disguise fooled even Hadleigh, a discreet signal that all was well. The other’s nod confirmed the same was true on her end.
Reassured that her friends were well, Livy was able to enjoy the present interlude. To bask in the joy of being with the man she loved. Ben had tucked her against his side, his arm around her, his knuckles softly stroking her cheek. She’d never felt safer or more content.
“Did you enjoy yourself?” he murmured.
“With all my heart.” She gave him a mischievous look. “And other less mentionable parts.”
He tweaked a lock of her hair. She’d dispensed with her wig, leaving her own locks loose and free.
“To think I was afraid of corrupting you,” he said dryly.
“You may put that fear to rest. I love being with you, Ben.” She angled her head up to meet his gaze. “And not just in the way we were together tonight. Since I was twelve years old, I have always gravitated to you, always wanted to be in your presence. We could be playing cards or chatting or doing nothing at all: I just want to be with you. I will always want that.”
“I feel the same way.” The note of wonder in his voice squeezed her heart. “I don’t pretend to understand why or how my feelings for you changed, but I accept that they have. Accept that I want you more than I’ve wanted anything.”
