Cull saw no reason to hide how she affected him. “I almost did just watching you come. Having your hands on me is bliss.” As if to prove his point, a drop of seed leaked from him, and he grunted when she smeared it around his sensitive head.
“You liked that,” she purred.
“Yes.” His balls pulsed as she circled his tip again, drawing forth more silky moisture. “You can frig me harder, sunshine.”
She caught her bottom lip beneath her teeth. “How much harder?”
He surrounded her hand with his own, tightening her grip and moving it faster. “Like this.”
“Oh,” she said in a breathy voice. “That isn’t too hard?”
“Hell, no.” The words hissed through his teeth.
Pleasure blazed along his spine as she caught onto the general idea. Her firm stroking seemed to pull all the blood into his groin. When she slapped his hand aside, saying, “I can handle this on my own,” he made a ragged sound. Christ, her touch…
As she frigged him like a goddamned expert, she asked, “Do you like being touched here too?”
She cupped his balls, squeezing gently.
“Bloodyfuck,” he gasped.
His blood roared, his seed pulsing up his shaft. His neck arched as he erupted in a hot blast. She continued milking him with her lady-soft hands, pulling his spend from him in long, blissful bursts.
When it was over, he dragged her close. Looking into her eyes, he said hoarsely, “Being with you is even better than I imagined it would be.”
Her smile was so lovely that, unbelievably, his cock stirred.
“I’m glad. Because you’re everything I imagined you would be…” She brushed her lips against his cheek, whispering, “And more.”
18
“Concentrate, Pippa,” Mrs. Peabody instructed. “You should have anticipated my strike.”
Panting, Pippa rose from the mats. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Peabody.”
They were in the training room, housed in the building behind Charlie’s courtyard. Pippa was a bundle of nerves, for Cull had scheduled a meeting with her mentor later today. Before parting last night, they had deliberated over the best way to broach the idea of combining forces with Charlie. Pippa had warned him that it wouldn’t be easy.
Cull had said,“Leave it to me, sunshine. I will convince Lady Fayne.”
In retrospect, she ought to have at least asked about his plan. Spent and lazy after their lovemaking, she had merely agreed with a dreamy nod. Her blissful state hadn’t worn off by the time he dropped her off at her doorstep, giving her one last toe-curling kiss. She’d fallen into the deepest, most restful sleep she’d had in ages.
Now, however, Pippa was beginning to worry. What would she do if Charlie refused a partnership with the mudlarks? Her loyalty lay with the Angels…but she also believed in Cull—
“You’re distracted,” Mrs. Peabody said, frowning.
The housekeeper was a petite half-Chinese, half-English lady with golden eyes and dark hair worn in a bun. She’d suggested that Pippa work off the excess energy with a few rounds in the sparring ring. An expert combatant, the housekeeper had trained the Angels in a unique fighting style that emphasized speed, accuracy, and creative maneuvers.
Pippa inhaled and refocused. “Ready for another round when you are.”
Mrs. Peabody curled her fingers in a come-hither motion, and Pippa faced her teacher. Their tunics and trousers fluttered as they circled one another, arms raised. Mrs. Peabody’s steady gaze revealed nothing. The longer the circling continued, the more Pippa felt the impulse to attack. Her muscles tensed; her eye twitched. Giving in, she went on the offensive.
She attacked with a series of rapid kicks and punches. Mrs. Peabody effortlessly parried each one. Pippa kept on going, determined to find the weak spot in her opponent’s defense. Perspiration misted her brow as she landed blows, none of them enough to take the other down. Her limbs began to tire from her aggressive onslaught.
Finally, she saw her opening: Mrs. Peabody’s right side was unguarded. Pippa feinted, then went in with a left hook…and found her arm caught in the other’s grip.A trap.Mrs. Peabody spun around and flipped Pippa over her shoulder. Pippa’s back smacked against the mat, the breath whooshing from her lungs.
When the stars cleared, she saw Mrs. Peabody’s face hovering over her.
“Act first and think later is a losing strategy,” Mrs. Peabody chided. “Patience is your friend. Let your foe wear herself out. Let her win the battle while you win the war.”
