“Yes,” Frances answered, surprised at the breathlessness of her tone.
“Now, try again.” He let go of her and returned the ball to the place from where she needed to hit it.
Frances drew back on the stick and as instructed, thrust it forward. It shot down the green table and connected with the red ball with enough force that propelled it to the edge of the table where it bounced and rolled back, tapping his cue ball.
“Never underestimate the power of a good thrust to strike the perfect spot for an intense release.”
Chapter Thirteen
Bloody hell!
He had looked forward to teaching Frances the game of billiards because it would give him the opportunity to spend time alone with her. He had not anticipated that the game could take a turn to seduction.
He was also quite certain his innuendoes were lost on her as she had no reaction. If Frances were no longer innocent, she’d have known immediately that he was referring to a far more enjoyable activity than billiards.
Though she might not consciously know to what he referred, he had no doubt she was experiencing arousal, just as he was. It was in her breaths, her eyes drifting closed for a moment, lips parted, and for that very reason, he continued to touch her as often as possible as he instructed her on how to hit the ball from different angles to strike the others to send them into pockets.
“How does one keep score?” she asked after she finally hit the red ball into a pocket. “What is the score?”
“I have not been keeping score,” Seth admitted. “You are still learning and it would have been unfair of me to take advantage of you.” Though, in truth, he would like nothing better than to do just that. In fact, the billiards table was a perfect height to sit her upon, then push up her skirts, free himself and introduce her to a different type of thrusting.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
Seth shook the thoughts from his mind because if she knew, she’d likely leave, or slap him…or maybe. “That I want to kiss you.”
Her lips parted as her eyes widened in shock.
Seth did not give her a chance to object, but stepped forward, drew her into his arms and placed his lips against hers.
At her sigh, he plunged, his tongue mimicking what he really wished to do. Frances wove her arms about his shoulders and Seth drew her tighter until there was no space between their bodies. She tilted her head to allow better access and he continued to delve as she received and returned, their passion heightened, likely from the game he had just played. She desired him, of that Seth had no doubt, and he wanted her with an intensity he had not experienced since the last time they kissed at the cottage.
But she was as innocent today as she had been back then, which he must remember. However, that didn’t keep him from sliding his hands down to her bum and pulling her hips toward his arousal. He wanted her to feel what she did to him.
Again, she moaned and perhaps she understood.
She must. Frances was not a miss fresh from the school room but a mature woman who must have heard enough discussions on the matter of mating to understand why he had grown hard even if she had never experienced such.
When she moaned, it only heated his blood more and he slid one hand up her side, around her ribcage and then cupped one of her perfect breasts. When he swept a thumb across the tip, her nipple hardened beneath the fabric of her gown.
He was already achy with need and this was just torture because nothing would come of their desire tonight. Not with his sister and Lady Bethany down the hall in the parlor.
Bloody hell! They were not alone and either woman could walk in on them any moment.
Seth pulled away from the kiss and braced his forehead against Frances’ as his hands returned to her waist. Her breaths were as short as his, but it was best that they stop now because he wanted Frances to come to him when she was ready and not because they were caught in a compromising position and forced into a marriage.
“We should probably return to your sister and Lady Bethany,” she whispered.
Except Seth could not go anywhere right now.
“Another glass of wine,” he suggested.
“We did not finish the one you poured.”
“Then we should see that it is not wasted.”
Hopefully by the time they were finished he would be relaxed enough to be in the presence of the other ladies.
He crossed to the table where the glasses had been set and handed one to Frances. She took a seat in the chair beside it and Seth sat in the other.
