He kissed her breast, suckling her nipple through the cloth, and she groaned while sinking a hand into his hair. Then his mouth was on her again, the sucking pressure seeming to pull at her core, drawing a gush of wetness between her thighs. He pinched her other nipple; the pleasure-pain had her gasping.
His teeth scored her nipple before he lapped at the slight ache. Each stroke of his tongue, every caress of his hand, clouded her mind. With the other breast, he pinched the tip, hard, and the sharp nip of pain transformed into a craving so intense it stole her breath.
He toyed with her breasts, pinching the nipples, grabbing a full handful and using that to hold her in place. Fire licked beneath her skin, threatening to consume her from the inside out. It felt like she was about to burst.
Incoherent sounds left her as he continued to play with that aching peak, circling, stroking, building the tension inside her. She twisted restlessly against his lap, brimful of sensation yet oddly empty at the same time.
Grabbing at his shoulder, the words punched out of her chest, “Cedric, please.”
His lips closed over hers, the kiss rougher, more forceful than before, and she felt his hand brushing between her legs, the hot brand of his hand on the silk of her sensitive skin.
His fingers brushed over her aching flesh, once, twice, and a third time before she felt a stretching sensation, and then he was touching her… inside.
Her breath held, her muscles tight around him as he softly pumped into her; the exquisite, filling friction made her back arch. He groaned her name, and he slid a second finger inside her and changed the soft rhythm into a firmer driving rhythm, the cadence of it punching the breath from her lungs.
“Oh god,” she gasped while her hands sank into his upper shoulders.
It was so good. When his palm met her swollen flesh in a light slap, she whimpered with pleasure. He did it again and again and again until she groaned, “Soon, so soon.”
“Come for me now, Ariadne,” he rasped.
His fingers thrust deep, and every part of her tautened. His words summoned her climax, and something exploded behind her eyes; a transcendent surge had her shivering.
A cry left her mouth as he filled her completely, and voluptuous aftershocks rippled through her, one after another, strong and unbearably sweet.
When she regained her senses, her eyes met Cedric’s, and for once, his expression was unguarded. In his gleaming gaze, shesaw rare vulnerability and something—something that might have been… hopefulness, wonder… tenderness.
Although a blush suffused her cheeks, she made no move to cover herself. Instead, she studied him as he looked his fill, her brazen curiosity fanning his lust.
“I never thought you’d be so bold,” he said. “I was wrong.”
As she meant to answer, a knock came on the door, and Cedric stifled a sigh. Before he called enter, he helped Ariadne get back to rights and had her wrapped belted tight before he stood. She took a chair while he called out. “Enter, Hunt.”
The butler came in and bowed. “I hate to disturb you, but there is a Mr. Leeward James here to see Her Grace. He says he is from the office of William Jacob Baur, Esquire.”
Ariadne’s head snapped up. “What? Why is he here?”
“He said he has some records to give you, Your Grace,” Hunt said. “Should I let him up?”
“Yes,” she scrambled to her feet. “Cedric, I will be back soon.”
Dashing to her rooms, she did a quick ablution and changed into a simple frock and hurried back to his study to find Hunt pouring out cups of coffee for the two men while a pot of tea stood ready for her. The remnants of hers and Cedric’s supperwere cleared away, and James was seated around the coffee table.
“Mr. James,” she said.
He got to his feet and bowed. “Your Grace. I apologize for the unannounced drop in, but I cannot in good conscience stand by and let Baur and His Lordship continue to undermine the legacy your father left for you.”
Her eyes widened as her lips parted in shock. “W-what are you saying, Mr. James?”
“I made a copy of the files,” he said while handing out a folio. “It's not all of it, but I managed to get enough for the past few months so you can see how much he is taking from you, and I found the sale agreement to Lord Wenford that is being negotiated on currently.”
Taking the file, she swallowed. “But what about your job? What if Mr. Baur finds out?”
His lips thinned, “I have another job with another firm willing to accept me, and before you ask, I have had this change in the works for months. While it may not be admitted as proper proof to a judge, at least you will know how far His Lordship is destroying his legacy.”
She shook her head, “Isn’t it better to get the authorities involved, Mr. James?”
“By that time, the books will be doctored, Your Grace,” he said. “I remember how your father advocated for Mr. Baur to take me on as an apprentice, and I am happy to do this for you and your family.”
