“Well, I am unsure.Have you yet applied to my brother for permission?”he teased.
“After all Lady C said, I do not think he will refuse.”
“I do not think so either.”His thumb stroked her cheek.“When did you speak with Lady C?”
“At the ball last evening.She gave me guidance.”
“Yes.She is good at that.”He went quiet.“Ask me again?”
“Benedict Daniel Adam Stapleton, will you marry me?”
A glorious smile bloomed on his face.“I will.”
Elation filled her, so big if felt as if her body could not contain it.Framing his face with her hands, she pulled his mouth to hers.He kissed her back, kissed her and kissed her and kissed her.
As it always did with them, the kiss changed, from love and relief andI missed you so muchto passion and heat and lust.She moaned into his mouth as his hands his slipped down her back to cup her bottom.
“El,” he rasped.“I want you.”
“Yes,” she said.
Picking her up, he strode for the chaise longue.She kissed every piece of skin she could find as he lowered them, arranging her in his lap.Gathering her skirts, she straddled him.She could feel him beneath her, hard and growing harder.
His hand settled on her hip, the other tangling in the hair to pull her into his kiss.He kissed her like he needed her to breathe, like he was desperate for her taste and her heat.She kissed him back, ridding herself of the misery of the last thirteen days and replacing it with lust and desire and love.So much love.
She pushed his jacket and waistcoat from his shoulders and he helped her to pull his shirt over his head.Her breath caught as he sat before her naked to the waist before her, all that golden skin on display.Running her fingers over the line of his shoulder, she leant down to trace the line of her collarbone with her lips.His head fell back as she relearned him, his taste salt and warm skin, his scent winding around her.
A growl rumbled in his chest as his hands slid up her back, finding the buttons of her gown to work them free, loosening her stays.Once her chemise was also at her waist, he urged her back.“I need to look at you, El.”
She leant back, loving the heat and need in his eyes as devoured her naked breasts.
“Christ, you are pretty,” he rasped, and then he covered her with his mouth.
She clutched his head to her, moaning as his hand lifted her breast, his tongue laving her nipple until it was painfully hard.
Then he used his teeth.
She shrieked, the pleasure arrowing straight to her core.
“You like that, don’t you, El?”he said, blowing on her wet flesh, his hand still shaping her flesh.
She nodded, dazed by pleasure.
“Did it make you ready for me?”His hand slid down her belly.“Are you wet somewhere else?”
Her breath locked in her chest as his hand slid closer to her core, the whole of her attention focussed on its path.He found her curls, his fingers toying with them before sliding further.“Ah, El, you are ready, aren’t you?You’re drenched for me.”
“Always for you,” she said.“Only ever you.”
His eyes flared.“Take me out while I play, El.”
She fumbled with the opening of his breeches while his fingers circled her, finding her nub.Pleasure streaked through, intense and shattering, but she focussed on her task, the buttons stubborn.Finally, she opened the flap and his cock sprang out.Immediately, she took him in hand, stroking him in the way he’d taught her.
He groaned, his fingers stumbling as she worked his shaft, teased his head.“El, you do much more of that, and I’ll be no use to you,” he warned.
“You’re always of use to me, Benedict,” she said.“But I would prefer you come inside me.”
He stilled.“El?”
