Page 92 of Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies

His cry was a hoarse, almost incoherent sound, but she heard it for what it was. It was her name, pulled from the very depths of him. It was his need for her rolled into one word. Her name. It sang a sweet hum across her skin as she slowly took more of him into her mouth. Again, her name flew past his lips. This time, it was a dark roar of pleasure, need, and ecstasy.

Amalie’s gaze flew upward to see his head had fallen backward, his features tight with sheer pleasure. Slowly at first, she slid him in and out of her mouth, and as she increased the pace, he cried out her name for a third time. It was a cry that started as a low rumble in his chest until it became thunder splitting the air above her head. It sent a small thrill skimming across every nerve ending in her body.

A powerful hand curled around the nape of her neck, and she looked up to see him staring down at her. Something similar to pain flashed over his handsome features, and she knew he was longing to actually watch her pleasuring him, not just a shadow between his legs. Quickly catching his hand in hers, she guided his fingers to her face while she continued to slide him in and out.

With each passing second, his breathing grew more harsh and ragged. Increasing her pace, Valeran’s hips rocked against her body in a silent demand that she move faster, and she instinctively tightened her lips around him. An incoherent shout blew out of him.

“Amalie.”

He called out her name in a thunderous shout of jubilation, excitement, and release. Never in her life had she ever loved hearing someone call her name as much as she had in the past few minutes. With every utterance of her name, he thundered his need for her in cries of raw, almost violent, passion.

Long arms stretched out to brace himself on her shoulders as she moved even faster over his hard length. He cried out her name once more, then throbbed hard and male in her mouth. Trembling violently, his body slowly went slack against the back of his chair. Harsh and rapid, he drew in deep breaths, and when he was spent, she gently pulled away from him.

Valeran didn’t let her go far, his hands firmly holding her where she knelt at his feet. His chest still rose and fell at a frantic pace, while small shudders ricochet off him to pound their way into her. Love and joy spiraled through her as she watched him. She’d pleased him. She’d made him cry out her name repeatedly in the same way she screamed his name every time he carried her to that blissful peak of release. Lethargically, Valeran leaned forward to capture her lips in a gentle kiss.

“What have you done to me, sweet mouse?” There was elation, the remnants of passion and bewilderment in the quiet question. She laughed softly.

“I did what any smart country mouse would do. I distracted the cat until he forgot everything but my name.”

Strong arms reached down and lifted her up and set her on his knee as he wrapped his arms around her. Amalie draped her arm around Valeran’s neck and pressed a kiss to his temple.

“And never in his life has he ever been satisfied so sweetly. Might I inquire as to where the idea to pleasure me in such a way came from?”

“From a book Vincent owns, or at least he did. I dinnae ken if the maids who found it ever returned it.” She brushed her lips over his before pulling back from him. ”Would ye have preferred I’d gone tae a courtesan tae learn the technique?”

Valeran’s face resembled a man too dumbfounded to speak. Seconds later, he threw his head back, a shout of laughter bellowing out of him. One hand cupping her neck, he pulled her close and kissed her deeply. When he released her, Valeran shook his head .

“You never cease to surprise me, Amalie,” he said with a brilliant smile that made her heart beat wildly. “Don’t ever change, mouse.”

“So, does that mean ye do wish me tae find a courtesan tae instruct me on other ways tae pleasure ye?” She grinned as another speechless look swept over his features, but it disappeared almost instantly, and he laughed.

“No, I don’t think I’d survive the torment you’d inflict on me. I think you’re perfect just the way you are, Amalie.” Valeran rose to his feet with her in his arms. “As for technique, I think there are one or two things I’ve yet to introduce you to, wife. But I’ll save those for another time. Right now, I simply want to hear you screaming my name, just as I did yours.”

As Valeran carried her to the bed, Amalie’s fingers brushed over his chiseled features, her heart tightening in her chest. He truly was magnificent, and even if he couldn’t give his heart to her, she would be grateful for what he was willing to give her.

§ § §

The mantel clock chimed quarter-past nine. Valeran almost groaned at the sound. He didn’t want to leave Amalie. All he wanted was to hold his wife as he drifted off to sleep.

“Valeran?” The sweetness of hearing her whisper his name in that siren’s voice of hers made him smile.

“Will ye tell me what’s bothering ye? I know ye are troubled. Ye have been for several weeks now.” Delicate fingers traced a lazy path across his arm, and Valeran’s heart slammed into his chest.

“What makes you think something’s wrong, mouse?”

“Because sometimes I catch ye watching me with a troubled expression. It’s almost a look of pain.”

Shocked by her words, Valeran’s jaw tightened at having revealed so much to her. Not only was he deeply worried for her safety, but he’d also been trying to find the right moment to tell Amalie the truth. His mouth tightened at the lie.

The truth was, he’d put off confessing his sins for selfish reasons. He didn’t want to lose the peace, contentment, and pleasure he’d found in his marriage. The thought of his confession causing a rift between them was enough to knot his stomach until it was a physical pain.

“In all honesty, I’ve not had the courage to do so,” he choked out, his chest tightening until it was a challenge to breathe steadily.

“I don’t understand.” Fear threaded its way through her voice, and she sat up to stare down at him.

“I need to apologize, mouse.”

“Apologize?”