He raised a hand, palm facing her. “One moment.”
He released her and strode to lock the door. As he returned, he pulled out his cravat pin and yanked the neckcloth open.
Reaching her, he cupped the back of her head and placed his other hand at her hip to hold her tight as his lips descended on hers.
Her low moan reverberated through his mouth into his chest. He nearly shuddered in response, amazed at how aroused he could get from a dare, a kiss, and a moan. He who was so jaded and had done most of what two—or three or four—people could do together…many times.
Turning her from where she stood in front of the chair she had occupied, he gripped her waist, lifted her the few inches onto the table, and spread her legs to step between them.
Her eyes pleaded for another kiss, so he obliged.
Sherry and Althea made a heady combination. Her unique mix-of-apothecary scent encircled him, intoxicating him more than whisky ever had. Part of him contemplated reckless behavior, tearing aside her clothes and thrusting into her there and then. But as bold as she’d been, she was still remarkably innocent for a widow, and he needed to woo her. His jaded half laughed at his desire to make their first time special.
He drew back, took a deep breath to regain his equilibrium, and arched a brow, proclaiming, “You do realize that because the other lessons did not work, this one will have to be more thorough?”
She’d begged for his cock last time, and he could not bear to wait another night to give it to her, but he was determined to stretch this encounter out and make it beyond amazing for her. He desired more time with her, despite the fact that neither of them wanted forever.
Her eyes brightened and breath caught, but she placed a hand on his lapel. “Please, I do not want to get pregnant.”
He admired her for speaking her concerns about a subject society considered taboo.His own family situation meant he was always prepared. He nodded. “Trust me, Althea. I will take care of you.”
When she returned his nod and dropped her arm, he let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding, relieved at obtaining permission. The trick would be drawing it out for her without torturing himself for too long.
His hands slid up from her waist to her ribs, and his thumbs brushed her nipples, back and forth through her dress.
Her eyes fluttered closed, and her head angled back.
He dragged her dress off one shoulder, taking her head tilt as an invitation to run his lips from beneath her ear to along her collarbone.
Damn me, she’s delicious. Whether ’tis shampoo or perfume or her, he wanted to run his nose along every inch of her, then his lips, then his teeth.
He laid her back and tugged her dress farther down until her breast popped out. Her ample breasts on such a slender frame awed and gratified him every time. His head lowered, and he caught the tip between his teeth and flicked his tongue over it.
She squirmed beneath him, her hands clutching his jacket.
“Too…many…clothes,” she panted out.
“Ah no, sweet. I am just warming you up. I need a bed for the main lesson.” He gritted his teeth at the thought. His trousers were so tight it felt like all his blood was in his cock, leaving none in his limbs for even the short walk to the guesthouse.
He straightened and placed each of her feet on a chair, leaving a third seat behind him. His hands slid up the insides of her legs, gathering her skirt on his wrists before tossing it back to expose her. With the wind whipping off the River Avon at night, she wore an extra petticoat and pantaloons. He dragged the underwear down and gripped the top of her thighs. His thumbs spread her nether lips.
Her eyes closed, and she turned her head to the side, pink rising on her cheek.
“You are gorgeous, love. Don’t be embarrassed. I could look at you”—he stroked a thumb down her open folds—“and pet you all night.”
She opened her eyes to peek at him eagerly.
He laughed. “If you look at me like that, I might think you were faking needing a lesson.”
Her lashes lowered, and she produced an extravagant yawn.
“I thought so. Right then, let’s make sure you are warm for the walk back to the guesthouse, as you’ll not be wearing drawers.” He folded her undergarment as small as possible and stuffed them into his breast pocket, pouffing them out to look like a dandy’s handkerchief and smiling in anticipation.
She watched him with a furrow of concern between her brows.
Reaching around, he picked up his whisky glass and sat on the chair he’d left between her legs.
When she started to rise to her elbows, he put a hand to her sternum and urged her back down. “No, lay still. I am going to enjoy my after-dinner drink.”
