“Tell me to stop,” he murmured against her skin, even as his hands began to explore, one sliding up her back while the other remained firmly on her hip. “Tell me to end this at once. Tell me to leave you be.”
“No,” Isobel whispered, her head falling back to give him better access to her throat as his teeth grazed over the soft skin at the juncture of her neck. “Do not stop.”
She felt him smile against her neck before he pulled back to look at her. His eyes were dark, pupils blown wide, and his hair was disheveled from where her fingers had threaded through it without her quite realizing.
“So brave,” he murmured in awe, one hand coming up to cup her face, his thumb tracing her kiss-swollen bottom lip. “Do you have any idea what you are asking for?”
“I know exactly what I am asking for,” Isobel exhaled, a little startled by how unsteady her voice sounded. “I may be inexperienced, but I am not ignorant.”
Richard's expression shifted into something that was almost a smirk. “Is that so? Then you should know that there are certain... rules to this.”
“Rules?” Isobel blinked, confusion taking over her lovely features.
Richard tried not to groan as he resisted the urge to kiss her again until her expression was as desperate as it had been moments earlier.
“Mm. If we are going to do this – and make no mistake, Isobel, if you do not stop me now, I am going to touch you, taste you, and I will orchestrate an event that will cause you to fall apart in my arms – then you need to understand that I will be in control.” His voice had dropped to that rough, commanding tone that made something low in her belly clench. “You will do as I say. And if you do not...”
“What?” Isobel challenged, unable to keep her defiant streak from showing as she lifted her chin stubbornly. “What will you do if I do not obey?”
A slow, dangerous smile spread across his face. “Then I will stop. I will leave you wanting, aching, desperate for release that I will not give you until you learn to follow my instructions.”
Heat flooded through Isobel, along with a strange thrill at his words. She should have been offended, should have pushed him away for suggesting such a thing, but she had never heard of it. Instead, she found herself wondering what it would feel like, her curiosity and desire overrunning the caution in her.
“I understand,” she said quietly.
“Good girl,” Richard murmured, and the praise sent a flush of pleasure through her that surprised her with its intensity.
He kissed her again, softer this time, almost tender. Then his hands were at the fastenings of her dress, and Isobel felt her breath hitch.
“Do not worry. I won’t take all of you now. Not yet. I want to savor you for as long as possible, and while you have issued an invitation to me to ruin you, I will teach you that pleasure can be obtained in numerous ways. More so than you will ever know.”
Isobel nodded, not trusting her voice at that moment. The want within her was growing, snowballing steadily into something she couldn’t control or fathom.
Richard's fingers were deft and sure as he loosened her bodice just enough to slide it down her shoulders, exposing the thin chemise beneath. His eyes darkened as he looked at her, taking in the way the fabric clung to her curves, the way her chest rose and fell with her rapid breathing.
“Beautiful,” he murmured, his hands skimming up her sides, his thumbs brushing the undersides of her breasts through the fabric.
Isobel gasped, her back arching involuntarily toward his touch. But he pulled back slightly, shaking his head.
“Patience,” he commanded softly. “You do not move unless I tell you to. Understood?”
Frustration flared within her. “But?—”
“Understood?” he repeated, his tone brooking no argument.
“Yes,” Isobel bit out, even as her body throbbed with need.
“Yes, what?”
She stared at him, huffing with a pout. “Yes, Your Grace.”
His smile was absolutely wicked, and it sent flames of need licking at her from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. “Good. Now, stay still.”
His hands resumed their exploration, moving with agonizing slowness over the thin fabric of her chemise. When his palms finally cupped her breasts fully, Isobel bit her lip to keep from crying out. His thumbs found her nipples and circled them with maddening lightness.
“Richard,” she whimpered, her hands reaching for him.
Instantly, he pulled away. Isobel made a sound of protest, her eyes flying open.
