AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Slowly she shook her head. The other night she had been able to walk away from him, but not now. Suddenly she felt more alive than she had in years. It was as though, after Edmund’s death, something had died within her as well and she thought that she would never be whole again. But now, with Robert’s arms about her, she knew that little bit of her had not perished, but had been merely in abeyance, waiting. Except Edmund had never made this raging ache grow within her.
‘I want to stay.’ She held out her hands, palms upwards. His fingers curled about hers and pulled her to him. Her body shuddered with an inexorable fever.
‘Is that all you want?’ he whispered against her hair.
‘I want to be here with you and feel your lips against mine. I want to taste you.’ She stood on her tiptoes and brought his face closer to hers. His lips hovered above hers, tantalising her with their nearness ‘I know what I am doing, Robert. I’ve stopped lying. You’re right. Martyrdom and I are a poor combination. I want to indulge.’
Her hands grasped Robert’s hair and held him against her. He groaned and his arms went around her, moulding her body to his.
The flickers of heat flamed, growing stronger with each touch of Robert’s tongue against her skin. Every inch of her was sensitive to his touch. It was not right and yet it seemed so right to be in his arms. Perhaps she was like Sebastian—afflicted by an attraction that would vanish once she had bedded Robert. All she had to do was to put aside her womanly notions of convention and manners, and think like a man. This deep brooding was passion, not pure love like she had felt for Edmund. She’d never understood the difference before.
Men had no problems with passion. They simply took their pleasure. She could do this. This was all about their shared physical attraction. Physical need, rather than engaging her heart. She would be able to walk away with her head held high and her heart unscathed when this was done. She would not lose him because she had never had him. They could be discreet with precise planning.
‘Stay,’ she murmured. ‘Please stay with me.’
Her back touched the wall of the summer-house, which supported her as his mouth moved lower. Her breasts strained against her stays as her nipples tightened. He slipped a finger between the material and her skin. Stroked. A convulsive shudder went through her and her back arched upwards, seeking his touch.
The white-hot heat burnt through her body, reaching her soul, and everywhere his cool mouth went, her fevered skin received some relief. However, the instant it had moved on, her skin craved more.
With expert fingers he loosened her dress and exposed the tops of her breasts, which strained upwards, seeking his touch. He brushed the material away, and his mouth captured one dark rose-hued nipple. His tongue encircled its tip, tracing circles on her heated flesh. Nuzzled, sending ripples of pleasure coursing through her. Pleasure that she’d never guessed could exist, but the sort she knew she wanted to give back to him.
Her back arched and her body encountered his arousal. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. The knowledge made her feel powerful. Fire surged through her, urging her to throw away her caution.
‘Robert,’ she breathed, burying her fingers into his crisp dark hair, exploring its silky smoothness.
He made no answer, but took her other breast from its confines. His breath teased the tightly furled bud, making it contract tighter until the ache thrummed through her. Then he captured it in his mouth, running his tongue over and around the nipple.
Henri’s knees melted and she gripped on to his shoulders in an effort to keep upright. His knee parted her legs, rubbing against the apex of her thighs, rocking her body back and forth. The ache in her centre spread outwards. Her world had come down to this one point and the way his touch inflamed her.
She put her hands on his chest and started to undo the buttons, slipped her hand inside. The smooth contours of his chest slid under the pads of her fingers. Her hand touched his nipples and they became hardened points. Her own tightened in response. He desired her. She had done this to him.
‘Henri,’ he breathed in her ear. ‘I want you in bed with me, but I doubt I’ll last until we find one. I need you under me, around me and with me.’
Not trusting her voice, Henri moved her hands lower, undid the buttons of his trousers and slipped in. The length of him was hard, but velvet smooth, alive and vital against her fingers. He groaned. His hand caught her wrist.
‘You’ll unman me.’ He titled her chin upwards so she stared into his golden amber gaze. ‘What do you want, Henri?’
‘This,’ she said, giving voice to her desire. ‘You inside me.’
