Page 9 of Cocky August Rake

Understanding what he needed, she reached between them and covered his hand with hers.

“Here,” she whispered.

She guided his fingers over her, showing him the pressure she wanted.

A tremble rolled through him.

“Like that?” The raw sound in his voice sent another pulse of need through her.

“Yes.” She moved his hand again. “Just like that.”

His thumb moved against her with increasing certainty, as though he was learning her response with every breath she took. Moaning softly, Rose gripped his coat, her hips pushing helplessly into his hand.

She had not thought of pleasing him. No instinct to keep herself detached.

Only need. Now.

With this man.

She still held fast to him. The thick and heavy weight in her palm pulsing. Hot. She tightened her fingers.

“Steady,” he rasped, his breath breaking against her neck. “Christ, I’m too near.”

Rose slid her thumb slowly over the sensitive tip.

He shuddered.

Rose reached around him with her other hand, finding the hard line of his backside beneath his coat. She gripped him there, lower than propriety would ever permit, her fingers moving in a slow, thoughtless massage.

Not for him.

Not because she had calculated what might please him.

Because she wanted to touch him everywhere.

He growled and pressed closer, his body fitting itself against hers with increasing urgency. Once. Then again.

Rose’s skirts were bunched around her thighs. Her breath came faster as she shifted closer, trying to bring him where she wanted him.

He seemed to understand.

His hips moved forward.

And then, just before she could—just before she could place him where the ache between her legs demanded him⁠—

He stiffened.

Then his hips began to move, pumping hard, his body working desperately through her fist.

His forehead drove into her shoulder. His breath came ragged and helpless against her throat as he drove into her grip again and again.

Then one final, hard thrust⁠—

Warmth spilled between them.

For several seconds, neither of them moved.

Then he jerked back as though burned.