Page 52 of A Rogues & Gentlemen Christmas

“You’re a terrible liar.”

“Oh, I’m s-sorry,” she managed, struggling not to laugh. “Only you looked so d-dreadfully pleased with yourself.”

“And why not?” he demanded, his dark eyebrows flying up. “You were looking at me in a way that made me feel about ten feet tall.”

Bunty sighed as he moved closer. “You are rather splendid, Ludo. So handsome. Are you really mine?”

“Yes,” he said firmly. “And there’s no changing your mind now, it’s too late. You’re stuck with me.”

Ludo climbed onto the bed and lay down beside her, his head braced on his arm, his eyes warm and mischievous. He looked happy, and Bunty could not help but smile in return.

“Good afternoon, Lady Courtenay.”

“Good afternoon, my lord,” she replied politely, for all the world as if they had just greeted each other in the park.

“May I debauch you now, my lady?”

Bunty choked out a laugh, only to see him grinning at her with such a boyish gleam of amusement that she threw back her head and laughed again.

“You’re dreadful!” she exclaimed, and then caught her breath as he climbed over her. He stared down at her, his blue eyes bright and glinting with desire.

“Yes, and you like it, so you must be every bit as wicked. Let’s find out, shall we?”

Bunty was only too happy to do so, sighing as he started where he’d left off. He kissed her everywhere, touching her reverently, caressing and painting intricate patterns with his tongue. The most shocking sounds were drawn from her until she was panting and clutching at the bedclothes, her skin damp as he returned to the sinful place between her legs and made her believe she might go mad as her body spun out of control. It was as though she had been an instrument, put away and forgotten, dusty and unused, and suddenly he had come to teach her how to play, for he seemed to know her body far more intimately than she had known it herself.

She wasn’t even shocked when he slid a finger inside her; she only moaned her pleasure and revelled in the way he praised her for her lascivious behaviour. The louder she was, the better he seemed to like it.

“Say my name,” he begged her, his voice husky as he slid another finger inside her and caressed until she saw stars. “I want you to come with my name on your lips.”

She did not entirely understand what he was asking her for, but then he applied his mouth once more. Pleasure rolled over her, making her hold her breath as the onslaught became overwhelming. She clutched at his hair, at the bed, at anything that might keep her tethered to the earth for surely she would fly away.

“Ludo!” she cried, her body arching, his name torn from her as waves of incandescent joy surged through her, over and over until she was sated, boneless, and utterly spent.

She was only dimly aware of him kissing his way back up her body, and she blinked hazily at him as he settled between her legs. It was only as he slid that wicked, masculine part of him against her oversensitive flesh that she gasped, and her eyes flew open.

“Now?” she said, a little stunned.

“Definitely now,” he agreed, sounding strained and determined. “Unless…?”

He hesitated, and Bunty laughed at the disappointment in his eyes.

“Now,” she agreed, wrapping her arms about his neck.

“Thank God,” he murmured, sliding his arousal against her in a slick glide that made her close her eyes, her head thrown back.

Bunty moved her hands over his shoulders, glorying in the shift and play of powerful muscle and the damp silk of his skin. The coarse hair on his torso felt delicious against her breasts as he pressed closer, reaching between them to guide himself inside her.

“Speak to me.”

Bunty blinked up at him in bewilderment. He wanted conversation? Now?

“Tell me it’s all right. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Oh.

“Bunty?”

“It’s all right. Don’t stop, it’s….” She sucked in a breath as she reconsidered that statement and he stilled utterly. For a moment, she breathed carefully around the strange sensation, and then she relaxed by degrees.