Page 72 of The Return of the Rake

“Take it off,” she urged.

King laughed, looking delighted by her impatience. Moving quickly, he cast aside his coat and waistcoat as she tugged the cravat from his throat. He pulled off his shirt in one fluid movement and a bare moment later her hands were on him, exploring the muscular expanse of his chest, the dark flat nipples that became taut little nubs under her questing fingers. The shiver that ran over him made a wicked smile curve over her mouth.

“Yes, you have more power over me than you ever knew,” he said, his voice low and fervent. “I’m putty in your hands, love, so treat me carefully and don’t take advantage.”

Anne grinned up at him. “How intriguing,” she said, leaning in and rubbing her face against the wiry hair on his chest like a cat. “Just how far does that power extend?”

“It has no limits,” he told her, gazing at her with something close to wonder lighting his eyes.

Her grin faded as she saw the sincerity in his expression, “I love you, and there are no limits to my heart either, Jasper.”

He lifted her into his arms then and carried her to the bed, putting her down carefully. Anne settled herself against the pillows, surprised that she felt no embarrassment at being naked before him. It seemed entirely natural and right, and she only felt impatience to see her husband in the same state.

With her heart skipping faster, she watched as his hands went to the buttons on his trousers and then stopped.

She glanced up at his face. “Why did you stop?”

A rather smug grin of masculine satisfaction curved over his wicked mouth. “I’m just enjoying the way you look at me, love. It’s good for a fellow’s ego.”

“I’m not sure you need the help,” she said frankly, relieved when he laughed and carried on with his buttons.

King pushed down his trousers and small clothes, and Anne gazed at him, taking in the full picture of her husband, a man in his prime, a man who wanted her badly.

“How lovely you are,” she said with a sigh. “I feel I have waited for this night for such a long time.”

“You are a terrible, bold creature,” he said, laughing as he climbed into the bed beside her.

“I know,” she said with a sigh. “Whatever shall you do with me?”

He pulled her into his embrace, and she stared up at him, looping her arms about his neck.

“I think I’d rather show you than waste time on explanations,” he said gravely.

He kissed her and Anne sighed with pleasure as his body settled over hers. He was so hot, far hotter than her, and she shivered, though she wasn’t cold.

“You’re not nervous?” he asked, misinterpreting her trembling.

Anne gave a little snort. “No,” she admitted ruefully. “Just impatient. Am I very wicked to admit to it?”

“Very. Don’t ever change,” he told her before bending his head and nuzzling the valley between her breasts.

Anne closed her eyes, entranced by the warmth of his mouth as he kissed the lush curve of her breast, tracing a path to her nipple. A soft moan escaped her as he cupped the plump weight of her other breast, holding it while he teased the tight peak, worrying it with teeth and tongue.

“Oh!” she gasped, enthralled by the darts of fiery sensation that sung beneath her skin.

Chuckling to himself, King moved on, tasting her at intervals, lingering to kiss the curve of her waist, and painting circles around her navel with his tongue until she was shivering in earnest.

He returned to kiss her lips as his hands continued lower, teasing through the fiery red curls between her thighs and easing a finger into the delicate skin hidden beneath. Anne’s breath fluttered out in an uneven sigh as he repeated the movement, gentle and insistent. King turned on his side, pulling her leg over his hip, leaving her exposed and helpless, open to him. His touch was assured, seeking the entrance to her body, stroking and teasing until Anne was breathing hard, her skin flushed. She pushed against his hand, needing more, wanting him to touch her again and again, harder and faster.

“Jasper,” she implored, unable to murmur more than his name, for her mind could not consider words when she was all instinct.

“I’m here,” he said, and she heard the smile in his voice and realised he was deliberately toying with her and enjoying it too. It was utterly maddening, and Anne writhed in protest, but his finger continued its lazy stroking until she thought she would weep with frustration. There was satisfaction, however, in knowing his breathing was coming faster too, and when he kissed her again, she felt the tremble in his muscles and knew he was as desperate as she.

“I need you,” he said, the urgency in his gruff voice thrilling her.

He laid her on her back once more, and Anne gasped as the hot, blunt head of his arousal pressed against her. King caressed her with greater insistence as she squirmed and fretted.

“Please,” she said, holding onto him.