Page 48 of The Lady’s Sweet Revenge

Chapter Seventeen

Reese pulled back slightly from their kiss and looked her in the eye. He needed to be sure.

“Once we do this, you will no longer be a virgin.”

“I know.”

“It might hurt.” He’d never deflowered a virgin, but that was common knowledge.

“I’m aware. I’m ready.”

“How can you be ready when you don’t know what it will be like?”

She smiled and shook her head.

“I’m ready to find out what it will be like.”

“You’re sure, Lo? For if you regret it, I will likely fling myself over the cliff to the sea.”

“So dramatic,” she chided before kissing his throat. She pulled away. “Can Belle come live with me if you throw yourself into the sea?”

“You are horrid,” he teased with his words as he fingers teased her nipple through her thin night gown. “You could pretend to be distraught over my concerns.”

“I know my own mind, Reese and I want this. I want you.”

Those were the words he’d been dreaming of hearing her speak. He’d not try to dissuade her again. And not only because he didn’t want to. But because Harlow was not a spoiled princess giving into a selfish whim.

She’d gained perspective from her brush with death and he knew from his own experience how it made people want more from life than they’d had. This was what she wanted and he would make sure she was not disappointed.

He kissed her again and again, surprised by how much he enjoyed it. Kissing had always been nothing more than a precursor to the next step. The better step. But kissing Harlow was more than that. He, of course, wanted to do more with her, but if she’d not wanted anything more than kissing, he would have been eager to spend the night with nothing but his lips and tongue touching hers.

Her breathing had picked up and the green in her eyes had gone vibrant with lust as he slipped her night rail off and looked down at her body.

He’d known she was beautiful, but seeing her like this with the candlelight touching her curves, he thought her a goddess sent from the heavens just for him.

His hands fit her body perfectly. Her breast filled his palm, as he explored it thoroughly with his mouth.

She groaned softly and the sound set him ablaze. He wanted to remove the restriction of his breeches, but he knew to do so would send him into a frenzy and he wanted to take his time. Instead, he adjusted his frustrated cock.

Harlow must have noticed his discomfort for she pulled away to look at the very place the fabric did little to hide. She reached out and placed her small hand on the bulge, causing him to gasp with surprise. His body lurched out at her of its own accord.

Rather than pull her hand away, she wrapped her fingers around him, turning his gasp into a moan. If he was not careful, he would spend from just her touch through his breeches.

Reaching down, he gently pulled her hand away.

“You do not like to be touched there?” she guessed incorrectly.

“Oh aye, I like it too well. But if you continue touching me like that, I’ll not be able to do all the things to you I’ve been dreaming of. And that would be a travesty.”

“I don’t know what you mean by that, but if it keeps you from speaking of throwing yourself in the sea again, I shall stop.”

He chuckled, enjoying her humor even in such a serious moment. He could easily see himself spending his days happy with her. For now, he had tonight. And he would make it perfect for her.

*

Harlow’s heart was racing. She didn’t think she’d ever been so nervous or excited in her life. All the antics she’d gotten up to with her brothers were nothing compared to this feeling.

Reese had kissed her until she worried she might go mad, and then he’d abandoned her lips only to torment all the other parts of her body. Her neck, her breasts, her ribs, and hips. Even the spot behind her knees seemed wrought with pleasure and she knew she’d never had such an issue in that place before for she’d touched it many times.