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“Do not be embarrassed.” He emphasized his next word. “Ever.”
Idalia seemed to understand. With him, there was nothing to shy away from. Lance would never think ill of her. If she wanted to run naked through the courtyard, she should do so.
Maybe not that.
Such an act would certainly get him into trouble.
More trouble than what they were about to do?
Lance shook away the thought.
Responding to the look she gave him, and his own desire to see Idalia’s face the first time she was well and truly pleasured, Lance reached under her gown and shift. Where he should have felt hose, his hand found bare flesh instead. He didn’t know which of them was more shocked. He’d caressed many bare legs before. But the feel of her soft flesh as he made his way toward his goal . . .
Groaning, he captured her lips once again. This time, she responded immediately and without reserve. Closer and closer until, “Open your legs a bit for me,” he whispered.
Still no barrier.
It was so unexpected he actually paused for a moment before pulling back, wanting to see her expression.
Moving beyond the curls, which he’d dearly love to see, Lance dared her to tell him to stop. Instead, eyes wide, she opened those pink lips ever so slightly just as he reached her folds.
“Don’t be afraid.”
“I’m not.”
Her quick response humbled him. Why did she trust him so?
She shouldn’t.
Another unwanted thought Lance pushed aside.
He entered her with first one finger and then a second, her gown the only barrier between them as he moved, slowly at first. Though Lance dearly wished to take advantage of the fact that her lips were now parted wide, begging for a kiss, he refused to give into that temptation.
As he moved his fingers, his thumb circling just the right spot, her chest started rising and falling with greater intensity. His lady was breathing heavily, her cheeks flushed pink.
Lord, he would give everything, had he anything to give, to see such an expression every day of his life. Her eyelashes fluttered prettily as a beautiful groan escaped her lips.
She was close.
“There are many ways for a woman,” he said, “and a man to find pleasure. This . . .”
He slowed the pace and pulled away, ignoring his cock, which he dearly wished was inside her instead of his fingers. Even thinking it . . .
No. Stop.
“This is one way. All I need you to do now, Idalia”—her name was yet another caress—“is let your body relax.”
Another quick rub with his thumb.
“Come for me, beautiful.”
It was not simply an endearment. It was the truth.
And she listened.
The wetness against his fingers forced him to close his eyes, steady his breath. Damn if he wasn’t as close to release as he’d ever been without a single touch.
When he opened his eyes, Lance wished he hadn’t. She looked undone—a few strands of hair had escaped her braid, and her pink cheeks practically glowed in the candlelight, her eyes glistening above them.
