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“Did my great-uncle ever lend you books?” he asked as he held the library door open for her.
“Oh yes, but I always felt terrible about asking him to.”
“Well, do not feel terrible about asking me. Come here anytime and choose whatever you wish.” They walked toward one end of the library where a servant had lit a fire in the tall marble fireplace. “I don’t suppose I shall be making much use of them.”
“You don’t enjoy reading?” she asked.
“I used to, when I was a lad.” Arthur looked wistfully around at the shelves. “I should let you enjoy your night and rest before we… continue our relationship, but I admit I feel rather envious of these books right now.”
“Then spend the night reading with me,” she suggested.
“I…” He hesitated, thinking of how much his head would ache. “It’s… not easy for me to read for a while… not without…”
“Not without what?” she asked.
He frowned, not wanting to admit it, but damn her, she had a way of making him speak truths he’d rather keep hidden.
“Without my spectacles.”
“Oh… Well, then fetch them so we can read and then perhaps, after that, we could retire to your room and do things that do not require spectacles. I may not be as sore as I was this morning.” She sensed he was embarrassed by having to wear spectacles but she thought it was rather charming.
He grinned roguishly. “Well, in that case, I’m quite ready for that.” He left to retrieve his spectacles and when he returned, he walked over to peruse the shelves and she joined him. She selected Adam Smith’sWealth of Nationswhile he chose a lurid gothic novel that made her laugh and roll her eyes when he waved it under her nose. After a few minutes, they both settled down by the fire and read in companionable silence while the flames crackled and popped on the logs.
Normally Matilda could get lost in almost any book, but sitting so close to Arthur on the cozy settee, she kept replaying over and over how it felt to be with him last night. She’d spent far too long in her bath that morning stroking her hands over her body, discovering it as if for the first time. She’d been sore, but not in a bad way. It was as though she’d been awakened in some way by Arthur’s touch, and she wanted more.
She lowered her book a few inches from her lap and peeped at Arthur out of the corner of her eye. He seemed to be completely absorbed in his novel. His dark hair fell into his gray eyes, and something sinful fluttered in her lower belly.
“If youwantme, you need only say so,” he said softly, his eyes still focused on his book.
She was still for a long moment, debating whether she was brave enough to ask him for what she wanted. She slowly closed her book and set it aside. He continued to read his own tome and seemed to be paying no attention to her, yet the room felt charged with a tension so thick it made her body hum with excitement.
Matilda got up and stood in front of him. She leaned over, removed his novel from his hands, and lifted his spectacles off his face, setting them on the little side table nearby. He leaned back in his chair and spread his legs slightly so she could stand between his knees. She brushed his dark hair back, and he gazed up at her with gray eyes full of lust and fire that made her feel so alive. She didn’t know how to seduce a man, but in that instant, she wanted to try.
Arthur continued to sit there, content to let her control this encounter, which empowered her in some undefinable way. She eased down on his lap and lifted up one of his hands, examining his powerful fingers as she massaged his palm. His lashes lowered as he relaxed at her touch.
Feeling impish and wanton, she sucked the tip of his index finger between her lips. She didn’t know if this was something she should do; she only knew that she wanted to, and perhaps that was reason enough. He watched her, fascinated, as she drew a second finger into her mouth, sucking lightly on them until he shifted restlessly beneath her.
“The things I could teach you…” he groaned.
Matilda, lost in the moment, dared to ask, “What things?”
“I’m half afraid to tell you. You might faint dead away.” He was teasing, but only partly. She knew that this was the moment she could choose to embrace her passion, or turn away from it and simply endure the next two weeks. She was tired of enduring, tired of resisting, tired of letting the rules of others dictate her life. If she wanted to be a wanton creature, then she should give herself that freedom. It wasn’t as if she had a reputation to ruin. She’d already been deemed by most as a lost cause, a woman with no real chance at love because the world had closed its doors to her. Now she was beating them down, come what may.
Arthur pushed his fingers back into her mouth and stared at her lips as he spoke.
“I placed my mouth between your legs last night. I sucked on that little button so crucial to your pleasure, and I licked you.” He spoke the wicked words so softly, huskily, that she trembled and her tongue flicked reflexively against his fingers as he gently pushed them in and out of her lips.
“A woman can do the same to a man. She can take his shaft between her lips and suck. It feels almost as good as being inside her.” He slid his other hand up her skirt and between her thighs to cup her sex, which throbbed in anticipation.
She wriggled, widening her legs so he could slip a finger into her. It felt so wonderful to have him touch her, to stroke and tease her into a state of excitement. She was so close, so close to coming apart. She stilled his hand between her legs and then slid off his lap.
“Mattie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. We don’t have—”
She silenced him when she knelt at his feet and pushed his thighs wide as he’d done to her last night. Then she fumbled with his trousers. He groaned and brushed her hands away as he freed himself. She stared at his shaft, more than a little intimidated now, but she wanted to try. She leaned forward and flicked her tongue against the tip. Arthur cursed, and his hands gripped the back of the settee as he spread his arms wide. She repeated the small lick, then opened her mouth and attempted to take him as deep into her mouth as she felt comfortable. His hips jerked and he groaned helplessly.
“Bloody hell, Mattie…” he gasped. “I won’t last. I…” He seemed to come to his senses and pushed her back.
“Was I not doing it right?” Matilda asked. She was mortified and wished for a chasm to open up and swallow her so she didn’t have to face him.
