by Anna Macy
Shaking her head lightly, Juliet pulled at Marian, dragging her playfully across the room and back to their game. Out of the corner of her eye, she felt the simmering presence of William’s eyes on her body. Biting her lip, she forced her eyes to her cards. The man was positively distracting.
The rest of the night passed in a blur of chatter, introductions, and laughter. Juliet was surprised to find herself enjoying the activities. Whereas this summer she had feared any questioning guest and every smiling face suitor, she felt at ease here with her friends behind her.
Not to mention that she had thoroughly enjoyed looking up to find William periodically checking in on her. His dark brows were low over those incredible eyes that seemed the spark every time he caught her staring back. More than a few times, he had acted like he would move towards her, only to stiffen and retreat again.
Juliet couldn’t help the heat that flushed through her whole body in those moments. How could he make her feel like this when they were separated across the room by a dozen other people? She could feel the path of his eyes every time, the way they took in her face first and then slowly slid down her person, over every curve, every breath. Every time he smiled or pursed his lips, Juliet wondered how they would feel against her skin.
By the end of the evening, Juliet was overheated and feeling more than a little like a spectacle. There was no way their little stare down had remained a secret, and while she didn’t regret a moment of it, she desperately wished to find a cool place in her bedroom to bury her head until the ball tomorrow.
She didn’t want to face that room again, or any room with William in it until she got a hold of herself and her rebellious body. The man was positively sinful with those knowing looks.
Leaning back against her door, Juliet quickly noticed the room was still being put back together after her scramble to get dressed for dinner hours before. Amelia was no doubt a bit overwhelmed, seeing as Marian had told Juliet that her mother’s maid hadn’t been feeling well and had not joined the couple at Lakeview. That left Amelia to care for both Elizabeth and Juliet on her own. Juliet was certain her mother wasn’t as lenient as she was.
Juliet was fairly independent with her nighttime ritual. She was more than happy to slither out of her cerulean dress, petticoats, and underthings on her own. However, she was struggling with the final stays of her nightgown, one arm stretched over her shoulder and the other below, attempting to tighten the last ribbon down her back.
Thankfully, Amelia’s quick knock sounded at the door, just as Juliet found herself getting even more twisted in the mirror.
“Come in,” Juliet called, turning to the side before continuing her quest to find the errant strip of ribbon. “Thank goodness you are here. I have again made a mess of things.”
Juliet lowered her head, her freed hair sliding forward to hide her face, waiting for Amelia’s hands to find the ties and quickly set her free of her tangle. Eyes on her toes, she sighed in gratitude as she felt the ribbons tighten gently against her shoulder blades. Tossing her long mane of hair over her shoulder, she smiled and looked into the reflection to thank Amelia.
But the person in the reflection wasn’t her short, smiling maid, but a very real, ominous-looking William. Gasping, Juliet turned and leaped back, bumping into her wardrobe as she covered her chest with one hand.
“William,” she whispered, shock apparent in the way her voice seemed to cling onto every syllable in his name. Juliet’s whole body flushed. Not only was her nightgown was impossibly sheer, but the hungry way William was looking at her.
The fact both horrified and thrilled her, as she found herself falling deeply into those silver eyes. Tonight, as they stared at each other, those eyes were molten, sliding over her skin like freshly cured metal.
Oh goodness, what would Lady Catherine think? Juliet scolded herself silently. This man had probably seen her more in her sleeping garments than ball gowns.
“Lady Juliet,” William said, oddly formal as he straightened away from her. His form swayed forward and back as if his body and mind were on different paths. Juliet noticed that he was clenching and unclenching his hands. “I didn’t mean to intrude. I assumed you were still awake from dinner and came to say a quick goodnight.”
There was something so disarming about this full-grown man standing in her bedroom, clearly uncomfortable, that warmed her heart towards him even more.
Juliet smiled, trying to draw him out of his brooding. “I-I just thought you were my maid returning from my family’s suite. I didn’t assume anything.” William remained completely still as if turning to marble where he stood.
Juliet shrugged, her voice teasing, “Between the two of us, I’m the one more likely to be invading people’s bedrooms.” That one worked, and Juliet’s smile grew as she saw the Marquess’ eyebrow quirk, the lines around his eyes crinkled in the smallest tell of laughter.
Finally, the slightest half-smile lifted his full lips, and she crossed her arms slowly, somehow needing to hold herself a little lest he sees how much it pleased her that she had broken down his walls.
“That is true, Juliet, but I would never have brought that up myself,” William took a step closer, “I’m much too much of a gentleman.” His face remained serious, but the tone of his voice was vibrating with rich humor.
Juliet let her head fall back to stare up at him, the man who might be her husband. He was astonishing. She struggled not to reach up and touch him, just to remind herself that he was real, that this kind of masculine beauty not only existed but was interested in her.
“In that case, you’re welcome,” Juliet cooed, plying to bring out even more humor. His face softened now, relaxing and shedding years off his cool demeanor.
His sensual voice was barely above a whisper now, “Just to be clear. I am thanking you for your invasion of my privacy, for your corruption of every aspect of bachelor life that I had. Is that what you meant?”
Juliet faltered for a moment, unsure and confused at his line of questioning. She had hoped that perhaps they would have come to some sort of understanding in the past two days. But just when Juliet was about to begin frantically apologizing, William’s handsome face broke into a smirk, his eyes darkening further as he took another step to her. This time they were only a breath apart, and Juliet could feel her heartbeat quicken as her body thrummed with a sharp awareness of his intentions.
Slowly, with excruciating carefulness, William reached out and placed one of his bare hands on her waist. The sheer fabric was no barrier, and Juliet could feel the rough warmth of his skin as if it were gripping her skin itself.
He closed the distance between them, letting his body settle just against hers. Her chin rested on the level with his collarbone, her breasts pressed lightly against his ribs, sending sharp tingles straight to her core. Her breath caught at the rush of heat, and she closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of him against her.
This warmth wasn’t frantic like the first night she’d felt him against her body. Juliet knew with every ounce of her being that it was something special. From the tips of her toes to her parted lips, she fit to him. Reaching one hand up, she tenderly slid her hand against his chest, gripping the fabric of his dinner jacket with her fingers. She couldn't decide if she was meant to push him away or pull him to her, but the rough texture of the coat grounded her in a way her body was desperate to have.
She wasn’t alone in her feelings, either. She could feel the way his chest heaved, the wool of his coat rubbing deliciously over her sensitive body. Just in front of her eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed several times.
Finally giving into the moment, Juliet let her head relax, tucking her chin to his chest, nestling against him, and letting out a gusty sigh. His scent rushed over her body and straight into her memories. He smelled like sandalwood and cigar smoke. She had never smelled anything so good in all her life.
“You’re going to want to stop that.”
“Why?” Juliet nuzzled into
his cravat, letting the silken fabric caress her face.
“Because I know for a fact that I only have a few minutes I can be in here.”
Juliet pulled back, looking at him, confused. “What do you mean?”
Shockingly William seemed to flush under his sun-kissed face.
“My valet, Simon, offered to run interference with your Ms. Amelia so that I could have a few moments with you.” Juliet’s eyebrows flew upward. He was arranging to spend alone time with her.
Her body flashed hot, the tingling growing sharp and aching between her thighs. Eagerly, she leaned back, flirtatiously running her fingers across the planes of his chest. “Really?”
“Certainly, my Lady.” William had to grind out the words. His jaw clenched as Juliet eased her hands up and over his shoulders, fitting herself perfectly against his powerful body. From her breasts to her thighs, she wound around him like a long-awaited skeleton key, smooth edges to his hard, opening the door to more than she could ever imagine.
“Do you always inspire such devotion from your employees?” Juliet was teasing him, attempting to distract herself from the way his hands had begun to draw delicate patterns over the back of her linen nightgown. It was getting difficult for Juliet to focus on anything other than how her body reveled in his adoration.
“Well, of course. I’m a very likable employer.” William’s eyes were glassy as he stared down at her. Juliet was barely listening at this point, his voice just another caress.
“I hadn’t heard that. How nice.” Juliet’s mind had gone fuzzy, and her hips were moving on their own accord, dancing gently between his two hands as he played with the gossamer fabric that separated them.
“I’m not that nice. And I can promise you he will be quite upset with me shortly.”
Juliet raised an eyebrow at him, focusing on his lips. “What do you mean? But you just said-”
“He’s going to have to buy myself a few extra minutes. That’s why he’s going to be upset.” William said before swiftly scoping her up in his arms.
Moving to the bed, he laid her down delicately, his gaze devouring her even as he reached up to untie his cravat and throwing it to the side. Cursing under his breath at the restricting garment.
His shirt now gaped at the neck, showing off the thick column of his throat as he leaned over her body, his eyes hungrily taking her in. Juliet felt her heart and body pound as one, the heat in his gaze, threatening to burn her up entirely.
Crossing the large mattress, William settled himself into the bed, and he sent his fingers twirling across her belly, making her twitch with desire.
“I won’t do anything you don’t want.” His voice was low, below a whisper, and yet upon hearing it, every part of Juliet seemed to crack open. She gasped then pushed up a little onto her elbows so she could capture his lips.
The kiss was gentle, reverent at first, making Juliet’s chest ache at the sweetness. Then slowly, it turned fiery, dangerous, his tongue sweeping in to claim her mouth, drawing her into a sensual dance of dominance.
Juliet learned quickly that he wanted her to push back, using her sharp teeth to nip at his full bottom lip. He rewarded her responsiveness with a deep moan.
Breathing hard, Juliet let him press her back into the mattress, his delicately searching hands growing bold, finding first one breast, then the other with his skilled fingers. He circled the precious mounds first, then spiraled in until he could gently tug at her tightly peaked nipples.
Juliet had to break their kiss then, biting her lip hard as she fought the urge to groan. The sensations, the pressure, it was overwhelming, and at the very center of it all was William. He remained fully dressed, save the long-forgotten cravat, and when she reached for his shirt, her hands were brushed away.
“No, darling, not tonight,” His voice was unmoving.
Juliet almost pouted but briefly had a flash of what would happen if someone, most likely Amelia, discovered them again wrapped up in each other. William had the right answer, even if every part of her body cried out in disappointment.
Juliet sat back into the pillows hard, closing her eyes as she tried to rein in her arousal, her disappointment. “Well, drat.” His eyes twinkled in quiet laughter.
“Drat, indeed. Although I strongly believe that there are other things we could do to occupy the remainder of our brief visit this evening.” Juliet opened her eyes to find him lazily looking her over, a possessive edge curling his lips. She was quickly learning to love that look.
“And what is that?”
“Something wonderful. But perhaps a first for you,” William murmured, dropping kisses against the still clothed shoulder next to his.
“Whatever it is, I want to try it,” Juliet was eager, her body thrumming with pleasure. “Please, William.”
Dropping to her lips, his own just a breath away, William said, “You don’t have to ask me twice.’ He kissed her hard, urging her leg closest to him to bend at the knee. Immediately his hand fell to her inner thigh, his fingers stroking first the fabric before skimming lightly underneath.
Finally feeling his strong, sure fingers against her, it almost undid her. Her body clenched and tightening as she tried to turn towards him on the bed.
“Easy Juliet, easy.” William soothed her with soft, quick kisses as his fingers traced sweet words into the skin of her inner thighs. Juliet moaned breathlessly; her hands grabbed for William as her entire world focused on the feelings he was provoking in her.
Carefully William’s skillful hands made it to the apex of her thighs, and this time it was him who broke their kiss, panting softly into her bare shoulder as his fingers found their target.
“You are so ready, so hot here,” William’s growl rumbled through her body. Juliet’s hands splayed across his chest, feeling the heat of his skin through his thin shirtsleeves.
Juliet’s hips shot off the ground at the first glide of his fingers against her burning core. Gasping again, Juliet tightened her hold on him, her pelvis rocking against his teasing motions.
“Are you alright?” William asked, his voice tight.
“Yes. Please, William, do something.” Juliet choked out, her hips moving desperately against the faint touches from his hand, the sweep of his fingers gentle against her swollen lips. Craving more pressure, more of everything.
William groaned at her eagerness, using a trousered leg over her thigh to pin her writhing body. His fingers slipped deeper, filling her carefully, slowly, drawing out a whimper from Juliet as she tried to process the pleasure that was rolling over her body from her most intimate place.
William was breathing harshly, “My God, you are beautiful.” Drawing his hand back, he began a gentle, aching rhythm. Pulling away to rub and tease Juliet before letting his hand rush back and serve her the pleasure she now begged quietly for.
She gasped when he added another finger, stretching her further as something started to break away inside of her. The scattered stabs of passion beginning to overwhelm her, Juliet arched her body up so that she could grind herself against his hand.
“William,” Juliet whispered. His fingers were pulling her towards the edge. She twisted in her sheets; the forgotten nightgown caught up behind her waist.
“I’m here. Let go,” His breath hot against her ear.
Juliet leaned back, her body bowing against his as he kissed her deeply, holding her tight to his body as he thrust his fingers into her body one last time before she exploded around him. Squinting her eyes shut, Juliet felt like it would never end, the mind-melting, clenching pleasure that gripped her in a vice.
William swallowed her shout in his mouth, his hand slipping from the heat of her core to soothingly rub circles along her naked hip as she came down from her high. Instinctively Juliet curled into the side of his body, her heart racing as he murmured nonsense against her hair.
“That was indeed a first,” Juliet said breathlessly after a minute. She felt William smile against her body. With a regretful sigh, he s
tarted to straighten, to untangle himself from her mussed bedding.
“I’m sorry, but I need to go.” William's voice was rough, apologetic.
“But...what about you? Don’t you…” Juliet began, unsure of what to do about his needs. William shifted his legs away from her, but not before she saw the telltale ridge of male flesh begging at the crotch of his trousers. It was evident that he hadn’t enjoyed the same completion she had, and she wanted to remedy that.
“Don’t worry about me,” William said over his shoulder, his eyes smoldering as he took in her delightfully rumpled appearance. Juliet curled her legs underneath herself, coming to lean her upper body against his back as he sat on the edge of the bed.
“It looks a bit painful,” She whispered. His rumbling chuckle made her smile.
“Well, it is a little painful. But that’s not for you to worry about.” William stood, straightening his clothes and settling his pant legs in a less obvious way around his swollen body. Cracking his neck first to one side, then the other, Robert turned to look at her; his smile was predatory.