The Marquess is Mine: League of Unweddable Gentlemen, Book 6

by Gill, Tamara

  "Did you enjoy dancing this evening? You were quite the popular gentleman."

  "I aim to please." Giles reached out, the urge to touch her sweet face overwhelming. Her skin was soft and warm, and he ran his thumb along her jaw, swiping it over her bottom lip. Her lips opened on a sigh, and his body hardened. "I want to please you."

  Sarah shivered at his words. She wanted him to please her, too, in all ways. Thoughts of being with him as they were yesterday afternoon flittered through her mind, made her body yearn and ache.

  His stormy, blue eyes darkened, enticing and wicked as ever. She had been so very angry at him for so long, how was it that a mere kiss, a sweet word, and roguish touch could make her let go of what had happened between them?

  Because you were old friends, you loved him once.

  All true of course, she had loved him, had been his friend, until he tried to marry a woman even Sarah could have told him would not make him happy. Sarah had long believed it was only she who could make him so, and now, after all these years apart, it would seem she was correct in that estimation.

  What was she to do about it?

  "Please me as you did yesterday in the stable? I do believe that was teasing, not pleasing, my lord." Her naughty words were unlike anything she'd ever spoken before. But she could not stop herself. Her body was not her own. Not anymore. She wanted the man before her to finish what he had started in the hay.

  A growl emitted from him, and her breath hitched. "You're playing with fire, Sarah. Do not tempt me. I'm already at my limit when it comes to you."

  She raised her brow, wanting to stir him more. See where their interlude could end. "Really? So if I were to step closer to you…" Sarah did as she suggested, her body close against his, her breasts grazing his chest. Her nipples pebbled, and moisture pooled at her core when his hardness settled into the dip of her stomach.

  Sarah bit her lip, reaching up to drape her arms about his shoulders. "Your tolerance would snap?"

  "Fuck, yes, it would." He picked her up, walked two steps, and pushed her up against the paneled wall. His mouth settled over hers, deep and commanding, taking her lips with a punishing edge.

  Sarah clasped his shoulders, let go of her inhibitions, and drank from his desire. Let it spark hers to a flame. His hands slid down her back, clutching at her dress as if to rip it from her person.

  Desire and need thrummed through his actions, his strong hands shaking against her body told her without words what she did to him. He hoisted one of her legs against his hip at the same time he ground against her, reminiscent of yesterday.

  Oh yes...

  They moaned, and with a nip to her lip, Giles pulled back, staring at her as if he were unsure, uncertain of what they were doing. Sarah knew exactly what they were about, and she wasn't going to let him end this interlude before he finished what they had started.

  "I shouldn't be doing this, Sarah. Not until we're married."

  The word marriage acted like a balm against any fears she may have held. Sarah kissed him quickly, a light brushing of lips. "Make love to me, Giles. I do not want to go to bed alone."

  He leaned his forehead against hers, his eyes pools of uncertainty and need.

  "We cannot," he gasped as she rubbed against him, using him to soothe the ache between her legs.

  Sarah pushed him away with one hand before sauntering toward his bedroom door. "Yes, we can, and you will. I've never heard the Marquess of Graham being a man who did not satisfy. Do not start now. Not with me."

  Chapter 11

  Giles followed Sarah into his room, shutting and locking the door to ensure they were not disturbed. She was a goddess, her gold silk gown with gauze shimmering over the fabric gave her an air of decadence and privilege, of beauty that was both outside and in.

  She sat on the edge of his bed, her wicked, come-hither look she threw him threatening to buckle his knees.

  Giles strode over to her, wrenching his cravat and jacket off, dropping them to the floor without a second thought. Within a few moments, he stood before her with nothing but his breeches, his bare feet refusing to move from the soft Aubusson rug.

  "I'll need help with my gown," she said, leaning over and giving him her back.

  He drank in the sight of her straight spine, her swanlike neck, and sun-kissed hair pulled up into a decorative motif.

  Thoughts of pushing her onto her hands, racking up her gown, and taking her from behind bombarded his mind. Giles pushed down his baser, harsher needs. Sarah was a maid, her first time with him could not be so, but one day. Soon, he promised himself. They would enjoy other ways of being together.

  Giles made short work of the small, decorative buttons down her back. He slipped the gown down her arms, taking the opportunity to kiss her slight shoulders, the tops of her arms. She smelled divine, of flowers and a unique scent that was wholly Sarah.

  Goose bumps rose on her skin, and he quickly pulled at the ties of her corset. Undressing Sarah was akin to unwrapping a gift. Having Sarah, such as she now was, willing in his arms and his, was the best Yuletide present he could have possessed. Her gown pooled at her waist, and Giles ripped her shift over her head, her corset next, discarding it somewhere about the foot of the bed.

  She stood, and her dress fell to the floor. Giles took her into his arms, tumbling them down onto the soft linen. They bounced, and she chuckled, the throaty tenor of her voice hardened his cock.

  He pulled back to admire the view of her before him. Her cheeks were flushed, her breasts full and heavy, all but begged for his touch. His mouth watered and, unable to deny himself a moment longer, he gave in to the desire thrumming through his blood like a raging torrent.

  Giles licked her beaded nipple before taking her into his mouth. She moaned, her fingers spiking into his hair, and he kissed and paid homage to her breast while his other hand kneaded and teased the other.

  "Oh, yes," she sighed. "You have no notion of how long I've wanted you this way."

  He inwardly cursed all the missed opportunities, the years they were not together so. He'd wanted Sarah for as long as he could remember, and from this day forward, he would not be separated from her again.

  Nothing would deny him her hand.

  "Marry me." Giles kissed his way down her chest to her stomach, paying homage to the little freckle that sat beside her naval. He went farther, running his hand down the inside of her leg before touching the wet heat between her thighs.

  He felt her start at his touch, and he looked up along her body, meeting the question in her hooded gaze.

  "Lie back. I want to show you what we can have."

  She bit her lip, sending desire straight to his cock. He pushed down his own needs, promising himself his turn would come. Soon, she would be his, and they would be one.

  Giles kissed the inside of her thigh, breathing deep the sweet, musky scent of her mons. She undulated beneath him, and he held her legs apart, wanting to see her wet, pink lips that were his to enjoy.

  He licked her swollen nubbin, and she gasped, her hands no longer pushing at his shoulders, but wrapping into his hair, holding him in place.

  A dark, hungry need tore through him. He licked along her cunny, kissing and lathing her honeyed flesh to a fever. He made sure to stroke and frustrate her nubbin, running his thumb between her lips and tantalizing her where they would soon be joined.

  She mewled, gasping with each of his tongue's strokes. His balls tightened, his cock heavy and erect, his release taunting deep in his gut.

  "Yes, Giles. Ohhh, please, more."

  He'd give her as much as she liked. He slipped one finger into her scorching heat. Her body tightened, contracted about him, and it took all of his self-control not to wrench up, placing his aching cock at her entrance and take her.

  Soon. Soon, they would be one.

  She lifted her bottom off the bed, undulating against his mouth, and he knew she was close. Without fear or shame, she rode his face, took pleasure from him, and never would
his life be the same.

  He would marry the woman beneath him. From this day forward, he could not live without her. How he had survived all the years was beyond him.

  He kissed her fully, lathing her to a writhing frenzied, begging lover before he suckled on her clitoris, and she gasped, moaning as her release spiraled through her.

  An overwhelming sense of power thrummed through his veins as he milked her of her pleasure. With ragged breath, and only when he was sure she was satisfied, did he move.

  He came up over her, wrapping her legs about his hips. She watched him, her eyes pools of satiated desire and expectation. A small quirk tilted her lips. He placed himself at her entrance, meeting her eyes.

  Sarah reached up, wrapping her arms about his neck, and he thrust into her, taking her virginity, and finally, they were one.

  Lady Sarah Farley was his.

  Sarah had thought Giles taking her would hurt. How very wrong she was. After his wickedly clever mouth had brought her to such pleasure that even now she could not catch her breath, his intrusion into her body only brought more pleasure.

  With each thrust, it teased, thrummed, and reignited the climax she had just experienced.

  She wanted him deeper, harder, faster. With a wantonness that she did not know she possessed, she spread her legs wider, hooked them higher on his back, and gave herself over to him.

  To pleasure.

  "Sarah," he gasped against her lips. "I've wanted you for so long."

  "And I you." She held him against her, needing him to take her. To give her the soul-shattering pleasure he'd just bestowed. Once would never be enough. She needed more. Now.

  "Take me," she panted. He did not disappoint. He thrust hard and deep. The sound of their flesh meeting, of creating pleasure echoed throughout the room and was music to her ears.

  He kissed her, and she took the opportunity to run her hands down his back. Sweat-slicked skin met her fingers as she ran them down the taut, flexing muscles beside his spine. His bottom thrust against her and she clasped him there, enjoying the feel of him within her, taking her.

  She would never get enough of this man.

  The pleasure his mouth wrought teased her yet again, and she rose to meet his every move, and then she was there, spiraling out of control. Pleasure rocked through her, more pronounced, coarser, and overwhelming her soul.

  "Giles," she cried.

  He moaned, taking her, their bodies a burst of needs and wants, of receiving and giving.

  "Sarah," he panted against her lips, kissing her softly. "Please tell me you will marry me now?"

  She grinned, snuggling into the crook of his arm when he rolled to his side, pulling her up against him. She lay one leg over him, idly playing with his chest, which rose and fell in quick pants.

  "Yes," she said, looking up and meeting his gaze. "I will marry you." And finally, he would be hers. Always.

  Chapter 12

  Sarah stuck her head out into the darkened passage just before dawn, glancing up and down to ensure no one was about. The servants would be up soon, and if she were to sneak back to her bedroom without being seen, now was her chance.

  She turned, taking one last glimpse of Giles as he slept in the bed they'd shared. He lay on his back, his arm sprawled out over her pillow where she'd rested. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and regretfully, she turned, slipping into the hall and closing the door behind her, taking care not to make any loud noises.

  "Good morning, sister."

  Sarah squealed, slapping a hand over her mouth before she woke any of the other guests. Footsteps sounded in the room she'd just emerged from, and the door wrenched open.

  Giles stood at the threshold, hastily tied breeches his only attire, his chest, one she'd never tire of looking upon flexing with each breath. The moonlight from the window at the end of the hall, the only illuminating light.

  "What is wrong?" Giles's words faded at the sight of Hugh glaring at them both.

  Her brother pushed Sarah out the way and, with a sickening crunch, his fist connected with Giles's nose.

  Sarah gasped, watched as Giles flayed backward before he fell with a crashing thud on the floor. Sarah kneeled at Giles' side, checking him as best she could. He pinched the bridge of his nose, blood seeped between his fingers and onto his lips, staining his teeth. He held up a hand, stilling her brother from doing any more damage.

  "I suppose I deserved your wrath, but I'll not be hit a second time," Giles said, letting Sarah help him to stand.

  Hugh shut the door to the bedroom, enclosing all three of them in the room. "What the hell do you think you're doing with my sister?"

  Hugh glared at them both, his eyes wild with temper. Never had Sarah seen Hugh so incensed and shame threaded through her that she'd caused him such distress. If this were to get out to the other guests what she had done with Giles, the scandal would be all the ton would talk of next Season. Marriage or not.

  That Hugh had asked her not to cause a scandal was the veriest dishonor.

  "I asked Sarah to marry me, and she has agreed. I would never touch her had she said no."

  Sarah raised her brow, unsure that was true. She was certain that if she wished it, she could have seduced Giles before last night.

  "Is this true, Sarah?" her brother asked, pinning her to her spot, the anger and disappointment shimmering in his eyes, eliminating any ire she felt at being caught. At receiving a thorough set down from her brother over her conduct.

  "Giles has asked for me to be his wife, and I want that in return." She met Giles's gaze, her heart taking a little leap at the warmth and adoration she read in his blue orbs.

  "How long have you been behaving in this manner?" Her brother shook his head. "I should have guessed yesterday when I caught you both upstairs, looking as guilty as you do now."

  "Excuse me, Hugh, but I'm not a child. I'm eight and twenty and quite capable of making my own decisions."

  Her brother pointed his finger at her nose. "You can make decisions, Sarah, but this one is what I specifically asked you not to."

  "No one needs to know. You're the only person who has seen me this morning. If we leave now, announce the betrothal in the morning, all will be well."

  Hugh glared at them both, his balled fists flexing at his sides. "I ought to call you out, Gordan." His jaw clenched, and he took a deep breath. "But I suppose since you're to be my brother-in-law by choice not by my decree, I shall let you live."

  Sarah sighed, and Giles reached over to take her hand. She stared at the blood that marked his chest and face. Sarah moved over to the pitcher of water and bowl in his room, poured some water and rinsed out a washcloth.

  "Here," she said, handing it to Giles. He gave her his thanks and set it against his nose, wincing a little as he did so.

  "I'm sorry you had to find out about Sarah and me in this way, Hugh, but I love her. I want her to be my wife. I promise that later today, I was coming to ask you for your permission to make her my wife."

  Hugh rubbed a hand through his hair, the dark circles under his eyes telling Sarah her brother was weary.

  "We are sorry, Hugh. Please don't be angry. I want this time to be a happy one." It had been so very long since she'd been so content.

  He stared at them both without a word before he nodded, once. "Very well. I give you my consent, and I do wish you both very happy. You can be married as soon as we can gain a special license." Her brother met her gaze, some of the anger dispelling from his dark orbs. "Congratulations, Sarah."

  She went into his arms, holding him tight. "Thank you, Hugh, for being so understanding."

  "Yes, well," he said, relenting and pulling her tight in his arms. "You may not have gone about this the way that I asked, but it is done now. All will be well, I'm sure." He set her back and started for the door. He paused, turning to watch them both. "Come, Sarah. I will escort you to your room."

  Sarah met Giles's eyes, and he nodded, winking at her. She smiled, bidding him goodbye, her
words but a whisper, and followed her brother from the room.

  He didn't say anything to her as they made their way back to her room. He opened her bedroom door, pushing it wide. "In you go, dear sister. Do not let me catch you out and about the house again. Not until you're a married woman. Do I make myself clear?"

  She swallowed her retort, wanting to remind him that he wasn't so very well-behaved when Molly was in Rome. Sarah was privy to how they came together, so her brother's high-handedness was a little galling.

  Even so, she would do as he bade because, in the end, she would marry Giles. The sacrifice would be worth the wait. "Perfectly clear, brother. I shall do as you ask."

  He watched until the door to her room closed. Once more alone, she ran over to her bed, slipping under the soft sheets and heavy blankets. She smiled, contentment thrumming through her veins. She was engaged to Giles, Marquess Gordan. Excitement somersaulted her stomach, and the day could not start soon enough. She wanted to shout it from the rooftops that they would be married. Her husband and she his wife.

  How well that sounded to her ears. A dream that finally came true.

  Chapter 13

  Before dinner the same day, Sarah sat beside Giles in the drawing room, an overwhelming sense of happiness consuming her as her brother announced that she and Giles were engaged.

  Congratulations sounded loud in the room. An array of guests came up to them to wish them very happy.

  Sarah laughed, thanked each one in turn. Giles pulled her into his side, watching her with an expression that made her stomach twist into delicious knots. "I hope you're happy, my lady?" he asked, his eyes dark pools of an emotion she hoped would be voiced again soon. She wanted to hear him say that he loved her as much as she had always loved him.

  "So happy," she said, meaning it more than anything she'd ever said before in her life.

  Dinner that evening was a boisterous, excitable evening. Everyone seemed to be in a rush to speak, drink wine, celebrate the Christmas season, and Sarah and Giles's betrothal, which only added to the celebrations.