“Pity.” He murmured the word under his breath as he snatched the pile of ruffles off the bed and tossed it over the top of the screen with his free hand.
David placed the faux bottom on top of her gown. “A poor substitute for the real thing.”
“Really? How would you know?” She moved out into the main part of the room once more, the heavy, high-collared, shapeless robe of a gown leaving everything to the imagination. And yet, his body didn’t care.
“I may not have seen the real one, but if you recall, that time you woke me in the middle of the night, I got a bit of a sense. Not as much as I desired, but enough to know that I wanted more. Want more. You were wearing far too many garments then. And now.” Did he just say that? Out loud? That wasn’t mere teasing...that was downright naughty.
“You should’ve asked.” Amalia strolled over, placed a hand on his chest, and nudged so he half fell back on the bed. “But you didn’t and now we’re back to that uncreative imagination of yours, unless you’re suggesting it’s otherwise.”
“Regarding you? My imagination is quite creative.” The courage and stupidity and whatever else was back. Like when he went into battle, or led her on the dance floor. He reached up and grasped her wrist, his eyes staring into those gray-brown pools. “Good or bad, duty or brother, when it comes to you, I have, and always will, think very creative thoughts.”
“Do you?” She stilled in his hold. Her voice dropped to a whisper.
His brain stuttered. “I—”
“Would it be terribly naughty if I told you the same goes for me?” She near hissed the words as she bent down so magnolia and citrus could tickle his nose.
David’s chest seized.
He was drowning already, way in over his head, and yet...damn it all he wanted her and she wanted him. Sometimes one had to say to hell with reason and sanity and just go.
He cupped her chin. “Be careful, Amalia. Think about this. I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want. Anything you’ll regret.”
“What in this conversation would ever give you the impression that I’m about to force myself to do anything? I know I can tell you to stop at any time.” She rolled her eyes, but her voice dropped again. “I trust you, David. Please. I want to explore with you.”
She was going to take things he couldn’t afford to give. Again. But there was no turning back. Whatever happened between them in the room would occur, consequences be damned. They were each too far gone.
He wound his finger around the smooth silk ribbon over her bosom. “Well, that’s certainly possible, but you seem to be wearing way too much fabric.”
“Really?” A slow smile spread over her face. With hands far quicker than his, she threw off the robe. “Is this better?”
“For a start.” How his mouth managed the words, he had no idea because the rest of him focused on the near transparent white nightgown. All the memories, all the fantasies.
“So I should remove the rest?” She stroked from the high neckline down over her breasts.
“I—” He opened and closed his mouth. He might have fainted in between. It was hard to tell. In the past, every time she’d come to him, they’d guided each other’s hands above the other’s garments. To see Amalia in the nude and to be able to touch flesh...
“What if I told you after this layer, there is nothing else?” Her voice dropped into the husky register again.
“I—I, um—” Both his mouth and brain stuttered. If he was being honest, or could speak, he’d tell her that he’d marvel at everything. Everything he dreamed of seeing for far too long. And would wish someone was around to take a photograph.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite understand that.” She rubbed herself against his leg and his entire body tightened with need. Good idea, bad idea, terrible idea, none of it mattered anymore.
“Lord, I’m shvitzing.” He was going to rip his tzitzis and his shirt. And coat. And burst through his trousers. But it no longer mattered.
“Then by all means, you should think about removing some of your garments.”
He didn’t need another invitation. In an instant the jacket was off and lying upon the floor. After which, he made quick work of his shirt and the flimsy material holding the four tassels on his body.
Amalia swished her hips and swirled her hem. “The faster you go, the sooner it’ll be my turn.”
“How did you learn to tease like this?” After his belt hit the plank floor, he sat back on the bed and took her hand once more, kissing her wrist so she sighed.
“I promise you, the Tanach wasn’t my only reading material.” She preened a little and tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I seem to remember you had certain talents once upon a time. Was it touching or...”
“Stroking?” He swallowed and knit his brow. “Madam, though I speak many languages, English is a rather new one. For some reason my memory is becoming a bit hazy.” Lord, the back of her hand raked downward. He seized her second wrist so he could retain his wits for one last moment because they had to savor this for as long as they could. “I think you might have to define that word. Maybe demonstrate?”
Chapter Fifteen
Amalia froze. That was improper and wanton and... “Where?” Because dangerous or not, the concept of demonstrating on all the places he’d made sing in the past, and maybe a few new ones, sent waves of tingles through her lower half.
“What?” David blinked a few times from his seat on the bed.
“Where do you want me to demonstrate?” She managed to make her voice bold, even as she quaked, desire overcoming any fear or embarrassment. “On you, or on me?”
David bit his lip, releasing it slowly as the glint she craved sparkled in his eyes. He grinned. “You. I’d want you to show me on yourself. Without the gown.”
Interesting choice. Though when was he going to let her touch him? Because if his skin wasn’t on hers pretty soon, her heart might burst through her ribs.
With one hand, she untied the ribbon at her collar. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and, as fast as she could, slid the garment up her body, over her head, and tossed it to the floor, to David’s gasp. She raised her eyes to meet his gaze, and the smoldering heat in the deep brown enflamed her skin. If he continued to look at her like that, she’d give him whatever performance he wanted. Double time.
Body vibrating, she raised her arm, but paused. Something wasn’t right. If this was how it was going to be, it damned well wouldn’t be like all those nights alone pretending her hand was his. Amalia moved towards the bed and took hold of his wrist. “I’m going to need some help for this demonstration.”
“Fair.” David spread his legs so she could stand between them. “After all, I may be short on experience, but I’m a willing and enthusiastic student.”
Heart in her throat, Amalia lifted David’s hand to her breast and pressed his fingers into a squeeze. She moved him over her right nipple, the cool night air from the open window only intensifying the heat rising from her body. She rocked a little on her heels and he kneaded harder, of his own accord. So good. With a moan, her hips inched towards David. Amalia closed her eyes, dipped her head back and whimpered as David’s teasing intensified. Shaking a bit, she grabbed his other hand, guiding it to her left side, so he could tease the twin points of pressure at the same time.
She forced her eyes open to savor every expression on his face. Their time was limited, but she could pretend it was forever, couldn’t she?
Amalia glanced down and reveled in the raw lust in his stare, in his focus, in the tautness of his muscles which proved his mind was only one place, a place in which she could happily frolic with him for as long as he’d permit.
“This is...um...very informative?” He swallowed, but his eyes never left her body. Neither did his hand. He continued to taunt her flesh, so she was ready to beg for his mouth, shameless or not. Sh
e stumbled into his chest. A warm flush tingled her skin.
Her heart danced against her rib cage. “Do you want to try by yourself?” Please? “Harder?” Pretty please.
“Yes, please. I’d like that very much.” He reached out, encircled her waist with his arms and tugged her onto his lap. “Like this?”
Near rough in his eagerness, David grasped both breasts, sending waves of desire through her entire body. He rolled her nipples between two fingers, making her body squirm of its own accord. More. Lord, she needed more of him. She pressed herself against his chest, trapping his hands. “Oh god, yes. Please, David.”
“Please, what?” He pressed his mouth to her ear, the perfect spot. She ground her hips against him in frustrated longing. “Do you want me to practice stroking anywhere else?”
Nodding, she made more whimpering noises before she managed to find her voice again. “Yes, maybe, but first, kiss me.”
David didn’t hesitate—thank god—taking her mouth in his. She wrapped her arms around his neck and parted her lips for him. The brandy they’d drank mixed with something dark and intense, but exciting. She wrapped her legs around his torso, savoring the connection.
He ran his fingers through her hair, undoing her ringlets. But for once, her hair was the last thing on her mind. Spurred by their heat, she nipped his lower lip. David growled and yanked her back, before enveloping her mouth once more.
Too soon though, he broke the kiss and traced the back of his hand down her cheek. “How was that?”
She threw him her best pout. “I’m not sure. Can we try again?”
“With pleasure.” In a swift motion, David had her on her back, his bare chest melding with her bare skin. He kissed down her neck as he slipped a hand between them so he could attend to her breasts once more, while they panted.
“Oh yes, so, so good.” She arched into him, relishing the soft scratch of the hairs of his chest against her flesh. “You know, you don’t have to only stroke with your hand. You can also use your tongue.”
In an instant, a whoosh of cool air spread between them as David pushed himself up with his hands, off her body. A wave of disappointment from the loss washed over her until he bent his elbows, lowered himself and—she shrieked as his tongue connected with the outer edge of her nipple. “Like this?”
She could only nod as he made lazy, slow circles until her hips made the same motion and she near forgot her own name. “You’re a fast learner,” she gasped, when he paused and permitted some of her wits to return. She swiped a lock of hair off her forehead. “Though do you want me to try on you?” A wicked idea popped into her head, a way to make him never, ever forget her. “Or I could show you something else?” She cocked her head to the side.
“What, pray tell, would that be?”
“How about sucking?” She took his hand again and rubbed the space between his thumb and forefinger.
“Sucking?” He frowned a little, as if he wasn’t quite sure what the word meant.
Liar and a tease.
“Like this.” She drew two of his fingers into her mouth. It was his turn to buck against her body. “And licking.”
“And where would you want me to do that?” The question was a half pant and strained moan.
She swallowed as her pulse raced. “Take a guess.”
David leaned closer, tracing his hand down her torso in slow strokes, first with the pads of his fingers, then the back of his nails, making her mind grow blank again. “I’m not sure what you mean? I think you need to be very specific.”
“Can I touch instead?” Without waiting for a response, she reached between them and popped the first button of his trousers.
“No, I think you should say. For educational purposes, of course.” His hand encircled her wrist once more, holding her in place. “Though perhaps I can offer some inspiration, show you how eager I am for your tutelage in that area?”
“On my body?” she squeaked, the area between her thighs throbbing with anticipatory need.
“Provided you guide me. I’m still very much an apprentice, after all.” He gave her a quick kiss on the nose and even the light touch made her core ignite.
Her hand shook, but she managed to lower his, down her stomach, his fingers grazing, not in a passive manner. She moaned again, as she guided him lower.
“There?” David bent down and took her ear lobe between his teeth, making her cry out before he whispered in her ear. “All the way down?”
Amalia closed her eyes, all the yearning in her body straining for release. “Yes. Please.”
“With pleasure.”
She gasped as he slid off the bed, on his knees, and parted her legs. She near swooned, but David gripped her hips and pulled her forward so he could lean forward and—god. Because that was the only word to say. His tongue connected with her inner thigh and she nearly came apart right there.
And the damned tease kept at it. Close, closer, but not quite at her center. With the pad of his thumb, with his tongue, with his teeth, all the while her hips rubbed against the mattress of their own accord.
“Please,” she gasped. “Please.”
“Please what?”
“You know what.” She gripped his hair and pulled him towards where she wanted, but he was too strong and instead tipped his chin up at her, his dark eyes blinking in amusement.
“Bossy.” He smirked at her. “And impatient.” He traced a finger down her arm. “And in need of some upper body strength.”
She should really argue or at least give him a proper pout and flounce, but her mind lacked the will as every fiber in her stood in rapt attention.
“I’m not impatient. You’re just slow.” She glared down at him as best she could, which probably wasn’t very successful. He was so handsome, especially on his knees, an elbow on her thigh, chin in palm, gazing up at her in a pleased, knowing way, as if he was reveling in the quivering edge on which her sanity now teetered. Because of him. Like always.
“Good things come to those who wait.” He tapped a finger to her nose. Again.
Why did the singsong tone make her body hum even louder?
“Or good things get interrupted if one waits too long.” She scowled at the mere prospect. “Wouldn’t you like—” She groaned as he raked her nipple, with his teeth this time, and pressed two fingers inside her.
“This is good, right, because it makes me...” He grunted a little as he tightened his hold on her to keep her from falling as her knees buckled.
“Oh yes.” Amalia ground her body against him and he rewarded her by circling the small nub just above his fingers with his thumb. Her eyes rolled back for a moment as she struggled to stay in control. “I hope you’re not offended by improper language, because if you keep doing that I’ll be screaming every four-letter word imaginable soon.” She gripped his hair tighter as he trailed his tongue down her bare stomach.
“What four-letter words could you possibly know?” He leaned back and smiled up at her. “I mean, I had a commanding officer who used all of them in single sentences—most profane man in the union army—but don’t they level obscenity charges at ladies who use that sort of language?” He planted kisses on each hip bone as she whimpered. “Not that it doesn’t get me all hot and bothered, but I’m curious.” He grinned up at her, but began to move his fingers again, making her mind turn to mush as she grasped for a response.
She panted as the need and yearning his fingers created tormented her senses so she almost couldn’t speak. “No one is under the delusion that I’m a lady.” Amalia gasped. “Nor that my family is genteel in the slightest.” She dipped her head back. He was going to be the death of her. “Besides, we all know I like to push things as much as you do.”
“Good to know.” With that David bent down and replaced his thumb with his tongue. She dug her hands into his shoulders and screamed his name as pleas
ure sparked through her entire core.
Amalia’s back arched as blinding stars lightened behind her eyes. She might have flown or spun or fallen or done a million things, but David held her tight, his tongue still working over her flesh, through the shudders, as her voice turned hoarse from repeating his name. As she grew limp, he pulled her closer, and steadied his chin in her lap.
She gazed down at him, her hands still tangled in his thick curls. “Where did you learn that?”
David settled himself closer. “First, I’m very skilled at finding interesting reading material. And second, there are only two topics men in the military talk about and I wasn’t that interested in weaponry.”
“A boon for me.” She panted a little and stroked his cheek, desire flaming anew, for him and only him and touching his body wasn’t going to be enough. She needed mint and hickory and sweat and David on her tongue. She shifted. “And now, would you like me to—”
A rousing knock at the door and a “David, Amalia, we need to come in” from Will took the wind from both their sails, so to speak.
“No,” they both shrieked. At least they got to do something in unison.
Chapter Sixteen
With clumsy, shaking hands David buttoned his shirt, working to ignore—and more—calm his throbbing...everything. The next few hours were not going to be pleasant. Amalia threw the silk back over her nude body. Disappointing. Very disappointing.
“Just a minute—” He raced to the door and clasped the knob so he could control when Will and Meg entered. David glanced back as Amalia buttoned her gown to her neck and slipped on the robe for good measure.
Such a waste. If he had his way... No, can’t permit his mind to go there. With all his remaining sense, he forced himself back under control. If ever there was a sign he shouldn’t engage in a particular course of action, this had to be it. Shoulders slumped, he turned the handle and let his friends into the room.
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