Then he rubbed a spot that sent her straight over the edge, his other hand and clever tongue simultaneously caressing her breasts in a way that turned her world upside down and sideways. She heard a thin wail and only half realized that she was responsible for the sound, pleasure rippling through her in a nearly overwhelming wave.
Blackness curled at the edges of her vision, rapture flowing though her veins with the heat of white-hot ash. Dazed, she lay limp and replete, eyes closed as she drifted in a sea of blissful delight.
But Drake wasn’t done with her, far from it, she realized as he traced his wide, capable palms over her body from cheekbones to throat, breasts to stomach, thighs to calves to feet. He stood, the air between them rippling with an almost electric anticipation. In some vague part of her brain, she heard the sibilant rustle of clothes as Drake divested himself of the remainder of his garments.
She opened her eyes in time to find him silhouetted in the candlelight, his tall, lithe physique one of the most beautiful things she’d ever seen in her life. Needing to touch despite her pleasurable exhaustion, she reached out.
Her fingers tingled as she glided her palm along the firm muscled length of his hair-roughened thigh and upward over the narrow jut of his hipbone and the lean, flat plane of his stomach. Quite visibly, the heavy erection between his legs jerked, his shaft powerfully hard and clearly eager to receive the same intimate attention she was lavishing elsewhere. Rather than appease him, though, she slid her hand sideways to retrace the same wandering path over his other hip and thigh.
He groaned, his fingers turning to fists at his sides.
Yet he made no move to stop her teasing caresses, apparently willing to let her enjoy a bit of silent retribution for all the delicious torment he’d put her through this night. He withstood far more of her sensual provocation than she expected, his gaze burning fierce and green with raging hunger as he met her eyes.
Her own blood warmed, desire creeping back to life as her breath came faster, and her mouth grew dry.
Finally, she put him out of his misery by wrapping her fingers around his thick shaft, holding him as he pulsed velvety-hot and strong inside her hand. Her own lips parted as she touched him, using long, slow strokes that made him groan aloud.
“Enough,” he said roughly, abruptly taking hold of her hand to pull her away.
In a move so swift and sudden it completely stole her breath, he parted her legs with his hands and knees, then thrust himself fully and powerfully inside her. Despite her readiness, her body rebelled for the slightest instant, but just as quickly, took him in. Enthralled and utterly seduced, she accepted everything he was, welcomed everything he had to give.
Her body shivered violently against the staggering beats of pleasure, his penetration deep and sure as he set up a relentless rhythm that she did her best to match. Wrapping her arms and legs around him, she held on, a keening cry rising inside her throat. He kissed her, muffling the sound as he ravished her mouth in a joining that mirrored the frenzied movements of their bodies and hearts.
Eyes squeezed tight, she gave herself over to the rapture, each stroke, every movement, better than the last. Her skin grew slick and her mind dull as he drove her higher and harder toward her peak until she thought she might die of the bliss. Suddenly, ecstasy exploded inside her, her nerve endings alive with heat and life and a sizzling joy that flung her straight into the heavens. She shook, her body barely her own, her mind awhirl.
Drake shook as well, claiming his own satisfaction moments after hers as he poured himself fiercely inside her.
Falling and floating through the aftermath, she clung, needing him, loving him, knowing there was no place else she would ever long to be more. He kissed her, slowly, dreamily, the pair of them cocooned in a place of absolute happiness and peace which, for that instant, nothing could disturb.
Chapter 18
Sebastianne came awake with a start.
It took her a few seconds to realize that she was still in the library, lying on the divan. It took her no time at all to realize that she was lying on top of Drake, her bare limbs entwined with his longer, equally naked ones. Apparently he’d rolled over onto his back after they’d made love, then arranged her on top of him so she could use him as a bed while she slept.
And a very comfortable bed he is too, she mused, firm and smooth and blissfully warm.
Lifting her head, she met his watchful green gaze, wondering if he’d slept at all.
“What time is it?” she whispered.
“A little after three,” he said, low and throaty.
She bit back a sigh, supposing that she ought to make herself get up and get dressed. Servants rose at dawn, and she needed to make her way to her room while she still had a chance to do so unobserved. “I should go.”
His arm tightened across her back. “Relax. There’s still time.”
She shook her head. “The hour is far too advanced already. If I wait much longer, someone may awaken and discover me out of my room, clearly having never been to bed.”
“They won’t. I’ve given everyone leave to sleep late this morning because of the party, remember?”
A frown marred the smooth expanse of her brow. Now that he mentioned it, she did remember. Mr. Stowe had come into the servants’ hall just as everyone was finishing up their party duties last night and made the announcement, much to the staff’s delight. “Even so, I need to sleep—”
“You were doing a fine job of it here until a minute ago.” He stroked a hand over her hair, causing delicious tingles to ripple over her skin. Then he glided his fingers over her bottom.
She tried to shift away. “You know very well that if I stay, neither of us will be getting any more sleep.”
A slow grin spread over his face. “Do you think not?” Gathering her closer, he took her lips in a leisurely kiss that left her mouth wet and aching, not to mention other parts of her body.
Beneath her, she felt him stir, his intent plain.
Inserting an elbow between them, she levered herself away, or tried to at least. “I cannot stay.”
“All right. Then come to my room instead,” he said, punctuating his words with kisses. “We can continue this in my bed.”
“We most certainly cannot. If Waxman discovered me there—”
“He didn’t the last time.”
“No, but I was lucky. I doubt I will be again. Now let me up, my lord.”
“Drake,” he reminded.
“Drake then. Be reasonable.”
“I am,” he said, gliding his hand under her hair this time. “And I don’t see why you’re making such a fuss. They’re all bound to find out about us soon enough, especially once you leave.”
Her heart missed a beat. He knew she planned to leave? How?
“—I thought a house on Half Moon Street might do well for you,” he continued, “although mayhap even that is too many streets away.”
She relaxed, relieved to discover he hadn’t meant leaving in the same way she did.
“I want you close, you know,” he intoned. “Very close.”
“I am close now. Drake, you aren’t talking again about my becoming your mistress, are you?”
His hand stilled, coming to rest this time in the dip at the base of her spine. “You already are,” he said. “After tonight, I should think that much is obvious. Or are you going to claim you don’t want to again.”
She pulled away.
This time he let her go.
Climbing to her feet, she reached for her shift and pulled it over her head. When she met his gaze, he was wearing a scowl as black as the night outside. “I want to be with you again,” she said in a clear voice, “but not as your kept woman.”
“Why not?” He scowled harder. “Is this because of Vanessa?”
Ah, so that is her name, Sebastianne mused, fighting the rus
h of jealousy that burned like tar in her stomach at mention of his actual mistress.
“Because if it is,” he went on, “you’ve nothing to worry about. I told her that it’s over, and she and I are officially at an end. Actually, it’s been over between us for some time now. I haven’t been with her in weeks, not since I met you.”
She couldn’t help but lift a knowing eyebrow.
“All right, I was with her once since I met you, but only once, and that was because I wanted you and wasn’t supposed to touch. Actually, I’ve wanted you from the moment you came to interview in my office that very first day.”
Her lips parted at the revelation. “And you hired me anyway?”
He shrugged. “I needed a housekeeper, and I told myself I could get past my inappropriate longings.” Reaching out, he caught hold of her hand and brought it to his lips. “I can’t.”
She swallowed, her heart thundering so hard it hurt.
“So if not my mistress, then what?” Turning over her hand, he pressed it against his cheek, his skin slightly abrasive now from an evening’s growth of whiskers.
“Your lover,” she murmured. “But only in secret. I need to keep my job.”
Lines gathered on his forehead. “Why, when I could give you so much more? When I want to give you a life of pleasure and luxury?”
“Because a servant has dignity and the right to leave with a sound character intact, whereas a mistress—” She let the sentence trail off, realizing there was far more to her decision than the simple expediency of remaining in the house in order to complete her mission. Her hateful mission that forced her to lie and deceive the man she loved.
Yet, in this moment, she knew she would have refused him again in any case. For as tempting as his offer might be—and it held a certain decadent appeal—she was no man’s property and would never allow herself to be bought. What she chose to give, including her favors, was hers alone to decide. Hers alone to share, exactly like her love.
“Lovers only,” she said. “Will that be enough for you?”
He looked for a moment as if he might like to argue further, but then he nodded. “I’d still prefer to pamper you, but since you insist otherwise, then I accept your terms.” Catching her around the waist with both hands, he tugged her close. “So, lover, give me a kiss.”
Breath suddenly shallow in her lungs, she bent down and touched her lips to his, tunneling her fingers into his hair to cradle his head as she met his ardent demand with a simmering desire of her own.
Time spun away, so that she didn’t know how many minutes passed before she found the will to pull away, her knees alarmingly weak and unsteady as she did. “I need to go upstairs to bed,” she declared, clearly trying to convince not only him but herself.
“You’re right,” he said, leaning over to retrieve his trousers from where they lay on the floor. “We do need to go to bed.” Slipping on the garment, he fastened the buttons of his falls. “I presume you would rather come to my bed than have me make my way up another flight to yours.”
Her hands, which had been busy shaking out her gown, fell still. “I can’t do either as I told you already. Not tonight.”
“Yes you can. There’re a couple hours left before anyone in the house will be awake, and I want you with me.”
“But—”
“No buts. It’s my bed or yours, lover.”
Her fingers tightened against the material of her dress. “I need to sleep.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.”
She shot him a skeptical look. “Even if I believe that, what if I oversleep?”
“I’ll make sure you don’t. I’m generally very good at rousing myself at specific hours. Plus, I have a clock that gives a tiny chime of alarm that I can set if you are worried.”
She stared at him, wavering despite her better judgment. “You are most unfair, you know.”
One side of his mouth quirked upward. “Who ever said I was fair?”
“And stubborn.”
“Guilty as charged. Now come along, you’re wasting precious time.”
And he was right, she was delaying. But why, when being with him was what she wanted too? Giving in to both their desires, she reached for her stays.
“Don’t bother with those,” he said, stopping her from donning the garment. “Just slip into your dress and bring your corset with you.”
“But what if someone sees?”
“They won’t. Everyone is long since abed.” Pulling his shirt over his head, he picked up his waistcoat and draped it over his shoulder. Meeting her eyes with a direct and open gaze, he held out a hand.
Knowing the reward was more than worth the risk, she laid her palm inside.
Good as his word, Drake let her sleep.
After reaching the privacy of his bedchamber unobserved, the two of them had slipped out of their clothes again and between the soft sheets on his bed. In spite of an erection that he made no effort to hide, he’d tucked her close against him, pulled the sheets high and gone to sleep. Quickly, she’d followed suit.
Trusting that he would keep his other promise and wake her at dawn, she slumbered deeply. She was lost in a world of dreams when sensations that had nothing to do with nocturnal wanderings began to intrude upon her slumber.
Shifting restlessly, she rolled onto her side. That was when she became aware of his hands, gliding over her body from breast to stomach to leg and back again. And of his mouth, as he scattered warm, wandering kisses along her neck and shoulders and back.
Her body arched of its own accord, need throbbing wet and desperate between her aching thighs.
He isn’t supposed to be doing this to me, she thought, her mind muddled by waves of unrelenting pleasure. Not now when surely I have to leave soon.
“W-what time is it?” she sighed, her words coming out on a low moan.
“Nearly dawn,” he said on a gravelly rasp. “I couldn’t let you leave without being properly awakened.”
But there was nothing proper about his methods, a breathless gasp escaping her lungs as he slid a leg between her thighs and opened her wide for his possession.
With her fists buried in the bedclothes, she hung on as he stroked within her, their position allowing him to go powerfully, devastatingly deep. He brought her to completion twice, her cries of helpless ecstasy muffled against her pillow. Only then did he claim his own satisfaction.
Lying spent in the aftermath, she wondered how she was ever going to be able to move again.
“Good morning, my dear Anne,” he said, dropping a kiss on her cheek and another on her neck before rolling over onto his back. ”I must confess, I like waking up with you. Are you certain you need to depart?”
At the reminder, her eyes opened wide.
Depart?
She groaned, thinking suddenly of the day ahead. The long day ahead that he’d totally driven from her mind with his ardent and thoroughly blissful lovemaking.
Blinking against her weariness, she forced herself to sit upright. “Oh, what have you done?” she wailed.
And how had she allowed him to do it? Then again, he’d caught her in a vulnerable state while she was asleep, so what else was she to have done? Still, wasn’t she always in a vulnerable state when it came to Drake and his undeniable talents in l’art d’amour, whether she happened to be asleep or awake at the time?
“I believe these many minutes past speak for themselves,” he observed, his mouth turning up at the corners, rather like a cat who’d consumed a particularly tasty mouse. Reaching over, he stroked his fingers over her bare knee and thigh with an idle caress.
She batted his hand away. “They certainly do speak for themselves. You were supposed to wake me up, my lord, not . . . not—”
“Tup you to within an inch of your life?” His smile widened. “You liked it, did you not?”
/> Her forehead drew tight, a slight flush spreading over her skin. “Yes, but that’s beside the point.”
“I don’t see why? You’re awake, are you not?”
“Obviously, but—”
“Well, then, I did as you asked, so why are you upset?” Regarding her out of eyes that were as bright as new-mown grass, he tucked a clearly unrepentant arm beneath his head.
“I am upset because of the miserable, tired day I’m going to have.” An eye-watering yawn caught her, as if to prove the truth of her statement. “Unlike you, Lord Drake, I don’t have the luxury of remaining in bed all day.”
His face grew serious. “Yes, you do. Inform one of the maids that you’re not feeling well and sleep in. Take the entire day off, if you like. I shan’t mind.”
“But I shall,” she said with a shake of her head. “I cannot very well tell them the truth, and they’ll know I’m not really ill.”
Sitting up, he gathered her into his arms. “Well, the choice is your own, and as much as I’m sorry to have left you weary, I cannot in all good conscience claim to feel any true remorse. When I awakened beside you this morning, I simply couldn’t keep my hands off. As it is, I’m going to have a devil of a time waiting until nightfall to have you again.”
Something fluttered inside her, and she softened. “So you think I’m coming back here this evening, do you?”
Catching her chin between his fingers, he gave her an uncompromising look. “You most assuredly are, and that’s an order.”
“Well, if it’s an order,” she said on a gentle tease, warmed by his words in spite of herself. “You know, for such a cerebral man, you certainly have powerful physical appetites.”
His lips curved in a seductive smile. “Of course, I do. I’m a Byron, after all. It’s in my blood.”
Pulling her into his arms, he took her mouth with a leisurely thoroughness that made her toes curl and her limbs quiver like one of Mrs. Tremble’s molded jellies.
Breath was soughing raggedly from her lips by the time he set her free. “You’d best run along,” he murmured roughly, “before I tumble you back in this bed and ruin all your well-laid plans to keep our affair secret.”
The Bed and the Bachelor Page 17