Secrets of Sin

by Chloe Harris

  Working him some more, faster and harder, just like he wanted it, Emiline ignored the pricking in her scalp as his grip in her hair tightened.

  The first of a series of trembles ran through his flesh. Emiline felt it in her fingers and lips and tongue. Just a little more, she thought, and continued her ministrations. Once more, once more…

  Then she stopped, freed him from her grasp, and leaned back. He was so hot, he was almost steaming in the cool air of the well house.

  Reinier sucked in a sharp breath. His eyes snapped open and his jaw dropped. Emiline’s heart was pumping so hard she felt it in her throat and mercilessly lashing in her core. His eyes found their focus and she gave him an innocent stare.

  “Is that anywhere near what you’d had in mind, monsieur? I’m not sure. My memory seems rather vague, you see.”

  With every little breath that left her lips when she spoke, she saw him twitch from out of the corner of her eye. It didn’t matter that her words were hoarse; she was sure the same honeysweet layer of lust she felt also covered his throat.

  “Vixen,” he pressed out, half hiss, half chuckle, his hand in her hair fisting even tighter pulling her back to him. “Finish what you started.”

  She knew her grin was wicked, saw its mirrored image in his eyes. She was still smiling when she opened her mouth again to start her sensual game of kissing, lapping, and sucking from the beginning.

  Reinier closed his eyes and a moan tore from his lips. Again, he threw his head back, his hips meeting her every time she took him deeper.

  That was Emiline’s cue. She slowed down, her grip on him tightened, and she brought him deep one last time as he convulsed in her mouth, his hot seed splashing against the back of her tongue, flowing down her throat. She moaned and drank what he offered greedily. The air left his lungs in a ragged, blissful sigh, and her lips curled around him as her hand milked every last drop of him.

  She finally released him and watched him smile at her fully contented. Pride pulsated and fluttered deep in her.

  The feeling spread and changed. All too soon she became aware of her body’s demands. Tasting him had aroused her to the verge of misery. Her thighs were drenched with her own desperate longing. Forcing herself to take even, deep breaths to suppress her own hunger, she accepted the hand he offered and stood as gracefully as possible under the circumstances.

  It was exhilarating that she’d just succeeded in making him forget himself, making him completely lose himself in her caress. Still reveling in her feminine prowess, she let her body lean into his while looking up at him.

  His hands once again rested on her forearms, and his eyes still showed a flicker of that fire she had stoked. Would he kiss her now? Would he claim her like he almost had after their episode at breakfast? Had she driven him that far? She hoped she had.

  With a triumphant smile on her lips, she lifted her chin an inch to show that she knew the hunger she’d stirred. She wouldn’t deny him; her own desire had passed the boundary of reason.

  But instead of pulling her even closer, he forced more distance between them.

  “Don’t look so smug, darling, we’ve barely just started.”

  Before Emiline could even register his words, he had the fly of his breeches closed again and turned to leave, but not without offering his arm. “Now, Lily, I’d like to see the small stables we passed before. Do you still have that haughty little dappled filly?”

  Placing her shaking hand on his arm, she barely suppressed a growl. “Oui, monsieur, of course, monsieur,” she murmured, wondering if he’d ever let his mask of indifference fall again.

  8

  Reinier could see the aggravation clearly in her beautiful, sea-colored eyes when she stepped beside him and accepted his arm. As they made their way out of the well house, he had to admit at least to himself that she’d had every right to feel smug. He couldn’t remember when, if ever, a woman’s mouth on his cock had felt quite like that. The deliciously cool air, his hand fisted in her ebony and gold hair, the perfect feel of her mouth…It was all part of a memory he was sure he’d think of quite often after he’d left.

  But it also made him wonder again about her lover. Had his wife been perfecting her skill on him? Because perfect it was, perfect she had been. Reinier shook his head a little as they walked along as if it would help to scatter his thoughts, but it seemed nothing helped. He wondered if she and her lover had strolled the estate like the two of them did today?

  Did she happily share with him the things she was so reluctant to impart to him, her husband? That thought was extremely vexing.

  It was of no consequence now, Reinier decided. He was here now; she was his to command at the moment, and that was all that mattered. He turned his head to measure her. She held her head high, her shoulders straight as they walked along.

  He thought he saw a shadow, and instinctually he flicked his gaze down the front of her dress—and his eyes widened. He wanted to laugh out loud while at the same time his heart missed a beat. She hadn’t noticed, of course, but there were two very prominent dirt smudges on the front of her yellow-washed silk dress. It would be obvious to anyone that she’d been on her knees for one reason or another in one of her best morning dresses. And given the fact that he was struggling not to grin like a simpleton at the mind-blowing orgasm she’d just given him, it would be very hard for an onlooker not to jump to the right conclusion.

  Oh, she’d be mortified when she saw it. Emiline was master of this place. The people here loved and respected her, and he was sure it had taken her years to achieve that. As captain of his own ship, he understood what it took to gain that much affection and respect. He’d never let that be jeopardized. If there were any chance that her people might lose some of that admiration now if they thought she’d been on her knees for the man who had married her and left her soon after…

  The consequences would be a disaster. For one, she would never forgive him. For another, her reputation would suffer beyond repair. He knew that.

  Reinier was relieved that they hadn’t encountered any of the workers on their way to the stables. Finally there, they stepped out of the bright sunlight and into the building.

  It was smaller than most with only four stalls. However, it reflected her father’s wealth in the materials, her mother’s taste in the French style, and like everything else he’d seen so far, it was immaculately maintained by Emiline.

  Reinier inhaled deeply. The warm, soothing scent of horses and the soft, dry fragrance of hay welcomed him. Beneath all that, the faint nuance of leather wafted toward him and made him feel completely at ease. Well, at least there was one place on this whole bloody island that welcomed him and made him feel at home.

  He felt her hand slip from his arm and turned, thinking she might be unsteady again from the stimulation of the jade balls. But she’d stopped dead and was now staring with pained expression at the stains on her dress.

  “Reinier! Why didn’t you tell…What must people…I mean…Just look at my dress!” Her words were little more than a hiss. Even though she’d struggled not to raise her voice but to keep it low, the tremor of anxiety was all too clear. Her eyes flicked from the stains right above her knees to him, to settle there with a healthy amount of disdain tinged with enough helplessness that he understood how humiliated and embarrassed she felt.

  At almost the same moment and before Reinier could say anything, the clip-clop of hooves could be heard coming into the barn from the other end. Giving her a wink, he scooped her into his arms then, quickly silencing her small shriek of surprise with a kiss. “Never fear, my lady.”

  Seeing them, the young groom stopped, then rushed forward with the dappled filly in tow. “Mistress, are you hurt?”

  Reinier allayed the groom’s concern. “She’s fine, just had a little fall. Her beautiful dress and her pride took the worst of it. Why don’t you leave the horse to me and we’ll give your mistress some privacy to recover?”

  Instead of trotting off right a
way at Reinier’s dismissal, the groom looked straight to Emiline for her approval. “Are you sure, miss?”

  “Yes, John, I’ll been fine.”

  Emiline patted Reinier’s shoulder to signal him he could let her down, then balled her dress in one small fist to hide the stains. She leaned into him, and when he stood her back on her feet, she added, “Go on home. I’m sure your mother can use your help with something around the house.”

  The groom’s affection and loyalty for Emiline was apparent. With a smile and a nod, the boy handed the reins to Reinier’s now free hand and almost skipped as he headed home.

  The horse wasn’t saddled, so Reinier guided her into her stall and, rolling up his sleeves, found a comb and then brushed the horse a few times before leaving her in the stall. After washing his hands in a barrel of fresh water, he found Emiline exactly where he’d left her, looking lost and deep in thought. She glanced up when the tip of his boot lightly touched the tip of hers.

  “Thank you.” The quiver in her whisper spoke of her inner turmoil.

  “You’re welcome. Part of our bargain is that you are in my care, Lily. Never forget that. What kind of care would that be if I let your reputation be tarnished? You’ve earned their love, and I know how hard that is. I wouldn’t dream of doing anything to hurt that.”

  She nodded but still looked pensive. He couldn’t blame her. There was a lot to their dynamic he didn’t quite understand either, but deep in thought was not where he wanted her to be right now. Looking around, his eyes soon fell on the door to the small room at the back. Reinier felt his lips curl up. There it was what he was looking for.

  He took her hand and led her into the well-appointed tack room, the seductive scent of freshly oiled leather delighting his senses as he surveyed the room. He noticed the neat arrangement of crops, bits, and leads among other promising things along one wall, a freshly polished saddle on its stand, and a simple but well-made couch in the corner. He couldn’t help but muse to himself that Madame Poivre had almost an identical room in her fine establishment. Yes, this would do very nicely.

  “Let’s have a seat, shall we?” Turning to her, Reinier guided her to the settee that was normally used to take one’s riding boots on and off.

  She nodded her agreement and they settled into the small couch. Wrapping his arms around the small of her back, Reinier pressed her closer to him. Their eyes met and he saw her lower lip quiver; then the pink tip of her tongue snaked out to wet it.

  He lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers, breathing in the whispered moan she couldn’t stop. Reinier laughed low against her lips. What a tremendously sensual creature she was, it was almost a pity that he’d have to deny her relief for a little longer.

  He began to rain kisses and light flicks of his tongue along her neck and down to her décolletage. Her warm tan skin tasted of salt and sunshine, but also of musky strawberries, the scent of her arousal, a thick, syrupy spice on his tongue that made him want more. His hands moved up to loosen her dress and to his delight, her breast sprang free with one good tug downward.

  Delighting in her small gasp when he cupped one golden breast, he kissed her, a hard, open, wet claiming of her mouth. His tongue thrust deep while his hand found her soft, round breast with its impeccable fit that molded into his hand as if it belonged there. Her skin was like precious auburn satin, and he drank her muffled, breathless whimpers like a man who had been adrift at sea for far too long.

  Her nipple puckered and she bowed in his arms. While kneading her tender flesh, he felt her small hands burrow into his hair. She wanted more and Reinier was in the mood to give her a little more just now. Ending their passionate kiss and lowering his head, his tongue laved her dark nipple.

  His other hand worked its way under her dress and found the insides of her thighs slick with her arousal. But his hand didn’t stop there. Momentarily, his fingers found her moist folds and parted them to his touch.

  Her quick breaths were enchanting, and her fingers kneading his scalp sent pinpricks of lust through him. Every nerve end of his body was sizzling with the need to take her, even more so given he knew it would have to wait a little longer.

  She had turned out to be so much more than he’d ever expected, and he couldn’t even begin to fathom all the possibilities before him. Never ceasing to squeeze and suckle her supple breast, his fingers entered her until they touched the jade balls deep inside. He leaned forward, his erotic assault intensifying, his fingers pumping in and out of her. She followed his lead, her hips meeting him hungrily with every little thrust, and she leaned back until she lay with her head against the rounded arm, giving him easy access to everything he wanted.

  She arched her back as he worked the jewel treasures. His teeth began to gently graze the tight bud of her nipple. He felt her core spasm around his fingers and small, musical moans escape her with every breath. She was getting too close. It was time to pull back. She hadn’t quite earned her prize just yet.

  But just as he began a slow withdrawal of his fingers from inside her, she quickly released his hair and gripped his wrist tightly with both her hands. Her strength surprised him as she held his hand against her most sensitive nub. Pumping fiercely, she found her release in seconds.

  Her sigh as her orgasm claimed her thundered through him, making his skin crawl with pleasure. Reinier narrowed his eyes, not that she’d notice. Her grip loosened and he pulled his hand away as if she’d burned him.

  Sitting up, he turned away from her, his elbows on his knees and his hands in his hair where hers had been just moments before. When he turned back, he saw his Lily lying, eyes closed, in a dreamy, satisfied sprawl, looking once again every bit of the triumphant Venus.

  If it hadn’t made him so mad, it would be highly amusing…or infinitely arousing…or both. Something had to be done about that.

  Cheeky girl, she just wasn’t getting it. Unfortunately, she was turning out to be a much more difficult student than he’d ever thought. Something definitely needed to be done about it.

  “Lily.” His tone was sharper than he’d intended, but he told himself he was only annoyed with her repeated failing to obey him, not bothered that he’d overly enjoyed seeing her climax.

  “Hmm?”

  “You are going to have to pay for that, my dear. What did I specifically tell you before we left?”

  Eyes still closed, a wonderful shine on her content face, she rolled her head. “My mind happens to be in a slight fog at the moment. What on earth are you talking about?”

  Surprise and anger both raged through him at the same time. How dare she? That was it. His playing nice and bringing her along slowly was at an end. “Lily, stand up. Now.”

  She opened her eyes but stayed in place, looking up at him obviously confused at the harsh tone in his voice.

  Reinier stood and took her hands, dragging her to her feet. She looked so sweet in her total bewilderment that he calmed instantly. The sigh he let out then was that of someone trying to show great patience with a wayward child.

  “My dear, have you not played enough games to know that there are always penalties when you break the rules? You failed to address me correctly earlier, and I specifically told you that you were not to climax without permission. You chose to disobey both, and there are always consequences to every choice.” Reinier left her and turned, pointing at the saddle on its stand before him now. “Lift your dress and bend over the saddle to accept yours.”

  From out of the corner of his eye he saw her sputter, trying to form a protest, but she didn’t move otherwise. She fell completely silent and only stared at him with a cautious look, trying to understand it all.

  Once again, he turned to her, grasped her hands that hung limply to her sides, and brought them up to his lips. He began to pepper her knuckles with soft kisses.

  “You made a promise,” he reminded her, and saw the spark of wariness light up in her eyes. That look was promising. Hopefully she was battling her instinct to fight with t
he desire to give in that he knew was there. His fingers cupped her chin and lifted her face to make her look him in the eyes. “Do you trust me, Lily?”

  Could she truly let herself admit that she wanted him, wanted this? That after all these years of control and sacrifice, of taking on all those responsibilities, was he right? Did she truly have a desire to see what it would be like to let go? Did she have enough courage to trust Reinier with her care?

  Emiline couldn’t understand all the things she’d felt since he’d returned and their bargain began. She had given her word. And it was such a short time. Truly, it would be a shame not to see what would happen. Knowledge was power and she needed to understand these new feelings.

  But did she trust him to show her?

  She thanked some old Norse god at that moment that he had seen fit to gift Reinier with those haunting, expressive, pale citrus-colored eyes of his. There was little they hid, and she saw sincerity in them now.

  Did she trust him? Could she?

  Did she want to?

  She was no coward. She wouldn’t back out now.

  “Oui.” The word was barely over a whisper, but to her it sounded like thunder. In response, he squeezed her hands once before giving them one last kiss and letting her go.

  Turning without another word, Emiline walked to the warm leather saddle on its stand. She began to gather her skirts with slow deliberation and quiet grace until they bunched at her waist. Still not quite believing what she was about to do, she leaned delicately over the saddle, focusing on its soft warmth rather than the cool air on her backside.

  She could hear his boots moving to the wall of tack, then heard the click of something being lifted from its hook. She waited. Her body tensed with each echo of his steps coming closer, but at the same time she noticed her desire was surprisingly ever present.

  Instead of stopping behind her, he came around to squat in front of her. She shuddered at the sight of the crop he held. Then he lifted her chin with his other hand for her to meet his eyes. He kissed her once before he rose and moved behind her.