Not exactly the sort of thing he’d ever done with the servants.
Taking her by the elbow once she finished her greeting with Monique, the gardener’s daughter, Leo brought Suzanne to the last door at the end of one of the many corridors on the main floor at Montbrison.
Opening it, he allowed her to precede him in, then closed the door behind him.
He watched as she took in the room that had been designed by Suzanne’s father and built to his specifications many years ago. From the floor-to-ceiling windows making up most of the opposite wall, the winter storm that had finally set in could readily be seen.
The large snowflakes rushing past looked beautiful.
This was Richard Matchet’s greenroom, filled with the botanicals he wanted at hand at all times, attached to the château so that he and his daughter could access the plants with ease. Long wooden tables ran the length of the room.
And there were massive blazing fires in the ornate hearths at each end of the greenroom.
By the time she met his gaze, tears had formed in her large almond-shaped eyes.
“This room has been kept the same since you and your father left,” he said. “The temperature is always maintained as he wished it, for the benefit of the botanicals. The cook has been known to use the plants here for medicinal purposes, just as you and your father taught him. Whatever you need to make the perfumes should be here.”
“Thank you.” She had a smile on her face, but it was rueful. A tear slipped down her cheek. She quickly swiped it away before he could dry it for her. “He would have been pleased that you kept it so well.”
Leo stepped closer to her. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when he died. I know little of the circumstances. What happened, chérie?” He’d always thought Richard to be invincible.
He’d healed so many people. He’d had a gift for medicine. It seemed inconceivable that he was gone.
Suzanne glanced down and absently traced a finger over the grain pattern of the wooden table next to her. Before she responded, he saw her swallow hard. “He wasn’t feeling well one morning. By the time I returned from delivering one of my remedies, he’d collapsed on the floor... and was gone. There was nothing anyone could do.” She shook her head. “I should never have left him…I never even got the chance to say good-bye.” He saw two tears spill down her cheeks.
His heart broke.
Leo pulled her into his arms. She immediately circled her arms around his waist and drew closer. The gesture left him feeling as if warm nectar had just melted over his insides.
He rested his cheek against her head, her soft dark curls tickling his nose. “I’m sorry,” was all he could say. Two utterly insufficient words that never took away the pain of anyone who’d lost a loved one. How he wished he had something truly consoling to offer. Her father had meant the world to her. And when it came to his daughter, there was nothing Richard Matchet would not have done for his only child. Including leaving the wealth and comforts of Montbrison—simply because he couldn’t stand to see his daughter live brokenhearted here once Leo’s betrothal had been announced and Suzanne had confided her feelings for him to her father. He had no idea how much Richard had known about Leo’s night together with Suzanne.
And it didn’t matter now.
Things were different. And he never wanted her brokenhearted again.
“Thank you for caring about him,” she said in the softest voice. “It means more to me than words can express. And thank you for…”
“For what?”
“For bringing me here. I’m glad I came.” Her smile melted his heart.
He hoped that the surprises he had planned would bring her joy.
Especially the one planned for Christmas Eve. That was the largest, by far.
“Come, chère, I have something waiting for you I think you’ll like. Very much.” He couldn’t help but smile.
*****
SUZANNE STOOD AT the door to Leo’s private apartments that had once belonged to Leo’s father, the former duc.
Anticipation gripped her.
Her every nerve ending sparked to life.
There could be only one reason Leo had brought her here. And it made her sex moisten. Her heart beat harder.
Leo pulled her in front of him, slipped an arm around her, and hauled her back against his hard body. A thrill streaked down her spine the moment she came in contact with his beautiful muscled form.
She squirmed.
“I brought you here for a delicious reason,” he murmured hotly in her ear.
She couldn’t suppress another eager squirm. It was becoming impossible to hold still. The ache between her legs grew fiercer by the moment.
“Really? I think I might I know what it is.” This time he was either going to take his clothes off. Or she’d tear them from his body. She had to see all of him, feel his skin against hers.
Or lose her mind.
“Do you now?” He sounded amused. “And here I thought what I had planned might be new to you…”
Her heart lost a beat. Something new and wicked to experience with Leo?
The urge to fly through the double doors, yanking the tall, gorgeous, and far too sensuous Leo d’Ermart in with her, was barely repressible.
“Are you ready for your delectable surprise?” His warm breath tickled her ear. He was definitely grinning. She could hear it in his voice.
“Yes!” She was well aware how breathless she sounded. And she didn’t care.
She needed him. Now!
“Excellent.” He reached beyond her and threw open the doors.
Suzanne entered the opulent antechamber, with its frescos on the high ceiling, its elaborate wool and silk carpets and costly furnishings.
Taking a quick glance about the large sitting room, she spotted what she was looking for.
The door to his bedchamber.
It was ajar and to the right, just beyond the white-and-gold damask chairs near the crackling fire in the hearth.
Smiling, she started toward it.
“Voilà. Your surprise… Iced cream.” His voice came from the left side of the room.
That arrested her steps. She spun around.
She thought he was directly behind her. Yet Leo was standing on the opposite side of the grand antechamber.
“Pardon?”
He gestured at the table beside him. It was covered with rich table linen of red and gold. On it, silver bowls of various sizes. She caught sight of fruit preserves, breads, and cheese.
“Iced cream?” she repeated.
That was her “delicious” surprise?
“Were you expecting something else?” His lips twitched.
“I…well, I thought…” YES!
Amusement shone clearly in his green eyes. He rested his hands on his hips. “Come here,” he said.
Briefly, she cast a longing glance toward his bedchamber, then approached him.
Leo slipped his fingers under her chin and tilted it up. Sublime little tingles raced from his warm touch all the way down to the tips of her breasts. “Did you think I was bringing you here to fuck you?” His lips twitched again, as though he were fighting back a smile.
“Uhm… The thought did cross my mind…”
He released her chin and placed his hands back on his hips. “Tsk, tsk, Suzanne. You wound me. Is that what you think of me? That my thoughts are of a carnal nature only?”
“Well, if you put it that way…” She shook her head no. “Yes.”
He burst out laughing. “You are correct. And my carnal thoughts are centered solely on you.” That made her stomach flutter wildly. “Now then, about the iced cream, have you ever had any?”
“No.”
“Good. Iced desserts are a favorite of His Majesty, served at Versailles. It is absolutely delicious. I’ve asked our cook to gather fresh snow and ice to add to sweetened cream and create some—just for your enjoyment.”
This was wonderfully novel, and she was moved by Leo’s effor
ts to arrange this lovely surprise for her.
Trying to mute her base need, wanting to enjoy the lovely gesture, she smiled up at him, even though her entire body was still taut with desire. “Thank you, Leo. This is truly lovely. I can’t wait to try it.”
“There are two ways to best enjoy iced cream.” He picked up a bottle that was in a large silver bowl, submerged in ice. “With champagne.” He poured the bubbly liquid into a crystal goblet and waited a moment until it settled before dropping a spoonful of the iced cream into it.
It fizzed up but did not overflow. Lifting the goblet, he swirled around its contents until he looked satisfied.
Then he took her hand and walked her away from the food and drink, and paused at the head of the table at the opposite end.
“Here.” Leo handed her the goblet of the champagne and iced cream.
She glanced down at it, then back at him. “What is the second best way to enjoy iced cream?”
The most sensuous smile tilted the corner of his mouth. He picked her up off her feet and set her bottom down on the edge of the table so fast, she squeaked in surprise. Yet managed not to spill her drink.
“Naked.”
Chapter Eight
SUZANNE LOST HER breath. Naked?
She recognized that look in Leo’s eyes. He meant it.
The light ache between her legs suddenly intensified. Her gaze dropped to his perfect mouth. She licked her lips, starved for a taste.
“Aren’t you going to try your drink?” he asked.
“Hmm?…Drink?”
He smiled. “Yes, your champagne and iced cream.” He brought the goblet she held in her hand up to her lips. “Taste it. Tell me what you think.”
“I think I’d prefer to taste you instead.”
“I’m glad to hear it. And you shall, in due time. Try the iced cream and champagne first. It’s the only taste you’re going to get. The rest will have melted by the time I’m through with you.”
His words sent a hot rush through her blood. Quickly, she took a sip and let the cold sweet fluid slide down her throat.
“Well?” he prompted.
“It’s delicious.” It truly was. But she’d rather be enjoying Leo.
He pulled the goblet out of her hand and set it down on the table beside her. “It’s been a very long time since I’ve tasted your pretty nipples. I remember how delicious they were. Open your bodice for me.”
Suzanne’s hands flew to her neckline and began opening the fastenings in haste. His words made her breasts feel achy. She couldn’t stand having them confined any longer.
Leo watched, patient, the hunger in his eyes spiking her fever.
She struggled, her fingers fumbling. Upon arriving at Montbrison, she’d been shown to her rooms, where she’d washed, and with the help of one of the servants, changed into the fresh gown waiting for her. She was out of practice with the many fastenings found on such costly attire.
He pushed her hands away, pulled her off the table, and back onto her feet. “Let me,” he said and stripped away her clothing with confident skill. Stopping to press hot kisses against her skin. Until he had her naked before him.
And her breathing was sharp and quick.
Leo took a step back, his gaze moving down her body in heated appreciation. She felt a heady rush.
He sat her back onto the table with ease. Then pressed her back onto the wooden surface. The table linen felt cool against her heated skin.
Leo placed his hands on her thighs. “Spread your legs. I want to see all of you.”
Those blunt carnal things he said made her head spin. He was so sinfully delicious.
She complied with his request. Too on fire to be bashful in any way.
He skimmed his warm palms up her thighs. Stopping at the apex of her legs, he ran his thumbs over her wet folds, and opened her further.
She was so utterly exposed and vulnerable to him. Her sex wept.
“Dieu, you are so beautiful… Every inch of you,” he breathed, scoring his thumb lightly along the slit of her sex. She gasped and curled her toes, mentally willing him to penetrate her with his hand. Desperate for some friction. Any friction from him at all.
“You are going to be my delicious dessert, Suzanne.” His fingers slid inside her. She didn’t know how many. But he was using just enough to create the perfect pressure, giving her inner walls scintillating strokes. She whimpered. “Are you sore?” he asked.
The slight twinge of discomfort melded with the pleasure and swamped her senses.
Oh God . “A little…”
“Do you want me to stop?”
“NO.” Was he mad? She was dying with desire. The nub between her legs throbbed.
“Good. Now, back to those gorgeous nipples. So pink and pert…They need to be sucked.” Without missing a stroke inside her sex, he reached for the crystal goblet and held it over her body.
She froze. He wasn’t about to…
Leo tipped the goblet and splashed a drop of the cold liquid—directly on the sensitized tip of her breast.
She let out a soft cry.
Swooping in, he sucked her chilled nipple into his hot mouth. She arched up hard, a loud moan shot up her throat, her fingers tangling in his dark hair. The tantalizing pulls of his mouth drove her wild. She clenched down around his pumping fingers, unable to help herself, as they continued to slide in and out of her sex.
Leo lifted his head and swore. “I love your reactions.” He plunged his fingers all the way in. The decadent sensation reverberated through her core, all the way up to her clit. Snatching her breath away. Her clitoris ached so strongly, it was unbearable. She raised her hips and tried to grind against his hand.
“No. Not yet,” he gently admonished. “We mustn’t neglect the other nipple.”
She couldn’t take anymore. He’d kept the strokes in her sheath purposely light. Feeding her fever. But not alleviating it.
“Leo…open your breeches and… OH!…” Cold champagne and iced cream splashed onto her other nipple. She bit down on her lip and squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the thrill of his mouth.
It came swiftly.
His hot tongue and lips heated the cold tip of her breast, plying it with mind-melting licks and soft sucks, sending voluptuous sensations flooding through her body.
She shuddered.
Suddenly, his mouth was gone. And he’d stilled his fingers.
Her eyes flew open.
“Don’t stop!” Good God. She was going to kill him. If she didn’t die first. She’d never felt so out of control. So consumed with desire. “I need to…”
“Come? You will. But first you are going to learn how to hold it back. It makes for a stronger release. Place your hands on the edges of the table and be very still.” He smiled. “And I’ll let you come very, very hard.”
She was so delirious with need, she quickly grabbed hold of the edges of the table on either side of her. Anything. As long as he got on with it!
The last thing she expected was for him to withdraw his fingers, set the goblet down beside her, and pull up a chair. Seating himself between her legs.
“Jésus-Christ. Look at you…” He spread her thighs wider still. “The beautiful Suzanne Matchet naked and wet on my table. A most mouthwatering fantasy.”
He dipped his head, slid his tongue inside her. She clutched the edges of the table tighter. She felt his tongue withdraw, then, with a long, luscious lick, he lapped up her essence from her opening to her throbbing clit.
She jerked her hips upward with a cry.
“Oh, you taste better than my favorite iced dessert. If you want me to continue, you must stay still. Or I’ll stop.”
She was panting. “Leo, I haven’t punched you since I was a child of ten. That will definitely change if you stop.”
He chuckled softly. “Idle threats. Your lovely little clit is swollen with need. And so neglected. Shall we do something about it?”
FINALLY. “Yes!”
“Then b
e still.” He slid his fingers back inside her, curling them and delivering a stroke directly over that ultrasensitive spot inside her vaginal walls. Her hips shot up off the table. He pressed his other hand down on her belly, pushing her bottom back onto the table.
“Be still…”
“I-I can’t.” He was pushing her beyond her limits.
“Yes, you can. You are going to have to trust me. And I will make it worth your while.” He stroked the same sweet spot inside her sex. A soft, measured stroke. She stiffened with a whimper. The sensation was intense nonetheless. Yet, she managed to keep relatively still.
“Much better,” he approved. “Now, let’s give this sweet bud some much needed attention.” He picked up the goblet.
Her heart lurched. “Leo… N—” Before she could voice an objection, he dripped a drop of chilled drink directly onto her heated clit. Her hips shot up. His hot mouth came down on the bud and sucked the droplet off. She screamed and shuddered.
Inside her sheath, his wicked fingers still tormented that spine-melting spot.
“That wasn’t still,” he admonished. “We’ll try it again. Be still now.”
She was shaking so violently, her body rioting for release, that being absolutely still was beyond her control.
Suzanne closed her eyes and braced herself for the next glorious assault on her senses. Another cold drop dripped onto her, followed by another hot suck of his mouth. She was teetering on the brink of a shattering orgasm. Each cold drip, pulling her back. Each silky suck shot her to the edge.
His name screamed in her head, or perhaps from her mouth.
The abrupt sound of the chair scraping backward startled her. Leo was standing. He’d set the goblet down on the table beside her.
The expression on his face had changed from desire to feral hunger.
“You’ve no idea what you fucking do to me. You belong with me,” he said, then swept her up in his arms and stalked into his bedchamber.
He dropped her onto the bed. She landed with a small bounce.
Leo stripped off his clothing quickly and grabbed the base of his generous sex, giving it a slow stroke from root to tip. “Jésus-Christ , you make me so hard.” Arousal quavered through her body. She had only a moment to take in his muscular form and his impressive shaft, before he sank a knee into the mattress between her legs, lowered himself onto her.
THE DUKE’S MATCH GIRL: A Christmas Fiery Tale Novella (Fiery Tales Series) Page 9