A Marquess for Christmas

by Vivienne Westlake

  Kit laughed. “That is close enough. This time.”

  The bed rocked as he moved and she heard the soft rumple of the bedding and the patting of a pillow. She listened for some clue as to what he was planning. Right when she would have uttered a retort, he grabbed her waist and lifted her up. He wrapped one arm around her and with the other, he pushed her legs open and set her down to straddle him.

  She could feel his ears and the fine strands of his hair against her arm as he lifted her arms over his head. Her nipples brushed against his chest and she loved the friction of his body against hers. She arched her back and rolled her nipples over his skin.

  When he pulled her hair and kissed her neck, she sighed. Then his hot mouth whispered in her ear, “Ride me.”

  His hand slipped under her and then his cock was at her entrance, inching its way in. It was a tight fit and she inhaled and exhaled slowly, trying to relax and accommodate him.

  His velvety tongue licked her earlobe. It delved into the opening, penetrating her ear as he penetrated her body. A ripple of pleasure coursed through her and she wanted more. Slowly, she eased her body down to take more of his hard length.

  His solid hands were on her rear, guiding her up and down. The pressure built inside her again and she knew she would come soon.

  As she slid up and down over his shaft, he kissed her. Their mouths fought in a frenzied battle that could only end with both of their surrender.

  She braced her arms on his shoulders, unable to grip him the way she wished to because her hands were still tied. She used her arms as leverage to bear down harder.

  As they rocked up and down, his hot cock thrusting deep inside of her, she knew that tonight would never be enough. The need she felt went beyond the friction of their bodies, beyond the desire that welled up inside of her, begging to be released.

  She took his mouth, letting her tongue say what she could not yet speak aloud. She wanted him, now and forever. But could she find a way to keep him?

  Ragged breaths matched the hard mating of their bodies. Kit impaled her over and over and Violet reveled in each movement. Each thrust took her past the point of sanity until she was only a puddle of pulsating need.

  Kit pushed her onto her back and pulled up her thighs. She couldn’t see anything, but she didn’t have to. He gave her everything she wanted with each stroke of his cock, each press of his lips to hers.

  His thumbs fondled her nipples, squeezing and rolling. She couldn’t take anymore. Her whole body tightened and she cried out as an orgasm twisted through her, wringing her out like a towel after a vigorous wash.

  He followed her over the edge, cursing as he found release.

  Gentle fingers caressed the side of her face and the kiss he gave was deep and tender. His hands freed hers and one hand threaded through hers as the other pulled off her blindfold.

  “You are nothing like I expected,” he whispered. “And so much more than I ever thought was possible.”

  Violet stroked her fingers into his hair. “You are everything I expected. Everything I never thought I could have, but wanted anyway.” Just stay the way you are now. Stay until the past no longer matters and all we need is each other.

  He fingered her eyelid, wiping the single tear away.

  “I will never forget you,” he whispered, kissing her again.

  She wrapped her arms around him, holding on tightly, her legs still enveloping his, their bodies twined together.

  * * * *

  Violet awoke to the sound of geese in the pond outside and the steady breathing of the man with his arms wrapped around her. Kit’s hand lay possessively over her breast and she looked down to see his other arm wrapped around her waist.

  She closed her eyes for a moment, wanting to savor this warm memory for the wintry days ahead.

  Taking his hand in hers, she lifted it to her lips and kissed it. In the bright light of morning, she could see the tiny nicks and scars. There was an old one on a knuckle, bigger than the rest. Was it from some boxing match years ago?

  “Mmmmmm,” he murmured, squeezing her. “What a nice way to wake up in the morning.”

  She wrapped her arms over his, hugging him back. The light was brighter than she’d expected as a hint of sun peeked through the window. While there was snow outside, from her vantage point, it looked low to the ground. The warm sun would melt it before the afternoon.

  Though she wanted to get up and adjust the curtains, Violet was afraid to move. His hard body behind hers reassured her that he was real, that for this moment at least, he belonged only to her.

  The touch of his hand was feather-light on the side of her face. “Good morning, my darling.”

  She turned toward him, even as he pulled her into a kiss. Solid hands gripped her and she slid her leg over his. Belatedly, she realized that she had clothes on while he did not.

  “Why do I have my underclothes on?”

  “You were exhausted. It got cold and windy last night, so I dressed you back into your chemise.”

  “But I don’t remember.”

  He kissed her forehead and grinned. “You were very tired.”

  “I was tied up and ravaged by a very insatiable beast.”

  Strong hands roamed over her body, squeezing her tighter, and he shifted so that his legs were wrapped around hers. She could not move if she wanted to. When he nipped her jawline then bit her earlobe, she laughed.

  “Mmmm…breakfast.”

  “As I said, insatiable.”

  “You are too delectable to resist.”

  She kissed him before he could speak another flowery phrase. Why did it make her nervous when he complimented her? She had no such trouble if a neighbor or the vicar paid her a sweet laudation. Even with Avery, she would have smiled. With Kit, it was different.

  Seductive phrases rolled off the tongue like a rivulet of water down the window glass. He could speak them in his sleep, she suspected. In fact, he had. His kiss, his touch was enough for her. The charming words were unnecessary.

  “Would you like to tour the house today?” Violet asked.

  “I thought you said I needed to remain in my chambers until Doctor Littleton returned?”

  “You seem quite fit to me.” She kissed his bare chest, circling her finger over the fine hair there. She tickled her nose over it and when he chuckled, she smiled. Could she ever get enough of him?

  “Oh, I am. Reach down and you will see exactly how fit I am.”

  She ran her fingers down his abdomen, taking her time, before cupping his manhood. His cock came to attention as she pressed her palm into it.

  “Hmmmm. I think you will do quite nicely.”

  “Really?” His voice was a thick molasses spreading over her. “Were you planning on ‘doing’ someone else?”

  “Why should I shop for a new stallion when I have a beautiful thoroughbred already in the stable?”

  He started to retort, but she cut him off by pinching him on the derrière. Surprised, he loosened his grip and she shimmied down to lick his cock. She suckled him softly at first, then took him deep.

  Kit hissed.

  The throbbing in his head competed with the throbbing in his cock. A headache was on the rise, but she felt too good and he didn’t want to stop. The stabbing pain was worth it to have her hot, wet mouth on his skin.

  Violet sucked him until he couldn’t breathe, until the pain became almost pleasurable, blending with the searing heat running through his body.

  When he tried to loosen her grip, to pull her away so that he could spread her legs and fuck her, she clamped down and dug her nails into his thighs.

  Taking hold of her head, he held on as she pumped and licked him into oblivion. Her tongue flicked the tip of his cock in teasing little taps as she squeezed up the length of his shaft. An orgasm ripped through him, tearing into his body like a crack of lightening and splitting him into pieces.

  “Holy hell.”

  Violet licked her lips. “Now what were you saying abou
t breakfast?”

  “You are worse than me today, and that is saying something.”

  “Really?” She rose up and kissed him, taking him into her and ravishing his mouth.

  “Yes. Spread your legs for me.” Another sharp pain sliced through his skull. “I am going to take you so hard you will not be able to walk straight for the rest of the day.”

  Her fingernails scored the back of his neck. “Is that a promise?”

  “Yes.”

  Her sharp teeth bit his lip before she wrapped her arms across his back and slid one leg around his thigh.

  “As much as I would love to make you fulfill that promise, I have something else in mind today.”

  He cupped her behind and squeezed. “What is that?”

  “I think you have earned your freedom. You have been abed long enough.” She grinned. “Well, you have been locked in this room long enough,” she corrected. “There is still yet to do in this bed—later.”

  “You mean I can leave this room? Walk the halls? Go outside?”

  “It is still a bit cold yet to roam the countryside, but otherwise, yes.”

  As much as he wanted to get out of this room, he suddenly did not want to leave. This was the first morning he’d spent with her in his bed, and he was loathe to go.

  “I cannot believe I would even utter the words, but what if we stayed in the room all day? I am still too green and need a good strong lady to break me in.” He traced a finger down her cleavage.

  “I should think you would want to be free of these walls. We’ve caught you trying to sneak out often enough. I think we should take a walk through the house and then perhaps we can go down and sit in the drawing room, next to the warm fire. Perhaps I shall play a song for you on the pianoforte. Doctor Littleton might come today and I would not wish him to catch you—” She coughed. “—Overexerting yourself.”

  He kissed the spot where her neck joined her shoulder. “The quack can be kept waiting. He has certainly taken his time with coming back. I’d rather spend the day wrapped so tightly against your skin that even a sword couldn’t separate us.”

  * * * *

  At his words, a flush ran through her limbs, and every place where his skin touched hers tingled. She wanted the luxury of lying in bed with him, of being his lover for more than one night.

  She could stay a little while longer. But what if the doctor did venture to Welbury Park today? The old man was odd, but not an idiot. She saw the way he’d eyed her up and down on the last visit when Kit began to flirt with her.

  Her duty was to ensure that Kit was well-rested, not to work his every muscle for her pleasure. What the doctor didn’t understand was that Kit was impossible to resist. His perfect lips and molten brown gaze eroded all her defenses and ignited the embers of desire that she’d thought long dead.

  Still, she felt guilty about shirking the day’s duties and lounging with him in bed.

  “What will you give me if I let you keep me here?” She looked at him through her lashes.

  “Tell me your darkest wish, your deepest desire and I will fulfill it.”

  What a promise. But the thing she wanted from him, her deepest desire, was one she could not voice aloud. She wanted him to forget about his past, to tell her that he wanted more of this, that he wanted to stay.

  “You do love to bargain. Hmmmm.” An idea formed in her mind. “I heard about your illicit games with Adam.” Avery had caught Kit gambling with one of the footmen. He’d warned Violet, but she decided that if it meant Kit remained in bed as he was supposed to, she would allow it. She even instructed Avery to give the footmen a few extra shillings, just for the purpose of playing with Kit.

  “You did?”

  She looked at him, wondering at his tone of voice. She could not tell if he was angry or surprised. “Of course.” She wiggled her finger over his nose. “I propose a wager.”

  His luscious tongue swept over his lips. “I am listening.”

  “We shall play three rounds of hazard. If I win, then we will have breakfast, bathe, and meet in two hours downstairs. After a tour of the house, we shall have a proper afternoon tea.”

  His face leaned close to hers, stopping before their lips touched. “And if I win?”

  “I will stay abed with you and see to my affairs after tea.”

  “No, you will stay abed with me until I tell you otherwise.” His smile gave her goose-bumps.

  “I cannot ignore my responsibilities, Kit. What will the staff think if I while the day away in bed with a man like some harlot?”

  His hand covered her lips. “You have never been, nor will you ever be anything less than a lady, Violet. Your staff has known you far longer than I. Do you think they will suddenly spurn you for taking a day to yourself? When was the last time you allowed yourself to relax?”

  She could not remember. The only time she truly relaxed was in her steaming bath or when she took a ride on one of her favorite horses. She spent much of her time managing the household, visiting neighbors or elderly friends in the village who could not travel to see her.

  She often sewed or embroidered items for friends who could not afford the same luxuries she had. When she’d first lost John, keeping her hands busy was the only thing that distracted her from the ache in her chest. And in the war, it was what kept her sane. She cleaned, she cooked, she sewed, she nursed the ill. If she stopped, then her mind would wander onto the battlefield, remembering all of the soldiers they’d lost.

  “I do not remember,” she admitted. “Idle hands are the devil’s playthings.” Her father often repeated that to her in her childhood. He embraced economy, modesty, virtue, and practicality. His ministry bordered on puritanical.

  Kit scoffed. “Nonsense!” He kissed her collarbone, trailed kisses down to the swell of her breast. He rotated it in his hand. “Now these are the devil’s playthings.” His gentle kiss made her rotate her hips in response.

  “If you spend every waking minute being useful, how will you ever enjoy the sun? The stars? God made beauty for us to enjoy, Violet. Do not forget the words of the good book. ‘On the seventh day, he rested.’ That was not merely to entice sinners into church once a week. It was to remind us that there is a time for toil, but also a time when we must set our labors aside and take pleasure in simple things.”

  “I never thought of it that way.” Violet was surprised. This was a Kit she hadn’t seen before. Philosophical, thoughtful, eloquent in a manner that had absolutely nothing to do with flirtation. What other things would she discover about him now that they were lovers?

  Chapter Ten

  He watched her eyes go from gold to mossy green. Under the bright sun, he could see the subtle shift in color on her face, from her eyes to her lashes that were brown edged in black. He noted the tiny freckles that were barely visible on her skin.

  What would it be like to take her out into a meadow and make love to her under the midday sun? Where he could see every inch of her skin and its vibrant hues.

  He thought of a beautiful spot near a crumbling castle where he’d played as a boy. It had a secluded but wide open space where the bailey had been. Now it was the home of wild grass and ivy, which covered the walls. Outside the castle, one could smell the heather, which swayed in the cool breeze.

  Maybe he could bring her there one day. Take her away from the confines of her self-imposed obligations and show her how to take pleasure in the things people took for granted.

  “We are only provided with one life. You should live yours to the fullest.”

  “Perhaps I do not know how,” she whispered.

  “I would be happy to teach you.” He pressed his lips to hers, lingering, teasing, but never demanding. She opened to him like the rose to the sun and he realized he’d never wanted a woman the way he wanted Violet.

  In the past few weeks, she’d become everything to him. What would he do when he couldn’t laugh with her over eggs and toast in the morning or tease her into a kiss at dinner? Who would sta
nd over him until he finished all of his vegetables?

  And who would sass him mercilessly until he bent her over and spanked every bit of pleasure out of her?

  Violet eased out of the kiss, her breathing heavy. Her hands were curled at his shoulders and her hair flowed free, soft and wild. If only she would wear her hair loose all the time. He loved lacing his fingers through the strands and feeling the silk caress him.

  Her eyes went from heavy lidded to wide open, like a shade being raised over a window. “Now back to our wager.”

  Just when he thought he’d convinced her to lie abed with him. But she would not be Violet if she let him have his way in everything.

  “If I win, you will stay abed and let me pleasure you for hours.” As he said the words, he circled his finger around her breast. Soon he would have her naked again, her body splayed for him like a Christmas feast. “If you win, I will let you entertain me in the drawing room.” He let his voice trail off with disinterest.

  “Three rounds of hazard.”

  “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather play piquet or vingt-et-un?”

  “Yes.” She shot him a heated look. “Do not tell me that you think I cannot play?”

  He was skeptical. Men loved their dice, their cards; hell, they’d wager on the length of their pricks if they’d had enough to drink. Most ladies of his acquaintance liked social games, games they could play in pairs, like whist. Or they liked games of strategy like vingt-et-un. When was the last time he’d seen a woman play hazard who wasn’t a barmaid, a servant, or a lady of ill repute?

  “I think you are determined,” he said, evading her question.

  “You may as well hand over your purse now,” she said, kissing his forehead before jumping out of the bed. When she stretched her arms high, his gaze was drawn to her breasts as they rose to greet him.

  “Whether we play for pounds or…for more sensual delights, I have no doubt that I will come out the victor.” He rose from the bed, naked and semi-hard from watching her breasts stretch across the thin fabric of her shift.

  “Would you care to make the wager a little sweeter, sir?” She batted her lashes at him.