A Woman Made for Pleasure

by Michele Sinclair

  Chase muttered darkly. His brown eyebrows came together in a straight line. “I’ll bet. Your demeanor is above reproach. But that dress alone will make tonight’s ball the event of the year. And for the next several Seasons, men will be flocking to Lady Sefton’s in hopes of meeting other ladies who dare to wear such a gown.”

  His words stung, and Millie felt the urge to flee. “I’m going,” she said in a broken, irascible whisper.

  “Not with that pendant, you’re not,” he countered bracingly.

  Millie thought to leave anyway, but she knew Chase well enough to realize he would track her down and drag her back.

  Their eyes clashed in brief, savage conflict before Chase tugged her roughly to him. Her body was stiff and unyielding, but he felt her tremble.

  Millie did not want to kiss Chase. During their prior embraces, she could allow herself to believe he really cared for her, wanted her, and only her. But now she knew the truth.

  As she opened her mouth to protest, he smothered her words with his lips, moving them forcefully against hers. He used his tongue to still hers, kissing her hard and deliberately, letting her feel the frustration and temper she had aroused in him.

  Millie tried to resist, but it occurred to her that this might be the last time she was ever going to be in his arms. A muffled cry erupted as Millie threw her arms around his neck, kissing him feverishly.

  “My God, Millie, don’t ever scare me like that again,” Chase implored, his voice raspy with constrained emotion.

  “Just kiss me, Chase. Make me believe you will never let me go,” Millie murmured against his lips, the pleading in her voice unmistakable.

  “I never will, love. I never will.”

  Though she knew the truth, Millie savored his words. Something deep inside her responded to the primal need of his touch. All she wanted was more. She tightened her arms around his neck and urged his mouth down to hers.

  Chase groaned with irrepressible need. She was furious with him and still she responded with a passion that would drive the most composed man to the edge. “Millie, oh, Millie, I need you so much. You have no idea.”

  Hearing him whisper her name chilled her bones. She would never love a man again, like she loved Charles Wentworth.

  Chase’s growing desire for her was almost all-consuming. He had to stop now, but instead of listening to the inner voice in his head, he lifted her in his arms and walked over to a garden bench hidden in the shadows. Tonight he was going to show Millie another way to express her passionate side. For never in his life had it been more important than it was right now for Millie to become his.

  Chase inhaled her scent, reveling in the mixture of perfume and feminine arousal. “You are so beautiful,” he muttered, awed by the softness of her skin. Groaning, Chase bent his head and took her earlobe between his teeth. One hand tightened tenderly on the nape of her neck as the other skimmed the graceful line of her spine.

  Unable to think clearly, Millie finally gave in to the sensations Chase was arousing. Everything was happening so fast. It was as if she were caught in a lightning storm—wild and exciting. Feeling secure and wanted, she again hugged his neck, resting her cheek against his.

  Assured that she was not going to fight him, he eased her back and let himself drown in the love reflected in her eyes. So many years ago, he offered sympathy to the one foolish enough to get caught in their violet trap. Now he considered himself a lucky man.

  Millie felt him stroke her cheek with his knuckles. There was so much meaning in the featherlight caress. The touch and his possessive gaze caused her body to respond with a feverish intensity she did not know she had. Her blood began to pound in her veins, and without conscious thought, she drew his lips to hers. Millie’s tongue tentatively probed the warmth of his mouth before boldly inviting him to taste her.

  Chase needed no further encouragement to deepen the kiss until she completely surrendered. Each time he held her, the crazed passion Millie ignited inside him grew. He wanted her more than he thought was possible to want a woman. He nipped playfully at her lower lip before moving to the nape of her neck and then to her shoulders. As his mouth moved across the softness of her skin, Chase decided her V-shaped décolletage did have at least one redeeming asset.

  Millie sighed softly and closed her eyes as he eased a sleeve down her arm to expose her breast. His thumb slowly grazed across her nipple. It hardened to the tender touch. Entranced, she sank her nails into Chase’s perfectly tailored jacket, glorying in the sensual torment he was creating. She didn’t want the feeling to stop. Whatever he was doing to her, it was wonderful. “Bloody hell, I can barely breathe. Chase, I don’t think I can take any more. Good Lord, anything this exciting must be wrong,” she stammered, her voice soft and unsteady.

  The notion that this woman who seethed with such vitality could be excited by him was incredibly seductive. Chase had never thought a man like himself could be enslaved by passion or instigate such a fervent need in another. “No, love. You and I together will never be wrong.”

  Chase cupped her cheek, his touch so tender she dared not to move, hoping the moment would last forever. Then he lowered his mouth and continued the onslaught his fingers had begun. The longer his lips caressed her, the less will she had. Feeling his warm tongue swirl and lave each bud, she instinctively arched herself against him, moaning softly.

  Millie’s trembles made him shudder with his own need. He wanted her badly. And with each sweet, soft sound she cried, he had to fight the fierce desire to throw her on the soft grass and bury himself in her. He could not even explain to himself what he felt. His need to be with her. The sense of intoxication when she responded to his caresses. She was made for him—just him. And only when he was with her was he whole.

  Turning his attention to the other breast, his hand lowered, finding the hem of the pale silk barrier. Ever so slowly, knowing that he was about to touch a piece of heaven, he let his fingers drift up the warm softness of her inner thigh.

  Stroking her smooth skin, he sensed the sultry heat emanating from between her legs. His hand slipped higher along the side of her thigh, gliding lightly over her silken hair covering the heart of her own fire. His fingers closed gently around the warm mound.

  Millie gasped, trembled, and closed her eyes. Never in her life had she dreamed a man could make her feel so alive, so incredibly female. She knew there was more, and tonight she wanted it all. She clutched at him, lifting herself, straining for a more intimate touch.

  Excited by her response, Chase gently tested her with one finger. She was wet and tight and so very hot.

  Millie cried out softly as a deep tremor shook her. “Oh my . . . I didn’t know . . . my Lord, this feels so bloody good.”

  Assaulting all of her senses, he retook her parted, pink lips and kissed her mouth hungrily, thrusting his tongue deep, his control almost shattered by her innocently whispered words.

  Slowly his finger started to move in a gentle rhythm. Millie sucked in her breath, her fingers biting into Chase’s shoulders. She was ruining his jacket, but he didn’t care. He was discovering what heaven was like.

  Chase stroked her slowly, parting her with his fingers, opening her. A sweet, hot flame scorched through him. The sheer enjoyment of giving pleasure—not just receiving it—was incredible. He had been dreaming of touching Millie like this every night since he had first seen her in the kitchen moonlight. Now, being able to fulfill that dream was all-consuming. The intensity he felt for her made the memories of the women in his past fade away.

  Millie was his lifeline. The one person who made him feel alive. She brightened his world, challenged him, and desired him. This gorgeous sprite made him realize just how lonely his life had been these past years.

  Millie did not understand the raw sensations that were erupting violently all over her body. She had never dreamed of a man touching her there, intimately. And if she had, she would never have believed it could feel so—right.

  Chase’s finger
s continued to move in her, drawing forth her wet heat, stroking the flames until she was half mad. Still his onslaught continued. His lips trailed the ridge of her jaw, down the column of her throat, caressing her sensitive flesh.

  She shivered, and he groaned. Chase was so hard he hurt, and his imagination was going wild, thinking of all the ways they would share their passions once they were married.

  Chase was kissing her again, softer this time, with so much tenderness it felt like her heart was swelling in her chest, nearly choking her. Suddenly, a delicious twisting sensation began exploding inside her.

  Sensing her imminent release, Chase whispered, “Let go, my love. Let go to it,” and then swallowed her cry of pleasure.

  With a tiny muffled shriek of surprise, Millie shuddered in the throes of her first climax. The rapid rise and fall of her chest pressed her breasts against him, and he could feel the pulse in her neck pounding against his shoulder.

  Chapter 11

  They sat for several minutes holding each other, quiet with their own thoughts. Chase could still feel the softness of her skin and grew hard again.

  Millie knew she should be ashamed of what had happened. That she should pull away from his embrace. But despite the awareness of what she had done and where she was, she could not. These last few moments were all she would have with him.

  Finally, Chase released her. Silently he fixed her gown and straightened his own jacket. Millie wanted to speak but could not. Instead, she stood dumbfounded, staring at him with wide, deep violet eyes.

  “You did nothing wrong, Millie. I promise. I promise I will make it all . . .”

  “There is no need,” she interrupted. Her voice was detached, as if she was trying to distance herself emotionally from what happened. She reached up and slipped the necklace over her head and handed it to him. “I will do as you ask and say that I lost it. But I have been gone for some time, and I really should be returning. If you do not mind, please wait here for a moment before following.”

  Chase grabbed her arm, stopping her retreat. “Millie, we need to talk.”

  Millie didn’t want to continue the conversation. She did not want to hear why he was with Melinda, and why he was compelled to have her, too. She didn’t blame Chase. If she had at anytime asked him to stop, he would have. But then she would not have been able to treasure the memory of what they had shared. She just wanted to leave without hearing Chase explain it all away.

  Millie looked up briefly and closed her eyes. She needed to get away, quickly, before she broke down. “Yes, yes we do need to talk. But not now. I really must return to the party. Maybe later tonight . . . or tomorrow.” Leaving Chase no chance to restrain her, Millie darted out and headed back toward the lights and noise of the ball.

  She had not traveled far when another familiar voice stopped her cold.

  “My, my, if it’s not this Season’s favorite little original. And here you are, returning by yourself from the dark corners of Lady Sefton’s garden. Intending to keep the gossip about you alive, are you?”

  Selena Hall reminded Millie of a colorful viper. Smooth, slick, and full of venom that could be launched with lightning speed. “And, pray tell, Miss Hall, whatever brings you to the dark corners of the garden—alone?”

  Selena produced a frosty smile and lied, “Chaselton requested my presence, of course.”

  Millie casually fixed her gloves and kept her voice relaxed. “What an amazing change in his personality. For as long as I have known him, he has detested those who chase after him.”

  Selena’s eyes narrowed and quickly reassessed the repartee she was having with this unexpected rival. Too many times she had witnessed the marquess and Mildred Aldon in deep discussion. This encounter was supposed to intimidate the petite creature and verify that Chaselton’s interest in her did not go beyond that of designated chaperone. Never did Selena dream this dark-haired beauty might be an actual threat—until now. It was time to let the little girl know she was playing with adults far more cunning and vicious than she. “Ahh, that’s right. You’re his baby sister’s friend. No doubt your memories are somewhat distorted. You must have been a little girl when he left for the war. It is no wonder he disappeared so quickly after arriving tonight. I would escape to the garden, too, if I was forced to coddle the three of you week after week.”

  Millie saw the glint appear in Selena’s eyes. She did not know why, but the viper had decided to exhibit her fangs. Millie chuckled softly and then sighed, realizing the appearance of boredom and indifference would be the most effective of retaliation strategies. “Ah, but at least I am still young enough to require a chaperone, Miss Hall. Please enlighten me. It has been how many Seasons since your coming-out? Must be several, since you seem to attend so many of these events without a guardian.”

  Selena’s face was taut, as if she had been slapped. Millie smiled. While Selena had delivered the first shot, Millie’s comment had been the first to hit its target.

  Recovering quickly, Selena brushed imaginary dust off her shoulder in an attempt to mask her anger. “It is obvious you delayed your first Season by several years, and the idea of a chaperone for you and your friends is a mere formality. I doubt Society will still welcome your eccentricity next year. Interest in your unconventional appearance will soon fade. And, unlike myself, you will no longer be anyone of import—just simply another unmarried woman.”

  Millie calmly reached over and plucked a long blond hair from the shoulder Selena was just brushing. Millie twitched her fingers and let it fall to the ground. “Ahh, but I will be a wealthy and titled unmarried woman. And I believe you would agree, that does make all the difference. Now, if you will excuse me, I see my friend calling me. No doubt she needs some coddling. Good evening, Miss Hall.”

  Selena was seething. Never had anyone humiliated her so openly and defied her in such a caustic manner. She was just about to send a final scathing remark when Chase emerged. Ever the actress, Selena waved and smiled and then fluttered over to him. Grabbing his arm, she pecked his cheek. “There you are! I never thought we would find each other in this crush. What a delightful idea to tour Lady Sefton’s gardens. Why don’t we turn here and avoid the crowds for just a bit longer.”

  Maneuvering Chase to go in the direction she desired, Selena looked over her shoulder and was frustrated one last time. Mildred Aldon wasn’t looking in her direction. In fact, the unanticipated adversary was laughing with her redheaded friend. Well, cackle away, Lady Aldon, but it will be I who laughs loudest and last when I marry Chaselton and become both wealthy and titled.

  Millie was thankful when Jennelle appeared just as Selena ran off. Only once did Millie look to see who had saved her from further conversation with the toxic woman. Millie watched in silence as Chase deftly led Selena farther into the garden. She wanted to see no more and quickly turned away to greet her friend.

  “Thank heavens! You have no idea what you saved me from,” Millie said as Jennelle came close.

  Jennelle tilted her head toward the retreating blonde. “I can imagine. You and she appeared to be having a somewhat heated dialogue. Quite surprising, as she has avoided any and all interaction with us.”

  Jennelle paused, and Millie fought her instinct to turn and see whom the focus of Jennelle’s interest was. “Pray tell, are you intentionally driving me mad? Whatever are you looking at?”

  Jennelle twitched her lips. “Millie, laugh. It will drive Selena insane. Trust me.”

  Not a second later, Millie’s hand flew to her mouth as she erupted in elegant laughter. Jennelle joined, but hers was not false. She only wished Millie could have also witnessed Selena’s frustration. But Jennelle saw more than Selena’s expression; she also noticed Chase’s. It was filled with suffering.

  “May I stop now?” Millie asked behind her hand, hoping to end this phony display of mirth.

  Startled, Jennelle replied, “Oh yes. You can stop. You would never believe how that bothered her. I must say it had the opposite effect on
me. I found the charade quite entertaining.”

  Millie was about to reply when Aimee appeared by their sides. “Fiend seize it! I missed something, didn’t I? No doubt something salacious and interesting.”

  Before Millie could deny it, Jennelle affirmed Aimee’s statement. “It was Selena. She confronted Millie, but Millie had the last laugh—and I mean literally!”

  Millie rolled her eyes. “We were just returning. And don’t ask me what Jennelle meant,” she ended, raising her hand. “Is your mother near?”

  Aimee cocked her head with eyes full of confusion. “Yes, I just left her near the balcony doors speaking with Lord Pomfrey.”

  Millie bit back a sigh of relief. She could think of few men who enjoyed spreading gossip more than he did. One mention of her supposedly missing pendant within his hearing and all within the ton would know about it by morning. “I need to tell her about my pendant—it has gone missing.”

  All Three went to tell Cecilia the distressing news, who was quickly freed when Lord Pomfrey quickly scuttled away to share the latest gossip. Millie was relieved when Mother Wentworth declared the evening to be at an end.

  As they were about to enter the carriage, Aimee touched Millie’s arm to gain her attention. “You no longer have to worry about Selena,” she whispered. “I spoke with Charles, and he is not even remotely interested in the falsity of that woman. He just finds her easy to manipulate, and she keeps others away without any effort on his part. I told him he is a genius.”

  “Yes,” Millie murmured, “quite clever.” Those were the last words Millie spoke all the way home. She had much to consider. Melinda, the men in the garden, what had just happened between her and Chase, her feelings . . .