“What’s the matter? You’re frowning.” She smiled as he kissed the tip of her nose. “Have you noticed it’s quiet around here this evening?”
She nodded. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I have.”
“And do you know why that is?”
When she shook her head, he said, “I’ve given the servants the night off, except Joseph. The place would fall apart without him.”
She knew immediately why he’d let the servants have the night off. She would lose her maidenhead tonight. Tonight Dominic would take her in his arms, make love to her, and she would never be the same again.
Dominic lifted her in his arms, and Arlie clung to him, kissing his neck as he strode toward the stairs. At the top, he looked down the hallway toward her quarters, then in the opposite direction toward his own.
“A preference?”
“My bed,” she said, the word so intimate, she could feel the blood rush to her cheeks.
Behind the closed door of her room, he set her on her feet. He removed his jacket, his blue eyes devouring her with a heat that sent her pulse racing. The moment the jacket hit the floor, his lips were on hers again, soft and tender. “You are so beautiful, Arlie,” he murmured against her lips.
She had received the same compliment from other suitors, but it meant so much more coming from Dominic. To know he desired her made her bold, and she kissed him hard. He smiled against her lips while his fingers worked the buttons on the back of her gown, and in that moment Arlie realized what it meant. Panic rose within her, and she pushed against his chest. “Wait.”
He stood back, his gaze searching hers. Her heart beat so loud it roared in her ears. Regardless of what tomorrow would bring, she must make love to this man. Her body and her soul demanded it. She had turned him away only to regret it. No longer. With her mind made up, Arlie took a steadying breath and pulled off the gown. It pooled around her feet. She felt naked wearing only her corset and chemise. When she stood before him completely naked, her self-confidence began to waver—especially when Dominic was fully clothed.
Slowly and seductively his gaze moved downward. Arlie thought she might die on the spot until a moment later his heated gaze met hers once more. “You take my breath away.” An approving smile came quickly to his mouth, one that put her mind at ease. He wanted her, and she wanted him. Mutual desire—and every part of her being screamed for him to take her.
Before she could blink, his shirt had joined his jacket on the floor. When he slipped out of his pants, she swallowed past the lump in her throat. She had never seen a man naked, but girls talked, and in her mind she had envisioned what a man looked like down there—but she hadn’t expected him to be so large.
He pulled her into his arms, and could feel the steely length of his penis against her belly, pressing into her. Excited, a little scared, and intensely curious, she reached between them and lightly touched him. He sucked in a deep breath and she smiled, intrigued that she should have such power over him.
Dominic moaned deep in his throat, trying to keep his desire in check, a feat in itself when her inexperienced hand held him, exploring him by running her fingers up the length of his cock, circling the head lightly. His breathing became labored as she squeezed him tight, her fingers wrapping around him. If she only knew how close he was to exploding. With a groan, he brought her down on the bed with him, and her hand slipped from his throbbing shaft to his back.
He smothered her face with kisses, raining them down her delicate neck, collar bone, then to her lovely young breasts. He kissed one, then the other; the nipples thrust out, turning as hard as diamonds. As her hands wove through his hair, her moans urged him on, making his kisses bolder. He moved down her soft belly, kissing the soft warm skin beneath his lips, and to the triangle of pale hair that beckoned him.
His entire body shook with a need that shocked him. Never had he needed a woman the way he needed Arlie.
Through a haze, Arlie opened her eyes to find Dominic positioned between her thighs, his breath stirring the curls at the very center of her womanhood. Her eyes widened in shock, a moment before his tongue stroked her slit. Instinctively she tried to force her legs together, sure that she would burn in hell for such an act. Dominic’s hand smoothed along her thigh, then his mouth, kissing her, making her relax her. With a calming breath, Arlie opened to him.
Letting her legs fall open, Arlie swore she saw him smile for a fleeting moment. Her hands fell from his hair, to the sheets at her sides, gripping the linen as the stirring in her body intensified with every stroke of his tongue. Liquid fire roared through her veins as she climbed toward an unbelievable pinnacle that once reached brought a feeling that was surely close to ecstasy. “Dominic,” she cried, then closed her eyes and rode it out.
When she opened her eyes, he was rubbing one of her nipples with his forefinger and thumb, extending it, sending a wave of desire to the very core of her. Already desire and need started to stir deep within her.
“Dominic,” she said again on a desperate whisper, wanting him to end this ache within her.
“Yes, my love,” he said, meeting her satisfied stare with a sensual smile. She was so gorgeous, so innocent…a lethal combination. With every minute, she became less inhibited, and her response to his oral play made him yearn for the ultimate consummation.
As she stared up at him with those green eyes so full of passion, he wondered if in the morning she would regret giving herself to him. He put the unsavory thought from his mind and kissed her breast. He moved over her, his knees pushing hers aside as he settled between her thighs. He saw the pulse beating frantically in her neck. “Are you sure, Arlie?” he asked one last time, hoping her answer would be yes. He couldn’t remember a time he had been so hard or so ready.
“Yes,” she replied, lifting her face up to his, an invitation to kiss her. With a groan, he took what she offered, capturing her lips against his own, and sliding his tongue in at the same time he slipped inside her tight, wet sheath. Hitting the barrier of her maidenhead, he rejoiced in the knowledge that he would finally sample that which he’d been yearning for so long. His heart swelled as he stared down at her face, so trusting of him. “Relax, Arlie,” he murmured against her lips, and then thrust home. She gasped against his mouth, her entire body tensing beneath him.
“I won’t move, so you’ll have time to get used to the feel of me inside of you.” Her vagina hugged him so tight, he had to use every ounce of control not to spend himself.
He kissed her forehead, rained kisses along her nose, before taking possession of her mouth again. He deepened the kiss and she started to move her hips, just the slightest bit. Sensing she was ready, he slowly pulled out, then back in. She met each thrust with one of her own, her sheath hugging him tight. Sweat beaded his brow, and his entire body trembled. Her hands moved down his back over his buttocks, and when she squeezed with her fingers, he increased the rhythm.
Arlie marveled that she could accommodate Dominic’s size. At first she thought she would split in two, but then the pain passed and yearning took its place. As he began to move, she opened her legs wide, wanting to feel all of him. Becoming bolder, she ran her fingers over the corded muscles of his back, and down the smooth skin of his firm buttocks. Lifting her hips she met him thrust for thrust. His cock swelled inside her, stretching her, filling her, the sensation making her want to scream in ecstasy. As his momentum increased, she felt an overwhelming pressure begin to build inside of her. Like she had experienced before, yet greater, more intense. A few more thrusts and she cried out, her vagina pulsing around his shaft. She held onto him, her breaths raged as she rode out the orgasm.
A moment later he arched against her, groaning loud as he found release. He collapsed on her, his head resting on her breast and she took his weight happily. She wove her fingers through his hair, while another smoothed over his broad shoulders. She sighed. Never had she known such exultation.
* * * * *
Arlie woke to the rain pelting th
e bedroom window. She opened her eyes to a room cast in shadows. Instantly memories of the night before raced through her mind. She smiled recognizing the pain in her nether regions for what it was. Dominic had loved her well last night, taking her time and again, until she’d been so tired she could scarcely lift her head from the pillow. She glanced over and finding the space beside her empty, disappointment filled her.
“You finally getting up and about?”
Arlie jumped at the sound of Mary’s voice. The maid stood in the sitting room, pouring oil into a steaming bathtub. “I was beginning to wonder if you had taken ill.”
Pulling the sheet to her chin, Arlie sat up. “I feel fine, Mary.” Now go away, she wanted to say, knowing she would not be able to get out of the bed and walk to the bath naked. Though Mary had seen her body before, it was different now. Her innocence was forever gone.
“I’m glad you’re feeling well. His lordship wanted me to tell you that he had business to attend to this morning, but he will meet you for lunch.” She glanced at the clock on the mantle. “He should be returning shortly.”
“Then I’d best take my bath now.”
“All right then, I’ll leave you to it. Let me know when you’re finished and I’ll help you dress.”
“That’s all right, Mary. I don’t need your help.”
The older woman walked over to the bed, and with hands planted firmly on generous hips, said, “My dear girl, I know that you and the master passed a night in each other’s arms. It’s completely natural. The two of you are perfect for one another, and as you know, we here at Rochford love our master. We would never hurt him, nor you.”
Arlie’s cheeks grew hot under her knowing stare.
“Now, with that said, I’ll be back to help you dress.”
The door closed behind Mary and Arlie jumped up out of bed, gasping as she looked down at the blood that stained the sheets and insides of her thighs. She rushed to the tub and slipped into the warm water, relaxing, closing her eyes, remembering the night just passed. Never had she imagined that making love could be so wonderful. Dominic had been a most gracious lover, bringing her to the heights of passion time and again. A smile tugged at her lips remembering how he’d made her body come to life.
By the time she got around to washing her hair, the water had grown tepid, but some of the soreness had left her body.
She stepped out of the tub, dried herself off with a towel, and stood before the roaring fire. Her mind raced, wondering what she would say when she saw Dominic.
* * * * *
Dominic leaned against the closed door.
Arlie’s back was to him, her wet hair clinging to her body, covering her slender back and buttocks from his view. He heard her sigh as she turned her back to the fire, facing him. He smiled with appreciation. Her eyes were closed, her lips red and swollen from their night together.
His gaze moved down over her ripe young breasts, the nipples hard from the coolness of the room, down past her flat stomach to the triangle of pale curls between her legs. His cock stirred, hardening with every second. She was beauty personified, and she belonged to him.
He moved toward her quietly, wondering what her reaction would be when she saw him—joy or regret.
She didn’t open her eyes until he was just steps from her, and when she did, the look in them took his breath away. She stared up at him with a devastating smile for a moment before she threw her arms around his neck and pressed her soft body against the length of him.
Overjoyed at her reaction, he kissed her long and hard, his hands encircling her small waist. “Glad to see me?” he asked.
“Very,” she replied with a wicked grin as her fingers began unbuttoning his shirt.
“You’re very adept at this for having just lost your virginity.”
A tawny brow lifted. “I learned from the best.”
He grinned at the compliment.
Once he was stripped of his clothing, he took her hand and led her to the bed. He saw the bloodstains that confirmed he was the first. Their eyes met. “You belong to me, Arlie. To me and me alone.”
“Always,” she said, going into his arms.
He pulled her close, his heart pounding hard against her. He had been unable to keep her out of his mind the entire day. Memories of her sweet surrender burned in his brain, causing a deep ache in his heart and in his groin. He had hoped she would be a wonderful lover, and last night she had proven she was—in spades. He had felt guilty each time he reached for her throughout the night, his body needing her, yet she went to him willingly, encouraging him with heated words.
“I missed you,” she whispered, her lips leaving his to travel down his neck to his chest. She looked up at him with a wicked smile and flicked his nipple with her tongue. His cock reared and her smile widened.
“Little vixen,” he said, as she made her way down his stomach.
His breath caught in his throat as she tasted his cock, her pink tongue swirling around the head. Her hands splayed on either one of his thighs and curled around to his buttocks, pulling him closer to her mouth.
She took him into her mouth, a little at a time, getting used to the feel of him. She sucked, first softly, then harder until his breath came in gasps.
He put her at arms length. He looked at the bed and with a smile she stood. He could not wait. He turned her around, kissed her smooth, slender back, and slipped into her soft recesses from behind. He groaned as he filled her to the womb.
She gasped out loud, from pain or pleasure he knew not which, but he did not move, wanting her to become accustomed to his body. He pressed his chest against her back, while his fingers teased her nipples into tight buds.
While he played with one nipple, the other hand roamed down her body, to her mons and the soft curls that hid her sex. His fingers wove through the soft hair, working the tiny pearl until she moaned low in her throat with her release.
Her vagina clamped tight around him, and he groaned her name as he exploded.
Chapter Ten
Dominic pretended to take great interest in the ledger before him, while the young couple sat on a nearby settee talking in low tones as not to disturb him. Which was ridiculous. It was as impossible to concentrate on his work as it was to keep from watching Arlie and Daniel’s every move.
Not even a week had passed since he and Arlie had become lovers, and in that time she’d become like a drug to his senses. Every evening right after dinner Arlie went to her room, and shortly after he would join her there. In the joyous hours that followed, they would make love, rediscovering each other’s bodies, showing and giving pleasure.
With Arlie his lust seemed to be unending. He sometimes took her three or four times in a night. She never complained, never turned him away. In fact she seemed to enjoy their lovemaking as much as he did. He should be exhausted he knew, but he wasn’t. Even now he imagined her naked on his bed, her long legs wrapped around his waist, her smile soft as she stared up at him with passion-filled eyes.
Arlie’s laughter filled the room and his eyes narrowed. She and Daniel had their backs to him, yet he could see her profile. The smile, bright white teeth, tiny and perfect. Her lips, so pink, turned up at the corners, and her green eyes sparkled as the young man whispered something in her ear. Dominic clenched his fist, yearning to knock the American’s perfect teeth out.
Of all Arlie’s suitors, the American was the most aggressive, but after days of turning him away, Dominic decided that he could not keep making excuses without making trouble. He didn’t want anyone getting the idea that he and Arlie might be sharing a bed, although those who knew him best probably already placed wagers.
Dominic didn’t want to think beyond the moment. He and Arlie were lovers—no more, no less. One day they would tire of each other and go their separate ways. Like hell, he thought in his heart, but his mind conjured up an image of another woman whom he’d given his heart—one who had betrayed him.
He must accept that Arlie would be cou
rted by others, and one day she would marry someone else. He dismissed the thought almost immediately, knowing that would never happen. At least, not while he felt this way—as close to out-of-control as he’d ever been. Certainly not as long as she satisfied the craving he felt for her and her alone.
“My lord?”
He glanced up to see the angel who had turned his life upside down watching him with wide-eyed innocence. At one time he had thought it an act, but now he knew her well enough to be certain it was no act. She was innocent—or had been until he’d taken her maidenhead, making her his. And already she was an accomplished lover. Before long, she would know every way to pleasure a man and to be pleasured in return.
“Mr. Butler has asked if we could take a stroll in the gardens.”
Dominic stood abruptly, nearly toppling the chair over before he caught it. “Of course. Shall we,” he said, motioning toward the door.
The two hesitated. Arlie bit her bottom lip, but it was Daniel who stepped forward. “Could Miss Whitman and I have a moment alone, Lord Rochford?”
Dominic stared at the young man, who in turn watched him with little apprehension. Daniel, so much like Dominic had been at his age, was wealthy, arrogant—and a man who knew a hot skirt when he saw it. The difference between them was Dominic had a bad reputation for chasing woman, and Daniel didn’t. Dominic wasn’t sure if the man was as true as he pretended to be, or if his conquests just didn’t kiss and tell. Either way, he didn’t like Daniel—not at all.
“I promise we will stay within your sights,” Daniel said emphatically, taking Arlie’s hand in his own.
“Very well,” Dominic replied, glancing at their joined hands before looking directly at Arlie, whose expression was impossible to read. He knew she had been surprised by his insistence that she see Daniel and quite possibly enjoyed Dominic’s discomfort at seeing her with another man.
Dangerous Desires Page 13