by HELEN HARDT
Sophie closed her eyes. If she was going to tell this story, she couldn’t look at Ally. “Well, it all felt so good. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what happened. He put his mouth on my…nipples. And then he put his hand inside my drawers, and…”
“I see what happened. He was massaging your clitoris when his hand was inside your drawers. That’s how most women climax for the first time.”
But what of the spanking? That had also brought Sophie to a climax, and she didn’t know how to tell Ally. Was there something wrong with her? She had been beaten on the bottom as a child, and then she had watched in horror as her father beat her mother and Ally. She had cowered in a corner, letting them take the punishment for her. How could a smack on the buttocks feel good to her? She trembled, still squeezing her napkin. She was ill. Ill in the head. God help her.
“So tell me,” Ally continued. “Do you intend to see more of Mr. Newland?”
“Well, I’m bound to, if I take the role he has offered me.” She wasn’t sure exactly when she had decided to join the cast of the musicale, but she had. Perhaps it would help her get her mind off of her illness. A role would keep her busy. Of course, it would also keep her in close proximity to Mr. Newland. How she would look him in the eye after what transpired between them, she didn’t know.
Ally clapped her hands together. “That’s fabulous! I knew you could do it. I’m so happy for you. This will bring joy to not only everyone who hears you but also to you, in your heart. You deserve joy, Sophie, more than anyone I know.”
Joy. Sophie wasn’t sure she’d ever experienced it. She’d been content, yes, but pure joy? Maybe during the bliss of her…climax, but that had been short-lived, and a lot of it was purely physical. Joy. How could Ally think Sophie deserved joy when she had let Ally take her punishment from their father for all those years? Ally was a strong, forgiving, and amazing person. And Sophie loved her more than anything.
“I just hope I don’t freeze up. I hope I’m not making a gigantic mistake.”
“You’re not.” Ally smiled, radiant with the glow of her pregnancy.
“I do appreciate your confidence in me, Ally. I hope it isn’t misplaced.”
“It’s not.” Ally shook her head. “I promise you.”
* * *
Sophie exited the coach that dropped her off at the Regal Theatre in Bath. She still wasn’t quite sure when she had decided to take the part. Sometime during the conversation with Ally that morning. If Ally had confidence in her, she should have confidence in herself.
“Good morning, Lady Sophie,” the doorman said, ushering her into the lobby of the theatre.
“Good morning. I’m here to see Mr. Newland. Is he in?”
“I believe he’s in the back, in his office. Should I show you the way?”
“Thank you, but no. I know the way.”
Sophie walked slowly, her nerves on edge, to Zach’s office in the back. She stopped a few steps shy of the open door, breathing heavily. Her skin tingled, and her nipples were so hard she felt sure they’d cut right through her corset. Relax, Sophie, relax.
Gathering all her courage, she walked the remaining steps to Zach’s open door.
And there stood Miss Nanette Lloyd, the prima donna herself, her arms around Zach and her lips on his.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Bile rose in Sophie’s throat. She had let this man kiss her, touch her, bring her to…climax. And here he was with another woman in his arms. How could she have been so stupid and naïve?
She turned to walk away, tears threatening and anger simmering—anger at Zach, but mostly anger at herself for allowing him to take advantage of her. True, they were not courting, and he had not mentioned anything about courting, but really…only a day later?
Clearly, Sophie meant nothing to him. He truly was only after her voice.
As she backed away from her door, Zach called to her. “Sophie! Come back. Please.”
Come back? Was he serious? Though she hesitated a moment, she then continued walking.
“Please!” Someone tugged at her arm.
She turned to look into Zach’s chocolate eyes. Her face warmed, and she didn’t want to think about how red it was. “I am very sorry to interrupt you, Mr. Newland.”
“You didn’t interrupt anything. Nanette came into my office and pretty much attacked me. There is nothing between us, I assure you.”
Sophie dropped her gaze to the mahogany floor. “And I assure you that I do not care if there is anything between you. It is certainly none of my concern.”
“Really? None at all?” Zach’s voice was low, husky.
Sophie shook her head, her lips trembling. “That is correct. None at all.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He tipped her chin upward so their eyes met. “However, if you would please accompany me back to my office, I am happy to discuss whatever brought you here.”
“I’m afraid the reason I came here no longer exists.” She certainly could not take the role now. Though she had no intention of continuing any type of liaison with Mr. Newland, she couldn’t watch him seduce every harlot in sight.
“Please, I truly want you to stay. I’m delighted that you came to visit.”
Sophie yanked her chin out of his grasp. “I fear I cannot stay. As for the role you offered me, please give it to Miss Lloyd. It’s clear that you two are…close.”
“As I’ve told you, anything that existed between Nanette and me is now over. She is not happy about that fact, so she came to my office and attempted to seduce me.”
“From where I was standing, she appeared to have succeeded,” Sophie said.
“I promise you, she did not. She was kissing me. I was not kissing her. And even if there were something between Nanette and me, I would still want you for the part. You are so far above Nanette in talent and grace, and it would give me so much happiness to make you the queen of the stage that you were meant to be.”
Sophie gulped. The queen of the stage? Timid, plain little Sophie? And was he truly telling the truth about Nanette? Not that it mattered, of course. Sophie had no feelings for Mr. Newland. None at all.
“Please, come back to my office, and we will discuss the terms of your contract. It would give me great joy to welcome you to the theatre company.”
Sophie relented. She had made a commitment to Ally and to herself to try to bring some joy into her life and into the lives of others. If singing in front of an audience could do this, she had to try.
She let out a breath. “All right, but only to discuss the role.”
Zach nodded and led her into his office, shutting the door behind them. He sat behind his desk and motioned for Sophie to take one of the leather chairs facing him.
“The new musicale, written by our own Lord Thornton, is called a Love on a Midsummer Night. The music was inspired by his wife, your cousin Rose. I would like you to play the female lead. Thornton’s music is captivating, and I myself wrote the lyrics to the songs.” He held out a piece of music to her. “Please, take a look. I believe you’ll find it’s well within your range, and I also believe you are the person to do justice to this role. It will be not only your debut, but the debut of this musicale.”
Sophie bit her lip. She would love to perform in something that Cameron had written. He was remarkably talented as a composer. She looked at the song and the notes on the page. Yes, she could definitely sing it, and sing it well. And then she read the words…
Such fluidity in the poetry, such love coming through in the lyrics. She almost couldn’t believe Mr. Newland had written them. Had he ever been in love? Surely he must have been at some point.
Sophie herself, of course, had never been in love and never could have described love in such a beautiful manner, having not known it personally.
“So do we have a deal, Sophie? Will you be my lead soprano? My protégé?”
Sophie took a brief deep breath and nodded. “I am willing to try.”
“Excellent!” Zach rose,
walked around the desk, and pulled Sophie out of her chair. “You will be the belle of the theatre, Sophie. Your loveliness, your quiet demeanor, your angelic voice that comes from the heavens above—the people will fall in love with you.”
He pulled her into a tight hug.
Sophie gasped. All of her senses went on alert. Her nipples hardened beneath her corset, pressing against the stiff fabric. And that place between her legs, that tiny little organ—the clitoris—began to pulsate.
Oh, not again. Would she be able to resist the lure of that incredible feeling?
Before she could think about how to refuse him, Zach’s lips came down on hers.
And then she could no longer think about all the reasons not to kiss Zach. Because she wanted to kiss him. She wanted to explore so much more with this man. Was it wrong to want such things? Ally didn’t think so. And Sophie couldn’t think at all…
The kiss was firm and drugging, eliminating all rational thought from Sophie’s mind. He nibbled around her lips, seeking entrance, and she granted it. He delved his tongue into her mouth, seeking hers. She met him, tangled tongues with him, kissing him with an urgency she had only begun to know.
When he broke the kiss and they both took much-needed breaths, he looked into her eyes, burning an inferno straight into her soul.
“Sophie, why do you I want you so much?”
She had no answer for him. She wanted him as well, and she knew not why. He certainly was no longer attempting to seduce her so she would take the role. She had already taken it. Did he want her to answer? After a few seconds passed, though, he crushed his mouth down to hers once again.
They continued kissing with passion, their lips sliding over each other’s, their tongues swirling, their teeth nibbling. Closer, she wanted to be closer. She desperately wanted to tear off all of her clothing, and then his, and writhe with him on the Oriental rug covering his floor.
Wherever were these thoughts coming from? They were not the thoughts of a lady of the peerage.
She ripped her mouth away from his, stepped back, and looked straight into his piercing eyes. “I can’t do this.”
He frowned. “I’m sorry. I thought… Well, never mind. I understand.”
“It’s just… I’m a lady. And you were just kissing…”
Zach trailed a finger down her cheek to her chin, again tipping it so she met his gaze. “I’ve told you, that meant nothing to me.”
Sophie gulped. “Yes, but that’s not really the point. This is all improper. This isn’t me, Mr. Newland—”
“Zach. Please.” His coffee-colored eyes burned two holes in her skin.
Her lips trembled. “Z-Zach. You must believe me. I’m not a loose woman. I’m not like this.”
“Sweet Sophie, no one would ever mistake you for a loose woman. You are no doxy. You are as sophisticated a lady as exists.”
“If you believe that, why do you want me to…” The words clogged her throat.
He smiled, his teeth like dazzling pearls. Sophie’s knees weakened.
“My dear, did you enjoy what happened yesterday?”
Sophie shivered, her tummy fluttering. Surely he didn’t expect an answer. Besides, her response had proved she’d enjoyed it immensely.
“Your blushing cheeks are lovely, my sweet,” Zach said, cupping them and rubbing his thumbs gently over them. “No need to be embarrassed. I enjoyed myself yesterday, more than I even expected to.”
“Well, of course you enjoyed it,” Sophie said. “You’re a man.”
Zach let out a chuckle. “Point taken. I see you know a little about men, then.”
Only what Ally had taught her. She didn’t respond.
“I don’t know when I’ve had quite as much enjoyment as I had with you yesterday, and I didn’t even release.” He grinned. “But you did.”
Release? Another word for climax, maybe? A perfect word for the experience. She had been released from her shell, and she had soared, erupting in volcanic waves of pleasure, the sensation releasing every last shred of resistance, every last molecule of tension from her body.
Release…
Sophie melted. She had no strength left to resist this man. She knew better, but she wanted more of that freedom, that spontaneity, that…brazenness.
That release.
She turned her back to Zach, brushing the strands of curls that had come out of her coif off her shoulders with one hand. He took the hint and unbuttoned her gown. When he finished, he brushed it over her shoulders, and it landed at her feet. She turned her head at a faint click.
“Just shutting the door, love,” Zach said with a wink, turning the lock.
Sophie’s heart pounded as if a stampede of wildebeests were racing inside her chest. That elusive feeling, that delicious sensation she had experienced for the first time yesterday at Zach’s hands—the release—beckoned her. She throbbed between her legs.
Zach returned to her and clamped his mouth to hers once again.
She parted her lips and bravely thrust her tongue into the moist warmth of his mouth. She kissed him with longing, intensity, lust. She poured her essence into this meeting of their mouths, making their previous kisses nearly meaningless. She tasted, she teased, she taunted.
Zach broke the kiss with a loud smack. “My God, sweet, you’ve never kissed me quite like that.”
Sophie’s cheeks burned. She didn’t know how to respond.
Before she could, Zach turned her around, loosened her corset, and divested her of the tight garment. Then he brushed her chemise off her shoulders, her drawers over her hips and onto the floor. He removed her shoes and stockings. He was still fully clothed, and she stood before him, stark naked.
The urge to cover herself dueled with the desire to for him to see her in all her nakedness. She fought the first urge, standing, her pert breasts and her triangle of dark-blond curls in plain view.
“You are so very alluring, Sophie. I could look at you all day and never get enough of your
beauty.”
Sophie cast her eyes downward. She was not beautiful, and she did not delude herself into thinking Zach spoke the truth. He was merely playing his part, saying what she wanted to hear. He was a gifted actor, after all.
Truth be told, she did enjoy hearing it. It made her hot in places she had only recently learned of. She gathered her courage to speak.
“Am I ever to see your body? Or are you only to see mine?”
Zach smiled, his dimple apparent. “I will show you anything you wish to see.”
She nearly unraveled and melted into a puddle right on his rug. Again, she fought dueling urges—the urge to run out and not look back and the overwhelming hunger to see him in all his naked glory.
Of course, she couldn’t very well run out without clothes on, and right now, not a stitch covered her.
“Well, Lady Sophie, what do you wish to see?”
She quivered. “I suppose we can start with your chest.”
Zach slowly removed his coat and hung it on the brass rack in the corner of his office. He loosened his cravat and discarded it.
He undid each button of his shirt at a maddeningly slow pace. Sophie tingled with every new inch of golden skin that was exposed. And those muscles… He was hard where she was soft.
When he pulled his shirt out of his waistband and removed it, Sophie gulped. Crisp mahogany hairs grew over bronze nipples. His abdomen was rippled with muscle. She clenched. Never had she imagined such beauty. Could men even be beautiful? Zachary Newland certainly was. Her fingers itched to touch the hard muscle.
As if reading her mind, Zach said, “Touch me if you’d like. I would enjoy it.”
Sophie cautiously strode forward. She reached out timidly and skated the fingers of one hand over his shoulder and down his upper arm. She pulsated between her legs. His skin was soft and smooth under her fingertips, but underneath, his muscles were hard and tense—the sinew, the corded muscle, so grand, as if he had been sculpted by the finest artist.
>
He shuddered softly beneath her caress. “That feels nice, Sophie. Tell me, did you like it yesterday when I touched your nipples?”
Sophie’s lips trembled as she nodded.
“I’m glad you did. I adored touching them. I would love it now if you would touch mine.”
Shaking, she trailed her fingers downward to one of his brown nipples. It hardened under her touch.
“Yes. That’s nice, sweet.”
Forgetting for a moment how frightened she was, she slid her other hand up his chest and fingered the other nipple. This time, when it hardened under her touch, a jolt arrowed to the wet place between her legs. She squirmed, fearful that her juices would drip down her thighs.
As she continued to graze his nipples, he reached forward and tugged on hers. And another jolt arrowed straight to her… Could she even think the word?
Pussy.
Pussy.
Yes, she could do it.
“Such beautiful breasts you have, Sophie,” Zach said. “And so responsive to my touch.”
He cupped her breasts, thumbing her nipples and then twisting and pinching them.
Sophie cried out. The pleasure-pain was exquisite. And, oh…the sensations in her pussy…
She needed more.
“Zach, yes, please… Squeeze my nipples.”
Had such words left her lips? Yes, they had, and instead of feeling filthy and dirty, she felt…empowered. She dropped her gaze to the bulge in his trousers. Yes, this man had power over her. But she had the same power over him. She drew in a breath, embracing the power.
“What you do to me, sweet. Your words, they…make me so hard for you. How I yearn for you.”
Zach had no doubt yearned for many women in his day, but at that moment, Sophie couldn’t bring herself to care. She wanted him to continue playing with her nipples, and then she wanted him to suck them as he had yesterday, his firm pink mouth licking and nibbling on them.
God help her, she had become a slave to her own lust…and she was enjoying it.
Zach let one of her breasts drop and covered one of her hands, slowly sliding it downward to the bulge inside his trousers. “Touch me, Sophie. Please.”