Having thoroughly massaged her lower abbomen and upper thighs, he now began to work the uniquely thrilling sensations only his adept tongue could provide.
He also moved the massage inward with one, two and finally three long fingers. By the time he had reached the third, combined with the slow maddening swirl of his tongue, she had already nearly shouted herself hoarse with her passionate cries and pleas.
Yet despite the numerous outpourings of feeling he continued on, with his second hand alternating between her breasts and also penetrating her navel, causing the most intense inner contractions.
“Please, Simon,” she begged. “I need you inside me.”
“Isn’t this enjoyable?” he teased, his breath a puff against her pearl of pleasure.
“It’s wonderful, truly, but I want to feel your huge length and width right up inside me. We belong together as one.”
“Yes, yes, we do. But there are an infinite variety of positions. You need to relax, take a deep breath, and promise me not to drive it on. Just hold still or I’ll have to stop.”
He gave a wicked little smile and she quivered with desire.
She could see now that this had turned into one of his erotic games that she could never predict. All she knew was the ending would be pleasure like nothing she could ever imagine.
Her nipples hardened almost unbearably at the thought, and she could feel a fresh flood of moisture between her already saturated thighs.
“I promise, only please, now!”
“If it’s too much you must tell me to stop and I will. Just be sure you really mean it.”
She grew almost afraid of his seeming warning and her own clamorous need, but agreed. “I will, only hurry.”
He stepped between her spread thighs and teased the distended flesh with his velvety tip before pressing further in. His moved his huge broad manhood into her vibrant tightness with infinite care, pressing deeply into her for an all too brief pulsing second.
As he began to withdraw she nearly howled in frustration, until he moved back and she sobbed with sheer relief.
“Easy, easy now. Deep breaths, and then I’m going to begin. Just breathe.”
He placed one huge hand upon the lush glade between her arched hipbones and pressed down. He tilted his own hips upward and began to tease her whorl with both the ball and the trimmed fingernail of his thumb.
He glided in and out with minute movements so that his engorged head was riding against a small cushioned spot about two inches inside her and just under his hand. He caught her hips with his other hand as they began to cant upwards to try to receive his whole length.
“No, cherie, just let it happen. Easy, now.” He gentled her with his hand, then pressed down on her belly even harder. His thumb began to circle her nub even faster, more firmly.
Combined with the maddening little strokes within, she coud feel the pleasure curl her toes and climb upwards over her ankles and calves.
Wildly she wondered why the pleasure wasn’t radiating outwards from her centre. But no, it was rushing up to meet her, until her ears began to ring.
“Simon, oh!” she gasped.
The tremors rocked her whole body, and as he stroked harder and faster but still shallowly, the sensation radiated outwards in climactic concentric circles which flooded her all the way down to the soles of her feet.
He kept her poised in this Elysium for what seemed hours, the movement of his thumb never ceasing but only increasing by degrees in pressure.
Likewise he kept stroking inside her, still titillating the same incredible spot until she was so wet with desire he could at last begin to pentrate deeper without fear of making her sore. Alternating shallow with deep thrusts, he set her to writhing in abandon anew.
He was still standing on the floor, and now repositioned himself, aiming at her lower back, about three to four inches inside her, still not taking full possession of her.
She roared out his name and tried to reach for him. This new position was terrifyingly exquisite, as addictive to her as opium had been to him.
Just when Gabrielle thought she could climax no more, he would change position or pressure, and she would be swept away once again. With her legs suspended and her shoulders flat to the bed, she was almost totally helpless.
And yet even more incredible than the things he did with his body and hands were his words, for Simon never ceased to praise her, tell her what she meant to him, how much he loved her.
And above all, he never stopped urging her to climax for him. He was never crude or vulgar, but made his feelings of arousal known and described the sensations, what she was doing to him, what he was about to do to her, in a voice laden with raw emotion.
He built her up to yet another climax, and finally she said she couldn’t bear it any longer. He heaved a huge sigh and stilled, for it had been the hardest thing in his life to hold back from her vibrating caresses. Every line of his face was etched with need.
“But you haven’t finished,” she protested.
“I will in a moment," he reassured her, panting. "Tell me what you want.”
“I want to be under you, all of your lean hard body as your hips pin me down and we match each other thrust after thrust. I love to feel you explode inside me, our bodies fusing into one.”
“All of me?” he asked softly.
Sensing this was some sort of test, she nodded, her eyes glowing.
“Yes, please, Simon. All of you.”
She almost wept as he withdrew slowly, teasingly, lifting her body from the bolsters and bringing her up to the top of the bed. He cradled her in his arms like a baby as he laid her down on the pillows and arranged the covers at the foot of the bed.
He got in beside her and kissed her until she felt so aroused she was sure she would erupt like a volcano. His massive hardness lay along her leg tantalisingly until his satiny helmet brushed against her delicate folds in a whisper-soft caress.
She grabbed onto his bottom and pulled him into her fiercely. They devoured each other with kisses, clinging onto one another as if they would never let go.
His tempo, slow and gentle at first, became a pounding she arched up to meet. Her whole body opened to him like a flower to the searing warmth of the sun, and as much as he was giving, she pleaded for more.
Simon’s climax, when he finally gave in to it, tore through them both, searing their flesh inside and out.
His whole soul laid bare, she knew beyond the shadow of any doubt that their love was eternal, truly unique, and she need never fear his past again. Nothing could separate them, not even death.
At last they moved sleepily to settle intimately each other in their arms. She heard the words in the thrumming beat of his heart, and replied with her whole heart, “I love you too, Simon, always.”
His finely etched lips curved into a carefree, boyish smile and at last they let sleep claim them.
Chapter Thirty-two
Gabrielle awakened slowly the following morning, unable to move. Every part of her body throbbed with desire and Simon’s lovemaking. She felt as if she could barely even control her own limbs.
She smiled to herself. What a man. What an incredible lover. And what a wonderfully sensitive, perceptive and devoted partner.
She opened one eye to kiss him awake, but found him sitting up by her side instead. His huge weight sagged the edge of the mattress.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
He shook his head. “Nothing, my sweet. We have no duties today, remember? I was just rousing myself to tend to your every practical need. I thought breakfast in bed first, a bath, and whatever else you'd like to do for the rest of the day.”
“It sounds like heaven. You always seem to manage to read my mind.” She pulled herself upwards on the pillows and gave a small grimace.
He was instantly concerned. “Did I hurt you last—”
“No, not at all.You really are a remarkable lover. I never knew a man could be so, well, empathic. You seem to kno
w everything I’m feeling. Know exactly where and how to touch me, what I long to have before I’m even aware of it myself. And this continuous quest of yours to make me happy, well, it's marvelous. Just so long as you know I’d like to reciprocate.”
“Some other day,” he said with a little smile. “Today is your special day.”
“Every day is special with you," she said sincerely.
He smiled. “But this is a particularly special day.”
“Oh?” she said, wondering at the odd light in his eyes. She frowned. “It’s not my birthday, and so far as we know it’s not yours. I think we need to have an official one for you, though. And we can celebrate your name day. And the day we first met, and as many other special dates as we can manage—”
He grinned from ear to ear. “Then how about this one?”
He went over to his dresser and opened the bottom drawer. She watched the muscles of his broad back rippled as he fished around at the back until he final located what he was looking for.
He returned to the bed with something concealed behind him. “I was going to do this later, somewhere more romantic perhaps. But I really can’t wait any longer.”
He got down upon both his knees by the bedside, held the small velvet box out in front of him and opened it. “Darling Gabrielle, I was wondering if you would be willing to do me the greatest honour, and consent to become my wife?”
“Oh, Simon, yes, “ she cried, flinging her arms around his neck. The ring box tumbled into the covers as he climbed back into the bed and made love to her rapturously.
It was only when he rolled on top of it some time later with a wince that he recollected what he should have done had he not allowed himself to get so carried away.
“Er, I was about to put the ring on your finger, but one of us got completely carried away.”
“Only one of us?” she asked with a wink.
“Well, both of us,” he conceded. “But with an unbridled response like that, who could possibly blame me.”
She giggled. “Hmm, I don’t think blame is exactly the right word. I can never fault you for your prodigious enthusiasm.”
“It’s where the word amateur comes from. Someone with a love of something.”
Gabrielle stroked one broad bicep. “You’re certainly no amateur when it comes to knowing exactly what pleases me.”
He caressed her bare belly with one broad hand. “Good, I’m glad. Then I hope you won’t mind another night like last night. But only if you’re up to it—”
She kissed him lingeringly. “Up to it? I’m looking forward to it. Let’s forget about that fancy day out that you had planned. I just want to stay right here like this with you. So long as you teach me that massage so I can do it to you.”
“Let’s get that bath first, sweetheart, and then you can tiddle me until I faint. But first...” He took up the ring and slid it onto her finger. "I love you. Have loved you from the moment we met. You were a vision of heaven, and I need you so much, I can't live without you by my side. Marry me, my love, and make me an even happier man than you already have."
"Yes, darling, yes."
He slid the ring over her finger, and sealed their engagement with a kiss.
It was a perfect fit, and she admired the sparkling rubies and diamonds. She had never seen another ring like it, for the stones had been rendered into the swirling petals of a rose.
“Roses, your favorite. It is exquisite. Thank you so much.” She kissed his hand tenderly, and then his lips.
He took her hand in both his own, his expression suddenly serious. “I know there are a lot of reasons why we can’t get married right away, but I wanted this to be a pledge. I want you to wear this as a token of my undying love and my solemn vow that only death shall ever part us physically if I ever have a choice in the matter.
"I love you more than life itself, Gabrielle, and will do everything in my power to let you know how special you are to me. How only you can ever complete my poor self. And how I want to complete you in every way.”
“Oh, Simon, you do,” she sighed, cupping his finely chiselled cheekbone. “Please don’t doubt yourself any longer.”
He nodded. “I just can’t help thinking what an enurmous and very brave leap of faith this has been for you, loving a man like me.”
“And a great leap for you too. I mean, you've had little enough reason to trust anyone these past few years as it as. Then there's being intimate. Being someone’s, er, lover, partner, is always a gamble. You’ve risked the most secret part of yourself, entrusted it to my care. Your core, your essence. I can’t tell you how humbling and how thrilling that’s been for me.”
“For me too." He gave her a kiss that curled her toes.
She would have dragged him back into the bed, but he was already on his feet and offering his hand to her. "But come, your bath awaits, my princess.”
She looked at the ring again. “I truly do feel like one with this lovely gift. Thank you. I shall treasure it always, and never take it off.”
After a long leisurely bath that was part fun, part serious intent, they looked in on Lucinda, and once they saw all was well, returned to their own room, where they curled up in front of the fireplace so she could dry her hair.
Simon sent for a tray of food to be brought up, and fed her like a little bird, with every bite followed by a kiss.
Once her hair was dry he brushed it until it crackled, then spread it out all over the floor as he made love to her.
“Magnificent. All of you spread open to my gaze in the bright sunshine. No, don’t blush and look away. You’re a revelation.”
“So are you.” She rolled him onto his back. “Remember what you promised.”
“Very well. Oh, oooh—” He laughed happily. “Where did you—”
“I’ve been comparing notes with Isolde and Bryony. There are all sorts of lovely things I’ve just been waiting to try on you. So just lie back and enjoy it.”
"Enjoy is such a weak little word to describe this."
She gave an impish smile. “That’s right, love. Bliss, passion, joy, ravishment. You can have it all, if you just let go. You can do it. You encourage me all the time, so now it’s your turn. That’s right, let me see you pulsing, just ready to expl—”
Simon obeyed her instructions to the letter for the rest of the day and evening, until they both collapsed panting.
Once back up on the pillows under the cover once more, Simon kissed her left hand and placed it against his heart.
He snuggled into her with a sigh of pure joy, and for the second night in a row he slept straight through until morning without a single nightmare.
Chapter Thirty-three
Isolde caught sight of Gabrielle’s ring at breakfast the next morning, pointed, and was the first to hug them both.
The whole family was thrilled at the news of their engagement, and all gathered round to hug, kiss, shake hands and look at the ring in turn.
“When do you think—” Isolde called above the merriment.
Simon shrugged. “I would do it in a heartbeat if I knew who I was. And wasn’t still labelled mad by most of the world.”
Randall shook his head. “Listen, I know you’re worried, but Jonathan Deveril is nothing if not discreet and you know you can count upon us as your family. Any time you’d like to—”
“Thank you,” Simon said politely, “but we don’t think we’re ready quite yet. We’re waiting for just the right time.”
“Such as?” Isolde asked.
Randall suggested, “June is always a good month for a wedding.”
Gabrielle nodded. “Hmm, not a bad idea. But it shall be as Simon decides. Above all, we don’t want a huge fuss. We just want something simple and loving.”
“That’s all very well and fine. Anything you have will be grand compared to what some of us Rakehells had,” Randall said with a wink at his wife.
Gabrielle’s face fell. “We would never want to try to outdo anyone--”
Her cousin shook his head. “Oh no, I’m simply saying when Isolde and I wed, we did it in Mama’s bedroom, she was so ill. Nothing else is important except that you love each other.”
Simon gave a warm smile. “If that’s all we need to concern ourselves about, then we have no worries at all.”
“How wonderful. Delighted to welcome you into the family in earnest,” Randall said, finally getting close enough to Simon amid all the children that he could offer his hand to shake.
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