“Philip, please. My name is Philip. No ‘Your Grace’ allowed here. We are in my townhouse. Do not worry; my staff will not speak a word of your arrival. They are paid handsomely to be discreet.”
He motioned her to a chair in front of the hearth and started a fire. As she sat, she could not help but stare at him. He’d removed his jacket to bank the fire, and his muscles rippled through his white shirt. Philip St. James was a fine-looking man from head to toe, but he was off limits…wasn’t he?
“I’ll not allow you back in your place with that man watching for you,” he said. “It’s not safe for you there.” As if guessing the direction of her thoughts, he added, “There’s another bedroom down the hall. It will suit my needs perfectly well.”
Sara continued to watch the man in front of her, blushing a little as he bent over. Her eyes lingered on his bottom. Even that was muscular. His strength vibrated in his legs as he worked.
She came to a surprisingly easy decision: she would sleep with this man. Just once she wanted to feel loved, protected, cared for, and admired. The duke didn’t truly love her, of course, but he made her feel special. Couldn’t she pretend for one night?
“No,” she said softly. “We’ll both sleep in the bed, if ’tis acceptable to you.”
Her fingers twisted her gown in her lap, bunching folds of the fabric. Doing so brought a painful reminder of her broken finger. But she was safe now, wasn’t she? She squeezed her eyes shut to make sure this wasn’t a dream. When she opened them, Philip was still there. So was the bed.
She stood and tiptoed over to it, caressing the fine linens with her fingertips, luxuriating in the richness of the fabric. He came up behind her, circling his arms around her waist, and leaned in to kiss her neck. She tensed at first, nervous, but then closed her eyes and allowed herself to relax into his embrace.
Sara didn’t understand the feelings she had whenever he was near. Heat pooled in her belly. Her breasts tensed against the constraints of her gown, begging to be set free. She had never experienced such sensations with Duncan. Her senses were inflamed by Philip’s touch, his scent, and his soft words. She didn’t feel his touch on the buttons or ribbons of her gown, but it was suddenly pooled at her feet.
She turned to stare at him, only to see his blue eyes were already boring into her. How had he done that? He unlaced her corset, reaching around her, his hot breath on her bare shoulder making her tremble. Then he lifted her as if she weighed nothing and settled her on the bed.
She followed his every movement as he removed his shirt. Unable to tear her eyes from his torso, she licked her lips at the muscles in his arms and the flat plane of his belly. Her hand reached up to touch the dark hairs on his chest, but he was still too far away. Her husband had been a handsome man, too, but his cruelty had made him ugly to her.
“Do you like what you see, Sara?”
Nodding, she could feel the blush start at her head and travel to her toes.
“Good. I was getting a little nervous.” He removed the rest of his clothes and slid between the sheets. “You are agreeable to this? You do want me?”
Astounded that he awaited her response, she nodded again as she gazed into his eyes. “Yes, Philip. I do want you. So much. But I am nervous.”
He kissed her cheek and a path down her jaw. “Then I must make you forget your nerves. We’ll not do anything you don’t wish to do.” His hand trailed a slow path from the side of her knee up her thigh, rotating in slow circles by her hip before finally reaching up to cup her breast.
“You are absolutely beautiful, Sara. Every part of you is meant for a man’s hands—my hands.” Philip leaned down and covered her mouth with his, kissing her with a growing urgency. Moving lower, he suckled her nipple and she cried out, arching her back, pressing into him.
His soft caresses, his warm breath, his hard muscles…she wanted more of him. Touching his coarse chest hairs, she teased her hands down his rippled abdomen until she found what she was searching for. She wanted this man with a frenzy she couldn’t comprehend.
Philip pulled her hand away. “Not yet, love. You will make me embarrass myself like a schoolboy.” The heat in his eyes warmed her belly, pooled between her thighs. She smiled inwardly, hoping she had made the right decision to share herself with this man.
His lips found hers again, and she opened willingly for his tongue to explore the wet cavern of her mouth. Tangling his hands in her hair, he tugged her closer as if he couldn’t get enough of her. A loud moan interrupted her thoughts, and it shocked her to realize had come from her lips. She wrapped her hand around his arm, digging her nails into his bicep, relishing the hardness, the power she found there.
What was happening to her?
He rained kisses down her neck and across her collarbone until he found her nipple once more. He teased each velvety tip until they reached hard, taut peaks, as if begging for more.
Pulling his head from her breast, he whispered into her neck, “Sara, you’re so beautiful. You have no idea how much I want you.” She was shocked to see the raw passion in his eyes, turning the color to a deep, dark blue. A low, husky groan erupted from his throat before he took her mouth again, plundering her lips with sweet torture.
Returning to her nipple, he pulled hard on the tip, then ran his teeth across the tender apex, his breath rasping against her skin until she wanted to scream.
Would Philip hurt her when he entered her? It had always been painful, or nearly so, with Duncan, but he’d never been gentle with her. He’d never touched her like this, as if he savored her.
Philip ran kisses down her belly as she watched, clinging to him. His tongue ran down the inside of each thigh as his hands reached for her tangle of curls. Her breath grew ragged, and she panted at each further touch of his tongue. When his tongue touched her nub, she screamed.
Her hand clutched his hair as he lowered himself between her legs. “Philip, I don’t understand. What are you doing to me?”
She couldn’t believe what he was doing, yet she was powerless to ask him to stop. She didn’t want him to stop. His tongue probed her most tender parts at the juncture of her thighs until she cried out in sweet surrender, pleasure rippling through her.
He rose up to his knees and gazed at her. “You drive me to madness. I cannot wait any longer.”
Lowering himself over her, he settled his broad frame between her knees and teased her entrance. Touching her with his hands, he inserted his finger inside her slickness.
“Oh, sweetheart, you do want me. You are hot and wet for me.”
He removed his finger and entered her swiftly. She cried out from the sheer pleasure of it, shocked it did not hurt as it always had with her husband.
“Philip, oh my heavens, what are you doing to me?” She gripped his arms as if to keep him exactly where he was at the moment.
“Relax, sweetness. Let it come. It is meant to be,” he whispered in her ear.
What? What was meant to be? She lost all coherent thought and strained her hips toward him, trying to take him in deeper, fighting for every part of him. She stared at the glistening sweat covering his perfect body, grasping at his hips to urge him deeper, faster.
“Philip, please.” Totally powerless against the demands of her body at that moment, all she knew was that she wanted more. And he gave it to her—again and again and again. Her back arched just as she tumbled over the edge.
“Philip,” she screamed. “Oh my God, Philip.” Her world turned upside down, inside out. She gasped as wave after wave of pleasure rippled through her.
He groaned as he pumped harder into her, then climaxed with a roar, burying himself into her as far as he could. Once he caught his breath, he lowered himself enough to kiss her brow and smiled at her—a radiant smile she wished to see as much as possible. He rolled onto his back, pulling her with him. He nestled her under his arm, with her head on his chest. Duncan had always pushed her away after sex, but Philip continued to caress her back and her arms. She notic
ed the sweat beaded on his chest, licked a drop, and smiled at his saltiness.
“I had no idea,” she finally whispered when she was able to speak.
“Was that your first orgasm?” Philip tipped her chin up so he could look her in the eyes.
“Yes, and it was wonderful, Philip. I thought only men enjoyed sex.” She ran a finger over his flat belly and circled his navel.
“Ah, sweetness. That is your husband’s loss. He had no idea what a treasure you are.” He kissed the top of her head.
Her head lifted and she searched his eyes. “Treasure? I don’t understand you.”
“It’s up to the man to pull all the passion from his lover. I knew from the beginning you were filled with passion. You have a goldmine of loving inside you, Sara.”
Sara peered at him curiously, considering his words.
“I promise to show you, if you’ll allow me,” he whispered.
She leaned her head back on his chest. Would she let him? He certainly would never offer her marriage, would he? She didn’t know, although she knew men were less likely to make such a leap if there was no need. She’d given him what he wanted without marriage. What motivation would he have to change things between them?
Life was very cruel.
But she wouldn’t think of tomorrow right now. She wished to enjoy herself while she could.
Chapter Sixteen
Philip rolled out of bed and held his hand out to her.
“Come, Sara, I need to relax you even more.”
Taking his hand, she followed him into the adjoining room.
He didn’t have to look at her to know she was blushing as she trailed behind him. Why did women hide their nudity so?
Sara gasped when she entered the next room. He turned to catch her expression when she noted her surroundings. In the middle sat a huge porcelain tub filled with steaming water. Next to the tub sat a small table topped with two glasses of wine and a platter of cheese and fruit, and a rack of thick, lush towels.
“I had this made special. Do you like it? Come. Climb in. You must relax your strained body, my sweet.” Philip stood in front of her, holding his hand out to help her into the tub.
“This is wonderful, Philip.” She stuck a toe in the water and then moaned becomingly as she climbed into the warmth.
“Move over, sweetness. It is big enough for two. I am joining you.”
Sara squealed as he climbed into the tub and sat down. She giggled when water lapped over the sides onto the rack of towels. He situated himself so he was facing her and handed her a glass of wine. After retrieving his own glass of wine, he wrapped his free arm around her long legs.
Sara leaned her head back against the tub. “Oh, Philip, this is heavenly.” As she moved, she brushed up against his leg and giggled again. “And you have very hairy legs.”
“Oh, do I now? And do you want to see what else I have that is very hairy?” He grabbed her hand, but she pulled back screaming.
“Stop, stop!” Sara’s laughter echoed in the room. What a beautiful sound it was to him. He didn’t think he had ever heard her laugh before tonight.
“Your word is my command,” he said, smiling as he leaned back. They sat in silence for a few minutes, enjoying each other’s presence, sipping their wine.
“Sara?”
“Yes?”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Talk about what?”
“Your marriage to Duncan. Why you know so little about sex?” His eyes bored into hers. He stroked her leg as he talked, hoping it would ease her mind.
Sara stared at the water for a few moments. When she spoke, her voice was quiet, raspy. He could tell she fought back tears.
“What do you want me to say? That my husband was no lover? Well, clearly he was not, but I had nothing to judge him by. I was a virgin when I married, and my father had always protected me from boys. Duncan was the first man I ever kissed. In fact, I had no idea what took place between husband and wife. My father said it was my husband’s job to teach me.”
“But he taught you the hard way, didn’t he?”
“Before our wedding, I thought he loved me.” She paused, took in a deep breath, and forced herself to continue. “I cried when he ripped through my virginity, and he…slapped me. So I never spoke another word to him in the bedroom. I thought it was the way it was supposed to be for a woman. Painful.”
Philip continued to massage her legs, sensing it was important not to show her his anger, although he had never wanted to kill a man more. Duncan had gotten off easily.
***
No man had ever looked at her before as Philip was looking at her now. It was as if she were his only focus. As if she were the most important woman in the world.
“Your husband did not appreciate your beauty, did he, sweetness?” he said at last.
Sara gulped her wine as she shook her head.
“Do you know what I think?” Philip asked as he reached for her, setting their wine glasses down first. “I think he insulted you to tear apart your self-regard.” He gently eased her toward him. “He ridiculed you so he would have complete control over you. He wanted to be sure you would never challenge him.”
Sara’s whole body trembled as Philip reached for the soap and a small cloth. He rubbed them together until the cloth was lathered in suds. Lifting her arm, he gently ran the cloth down it, washing her with such reverence she felt like a queen.
As he washed her arms, he whispered to her, “You have the slender, graceful beauty of a noblewoman. The class many women strive to attain is your natural right. Your body and your blood overflow with elegance. I can’t imagine the things he must have told you to try to kill your spirit.”
He placed his hand behind her knee and gathered her bent leg to his lips. “Don’t let him win. Don’t let his attacks on your loveliness, your refinement, stay with you. Fight his wickedness. Get his cruel, ugly words out of your head.”
Sara reached out and grabbed his arms as tears flowed down her cheeks. “But I’m not beaut…”
“Yes, you are. You have the most gorgeous set of legs I have ever seen. Your breasts are the kind men dream about at night. Your skin is soft and flawless.” He washed her shoulders and her breasts. She leaned toward him and dropped her head to his shoulder as the tears continued to flow.
“Tell me that you realize how stunning your face is.” He soaped her back and then held her as quiet sobs racked her body.
“Tell me, sweetness.” He grasped her chin and held her head up, gazing at her tear-stained face. “Tell me that you are beautiful. Please,” he implored.
Sara’s voice broke as she gazed into his blue eyes. “I am…beautiful.” She kissed him hard on the mouth, then retreated to stare into his eyes again.
“Yes, you are. Do you believe me?”
“Yes.”
“Do you believe yourself?” he asked, his eyes flashing.
“Yes.”
“Tell me you won’t let him win.”
“I won’t let him win.”
“Louder.”
“I won’t let him win.”
“Louder.”
Sara shouted, “I won’t let him win!”
“That’s better.” He drew her close and held her until her tears subsided.
“The water is getting a bit cold.” Philip stood and helped her out of the tub, although she noticed he stayed in the water.
“Dry off, and then I have something to ask of you.”
She wrapped a thick, luxuriant towel about her body, and once she was dry, she returned it to the rack. “Yes? What is it?” she asked.
He took hold of her hand and placed a cloth in it. “Now, you may wash me, if you’re agreeable.” He stared at her to gauge her reaction.
Sara smothered a gasp, but she decided it was a fair request. He’d cleaned her, after all, and while his body frightened her, she was also curious. Her husband had never allowed her to touch him. She glanced down at his maleness, but it didn�
�t look quite as big and intimidating as it had before.
He reached for her chin, pulling it up. “Start with my chest.”
Sara ran the soapy cloth over his chest and discovered that she liked his coarse, dark hairs. She ran her fingers through them, gliding the cloth lower.
“Careful, sweetness.” He winked at her.
She was surprised to see that his chest hair was thinner near his waist. Mesmerized by his body, and how very different it was from hers, she ran the cloth toward his pubic hair.
“Oh!” she remarked as her eyes shot back to his face.
Philip chuckled. “See what you do to me? I tried to warn you. Look again, I don’t mind.”
Sara marveled as his member grew. She stared at it, wide-eyed with delight.
“Can I touch you?” she gazed at Philip with a small smile.
“Please do. Believe me, I will enjoy it.”
She touched him gingerly, then ran her finger down his length. “Oh, Philip! You are so soft.”
A laugh choked out of him. “Promise me never to repeat those words to anyone but me. Men do not like to hear they are soft.”
“Well, you are very hard, but the skin is so soft, like velvet.” She wrapped her hand around him, wanting to feel his girth under her fingers, but Philip groaned loudly.
Snatching her hand back, she looked up at him in surprise. “Did I hurt you?”
“No, you didn’t hurt me. Do it again.”
Sara smiled and took him in her hand again, sliding her fist up and down on him.
He groaned again and stilled her hand. “Stop before you unman me, woman.” He gave her a playful shove and said, “Into bed with you, you have tormented me enough.”
She flew into the room, giddy, and he followed her. When he caught her, he lifted her up into the air from behind and pulled her in close.
Her whole body tensed as horrible memories pummeled her. “No, no, Philip, please don’t spank me. Please, no.”
Philip released her instantly. “Spank you? Is that what he liked to do?”
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