by Devon, Eva
Pippa wished him to teach her to kiss?
He was not a rake.
He never had been. He did not have the time for it. But he had always appreciated women and the pleasures he experienced with them.
Yet he’d never felt anything like this before. This was different. He felt akin to her in a way he’d never felt to anyone—which was why he had avoided her so entirely.
Not only had he come to quickly rely on her abilities, he felt drawn to her, connected to her, as if their interests united them.
But he had not let himself give in to his feelings.
He thought if he yielded to this, everything could change and he might lose her. Lose her companionship and remarkable skills.
But with her fatal declaration that she wished to kiss him too, he found that he could no longer resist the urge.
And when she had asked him why he was avoiding her, he’d not been able to lie. Much the same as she, he did not wish to lie about his true wishes.
Life was far too short for prevarication. So many people wasted their whole lives, afraid to go after what they truly desire. Most were so afraid they could not even admit to themselves what they truly longed for.
Perhaps it was simply inevitable that two people of such like mind, and such like way of doing things, should inevitably come together.
Resistance was pointless.
So he slowly crossed the room to her.
“Now, tell me about kissing,” she said softly.
Bloody hell, he loved her voice. He loved the way it filled the air and caressed him with her confidence.
“You see,” he said, “when one is going to kiss someone else, there should be a certain air in the room, a certain sense of anticipation or excitement, of eagerness to feel the other person against them.”
“I feel that,” she said easily, her cheeks flushing as her gaze darkened. “Did you know that whenever you’re in the room, the entire space changes?”
The desire in her eyes nearly undid him. There was nothing veiled about it. She was baring herself to him and it was marvelous.
“I didn’t know it, no,” he replied.
“You see,” she explained. “It feels as if I am completely alive whenever you come close to me.” She laughed, a deep, lush sound. “You are absolutely irascible, you know. But it is also immensely invigorating.”
“Invigorating, am I?” he teased, finding himself drawing closer and closer to her until only a few inches separated them. He felt as if the air crackled with the hunger between them.
“Indeed,” she said. “I can only imagine what your kiss will be like.” She hesitated and a flicker of doubt crossed her face. “But are you quite certain you wish to kiss me?”
At that strange question, he lifted his hand and stroked her cheek oh so gently. “Why shouldn’t I wish to kiss you?”
Her gaze dropped, and a hint of self-doubt played over her features. “Well, no one has ever wished to before.”
“Pippa,” he breathed, loathing society more than he ever had before at her temporary doubt in herself. “The world is full of fools, something you already know. And I am not a fool, nor are you. So it makes perfect sense that I should wish to kiss you.”
A beautiful smile tilted her lips and her gaze lifted back to his, positively dancing. “I suppose, when you put it like that, it makes great sense.”
“Good.” And a wave of pleasure that he had helped her see how much better than the rest of the world she was nearly overtook him. It felt so good to compliment her, to make her see herself as he did.
And with that, he realized that he did not want to wait until the candles were lit, until the room was hushed, until things were ready for passion as he was used to.
He could kiss her in the bright light of early morning. And it would be the most remarkable thing.
So when he slid his hands to her waist and pulled her towards him, he did not stop at her surprised but eager gasp.
He merely checked to ascertain that she liked what he had done.
And from the glow upon her face and the parting of her lips, she did. He seized her to him, slid his hands along her back, wishing there were no clothes to separate them, and took her mouth with his.
At first, she did nothing.
She must’ve been stunned by the force of it.
It hadn’t been his intention to be so. . . Demanding.
He’d intended to be gentle, easy, slow.
But in this moment, he wanted her so much, more than he’d ever wanted any woman before. He also wished her to know how very much he desired her.
He could not hold himself back.
Marcus kissed her again and again, his lips teasing over hers. With each touch, he needed more of her and she arched into him, awakening to the possibilities between them.
Wrapping his arms about her, he held her with more strength than he’d intended. But she did not seem to mind. Quite the contrary. She embraced him in turn, holding on as if for dear life, and angled her head to meet his kiss.
All his life, he had been in control. But with Pippa? That vanished. He felt pure emotion, pure need. It was undiluted and fierce, and he longed to give in to it.
He slid his tongue into her mouth, teasing, tempting. She opened easily for him, even though she seemed astonished.
And then she began to kiss him back.
It was remarkable. She kissed him—though with a little bit of awkwardness at first—with passion.
It was the most erotic and wonderful thing he’d ever experienced. He savored the feel of her and her kiss.
This. This perfection was what he had been waiting for his entire life, and it was both the most exciting and terrifying thing he’d ever known.
Chapter 13
Every part of Pippa yearned for him.
It had never occurred to her that she could feel like this. Her entire body melted into his hard frame and she adored it.
The kiss?
It was splendid perfection.
And she wanted more. So much more of him.
Carefully, she leaned back and drew in a shaking breath.
It took all her bravery, all her determination, but she dared herself to ask, “Will you be my lover?”
His gaze was hot and wild as he studied her. “Is that what you wish?”
“Almost more than anything,” she whispered, knowing the only thing she longed for as much was to remain by his side, engrossed in his work. “I wish to be free and to give myself the gift of knowing passion. Will you help me?”
He traced his thumb over her lower lip. “Are you certain? For I wish it too.”
“Absolutely certain,” she declared, imbuing her words with surety. “I will not go back to living a little life.”
And she meant it with every fiber of her being. She was done with hiding herself away, living through the adventures of others written upon the page.
Now, she was ready to fully embrace a life of adventure herself.
Each step she had taken this last year, and certainly this last month, made it easier.
To assure him that it was indeed what she desired, she took his hands in hers and led him to the emerald chaise lounge before the fire.
Though she felt her body tremble with nerves, it also trembled with anticipation. Anticipation for him and the passion they would share.
Wordlessly, she worked his perfectly tailored morning coat from his vast, Herculean shoulders. And then her fingers fumbled with the carved buttons of his waistcoat.
He did not intervene, sensing that she wished to do this herself.
She loved that about him. The fact that he did not try to take over but let her lead, even if she was inexperienced in this.
Finally, she unwound his cravat and let it drop to the floor.
She trailed her fingers down his linen shirt, then attempted to tug it out of his breeches.
It was more challenging than she had anticipated.
“May I?” he asked, his voice low.
>
“Please,” she replied, aching to see him bared.
He whipped the shirt over his head and tossed it to the floor to join his cravat and waistcoat.
As he did so, his muscles rippled and moved in perfect harmony.
In all her life she’d never seen such hard sinew. He was a perfect paradox, for his skin appeared velvet and warm to the touch, but as she dared to slide her fingertips over his abdomen she was met with sheer strength.
How she loved the touch of him beneath her hands.
His breathing grew ragged. Quickly, he picked her up, then positioned her on the settee.
Deliberately, he raked his hands up her gown, sliding the simple skirts up her serviceable stockings, revealing her naked thighs.
“So damned beautiful,” he rumbled softly.
Her heart thrilled at his tones. For she knew he meant it.
To him, she was beautiful. And she loved that about him too. That he wouldn’t give her false compliments.
He did find her beautiful. Just as she found him to be.
A wild need began to build inside her as he took her mouth with his again.
The soft brush of his fingers between her thighs shocked her, as did the intense wave of pleasure that radiated through her body at his ministrations.
Was this feeling coursing through her truly possible?
He stroked her again.
Indeed, it was possible!
Not only was it possible, it was magnificent.
She arched against him and he circled his fingers over the most sensitive spot of her body again and again without relent. She could scarce draw breath and her entire body seemed to struggle towards some unknown destination.
As he continued to please her, he did not question her wishes again, and she loved him for that too.
He trusted she knew what she desired and in the next moment, just as she felt as if her world was about to explode into stardust and unimaginable pleasure, she felt him thrust his sex against her opening.
Her eyes widened, stunned at the feeling.
In her pleasure, she had not noticed him work his breeches free. She knew the anatomy of what she had requested, but in this moment she was certain the books she had read had misled her.
Surely, this would not work.
Her body resisted his rather large sex.
She blinked and stared up at him, wondering how the devil she was going to accommodate him.
His entire face was a study in control. “Am I hurting you?” he gritted.
“Not exactly,” she replied. “But it feels. . . Very strange.”
“Do you wish me to cease?” he asked, though he looked like he might die if he did stop.
She did not even consider retreat. If she trusted him, she knew it would be fine in the end. No. There was no going back now.
“Only forward for me,” she insisted before she laced her arms about his back and shifted her hips. That slight, subtle movement made it easier to take him.
A wild moan escaped his lips, and his fingers returned to stroke her most intimate spot.
Pleasure suddenly pulsed through her and, as she felt the world spin entirely out of control, he thrust deep into her body.
His hips rocked against hers and as she lost all sense of time and thought, she saw his own face transform, joining her in bliss.
“Pippa,” he rasped, his arms shaking. As his hips pumped wildly against her own, she was amazed at the way pleasure had overtaken them both.
Feeling utterly exhausted and at complete peace, she pulled him close.
He rested his head atop hers.
For the first time in her life, Pippa felt as if she was truly on a journey to becoming the woman she had always longed to be.
And it just so happened that he made her feel more herself than anyone she had ever known.
Chapter 14
“Well, that was most illuminating,” Pippa said, hardly able to think of a thing to say but feeling the need to say something.
“I’m glad,” he said, his lips crooking in a very male smile. “It was most illuminating for me as well.”
“I find that difficult to believe,” she replied, arching a brow at his claim.
“Don’t,” he protested gruffly on her behalf. “You are a singular individual, Pippa. So, of course, our lovemaking was singular.”
She beamed up at him. “What a lovely thing to say.”
“Thank you,” he said, pulling her tight against him. “I don’t often find that I say lovely things.”
“You don’t,” she agreed. “So it only makes it the nicer. Are you still going to avoid me all of the time? Lest I distract you?”
“No, Pippa,” he assured softly as he stroked her shoulder. “I don’t think that’s necessary. I shall have to work to make sure that I keep my mind at matters at hand though. I could easily think of nothing but us. But I cannot abandon my work entirely.”
Her mouth dropped in horror. “I shall not allow it. What we are doing is far too important to abandon for our mutual pleasure. I’m sure we can find other moments that we can engage in such interesting endeavors as kissing after the days’ work is finished.”
He laughed at that, a soul shaking rumble of a sound.
He did not laugh at her. Oh no. He was merely amused and enjoying her company, which filled her with more pleasure.
Finally, she’d found someone who enjoyed her company and she his. All her life, she’d longed for such a relationship. But she’d never quite found it.
This friendship, she knew, would be very different than any other that she had ever had. For he had experienced so many things that she had not. But he needed her too, her practicality and attention to detail. They were a perfect match.
Yes, theirs would be a friendship of discovery.
And she was eager for it.
He took her hand in his, stood and slowly pulled her to her feet. “Come,” he said. “Let us go to my rooms and share a repast.”
“Truly?” she asked as her skirts whooshed to her feet.
“Truly,” he said gently. “You told me you wished to discuss some of the information you have learned in the last weeks. I am happy to listen to whatever you have to say. Perhaps you would like to come with me on my morning walks?”
The invitation was most touching, for she knew how important they were to him.
So, instead of jumping at the chance to have him during a time he cherished, she shook head.
“No,” she said.
“No?” he queried, his brows arching in surprise.
“Your morning walk is when you do your thinking,” she explained, “and I will not infringe upon that. But when you come back from your daily ritual, I would be very happy to have breakfast with you. And then we can discuss whatever we please.”
“Marvelous,” he agreed, a look of anticipation softening his usually skeptical features. “I think that we will get on very well.”
“Very well indeed, for we both care about Egypt.” She bit her lower lip and dared once again. “And if you must know, I think I’m beginning to care for you.”
He tensed, a look of panic temporarily flashing across his features. “Don’t do that.”
“Well, why ever not?” she demanded, surprised he would say such a thing. He did not appear angry. . . but afraid.
“I am a disappointment to those who care about me, Pippa,” he said, his voice so low it was little more than a rough whisper. “I always have been. And I always shall be.”
She said nothing at that, for he said it with such firmness that she did not wish to attempt to disagree with him. She doubted he would even bother to listen to any argument she might present. And just now, she didn’t wish to argue with him.
So, she merely smiled at him as if to suggest, Whatever you say, Roxley. He seemed appeased by it.
“Come along,” she urged, allowing him to wrap his fingers about hers. “Will you tell me about your first day in Egypt?”
“Yes,” he said
, clearly relieved she was not going to press the subject of caring. “It was full of French people. It was terrible, until. . .”
“Yes,” she prompted, wondering what could produce such an immediate look of wonder upon his handsome face.
“Until I saw the Nile,” he breathed. “The moment I saw it, I knew there was nothing more exquisite in the entire world.”
“Tell me all about it,” she said, feeling happier than she had in her entire life.
Feeling as if her life was truly just about to begin. And she could barely contain her glee.
Chapter 15
“Wake up,” a voice called roughly in the dark of night.
Pippa startled out of sleep.
So fierce was Roxley’s voice, her heart pounded with terror.
Was the house ablaze?
Pippa clutched the blankets about her for a moment before she sensibly smoothed her hands over them, then thrust them away. Quickly, she swung her feet onto the freezing cold floor.
It took her a moment to find her slippers in the room lit only by his candle. She dug her feet into the soft shoes and hurried to Roxley’s side.
His hair was wild, and a black dressing robe was pulled about his strong frame.
A golden glow encircled them as he lifted his candle.
“Whatever is amiss?” she demanded, feeling his unease.
“Someone has tried to break into the house,” he stated, his jaw tense.
Her jaw fell open. “You cannot be serious!”
“I am not in jest,” he replied. “They have departed but they caused damage to my study. Come.”
He took her hand in his big one and led her out into the hall.
“Right now some of my men are on the grounds looking for them,” he informed as he took long strides towards the stairs.
She hurried after him, stunned that anyone would dare to invade an earl’s home. Burglaries were not common amidst the upper classes.
“Do you think they were looking for your artifacts?” she asked, her feet all but skipping to keep up with his pace.
“Undoubtedly so,” he said.
“Thank goodness you have them well hidden,” she said. For though her entire body pulsed with concern, she was relieved that likely nothing of historical import had been taken.