by Gill, Tamara
“Are you jealous of my mistress?” he queried as if he’d simply asked her about the weather.
She stared at him, anger spiking through her blood. “Jealous? No, but your actions confirmed to me what I already knew of you. I should have listened to everyone and kept away from you. I’ll not be fooled a second time.”
His jaw tightened, and he glanced away a moment. “Lottie is no longer my mistress, no matter how much she wishes to be. When I returned to town after the house party, I paid her enough to be comfortable for however long she wishes not to have a protector. Lottie is a playful woman and up for teasing if it means she gets what she wants.”
Willow scoffed, leaning forward. “And she would have had you had I not interrupted?” Lord Ryley leaned forward, their breaths intermingling.
“She would not have had me, damn it.”
“You lie, my lord.”
“I do not lie, Miss Perry.”
“Really? And I’m to believe that?” she asked, arching her brow.
“Yes, you should, because the only woman whom I’ve wanted lately is the little minx sitting across from me now.”
Willow’s eyes widened before they narrowed, her distrust of him evident. His words slammed into him like a body punch, and he accepted them for the truth that they were. He did want Willow. Wanted her more than he’d ever desired anyone in his life up to this point.
She was everything he didn’t need. A woman looking for love, a family, a secure, peaceful future. Where his life was chaos. Endless nights of debauchery, days of gambling, and endless idleness. All things he’d enjoyed up to the point he had met her. Now she’d thrown his life into turmoil.
He didn’t want a wife. The thought repulsed him, but the idea of Willow marrying Lord Perfect, hell, anyone for that matter, repulsed him more. He’d never allow such an outcome. If she married, he’d lose her forever. Not that he’d won her at all. Even after all their kisses, their times together, she was prickly and distrustful.
Rightfully so since he’d embarked on making her pay for her family’s part in his mother’s fall from society’s grace.
“I don’t believe you,” she said. Her eyes stole to his lips, and heat tickled down his spine.
“Believe this, then.” He wrenched her onto his lap, taking her lips in a searing kiss that rocked his axis off-balance. Kissing her was all he wanted to do, feel her sweet curves in his hands again as her mouth battled with his.
He growled as her tongue slipped against his own, and he clasped her nape, holding her to him, not ever wanting to let go. Their hands were everywhere, her little gasps as he explored her every curve, her lovely full breasts that were a perfect handful.
Abe had to feel her, satisfy his doubts that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. He wrenched her front falls open, reaching into her breeches and finding her deliciously wet. She moaned, kissing him deeper. The kiss turned scalding, their mouths fused, their tongues exploring, demanding more from the other.
He couldn’t get enough. Would never have enough of her. “Damn it, Willow. You drive me to distraction.”
Her fingers slid down his chest, his heart beating a continuous thrum of need. She shifted on his lap, straddling him, and for the second time this night, his world moved beneath his feet. Never before had he ever been on unsolid ground. He was a man who controlled everything, who his friends were, his estate, club, his lovers. But the woman in his arms was everything he disliked of the ton, his enemy, and yet, he could not let her go. Would not let her go, no matter how much he should.
She was so wet, her moisture coating his fingers and telling him that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Even if she protested to his face that he was a cad. An ass. All true, but damn it, this right now, Willow in his arms felt right. Made him forget his past, forget all the wrongs done to his family until all he was left with was satisfying her. Making her happy.
“Oh yes,” she gasped against his mouth. His cock strained against his breeches, and he cursed the fact she was wearing men’s clothing. He wanted her. Wanted to fuck her, here and now, their location be damned.
“Tell me what you want, Willow.” He would not force her, but a small part of him hoped she’d allow him to have her. To claim her as his.
“Just this. What you’re doing now.” Her plea, her eyes sleepy with unsated desire pulled at something in his chest, and he could not refuse her anything. He slid against her folds, sliding into her hot core with one finger while his thumb rolled against her bud of pleasure.
Her gasp, her undulating body against his hand, made his cock ache for release. He wanted her with a frenzy unusual for him. He wanted to satisfy her, show her all that could be between them. He cared…
Abe inwardly swore, knowing what she made him feel was the truth of his situation. He cared for the woman in his arms. That was what the difference was between her and his past bedmates. He wanted to make her happy, satisfied, and not just in a sexual way. He wanted to hear her laugh, see her more than just at balls and parties.
With his free hand, he pulled at her breeches, giving him more access to her. She tasted of vice, and his mouth watered with the thought of kissing where his hand worked her sex. Her kisses against his lips became frenzied and deep.
Abe took all that she was willing to give him. Her excitement slid over his fingers as he worked her, teased her swollen bud until, at last, she cried out against his mouth. She fucked his hand, although he knew she didn’t know that was what she was doing.
Need roared through him, overwhelming and urgent. He wanted her. Wanted to lay her down on the seat across from them, rip her breeches free and sheathe himself deep into her aching core. He worked her until the last of her climax ebbed from her body. She slumped against him, her head limp upon his shoulder.
Abe freed his hand, adjusting her breeches as best he could before wrapping his arms about her. He wasn’t the type of man to cuddle after any sexual interchange, but with Willow, it was different. She made him want to hold her. To ensure she was satisfied and to let her know she was safe.
A sense of wellbeing, of calm, settled over him, and he placed a quick kiss to her temple, the sweet, berry scent of her hair making him grin. He held her close, rubbing her back as she regained her breath, content to stay like this always.
He frowned into the darkened carriage as they rolled through the streets of London. Who would have guessed that the one woman he’d sworn revenge on was the first woman who had captured his heart?
And he cared about her more than anything else, even seeking retribution for his mother.
Chapter 13
The following afternoon Willow sat in her private parlor and flipped through the latest designs from the La Belle Assemblee. She had ordered tea and biscuits, but she could not concentrate on the women’s fashion magazine. It was pointless. That Lord Ryley was going to be calling on her to go over the investments as per their arrangement last evening after he’d dropped her home, made concentration impossible.
He’d kissed her so deeply, so passionately before opening the carriage door that she’d almost stumbled up the stairs to the front of her house. It was silly of her. The man was not looking for a wife, but dear heavens, what he’d made her feel last evening was nothing like she’d ever undergone before in her life.
She experienced a taste of the pleasure his talented hands could bring forth in her at Hampton, but that had been nothing compared to last night. The satisfaction had been searing, consuming, and left her wanting more, not less.
His hand upon her had brought her such pleasure that to remember it now made her stomach clench deliciously. She wanted him, and this afternoon she would seduce him. Here. In her private parlor while her friends were out for the afternoon with Hallie.
It was scandalous behavior, and she was taking a great risk in wanting him in this way, but she could not help herself. If she could not have him as a husband, she would have him in this way before she married a man who would love her back.
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A light knock on the door sounded, and her butler introduced Marquess Ryley, a small line of disapproval on her old retainer’s forehead. Willow thanked the servant. “Close the door please, Thomas. I’m discussing business and do not wish to be disturbed.”
Lord Ryley glanced at her, brows raised, and she walked past him as her butler closed the door. She snipped the lock and turned to face Abe, but he was already upon her. He seized her in his arms, walking her back until she came up against the door. His heat, his delicious self, pressed into her, and her body yearned for him. For more of what he’d given her a taste of yesterday.
“I’ve missed you,” he said, kissing her soundly, his tongue tangling with hers. Willow clutched at him, her body a riot of needs and wants. Of hopes and dreams.
“Me too.” She slid her hand over his chest, taking her time in learning every flexed, sinewy muscle that moved under her palm. Willow slipped her hands beneath his coat, pushing it off his shoulders to fall at their feet.
He met her gaze, a wicked light in his eyes as she made quick work of the buttons on his silver waistcoat. That too, slipped from his shoulders to pool on the floor.
“Am I the only one who’s going to be naked here this morning, Miss Perry?”
“Willow, please.” She threw him a mischievous glance. “And no, you’re not. I’m simply quicker at undressing you than you are me.”
“Is that so?” His deep baritone held a warning that she wanted to poke. To see how far she could push him before he snapped. Before he showed her why it was that he was called a scoundrel.
“I’m winning so far,” she said flippantly.
He drew her close, making short work of the small clips down her back. Her gown whooshed to the floor, and then her shift too was lifted over her head, leaving her with nothing but her stockings on.
The urge to cover herself ran through her, but glancing up and seeing the admiration, the heat in Abe’s gaze stilled her hands at her sides. She raised her chin, watching him. Her skin prickled into goose bumps as he took in her form, admiringly.
He reached out, running a finger across one breast, circling her nipple, making it pebble into puckered flesh. She bit her lip, her breathing ragged. This is what it was like to be seduced. And by someone who knew how and she would enjoy every moment of it. If this was to be her only chance with a man other than her husband, at least it would be with one of London’s most renowned rakes.
Abe swallowed as he took in the sweet, shivering form of Willow before him. He’d come here today to go through the investments he’d propositioned her with. Investments which he was going to deny her now. He could not do it to her. Hurt her financially. Not because she was giving herself to him, but because she did not deserve it. She may be the niece of the woman who ruined his mother’s place in London society, but she was innocent of any crimes against his family.
Now that she was here, his to claim, he knew there was only one outcome that would suit him now. Willow had to marry him. Had to be his wife. It was unimaginable the thought of seeing her as someone else’s wife, and so it was the only course open to them.
She was the only woman he’d ever cared about. Thought and planned for. While it may not be love, what he felt, his affection for her was profound and more than he’d ever felt with anyone else.
He stepped closer to her, pushing her against the door and ravaged her puckered nipple with his tongue. Her gasp and rapid breaths told him she was hot, wet, and ready for him. The thought of sinking deep into her hot core sent a bolt of lust to his groin, and he nipped her breast in punishment of leaving him so hard.
Her fingers spiked into his hair, holding him to her, and he moved over to her other breast, reveling in the ample heaviness of her breasts. “So damn sweet,” he said, kissing down her stomach, circling her navel before dropping to his knees.
He glanced up the length of her, caught her lust-filled gaze as he slowly kissed his way toward her glistening mons.
“What are you doing?” she breathed, her fingers massaging his scalp and sending a shiver of bliss down his spine.
“I’m going to kiss you here.”
“Where?” she squeaked, holding him away from her.
He chuckled, reached out and slipped his finger over her bud, past her folds to tease her core. “Right here, love.”
Willow watched, entranced as Abe kissed her in the one spot she’d never thought anyone would ever go. Not with their mouth at least. She marveled at the sight of him as his tongue flicked out, teasing her at the same spot his hand had teased her in the carriage the day before.
Without thought, she lifted one leg and slipped it over his shoulder.
“That’s it, love. Open for me.”
She bit her lip, leaning back on the door as his tongue flicked and teased, his lips kissing her most private of parts. Heat coursed through her, a sweet ache settled at her core, and she wanted him to kiss her there. To run his clever fingers against her opening.
And then his mouth was there too, kissing, laving, teasing her to the point that she’d not thought possible to stand. She moaned and quickly bit her lip from making too much noise. They were at the door, after all. The servants could be standing on the other side.
He suckled on her, and a bolt of pleasure spiked through her. She clasped his hair, undulating against his mouth. All thoughts of propriety vanished. All that was left was the exquisite gratification coursing through her.
“Oh yes, Abe,” she gasped, not caring how loud her words were.
He growled his approval, the tremor of his voice sending another bolt of heat to her sex. She could feel it again, a building up to the pinnacle of climax that she’d had yesterday. This time though, it was stronger, more carnal as his mouth worked her to a frenzy.
She moved on him, ground her body against his wicked tongue, and then his hand slid against her folds, his finger delving deep into her body. Willow clasped his shoulders as tremor after tremor ran through her core, spiraling up to burst through her body.
Bliss. Pure bliss.
And then she was in his arms. He carried her to the daybed on the other side of the room. Willow made short work of his breeches, ripping his front falls open and not waiting for him to slip them down before they tumbled onto the soft, cushioned bed.
She wrapped her legs about his waist, rubbing her throbbing sex against his phallus It was deliciously hard, shooting more tremors through her each time he thrust against her.
“Are you sure, Willow?” he asked, reaching down between them. “There is no going back from here.”
“Please. I need you,” she said, placing him at her core.
“Damn it. I can’t deny you anything.” He gave one sharp thrust and took her. She stilled as a stinging pain ripped at her core, and she cringed, having not thought it would hurt so much.
“I’m sorry,” he gasped, kissing her deep and long. His tongue, the slow ebb of his kiss, took her mind off the fullness of him, the little slice of pain she’d just endured. And then he started to move, a slight rock to begin as she became used to his invasion of her body.
The pain ebbed away and she was left with only a fulfilling ache that begged to be sated. Willow clutched him, unable to get enough, get close enough to the pleasure he promised. Their bodies joined in a dance of desire, his every stroke lighting a fire within her core that sparked and teased her to burn.
Willow arched her back, the abrasive hairs on his chest teasing her nipples and sending a whole different type of gratification to course through her body.
“I’ve wanted to fuck you for so long,” he gasped against her lips, catching her gaze. They stared at each other while he pumped hard and deep into her core. Willow reached up, clasping his face in her hands. His crude words ought to disgust her, turn her away, and yet if anything, they had the opposite reaction. She loved hearing that he wanted her so much. So much that he dropped his titled mannerisms and became just a man.
Hers…
“I’v
e wanted you too.” It was the truth of the situation, and there was little point in denying it. Lord Ryley was not for her, but today, right now, he was all she wanted, and she would take what he would give her. If only this once.
There was no future with the man causing her emotions to riot, her body to clamp and shiver deliciously beneath him. He was wild, and she wanted something tame. Not letting the thought take hold and dampen her emotions, Willow pulled Abe down for a kiss and forgot everything but what he was doing to her. All that he was gifting her with.
Heat spiraled at her core as he rocked faster into her. With each thrust, he teased her deep inside. The urge to beg, to plead for more sat on her tongue, and she threw her head back, gasping for strength to stand any more teasing that he wrought upon her.
“I’m never going to get enough of you,” he gasped against her lips.
She kissed him, her heart skipping a beat at his sweet words before pleasure burst bright and strong through her core, shooting out into her limbs, her arms, everywhere. Willow cried out his name and reveled in the sound of hers on his lips as warm liquid spilled onto her stomach.
They slumped together, their breathing ragged. Willow ran a hand down Abe’s back, eliciting a shiver. “That, my lord, was simply quite scandalous and marvelous,” she sighed, lying back, spent and satisfied beyond imagining. Her legs felt of jelly, her arms weak, her body lethargic as if she could sleep for a week.
He rolled to her side, leaning up on one arm, watching her. His free hand reached out, circling her nipples that were hard buttons of sensation. “I fear, Miss Perry, that what we’ve done here today must be and will be repeated often. I simply must insist.”
She chuckled, glancing at him quickly. “Is that wise, my lord? You said yourself you’re not the marrying type, and you know that I’m husband-hunting this season. What if I fall enceinte? Will you marry me then?”
