by Renée Dahlia
‘You are in excellent shape,’ she murmured against his cheek. His scent, that heady hop flower and malt blend, made her knees weaken.
‘This isn’t wise,’ he said.
She smiled, his stubble rough against her lips.
‘I’m tired of always being wise.’ Her own nipples ached, tight buds pressed against her corset, so she brushed her thumbs over his nipples. He let out a noise, one that rumbled from deep in his chest.
‘You’ll be the death of me, Claire.’
‘Stop resisting, Ravi. Take me to your bed.’ She rolled her hips closer against him, instinct moving her body, and pinched his nipples. Her own tingled as though she’d touched herself too. His nostrils flared and his eyes flashed dark and knowing.
‘Claire.’
‘Say yes. It’s one simple word, Ravi. You can manage it.’
‘Yes,’ he growled, deep and guttural. He swept her into his arms, and carried her down the hallway. Her hands clenched at his shirt, grabbed on tight. His breath whispered over her hair and her heart raced as he moved. He leaned against a door, pushing it open with his back, then gathering her tighter against him to move them together through and into a new room. She peered over his shoulder. A large, lush bed stood in the centre of the room, brightly coloured fabrics with rich patterns adorned the bed. A tapestry hung on one wall, a bold female with four hands seated on a pink flower.
‘That image is incredible,’ she said. Ravi lay her on the bed. Her hands slipped out from under his shirt, and she used her elbows to prop herself up.
‘She is Lakshmi, one of our gods. Normally she lives in the drawing room, but my brother moved her in here earlier this year.’
‘Why?’ Claire bit her lip. ‘Your brother seems like the type of person who does everything for a reason.’
‘She represents prosperity—’ Ravi paused, a muscle in his jaw twitching.
‘Later.’ She wanted to know the whole story, but not yet. Not now, when she was desperate for him to take her away from her own dramas. She’d spent years attempting to throw off the strict society rules her stepmother had imposed, imprisoning her own desires to fight for herself. With Ravi she could free herself from those restrictions. He shrugged off his bedraggled jacket, flung it on a nearby chair, and took a deliberate step forward. Her legs dangled off the edge of the bed, and now his knees pressed against hers. She paused, her breath hitching, then relaxed as he gently eased one knee between hers. He bent over her, arms either side of her body, and kissed her. A languid kiss that eased her head back onto the bed. She reached for him, parting her lips for him. A shiver sped across her skin, as he swept his tongue inside. Their tastes blended, a wild richness that threatened to undo her, and she moaned. He pressed his other leg between hers, then slowly lowered himself until his body rested on her. Hot and heavy. She arched her back to get closer to him. He nibbled at her lower lip, each little bite sending fresh tremors of delight skittering on her skin, as he slowly, torturously kissed down her jawline, her throat, drawing out small moans from her as her breath quickened. He used one arm to lift himself enough that he could unbutton her, and it gave her enough room to tug at his shirt. She gathered it up towards her. He half stood, grabbed the shirt and pulled it over his head. Her gaze devoured him, all those taut, heavy muscles, dark skin, and black hairs that covered his chest and traced a line down his stomach to his waistline. She reached for him, her fingers following that line. He laid his hand over hers, and growled, ‘Not yet.’ He lifted her hand to his mouth, sliding her index finger over his lips. He sucked her finger into his mouth, sending a shock of energy jolting up her arm.
‘Ravi.’ His name burst out of her, and he smiled around her finger. He lay her hand gently at her side, and started to unbutton her gown.
‘These buttons, all the way to your throat, make me want to rip them off, to discover what is underneath.’
‘Do it.’ She raised her eyebrows as a frown flashed over her brow. ‘I can buy another gown, but I’ll never get this moment again.’
‘And you want added drama?’
‘I want you to touch me. Now.’ She tried to help him undo her buttons, but her fingers tripped over themselves.
‘Allow me,’ he said, brushing his fingers lightly over hers. A fresh shiver raced down her back. He deftly undid each button, from her throat down to her waist, and spread her bodice wide. Cool air washed over her collarbones and throat. He traced his fingers along the edge of her corset and her breath stopped. She needed his skin against hers, so she wriggled, trying to get out of her bodice.
‘Roll over.’ She glanced at him, a faint annoyance at the command, but the depth of lust in his gaze melted her resistance. She half sat, and pulled her bodice off, one sleeve at a time, before rolling over. His fingers traced the top edge of her corset, his breath hot on the back of her neck. There was too much fabric between them. She wanted to help him, to make him rush, to get past this slow undressing that made heat pool in her stomach, and her secret place wet. She moved her arms up to her hair and started to pull out the pins that held her coiffure in place. His hands ran down her sides, held her waist for a moment, then she felt the small tugs as he undid her laces. As the restricting corset loosened, she expected the usual rush of freed breath, but his touch kept her lungs tight. He spread the corset wide, and pushed her chemise up, exposing her lower back. Her blood rushed in her ears as he waited with his hands gently holding her waist, bright hot spots against her skin.
‘Did you know you have a small freckle just here?’ His voice was so low it rumbled in the air. She started to answer, when his lips kissed that spot and the only noise she made was a long hum. He slid his hands down to her hips, kissing her lower back, as he pushed her skirts down until he had exposed her backside to the air. He traced her backside, his thumbs circling close to her exposed curls. Sensation flared, she shifted towards him in response to his touch, wanting more, wanting him to touch her there, as she often touched herself. He nuzzled against her backside, then rolled her over again, leaving her curls facing him. She should have been embarrassed at having his face so close to her most private parts, but she only felt desire rampaging through her. He shifted his head, pressing his lips to her stomach. She moaned, and reached for his head, her fingers gliding through his hair.
‘Do you want me to continue?’ he asked. Claire tried to speak, but only a croak emerged. She coughed, then answered breathily, ‘Yes. Yes, please.’
‘As you command.’ Oh! Those words sent a rush of power burning through her body, as if she wasn’t at his mercy, but had control over his actions. She tilted her hips towards him. He kissed her belly button, tracing the edge with his tongue in a languid circle, slowly inching down towards her curls. Her head dropped back against the silky bedcovers and her eyes drifted closed as sensation ruled. His teeth scraped over her skin at the edge of her thighs. Her eyes burst open when he pressed his lips against her wet folds, sensation ruling her body. As he explored, pressure built inside her until his tongue flicked out against her clit. A burst of heat exploded and she gasped. He did it again, over and over, until she writhed on the bed. He clamped his hands on her hips, holding her still, as he licked and sucked at her slippery folds. Tension built and built until her whole body trembled with it. And just when she thought she couldn’t take any more, when molten pleasure beckoned, just out of reach, his tongue slid inside her. The world burst into a swarm of lightning, all consuming pleasure, that had her grabbing at his head, twisting his hair around her fingers, her body bucking with intensity. She shuddered as it ended, fragments of joy still emitting warmth like hot coals on a dying fire. Ravi licked at her, sipping, tasting her, as she lay limp, wrung out by him and his clever tongue.
‘Ravi,’ she breathed. He pressed a light kiss to that tight pearl, sending new notes of pleasure through her relaxed body. He rose up, hands and mouth along her body, teasing her again. Her eyes flashed open when he reached her breasts. One hand covered one, his mouth on the other
. He flicked her nipple with his tongue, shards of heat making her gasp.
‘I need—’ I need you, all of you. But she couldn’t make her voice work as he played with her, toying with her body, teasing her.
‘I need that too, my precious Claire. More than you can imagine.’ He paused, not just his words, but everything. His hot breath came quickly against her skin, mixing with the cool air. She breathed in, deep, their combined scents swirled around her, salt and hops and her and them. The pause stretched, as his weight settled on her. The fabric of his trousers rubbed against the sensitised skin of her inner thighs.
‘But?’
‘But I need you to say yes. Not just any yes.’ He lifted his head to stare at her with open eyes. ‘I need a yes that you won’t regret. I know it’s not the best timing, but I have to be certain that you truly want this.’ He lifted his hands and cradled her face. She stared at him, knowing that he could see the uncertainty flash in her eyes. She’d railed against this step for so long, with anyone, that she knew he was right. Her body wanted this, needed to take this to its inevitable conclusion, but did she really, truly want this? It would be so easy to close her eyes, say yes and enjoy herself.
‘Damn you,’ she cursed quietly.
He chuckled. ‘I want your absolute consent. I can still leave.’ He shut his eyes on a long blink, then stared at her again with those dark, overly perceptive eyes. ‘It’d be almost impossible, but I could leave if you want me to.’
She bit her lip. ‘I don’t want you to leave. I understand what you are asking, and I want this. I don’t want to spend the rest of my days wondering if I’d been a coward.’
‘Claire, jaaneman—’ he stroked her face, ‘—I’ve never met anyone less like a coward than you.’
‘You don’t think that I’ve been using the risks as an excuse?’
‘Maybe. But I’m glad you have, because I get to be your first. The first to show you pleasure.’
She coughed out a surprised laugh. ‘Technically, you are the second.’
‘What?’ The shock on his face delighted her because she knew the answer.
‘I was the first.’ She grinned as he shook his head. ‘Really, Ravi, I’m medically trained. Naturally, I’ve explored my own body. I’m curious. I wanted to know how it works, all of it.’
‘Which explains why you responded so vibrantly to my words the other day.’
‘That’s when I knew you were the only one that I wanted to do this with.’ She moved her hips against him and stroked her hands down his bare back, over his still clothed backside, a mirror to his earlier action. He groaned against her cheek.
‘I have some French Letters in the drawer. Wait here.’ He stood up in a rush, exposing her skin to the air, gooseflesh racing over her. He reached down to pull off his boots, then fumbled with his trousers, removing them in a rush. For her. He walked, naked, to a drawer. She pulled her legs up onto the bed, kicking her skirts off. She rolled onto her side, and watched him. His long legs, broad shoulders, and the long muscles in his back, all part of his impressive physique.
Chapter 22
Ravi’s fingers shook as he opened the drawer and picked up the small tin. Since Claire had first marched into his office, demanding his help, he’d known, deep down, that this moment would happen. She’d kept pushing him away, yet every time they talked, he became more enamoured with her. She delighted him, more than just this physical attraction. And in fact, he knew that the physical attraction had grown because of her brain, rather than discovering that a brain came as a bonus to her body. That she’d come to him today seemed important in a way that he couldn’t quite grasp yet. His desire didn’t care, they could work that out later. She was here, she was willing, and he had her taste, rich like brandy-soaked fruitcake with her own musk overlaid, on his tongue. Every other woman he’d been with in the past was just practice for this moment, they leant him confidence, because he knew how to give her pleasure, how to make her want him over and over. Forever. He dropped the tin. Forever? His heart thudded. Yes, forever. He picked up the tin again, and turned towards Claire, his future. His erection throbbed, harder than he’d ever been, as he saw she had moved. She lay naked, stretched like a cat on his bed, surrounded by the rich colours of his heritage. A goddess with a sly smile, her gaze fixed on his cock.
‘Would you like to do the honours?’ he said. Her blush grew, her cheeks bright pink, and a lighter shade washed down her throat towards her breasts. Her nipples, darker than he would have guessed, were tight buds, begging for his attention.
‘I’d love to.’ She half sat up on one elbow, her breasts swaying with her movement. Her hair had come loose, and hung in long strands over her shoulder and framing her face. She held her hands out, and he placed the tin on her palm. ‘We had to train patients how to use these at the university hospital, but I’ve never put one on a real person. Forgive me if I fumble a little.’
‘I’m sure you’ll be fine.’ If he could survive her touch on him, it’d be a miracle, he was so hard and ready. She closed her hand over the tin, and tilted her head as if considering how to approach him. He held his breath. She sat up, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. She wriggled across until she sat in front of him, then wrapped her ankles behind his knees, pulling him close to her naked body. She placed the tin on her thigh and reached out for his cock, gliding her fingers over the head. He thrust into her hand, unbidden, and forced himself to hold still. She didn’t jerk away, instead she wrapped her hand around him.
‘Tighter,’ he said on a groan. She looked up at him for a half-second, considering, then did as he asked. Perfect. Yes, just like that. She stroked him, each movement taking away his control. ‘You have to stop.’
‘Was that wrong? Too tight?’
‘You are perfect. But I won’t last if you keep that up. I’ll spill right here, over your breasts.’ He sucked in a deep breath, fought for control, but she arched her back, lifting her breasts up for him.
‘Really?’ Her voice was breathless, just as he was unable to breathe too.
‘Minx.’ He grabbed the tin, rolled the protection onto himself, and bent to suck her nipple into his mouth. She moaned, then whimpered as he played with both.
‘Stop teasing me.’
‘Say yes. Say yes and you can have anything you want.’ He waited, unmoving, for her answer.
‘Yes. I want you. All of you.’ Colour washed over her face. He lay himself over her, his cock resting at her wet entrance. ‘Yes, there. That’s what I want,’ she said. He kissed her, as he slowly pressed in. God, she was so tight, slick and ready. She started to tense under him, and he stopped, concentrated on their kiss until she relaxed again. He eased out a fraction, drawing on his experience and patience to make this wonderful for her. She grazed her fingernails down his back, tilting her hips, asking for more. He slid in again, slightly further before moving out again, building up a gentle rocking in her molten heat, each time entering her more, teasing her. She panted into his kiss, and yet he still rocked, not going in all the way, until she grabbed his backside and dug her fingers in. He responded to her unspoken question and thrust deep inside. She clenched around him, and he buried himself in her. She cried out, an orgasm pulsing around him. Control slipped from his grasp as she tightened around him, and he pounded into her deep, hard, satisfying, and continuous until he came in an explosion, shards of white light behind his eyes as he buried himself in her. He collapsed onto her, left with a sense that his whole life had changed for the better.
Ravi lost track of time, snoozing against Claire. She was so warm, so perfect, so soft.
‘You are very heavy,’ she said.
Blast. ‘My apologies. Let me clean you.’ He ignored her confused frown, pushing himself up on his arms, before going to collect a clean handkerchief to clean her with. He tossed the used French Letters in a small bin with no regret. Some people washed and reused them. He found that quite revolting, besides he could afford to buy a new one for each time. He
should have rung for warm water, it would be much nicer for her than a plain piece of cloth, however, he didn’t want a servant to intrude on this moment. He carefully cleaned her, murmuring his apology. She tilted her head and looked at him with a rampant inquisitiveness that did nothing to halt his libido.
‘I need to use the necessary,’ she said.
‘There is a small room behind that door.’ He pointed to the corner of his bedroom, and she walked, naked, away from him. A few moments later, she returned.
‘Climb under the sheets to warm up,’ he said.
‘Only if you join me.’ She grinned slyly before diving under the covers. ‘Oh, you lie, these sheets are ice cold.’ He smiled and joined her in bed. She rolled against him, snuggled with her back against his chest. His erection had stirred again, and lay pressed against her buttocks. He didn’t want to push his luck, so soon after her first ever experience, even though his body insisted. He ran his hand over her long, gold-streaked hair.
‘That’s lovely,’ she whispered. ‘I can’t believe I’m in bed in the afternoon, and there is nowhere else I’d rather be.’
‘Dusk will surround us soon.’ He let his hands drift over her skin, lazily stroking her as they both drifted into a snooze.
