Seduce Me Please

by Nichole Matthews

  “I was unaware as well.” Piper glanced over her shoulder, “My aunt never spoke of a friendship with your mother, but everyone mingles with everyone at this function. It’s hardly surprising they would take a moment to acknowledge one another.”

  “They do appear quite chummy.” A faint smile quirked up his lips, his voice then dropped to whisper. “They look to be conspiring.”

  “What could they possibly be conspiring about?” Piper’s eyes narrowed as she stared at the two women sitting on the terrace, their heads pressed close together. “Now that you mention it, my lord, they do appear to be sharing some sort of intimacy. Should we be worried?”

  “Whatever could it be?” He winked at her, shooting her a knowing look.

  “Oh, for pity’s sake.” She swiveled her head to examine the two women once again. “Surely not!” She was going to have a long chat with Auntie Adele.

  “I can believe it,” he said before switching to his side. “My mother is beyond desperate to see me wed.” He pulled a long blade of grass and stuck it between his teeth, one corner of his lips tipped up in a grin. “I wouldn’t put anything past her.”

  She cast him a sidelong look; a mock troubled frown puckered her brow. “I’m appalled. Surely they are not conspiring about the two of us?”

  He plucked the blade of grass from his mouth as a genuine smile appeared. “I have you know, Lady Piper, I’m considered quite the catch.”

  “Balderdash!” She leaned across and swatted him with her ivory-handled fan. Watching as the wind ruffled lazily through his golden hair; giving him a boyish, yet rakishly disheveled appearance.

  “I hate to spoil your opinion of me, but all I say is true.” His voice lowered once again to a whisper. “I’d be more than happy to show you what a catch I truly am.” His gaze fairly glowed with molten heat as he reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers.

  She raised one brow and assumed a haughty expression. “You’re a devil, my lord.” She breathed; laughter in her eyes.

  He was enjoying himself, but if he ever stopped thinking with his cock he might keep himself out of trouble. Oh, but she was a beauty. And with the sun a halo behind her head, she appeared an angel to his devil. And he felt like being a devil today. “You have no idea how much of a devil I can be.” His thumb rubbed idly across the back of her hand.

  She flashed him a heated look, licking her dry lips.

  His eyes darkened with need as he watched her pink tongue flick out to moisten her lips. “Oh, that can’t be good.” Graydon said, his flippancy seemed forced.

  Piper turned around to spot Miss Harris and Esme joining his mother and her aunt at their wrought-iron table on the terrace. Bright smiles on their faces and cool glasses of lemonade in their hands. Her gaze drifted back to Rockwell, a question in her eyes.

  He grimaced. “My sister and my mother together.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Along with my aunt and my companion.”

  A warm smile took hold, transforming Graydon’s entire face. “I like your aunt. She is a very wise and special woman.”

  “That comment, Lord Rockwell, makes me quite nervous.”

  Dropping her hand, he settled as far away from her as possible. Replacing his wicked grin with what he hoped would pass for a staid and proper expression. “Perhaps we should speak of more innocuous subjects.” Then he proceeded to make her giggle with sensational tales of his boyhood. Spinning what Piper could only imagine were wild yarns for her entertainment alone.

  …………………………………………..

  Sometime later, Lady Rockwell and Lady Peregrine sat in companionable silence on the terrace sipping their cool glasses of lemonade; the corners of their mouths lifted with the hint of a smile, the gossiping ladies surrounding them all but forgotten.

  Lady Rockwell winked at Lady Peregrine, then watched as an unadulterated smile spread across her only son’s face. Thank heavens!

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  I know I should stop, but I cannot. Not only am I completely infatuated with Rockwell, I’m desperate to see his orrery. It will be my little secret and he will be none the wiser.

  Piper’s journal

  5 August

  “MY WORD,” PIPER UTTERED, her cheeks puffed out as she expelled her pent up breath. She stared up at Rockwell’s imposing home on Curzon Street. Six imposing stories of brick and stone, what did he need all this room for? This wasn’t even his families’ mansion; this was his private abode. “I truly must go home.” There was no way she was going into his home alone. She couldn’t trust herself, but just as she turned to go, the door was opened by his silver haired butler.

  “Mr. Smith, I presume.” He held out his hand to accept her hat and overcoat. “Lord Rockwell will be with you in a moment.” He led her down the hall.

  Piper paced in what appeared to be Rockwell’s study walking in circles around the room but not really seeing anything. She was so nervous; she could feel a drop of sweat sliding down her spine. Why am I here? But she knew why she was there. She wanted to take him up on his challenge. She wanted to truly see how much of a devil he truly was. Now if only she could figure out how to seduce him, the biggest rake in all of London, even though she was currently dressed as a man. Gnawing on her bottom lip, she tapped her chin and continued her worried pacing, pondering the dilemma she found herself embroiled in.

  She shouldn’t be here, then again maybe she should. Maybe this was her destiny?

  “You don’t seem yourself today, George.”

  Piper nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of his voice, turning she saw Rockwell lounging in the doorway a mischievous light glowing in his eyes.

  “I’m not for sure what you mean?” She swallowed nervously.

  “You seem a little restless.”

  “Not at all, my lord.” For the first time, she was truly alone with the man and she was dressed in men’s attire. Did that truly matter? She was almost positive he knew she was a woman. Did he realize that he was torturing them both by dragging out her charade?

  He straightened, folding his arms across his chest, studying George through penetrating amber-gold eyes. “There’s something I believe you will find very interesting in my library, George.”

  “What could I possibly find interesting in your library?” She questioned even though she couldn’t stop the intrigue from reflecting in her tone. Her little spectacles slipped down the bridge of her nose and she nudged them up again. “I can only guess ‘tis full of dull books. What need have I to view more of those?”

  “Come now, George.” Graydon ran his hand over his square jaw, missing nothing of his guest’s distress. “No interest at all?” He grinned. “Not an inkling of yearning?” He held his fingers up to measure the need.

  “None, whatsoever, my lord,” she said defensively, shaking her head; her arms crossed in a protective gesture over her chest. She tried to relax. She tried to act normal, but the excited tingling in her core only enhanced her nervousness tenfold.

  “I don’t believe you, but that is neither here nor there.” Graydon studied Piper for one long, thoughtful moment, shrugging. “Indulge me.” Stepping out into the hall, he gestured towards a door that stood open leaving her little choice.

  Ushering her through the door of his study, down the hall and into his library which housed all of his private collections, he steered her into his own private sanctuary. No one came in here, save his immediate family. He couldn’t keep his younger sisters out even if he tried and he definitely wanted to remember George here. That thought set his blood pounding, and a heavy ache to settle hotly in his loins. Honestly, he didn’t know how much longer he could hold out. His whole body craved release. He felt ready to explode.

  The wary look she was giving him did little to soothe his throbbing cock. Did she even know that he had been walking around painfully aroused for weeks? He had no doubt that she wanted him, but she was also much too innocent to know what to ask for. She was the most unbelievably de
sirable minx, especially when garbed in fitted men’s trousers. She was wreaking havoc on what little self-control remained, which wasn’t saying much.

  Piper took a quick survey of her surroundings, finding she was standing in the dark, extremely masculine room, exactly what she would have expected from him. Stuffed to overflowing, the lingering smell of cigar smoke permeated the room, and the dark paneled walls leant an air of mystery about the place creating pockets of deep shadows.

  Walking further into the room she stopped at one of the end tables and turned over the book lying on top. Turning around she looked up into Graydon’s eyes. “Frankenstein?”

  “I’m finding the story rather intriguing.” He stated. “Have you by chance read it?”

  “I have.” She pulled on her ear nervously. “What did you want to show me?”

  “Would you care for a drink, George?” Graydon asked, closing the door softly behind them. He bit back a smile when Piper froze at the sound of the metallic click of the key in the lock, its sound echoing loudly in the quiet of the night.

  “N-n-no, thank you,” she managed.

  As he advanced towards her, her trembling increased. Slowly she backed up until she bumped into one of the ladders propped against the shelves. He prowled towards her, laying one hand above her on the bookcase and gave her a long hard look. “I’m in an exceedingly poor temper this evening.” He said thickly, his nostrils flaring.

  “W—w—why is that, my lord?” She said hoarsely, her lashes dropped, hiding her eyes as she nervously caught her bottom lip between her teeth.

  Suddenly his other hand came up on the bookcase on the other side of her head, trapping her.

  She took an involuntary step backward, but further retreat was made impossible by the heavy shelf of books at her back. All the air vanished from her lungs, her hand pushed against his chest in an attempt to keep enough space between them, but he was immoveable. With her hand pressed against him, she could feel the coiled strength in every rigid muscle beneath her palm.

  “Is everything all right, my lord?” She managed, before she was sure her nervousness would overtake her rational mind. She was becoming light-headed, she was not going to faint. She wouldn’t allow it.

  His stare intensified. “I’m in a poor temper because I am at a loss on how to tell my mother that I am extremely attracted to a young man.” He took a step closer with a mystified look in his eyes. “This has never happened to me before. I’ve never been attracted to a man—ever. I am perplexed. I had no idea this tendency ran through my blood. I’m known for my voracious sexual appetites, but never this.” His fingers brushed the curls at her nape sending shivers down her spine. “This will be a first for me, but you are the one. No matter male or female. My mother will be disappointed of course, but she’ll get over it. When you first smiled I knew there could be no one else for me, except for you.” Taking another step closer he kneed her thighs apart. “I’ll let you leave here right now the way you came, nothing lost. But with feelings like this, I couldn’t imagine wasting another day wondering what could be.” His regard was raw, hungry.

  “My lord,” Piper’s eyes widened in astonishment her cheeks flushed, “What maggot have you gotten into your head?” She was squirming, causing delicious friction for his already throbbing erection. This little game excited him too much.

  “You don’t have to call me my lord anymore. I think we’ve moved past all this stiff formality, don’t you think so, George? Call me Graydon. I’m dying to hear my name fall from your lips.” His smile seemed amused. Raising his hand, he ran his finger across her bottom lip.

  “I’m sorry.” Piper’s eyes nervously darted around the room. “I don’t think…”

  “I think that if you don’t relax, George, you’re going to make this a very disappointing encounter.”

  Shocked, she tried to move, “G-G-Graydon, I thought you knew.” She took a deep gulping breath and with worried eyes she struggled, slightly but somewhere in the back of her mind she didn’t want him to move.

  “Knew what?” He questioned with mock innocence.

  “I could have sworn that you knew who I was when we were at Tattersall’s.” She tried to duck under his arms, but he seized her shoulders. “I would appreciate it if you would release me,” she said in a husky tone, but her traitorous body was responding to his closeness. She couldn’t miss the rigid evidence of his desire pressed firmly against her belly. The light clothes of gentlemen no barrier to the heat and fire in him, wrapping her in a sensual cocoon.

  “Why would I want to let go of such a tempting package?” He attempted a look of confusion, “I don’t understand. What do you mean you thought I knew?”

  She whispered apprehensively, “I’m not a man. If your peccadillos run to t—that—that…” She grimaced making a dismissive gesture with her hands.

  His eyes flickered, “Well, we all must start somewhere, sometime. I know you are kind of young, but…”

  Making a silencing gesture, interrupting him before he could go any further, “I’m not who you think I am, truly.” Piper harrumphed with irritation, pushing her spectacles further up her nose. Why wouldn’t he listen to her? “I’m not a man, I am a woman!”

  “Is that so?” His lips curled wickedly.

  She continued breathlessly. “And I just came here to see your…”

  “To see my…what, exactly?” He interrupted her again, leaning forward with interest, glancing down at her with a gleam, possibly of amusement in his dark gold eyes, a wicked slanting grin slowly slashed Graydon’s wide sensual mouth.

  “Your Orrery,” she whispered, a tremor in her voice.

  “Don’t worry I know exactly who and what you are.” His gilded gaze was mesmeric in its power to hold her. She felt the heat of his appraisal right to the very core. “Piper.”

  Her eyes flew open wide and she let out a whoosh of pent-up air, slumping in what could only be described as immense relief when she heard her name whispered through his lips. She had dreamed of him for so long that this moment seemed surreal. “You knew all along?” She whispered as he slid his hands up to her gold-rimmed spectacles, removing them, laying them atop one of the shelves behind her head.

  “Not all along.” He kissed her temple. “But I did have my suspicions.”

  “When did you find out?”

  “The moment I looked into your vibrant, mischievous eyes, I knew you were my goddess.”

  “Goddess?”

  “You have been my secret fantasy for years.” He ran a finger over her plump bottom lip.

  “That c-c-cannot be true.” She stammered, her tongue flicking out to moisten her lips in nervousness, brushing against the pad of his finger. Her eyes opened wider at the erotic sensations his taste burst forth. Boldly she drew his finger deeper into the hot recesses of her mouth, running her tongue around and around, squeezing her thighs together to ease the throbbing between her legs. The heady thrum of arousal intoxicated; making her drunk.

  Graydon groaned loudly, sliding his finger from between her lips. “Believe me when I say it’s all true and I know that you desire me just as much as I desire you.” He ran his fingertip, moist from her mouth, down the side of her face, a faint smile curving his usually cynical mouth. “I’ve watched your eyes follow me. I’ve caught your stare. Please say you are eager for me, Piper, because I am burning up for you?”

  Her eyes closed and her head fell back against a rung when he reached up and pulled at the end of her cravat releasing the knot, sliding it slowly from around her neck giving him a glimpse of bare skin.

  Her hands gripped the sides of the ladder when next he started at the top and began sliding the silver buttons of her waistcoat free. He spread her waistcoat wide and slid his hands over the thin linen shirt, the opening of her fine shirt falling away giving him a view of the delicate white skin of her collarbone. The feminine line of her neck displayed erotically above the manly shirt.

  Lifting his finger, he slowly ran it down her jaw. “
Not a whisker in sight.” He continued his exploration down the curve of her neck. “Hmmm…interesting, and no Adam’s apple.” And finally his finger settled over the valley of her breasts, still covered by the tightly wound length of cotton.

  “Adam’s apple?” She croaked.

  “You don’t have one.” He laughed softly, “You have the most delicious looking skin and these clothes cover way too much.” He leaned down and feathered kisses against her eyelids, making them flutter closed. “And if I see your delicious derrière outlined in a pair of men’s trousers outside of my sight again, I swear I will take you over my knee and spank you.”

  “I promise,” She whispered. All of a sudden feeling uncommonly shy, Piper took a deep calming breath, standing quietly for a moment contemplating her next move. This opportunity may never arise again. She should leave. She should walk out this door and never put on George’s clothes again, but then he put his mouth at the base of her throat, flicking his tongue across her skin and a spasm of startling clarity shivered through her and a brilliant smile lit her face.

  If he wanted to push her away, now was the time, but he couldn’t do it. He had made his decision a long time ago. Suddenly he captured her face in his bare hands, his fingers, warm and strong as he paused, breathing harshly, his breath fanning across her lips. Groaning, “Be forewarned, I never do anything half-heartedly.” He knew he was spoiled, wicked and he’d rarely been without someone in his bed, but over the past few weeks he hadn’t wanted anyone else, he couldn’t think of anyone else. He dreamed of her. He obsessed about her. He looked for her around every corner. “I promise I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do. Do you want to leave?” He said in a low voice. “Because if you do, tell me now.”

  His arms closed around her cupping her hips with an intimacy that shocked her. He drew her up against his hard muscular length one hand around her waist holding her captive. His blood was running insanely hot making him hard as steel, he couldn’t hide his erection if he tried. “If you say the words, we could leave this room now, taking and giving each other no additional pleasure, but what have we got to lose…” his voice trailed off as he shrugged one of his shoulders, his mouth descended and he started brushing his lips back and forth over hers.