Seduce Me Please

by Nichole Matthews

  Crossing his arms over his wide chest, “And am I allowed to ask to whom you are referring?” A perplexed look spread across his face, no longer smiling. He knew there was a reason he stayed away from virgins.

  “Don’t treat me as if I’m senseless.” Piper paused, closing her eyes and drawing a slow breath, in another failed attempt to compose herself. She was shaking. “How can I trust you?”

  He stiffened. “What the devil, Piper? I am not treating you as if you are senseless.” His stunned gaze met hers, he looked genuinely shocked. “I truly haven’t a clue what has you so upset?” He said, running a hand over his eyes. ‘Lord, help me,’ he mumbled.

  She made herself take another deep breath and count to ten. “Did you offer her a carte blanche?” She said the word with utter disdain, glaring at him, blushing scarlet as the words spewed out of her mouth, smoothing an agitated hand down her lavender skirt. “How could you! The day after we—we—were intimate.” She whispered the last word as if the walls had ears.

  “Sit down. I’ll get you a drink.” He indicated the chair by his desk, then went to the liquor cabinet, sitting his spectacles down before pouring two tumblers of brandy. “Here, drink this. You obviously need it. Then start from the beginning.” He looked half annoyed and half amused.

  Piper took a large swallow of the contents of the glass, then sputtered, coughing uncontrollably.

  Graydon crossed over and patted her on the back. “This is some of the finest brandy in the world, you’re supposed to sip.” His amber eyes gleamed at her humorously as he chuckled. “Not gulp.” He swirled the contents of his own glass. “This should be savored.”

  Piper jumped up, his attitude irked her. His amber eyes always looked as If he found humor in everything. “There is nothing humorous in this situation, Graydon!” She cried, her brandy nearly sloshing over the lip of her glass. “I cannot answer for the rest of the ton, but this kind of behavior is unacceptable to me!” She pushed past him into the middle of the room, clapping a hand over her mouth to muffle a broken cry.

  Graydon’s glass paused midway to his lips; a flash of temper darkened his eyes, he couldn’t tolerate watering pots. With three women under his care already, he must be turning into a soft man. Heaven help him With a questioning look in his eyes, he glanced at her. “What the hell are you talking about, Piper?” His brow furrowed. “I thought I was through with women and histrionics when I met you.” He rolled his eyes studying the ceiling as he fought for patience. “Obviously I was mistaken,” he muttered in exasperation, before he took a deep swallow of brandy, then placing the now empty glass on his desk. “Why must you continue to speak in riddles?” He gave her a reprimanding look, his eyes darkened further, she could see the tension around his eyes, the slight tic in his jaw. Hands on hips, he demanded, “Spit out what you are trying to say, instead of this circuitous way of talking.”

  “I saw her with my own two eyes,” she spat, the pain in her voice was evident. “She was leaving when I arrived.” She couldn’t hide the disbelieving expression in her blue eyes. She had expected him to be amused by her upset. Everyone knew of the shocking tales that surrounded him, why would he try to deny this particular visit?

  He held out his hands as if to ward off her antagonism. Her voice spoke volumes of doubt and concern, and Graydon felt all his protective instincts rise to the fore. He rubbed the back of his neck, a thoughtful frown now creasing his brow, he strode to the door, wrenching it open. “Wells!” He sighed, a great heaving of his shoulders, and raised weary eyes to meet her confused ones.

  Piper waited, clasping her hands tightly at her waist.

  Graydon rolled his shoulders as if to ease an ache that had settled there while he waited for Wells.

  Quick footsteps tapped down the hall. “How can I be of service to you, my lord?” Wells inquired, bowing slightly at the waist.

  “Did I have another visitor prior to Lady Piper’s arrival?” He raised an arrogant brow.

  “Yes, my lord,” Wells acknowledged. “Lady Carleton. She did not stay.”

  After a sharp intake of breath, Piper’s head dropped into her hands. Mortified was not strong enough to describe how she felt.

  “Can you tell me why she didn’t stay, Wells?” He gave Piper a smug, see I told you so look.

  “Your instructions were to deny her entrance, my lord.” Well’s looked at him as if he had lost his mind.

  He glanced at Piper out of the corner of his eye. “That will be all, Wells.” He gave him a grateful look.

  “Yes, my lord.” He bowed out of the room.

  When she lifted her head, Piper expected to see a disgusted look on Graydon’s face, not a look of uncertainty.

  Piper’s left hand flew to her mouth as she bit back a sob, a horrified look in her eyes. “I—I—I spoke out of turn.” She stepped back until her knees hit a chair and she sank back into the cushions. My God, she thought, what is he going to think of me? No man wants a jealous screaming shrew. She finally found a man she could countenance spending her life with and she had to go and ruin it by accusing him of infidelity when they weren’t even married, as a matter-of-fact, not even affianced.

  What Piper assumed was an ominous silence filled the room.

  Graydon quietly walked towards her, afraid that he might increase her skittishness and removed the glass from her limp fingers before it crashed to the floor. He definitely didn’t need to hear grumbling from the household staff to comprehend how difficult it was to painstakingly pick minute shards of glass out of the rug.

  He knew the rumors that soared throughout the ton. He knew he was painted a roué. And he knew that Piper had every right to doubt his sincerity or could it be called devotion?

  “I didn’t offer Lady Carleton anything.” He gave an exaggerated sigh. “You know that I haven’t been celibate my whole life, Piper.”

  “I realize that now,” she muttered, her arms crossed protectively over her chest, looking everywhere but at him.

  “I’m such a fool,” she choked out, her voice thick with sudden tears. “I’m a fool,” she repeated, sniffling on another tear, she heard him expel a gusty sigh.

  “I cannot imagine what could have possessed you,” he drawled.

  When she finally looked straight into his eyes, she apologized, “I’m sorry. I should not have attacked you. I had no cause to attack you.” He hadn’t deserved her anger and unjust accusations. “I’ve heard the shocking tales about you. I knew of your rather scandalous notoriety and I still pursued an acquaintance, what rights have I to sit here and complain?”

  “You pursued the acquaintance?” He regarded her rather quizzically.

  She nodded her head.

  “What do you want, Piper?” He asked, his brows lifting in question.

  She jumped up and began pacing the room in much the same manner as before. “When I saw her departing your house,” She groaned, turning her head, batting back tears. “I just needed to know that I had not given myself to a feckless rake!”

  “Feckless rake?” He made a harrumphing sound.

  She acknowledged this with another slight nod, twisting her locket. “Do you deny it?”

  “Love is for fools,” Graydon muttered rubbing his forehead.

  Piper slowly raised her eyes; a tear escaped slipping down her cheek before she swiped at it impatiently. She was so taken aback, she was momentarily without words. “What did you say?” her voice a mere whisper, an astounded expression on her face. She felt the blood drain from her face, her hands clutched tightly in front of her; she could feel her nails biting into the flesh of her palm, leaving half-moon indentions in her flesh.

  He studied her right back, looking at her for so long; she shifted nervously in her seat. Graydon ran a rough hand through his hair. “I said, love is for fools.” He made his way back to the door, closing it with a loud thud and turning the key in the lock. Tall and relaxed he stepped away from the door, moving with easy grace towards her, she imagined he looked rather like
a lion stalking its prey. She watched as his thighs thick with muscles flexed when he moved towards her. She wanted to moan at the sight, but she stifled the sound. Too embarrassed to even believe he would want to have anything to do with her.

  “I cannot credit this,” she was finally able to squeeze the words past her numb lips. “Love?” she croaked with a look of pure suspicion in her expression.

  He gave her a bold, scorching look. “You believe me insincere?” He stepped forward. “I would call out a man for doubting my word.” His amber eyes drifted over her, branding her with their fire.

  She took a step backward.

  “Are we dancing now, my lady?” The corner of his mouth curled in a slow sensual smile.

  Piper paused unsure of where to go from here. “No, I’m…”

  “Be quiet,” he interrupted his eyes glowing with challenge. “My patience is now at an end.”

  Piper’s hand flew to her mouth again, a wild panic flared in her eyes, she held her breath.

  “Listen carefully, sweetheart.” He cleared his throat. “I haven’t offered anyone a carte blanche.” The words left his mouth as if he loathed them. His gaze settled on her lips. Stepping forward he grasped her hand, squeezing it. “How can you think I would offer someone carte blanche when all I can think about is you?” His gaze searched her face. “I like you a lot.”

  Her soft mouth made the perfect little O. “You l—l—like me a lot?” She stammered, watching the lines deepen next to his mouth the knot in her stomach eased a fraction.

  “Yes,” he murmured, one eyebrow cocked, before his grin turned into a full-fledged smile. “I told you that I’ve dreamed of you for years, yet you still believe me capable of taking your innocence one night and offering carte blanche to another woman the next day?”

  “You probably say that to all the ladies you are trying to seduce?” She whispered.

  “Do you trust me to be honest with you?”

  “I do trust you,” she quickly responded, startled because the words were true. Piper finally smiled, her shoulders fell, slumping with relief.

  “What do you mean trying to seduce?” His mouth quirked up in a lopsided grin. “I would hope after what we shared last night, it would be completely obvious where my feelings lie?” His gaze devoured her, from her head all the way down to her toes.

  She threw up her hands in bafflement. “But you do this type of thing all the time, Graydon!” Her stomach clenched with anxiety.

  “I won’t deny that I have been with other women. I have never claimed to be a monk.” He crossed his arms, his hot gaze boring into her. “But I don’t do this all the time,” he echoed, stepping closer. His hands framed her face. “You’re the first.”

  “Oh,” she whispered.

  “No other woman besides my family has been in my house or in my library and especially not in my bedroom.” He offered her a reassuring smile.

  Her eyelids fluttered closed when he gently brushed the back of his hand over her cheek, his knuckles softly skimming over her skin causing her body to hum with desire.

  Her body slowly relaxed into his, her arms snuck under his coat to tighten around his lean waist. She leaned into him and felt the heaviness of his erection pressing into her belly through their clothes.

  He kissed the top of her head, tucking her snugly in the crook of his arm, rubbing soft circles over her back.

  She looked up to see the satisfied grin on his face before he lowered his head at the exact moment she rose on her tiptoes to meet him. His lips pressed hot and hungry against her mouth, a soothing balm to her wounded spirit. The taste of him was an elixir bringing every nerve in her body to life, and now she was definitely remembering last night as the unmistakable flare of intense desire spread throughout her body.

  Graydon pulled her closer, nearly crushing her in his eagerness. Forcing up his head, he stared down at her. “God, I want you,” he muttered, taking her mouth, his tongue plunged forcefully into her warmth, demanding her full participation.

  She slid her hands up over his shoulders, wrapping her arms around his neck burying her fingers in his hair, the silken strands wrapping around her skin; she stretched up and opened her mouth for him. Angling her lips, she forced the kiss deeper, fanning the flames licking between them.

  He kissed her, deeply, the intense masculine taste of him and brandy filling her mouth, overwhelming her senses, sending her blood thrumming through her veins with a dizzying, frenzied demand. She raised her arms and laid her palm against his jaw stroking over the hint of coarse stubble covering his skin.

  His mouth never leaving hers, his hands lowered, his fingers flexed about her waist. Lifting her off the ground, he gently placed her on the edge of his massive mahogany desk, her hips anchored between his hands. He drew his lips from hers, tracing kisses down her elegant neck. She arched her head back so he could lick the thudding pulse at the base of her throat. Letting his hands slide down, around, he closed them about the globes of her bottom, kneading her firm flesh, rocking his already throbbing cock into the cradle of her hot, pulsing flesh.

  Piper inhaled sharply, the sensations of Graydon’s mouth on her skin…his hands…his breath…dragging her fingertips all the way down his spine she gripped his waist tightly, holding on with every ounce of strength she possessed.

  Every muscle went rigid beneath her caress; the impact of her touch was jarring. He sucked in his breath, longing to feel her sweet touch against his naked skin, but now was not the time or the place.

  “Piper,” he spoke her name in a hoarse rasp. “You’re perfect,” he muttered thickly.

  She gasped, but didn’t pull away entranced by the sensual haze that wreathed them when he released his hold on her to kneel in front of her on the floor.

  He ran his hands down her thighs, over her knees slowly down until his long fingers reached beneath the edge of her skirt to encircle her ankles. He then changed direction and let his hands lightly skim over her silk covered legs until he put his hands over her knees and pushed her legs open.

  “Ah,” he breathed. The scent of her arousal coiled through his very fiber, feeding his most primal need. Slowly he slid his hands to the front of her thighs, touching her bare skin, spreading them wide. His fingers moved, touching her intimately, and she felt a flash of pleasure. She was hot and damp and ready for him and he gave her no mercy, his long fingers sliding into her with hot, delicious friction. She was gloriously wet. She was tight, very tight. He withdrew his fingers, leaning in to nuzzle the hollow between her legs, ruffling the nest of dark curls that hid her fully from view, with his hot breath. Tugging her forward until her plump, pink wetness was in reach of his mouth.

  “What—what are you doing?” She cried out in confusion.

  “I have to taste you.”

  She held her breath, but unable to control her squirming hips while his hands and mouth roamed over her sensitized skin. “Graydon,” she moaned unable to say more. Finally. She felt his tongue rasp against her skin, tracing her swollen flesh, parting her softness to taste her, his tongue danced over her, flicking with rapid strokes. She closed her eyes, absorbed in the touch, the feel of his mouth, letting herself feel each stroke of his agile tongue. “Oh, God, Gray.” She moistened her lips, all but melting as she leaned back on her elbows her breath expelling rapidly. “Scandalous…”

  He glanced up at her, and she saw his wicked smile and without a single word he spread her even wider, nuzzling the moist, sensitive folds as his tongue found her entrance and thrust deep into her sex, opening her with his mouth to feast on her eagerly, to taste her fully, the taste of her flooding him as he tormented her with his teeth and tongue.

  “Please,” she whispered. Scraping her fingers into his hair, encouraging him to continue his adulation, arching wildly, her frantic movements increased the delight until she cried out as an explosion ripped through her, she shattered, fell back panting, uttering little cries of pleasure. Her hands landed palm-down on the desk, limp.

&
nbsp; Rising, he undid his fall, releasing the rigid, throbbing length of his sex from the already uncomfortable confines of his trousers, lifting one of her knees, then the other, his palm tracing over her ribbon garters down her silk covered legs once again until his fingers clamped around her ankles. Lifting her feet he unlaced her kid half-boots and tossed them to the floor before planting her stocking-clad feet flat on the top of the desk. Hooking his hands behind her knees, he tugged her even closer to the edge of the desk.

  He leaned over her, running his hand from her collarbone down the valley of her breasts until his hand splayed across her belly. He could feel her stomach jump as quivers of anticipation leapt under his palm. He was ready to bury himself inside her, his hand guiding the head of his erection into her plump cleft, her swollen flesh surrounding his erection as he sank himself deep in one powerful thrust.

  Piper cried out, her entire body softening and opening to take him, to sheath him inside her. She shook her head from side to side, pressing her feet flat on the desk, arching her back as she cried out, squeezing him, her muscle tightening at his invasion.

  He cupped her muslin-covered breasts, moving his thumbs over the hardening nipples, muslin and flesh sliding back and forth in delicious friction. His mouth closed hotly around one cotton-covered nipple sending a surge of response lower down, between her legs. He tugged down her bodice, her soft pink puckered nipples exposed to his hungry eyes. He dipped his head and put his mouth on her breast, sucking her nipple into his mouth at the same time he thrust into her slow and hard, each slow, steady tug of his mouth at her breast keeping perfect time with each stroke of his staff.

  Graydon thrust into her slow and hard, watching the way she bit her lip and clenched her hands.

  Dark waves washed over Piper as throbbing spasms of completion radiated out from inside her. His strokes quickened as her legs wrapped around his hips. She pressed herself into his engorged length, feeling the bright pressure building, tightening until it came to a crashing end as waves of pleasure rippled deep within her.