Tempted by a Rake’s Smile: A Historical Regency Romance Book

by Meghan Sloan

  Cassandra listened to him in silence. She had thought this would end up with her confessing her feelings for Gabriel, but it had turned into Gabriel all but admitting his. She had not been expecting that. And Cassandra had not been expecting for Gabriel to look so vulnerable, so out of his depth. Or for him to admit that he had nothing to offer her.

  She thought he had plenty to offer her. He just didn’t realise it.

  Cassandra cupped his jaw. He hadn’t shaved today, a day’s growth of beard making his jaw rough. He looked like he hadn’t slept, either. Had she done that to him?

  “What would have happened if I had married your brother?” she asked softly. “What would you have done?”

  “Given my congratulations and then left for a place where I wouldn’t meet you again.” Gabriel looked pained as he said it. “I wouldn’t be able to see you as I wanted, have you as I wanted. You’re the only woman in my life who’s made me feel off-balance, and yet I feel centred around you. Does that sound strange?”

  “Not at all,” Cassandra murmured.

  Because I’ve been feeling like that myself.

  “It’s why I kept coming back to Seton Hall. I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” Gabriel grimaced, “I bet you’ve heard all that before from other men.”

  “Not to the extent you are saying.”

  “All I can do is speak honestly.” Gabriel looked at her, and Cassandra saw the pain in his eyes. He still didn’t reach out to her, as if he was afraid to. “What I feel for you, Cassie, is strong, but I know that it’s futile. All we seem to do is argue, and I know I’m not good enough for you. I was foolishthinking that I could keep my emotions separate. I can’t anymore. Which is why being in this room with you is incredibly difficult for me.”

  “You’re scared of a bed?”

  Gabriel swallowed hard. He moved his head a little, and Cassandra felt the bristles scratch her palm.

  “I’m scared of what I can do to you. I won’t ruin you like that. I have too much respect for you to do that.” He drew a deep breath, “I...I’ll take my leave now.”

  But he didn’t move. It was like he was rooted to the spot. Cassandra knew the best thing to do was to let him go. And yet, after a revelation like that, how could she let him leave? She wanted him to stay as much as he wanted to have her. Gabriel seemed to be struggling to fight it.

  Emily seemed to have guessed long before Cassandra did, if the small package she had slipped Cassandra before she went to find Gabriel was anything to go by. Cassandra wasn’t even going to ask how she managed to get a hold of what she found inside.

  “I…” Gabriel drew up and started to turn away, “I’ll take my leave.”

  “Gabriel.”

  That made him stop, his back to her. Getting her courage, Cassandra stepped in close and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her forehead against his back.

  “Cassie…”

  “Don’t tell me to back away now, Gabriel. Don’t push me away. Please.”

  She didn’t know if it was her pleading or that she said please, but it made Gabriel stiffened. He straightened up, his hand covering hers.

  “I shouldn’t do anything further. You don’t deserve me, Cassie.”

  “Why don’t you let me decide that?”

  All she knew was that she didn’t want Gabriel to leave. Cassandra wanted him here. To stay. She held her breath as Gabriel didn’t move. He simply froze. Then he turned so quickly that Cassandra nearly fell over. Gabriel caught her and hauled her against his chest, covering his mouth with hers. It wasn’t like the other kisses before. Not fierce, almost desperate to have the taste of her. This kiss felt different. Still intense, and yet more intimate. More gentle, as if he was savouring her taste.

  Cassandra moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on as Gabriel backed her towards the bed. The backs of her knees hit the bed and Cassandra found herself toppling back. Gabriel held on and lowered her to the mattress, still kissing her.

  He held himself above her, hands now pressing into the bed and keeping his body off her. Cassandra tried to tug him down, but he wouldn’t give. When he broke the kiss, finishing it with feather-light brushes across her mouth, Cassandra felt like she was going to explode. She could feel the desire tightening in her belly. And that was just from a kiss.

  “Gabe…”

  “Hush.” Gabriel brushed a finger over her lips. “If I’m going to make love to you, I’m not going to rush it. You deserve to be treated like a princess.”

  Make love. Oh, my. Cassandra felt her core tightening and the throbbing between her legs becoming more persistent. She bit her lip as Gabriel eased back, running his hand down her body. He cupped her breasts, the gentle squeeze making Cassandra gasp, and then he moved lower, his hands passing over her hips. Then he was standing up, his hands going to his coat.

  “I think it’s best you undress yourself. The way I’m feeling, I’m more likely to tear something.” He shrugged out of his coat and dropped it to the floor, “You don’t want to have any questions about your attire, do you?”

  “I...no.” Cassandra sat up and shuffled off the bed. “I suppose not.”

  For a moment, her doubts began to set in. She was really going to do this. A man was going to see her naked body for the first time. Was she really going to measure up to what he imagined? Or would her body be enough for Gabriel to leave? Averting her eyes away from the man undressing so close to her, Cassandra fumbled with her clothes. Getting her dress off wasn’t a problem, although trying to take her corset off when she couldn’t reach behind her was difficult.

  “Would...would you mind?”

  “I don’t mind.” Fingers brushed across her back, making Cassandra shiver. “Stay still.”

  Cassandra tried, but every time Gabriel’s fingers touched her bare skin, she felt a shot of pleasure down her back. Her nipples were tightening at the intimate sensation, and the throbbing between her legs was getting worse. It was a wonder she was still standing upright.

  The corset loosened, and then Gabriel was tugging it off. His hands went to the ties of her stays and undid them with a flick of his wrists. Cassandra held her breath as he drew her stays down, dropping them to the floor. Her drawers followed soon after, and then Gabriel was running his fingers up her leg. He pressed against her back and cupped her breasts with a groan.

  “God, Cassie. You’re so beautiful. I love your body.”

  Cassandra gasped as he shifted his hips against her, and she felt his erection against her back. She could feel him throbbing against her, Gabriel pressing his hips to her. Reaching back, Cassandra grabbed his head and arched into his hands. Her body seemed to be reacting of its own accord. The pleasure in her belly was building, the throbbing getting more intense. Especially when Gabriel squeezed her breasts and rolled her nipples between his fingers.

  Oh, God. This was too much. And he hadn’t even taken her yet.

  “Cassie,” Gabriel lowered his head and kissed her neck, “your first time is going to be a little painful. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You won’t.” Cassandra turned her head and kissed him, “I trust you.”

  That had Gabriel pausing, staring at her like he had never seen her before.

  “You really mean that?”

  “I do.” Cassandra didn’t look away as his eyes darkened. There was no ignoring the desire now. “I trust you, Gabe.”

  Gabriel growled. He kissed her hard and turned them around, nudging Cassandra towards the bed. He urged her to lie down, her hips on the edge of the mattress. Cassandra lifted her head and watched as Gabriel took her shoes off, tossing them aside.

  Then he was adjusting her legs, spreading them out wide. Cool air hit her most sensitive parts, and for a moment Cassandra felt self-conscious. This was far too intimate, even for her. She started to close her legs, only for Gabriel to stop her, pushing her thighs apart.

  “Don’t.”

  “But…”

  “You have no idea how b
eautiful you look like this.” Gabriel knelt and shifted between her legs. “I know you’re going to taste so sweet.”

  “What are…?”

  Cassandra was not prepared for Gabriel’s tongue to swipe at her swollen flesh. She gasped and felt the jolt of pleasure right up her body. Gabriel lapped at her like a satisfied cat, his tongue doing things to her that were making Cassandra shake. His fingers brushed at her curls, and then at the wetness between her legs. He was treating her with a delicacy that she didn’t even know it possessed.

  And that felt more arousing than she thought possible.

  Then Gabriel thrust a finger inside her. Cassandra gasped and fell back onto the bed, knocking her head against the wooden frame. Her head throbbed, but then she was aware of the pleasure shooting through her body as Gabriel thrust one, and then two fingers inside her. It felt a little strange, but the faster Gabriel pumped, the more Cassandra writhed under him, wanting more. She needed more.

  “Gabriel.”

  “I’ve got you, Cassie.” Gabriel rose up and kissed her belly. “I want to see you come apart for me. I want to see you do that for me.”

  Cassandra could hardly speak. She could feel her orgasm approaching at a rate that was far too fast for her. When it hit, Cassandra clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle the scream. Her whole body went hot, and then cold, and back to hot again. Her entire body felt numb, the sensations giving her goosebumps.

  Gabriel drew it out, not letting her rest enough before he started to build her up again. He was breathing heavily, and Cassandra could see the outline of his erection in the semi-light. Dear God, he was more than aroused for her. Her core clenched around his fingers, and Gabriel groaned.

  “Cassie, I’m not going to last long myself if you keep doing that.”

  “Then don’t wait.” Cassandra managed to gesture at the bedside table where the candle was. “There’s something in that package for you.”

  Gabriel frowned, but he slipped his fingers from her body, making Cassandra whimper, and reached for the already open package. Cassandra watched as he unfolded it and stared at its contents. Two French letters.

  “I…” He stared at her. “You were expecting this to happen, weren’t you?”

  “I wasn’t sure what to expect.” Cassandra managed to sit up. “Emily gave them to me.”

  “Remind me to thank her when I see her.” Gabriel took one of the French letters and put the other aside. Then he started to open it up. “Lie back, love. I’ll be right with you.”

  Love. Cassandra bit her lip as she lay back down, unable to take her eyes away as Gabriel rolled the French letter over his erection. Her mouth went dry as he slid his hand over himself. God, was she really going to do this?

  Oh, yes. Absolutely.

  Gabriel shifted onto his knees on the bed and urged Cassandra around. He tugged Cassandra towards him, wrapping her legs around his waist as he lifted her hips off the bed. Cassandra’s heart was racing as he brushed against her folds. She was so wet that when he pressed forward, he slid in without any resistance. He was far bigger than his fingers, and Cassandra could feel it all the way up to her head. Surely, he wouldn’t be able to fit inside her?

  Gabriel was panting, holding himself up with one hand, the other clutching onto his hip as he slowly eased back.

  “Cassie…”

  Then he thrust in hard, and Cassandra felt something inside her give way. She gasped and clutched at the bed. There was a momentary twinge of pain and then Gabriel held himself still, trembling over her. Cassandra bit her lip and whimpered as the pain began to subside, turning into such a beautiful sensation that rippled up and down her body.

  “Cassie?” Gabriel sounded worried. “Are you all right?”

  “Perfectly.” Cassandra adjusted her legs around his waist. “I know I’m not that well-versed in lovemaking, but aren’t you supposed to move?”

  “Give me a moment. I want to savor this.”

  Gabriel’s chest heaved, his erection twitching inside her. Cassandra gasped as he shifted a little, hitting something inside her that sent waves through her middle. Whatever that was, she wanted more. A lot more. She clutched at the bed and arched her hips up.

  “Gabriel…”

  Gabriel groaned. Then he leaned over her, still on his knees with his hands planted on the bed. And he took her. His thrusts were slow and powerful, almost sending Cassandra shifting up the bed. Each thrust felt like it was about to catapult her out of her body, and Cassandra didn’t want it to stop. It felt so good.

  Especially when Gabriel began to pick up the pace. He was now pounding her body, his hips slapping against hers with each thrust, every grunt. Cassandra clutched at his shoulders and tried to bring him down, but he held himself off, only shifting the angle of his thrusts ever so slightly. That just made the ache even more intense, and Cassandra found herself clawing as Gabriel’s shoulders. She knew she was getting louder, but at this point she didn’t really care. She wanted more.

  A lot more.

  “Come for me, Cassie.” Still pounding his hips, Gabriel reached between them. “I want to see your pleasure again.”

  His touch was enough for Cassandra to break apart. She was aware of saying his name as she screamed, her legs tightening around his waist as he took her. The bed was knocking against the wall and she was sure people had heard her, but Cassandra didn’t care anymore. She just wanted this to keep happening to her.

  Gabriel growled, his thrusts becoming more erratic. He pressed both hands into the bed and jerked, his whole body seeming to spasm. Then he let out a snarl and thrust his hips so hard against her that Cassandra almost shot up the bed. He felt him twitch, and then his whole body shuddered. Then he slumped over her, burying his face in her shoulder as he covered her body with his. He was heavy, but Cassandra didn’t care. She wrapped her arms around him, pressing kisses to his shoulder and neck.

  If that was what lovemaking was like, she was certainly up for more. Once Gabriel got his breath back. Just a taste of him, and he was like an addiction. Cassandra hadn’t thought that was possible. Not until now.

  Gabriel shifted his head against her neck, brushing a kiss on her jaw.

  “I love you.”

  Chapter 19

  Gabriel knew he was pushing his luck by confessing those words he always found hard to say. It had been a long time since he had been able to say them properly to someone with any feeling. Certainly not towards any women. He felt Cassandra stiffen in his arms, but then she immediately relaxed. She tugged his head up, giving him such a sweet kiss that Gabriel felt his body stirring again.

  “I love you, too.”

  She loved him. Gabriel felt his chest swell. God, she loved him. It was more than he could have hoped for. He kissed her.

  “If there’s a chance this can work between us, and from what just happened I believe it can, I want it to work.”

  “Even if we spend most of the time arguing?”

  “We can get past that.” Gabriel shifted up onto his elbows and stroked her hair. “I’ve never felt like this with another woman, trust me. I’ve never said those three words to anyone outside of my family.”

  “I know.” Cassandra cupped his jaw, “Neither have I.”

  That meant more to Gabriel than he’d expected. He sighed and rolled onto his side, taking Cassandra with him without falling off the bed. He gathered Cassandra into his arms.

  “If we are to go forward with this, you are going to come under scrutiny. I’m the disowned son of a viscount. I’m not exactly the best catch.”