“I’m afraid not,” he said.
She turned and gave him a questioning look.
Jules patted his horse. “You’ll ride with me.”
Oh, this was so very bad.
His hand was near her breast. Just below it actually, but it may as well have been caressing it for all the torment his hot motionless hand was creating.
Sabine tried to focus on the passing trees, the birds overhead, the sounds of the snapping twigs beneath the horses’ hooves, anything but the arousal simmering inside her, her sex moistening by the moment.
The cart carrying her future on it was just ahead. So was the small group of Jules’s men on horseback. Having lost all track of time, she was unsure how many hours they’d been traveling.
It felt like days.
Jules’s hand moved across her ribs, his thumb grazing the underside of her breast. Her nipples tightened against her chemise. She closed her eyes, trying to steel herself against the seductive sensation. Trying not to think about the sublime torment he’d put her nipples through last night. She had to reach Delatour without giving in to this. Another sexual encounter with this potent man and she might lose her mind.
She wanted to shift her body but didn’t dare. The bulge in his breeches was pressed against her bottom. Any movement would rub him intimately. Knowing he wanted her was wreaking havoc inside her. From the moment she’d first laid eyes on him years ago, he’d always had a stirring effect on her, but on meeting him again, now as grown woman, her reactions to him were far more carnal.
“Your heart is racing,” he said near her ear.
“Is it?”
“Just relax. I won’t bite . . . yet.”
She glanced over her shoulder at him. Smiling, his eyes shone with wicked promise and a look that told her he knew she was coming undone.
Knocking him from the horse would be wrong, wouldn’t it?
Opting instead for a more appropriate response, given that she did, after all, ask him to be her lover, she forced herself to relax against him and said, “I’m afraid I’m not used to this.” What an understatement.
“You’re not used to what, chère? Being aroused?”
Her face grew warm.
Softly, he said, “Tell me what the desire is doing to you.” The darkly seductive quality of his voice only inflamed her further.
“You—You want me to . . . describe it?” Did he actually expect her to voice the reactions he was eliciting from her body? “I’m not certain I can do that.”
“Try.”
She gazed back at him speechless.
“Shall I go first?” he asked. “Shall I tell you how you make me feel?”
Good Lord, no. “I . . . well . . . I suppose . . .”
“I feel,” he murmured low, “like stopping this horse . . .” He halted the horse.
She looked around and noticed the men beginning to dismount. The only man to glance their way was Raymond. He gave Jules a nod in response to some silent command and turned away.
Before she could comment, Jules brought his mouth close to her ear once more. “I feel like taking you into the forest, stripping off your clothes, and fucking you . . . for hours.” Her heart missed a beat. “You want to come, don’t you, Elise? You’re going to take my cock in . . . slowly . . . nice and deep.”
Hot excitement roared through her. Think about the Greek alphabet. Anything! But not what he just said.
“But before that, I’m going to taste you, most especially that very sensitive pretty little clit of yours.”
Alpha . . . Beta . . . What was the next one? She couldn’t think or catch her breath. That very part of her anatomy he referred to was pulsing as wildly as her heart.
“Are you imagining it, Elise? Can you imagine what it will feel like when I taste you there? When I draw your clit into my mouth, and suck, and lick . . .” She squeezed her knees together to combat the throbbing between her legs. “I’ll build the pleasure until it’s so keen, until you can’t take it any longer, until a strong climax shudders through your body and you come against my mouth. Can you imagine it, Elise?”
No, don’t imagine it! He couldn’t be serious. No one would do something so . . . shocking, surely.
“Answer me,” he said softly.
“Men don’t do that. I think you’re jesting.”
He pulled back. A purely male grin formed on his handsome face. “I promise, you’ll enjoy it, as much as you enjoy having your breasts kissed and fondled.”
Her nipples were so hard. The yearning to have his mouth on them, his hands on her body, was beyond fierce.
He nuzzled her neck. “You’re blushing, Elise.” His warm breath tickled her skin, sending tiny tingles down her spine. “Once you’re grown accustomed to receiving pleasure, inhibitions fall away. When that happens, you’ll be hungry for my cock in your mouth and eager to return the pleasure.”
Another wave of arousal slammed into her. She fisted her skirts. This she’d seen before; whores in the alleyway outside the theater performed this service on their customers. She’d always thought it was a distasteful act. Until now. Instead of being appalled by his words, they heightened her hunger for him.
“I think we should dismount,” she suggested. Anything to put some space between them and give her a chance to sober up from his seduction.
He met her gaze. “I agree.”
Dismounting, he reached up and helped her down. Her legs felt shaky. Grasping her hand, he immediately strode toward the trees.
Oh, God. They were heading into the forest. What had she done?
He pulled her along past his men, who were busy pulling items from the cart.
“Raymond!” Jules barked without breaking his stride. “Where?”
“Straight ahead, Commander.”
She was all but running to keep up with him as he walked briskly through the trees until they came upon a clearing. A picnic had been set up, no doubt by Raymond. A blanket and basket were set out.
They were secluded in the woods, with a giant rock nearby that rose almost to Jules’s height. He pressed her back against it.
Bracing his palms against the large stone on either side of her head, he hemmed her in. He had the most decadent look in his dark eyes. “You asked me to be your lover. To experience sexual pleasures. Tell me you want me to claim your pretty cunt any way I want.” He was so sinfully delicious. It was astounding just how appealing she found his wicked words. She swallowed.
Focus on the plan. His interest was crucial for its success. She was going to put on yet another performance. The most important ever.
Sabine relaxed her shoulders. “Yes . . . I want that.”
He leaned in. His mouth was oh so close to her own. “What do you want? Let me hear you say it,” he prompted and lowered his head. His mouth was on that sensitive spot below her ear, slowly moving down her neck.
A moan escaped from her throat, her breaths already short and shallow. She was so hungry for a taste of his mouth. “I . . . want you to . . .” He nipped at her earlobe. Her words died on a gasp. Her arms at her sides, she realized she was digging her fingers into the stone. It took everything she had not to throw her arms around his neck and beg him to take her then and there. You are jeopardizing the plot. Concentrate!
But then he cupped her breast, and over the fabric of her chemise, stroked his thumb over her distended nipple. Her knees almost buckled. “Jules, I want you to . . . do all the things you described. But what I want more than anything is to—” She could barely speak while he teased her nipple and kissed her neck, the most luscious sensations swamping her.
“To what?” he said against her skin.
“To experience them with you . . . on a bed.”
He lifted his head. “A bed? Where do you see a bed?”
“Is there no place you can take me where we could have a bed to ourselves?”
After several tension-filled moments, he said, “There is an inn inin the next town, Delatour.”
&nb
sp; She could barely contain a shout of joy. “There is? How wonderful. How long would it take to reach there?”
“A few hours. Not long.”
She gave him a big smile and threw her arms around his waist. “Will you take me to the inn in Delatour and show me carnal pleasures?” None of this would come to pass. She ignored the pang of regret that whispered through her. Her body burned for him, but there was something greater at stake here than her physical gratification.
He gave a nod. “We’ll stop at Delatour.”
She’d done it! “Thank you.” She beamed, then stepped away and moved toward the food basket.
He caught her arm. “But we’ll begin the carnal pleasures now.”
9
Jules yanked Sabine up against him. She flattened her hands against his chest.
Her sense of triumph dissolved.
As did her smile.
“But . . . the inn. The bed. Wouldn’t it be good to wait?” She was too aware of the length of his body against hers. And the raw desire still streaming through her blood.
“It will be good here,” he wickedly promised, untying the ribbon securing her hair and tossing it onto the blanket. “We’ll have a bed. Later. I’ll have you again at the inn.” His fingers unraveled her braid. “I’m afraid patience isn’t one of my strengths. I don’t like to wait for what I want.” He brushed her hair behind her shoulder, captured her distended nipple between his fingers through the cloth of her chemise and lightly pinched. She gasped and fisted his shirt. He held the tender tip firmly, letting the pressure build into scintillating throbs. Her breathing spiked. “These pretty nipples are hard, wanting to be sucked. And we both know you’re warmed and wet. You don’t want to wait any more than I do.” He leaned in. “You want to be taken right now, don’t you?” he murmured in her ear.
Gently, he tugged and twisted her nipple with devastating finesse, sending a continuous stream of stunning sensations through her system. The only response she could muster was a whimper.
Just when she thought she’d cornered him, he’d cornered her once more. There was no way out. She was too far into this scheme to quit.
He lifted his head and met her gaze, clearly wanting a response.
Damn him and damn the way he made her blood burn.
She cleared her throat and ceded. “Yes,” she said on a pant. Ah, but now you’re free to enjoy him. The thought had such staggering appeal.
He gave her one of his stomach-fluttering smiles, dimples and all. “Yes, what?”
“Yes . . . I want you to . . . take me now.” She wanted it so badly, it hurt.
He trapped her face between his strong hands and claimed her mouth in a hot hungry kiss. It sent her up in flames. An attack on her weakening defenses. She parted her lips, desperate for more. He didn’t disappoint and thrust his tongue into her mouth.
He had the most delicious taste. He gave the most dizzying kisses. The wild impulses he inspired were dazzling. She was spinning out of reality and into a world of dreams—a magic only he could weave. Gripping his shoulders, all she could do was hold on for the ride. He stripped away her clothing, every brush of his fingers against her skin sublime. She ached to be filled by him. The initial discomfort she’d experienced the last time was a small price to pay for the blinding pleasure that followed.
“Undress me,” he growled against her mouth. Trembling, she realized she was down to her chemise and caleçons, yet couldn’t muster shock.
Not when her mind was focused on seeing his beautiful body again—the lure of touching him beckoning and beguiling her.
Fumbling, she managed to slip his doublet off his broad shoulders, down his arms, and onto the ground near the heels of his boots.
His hands slid down her back, over her derrière, and slipped beneath her knee-length chemise. Cupping her bottom, he lifted her up to her toes and ground her against his erection. A groan of pleasure escaped them both.
He set her back down. “Continue. Don’t stop now.” His breaths were quick and shallow, matching her own.
She grasped his shirt but couldn’t free it from his breeches. Impatient, he pulled off the article and tossed it to the ground, then grasped her wrists and placed her hands on his bare chest.
“Touch me. I want to feel your hands on me.”
Oh . . . yes . . . Years ago she’d longed for it and had imagined it at least a thousand times in her most private dreams.
Slowly, she ran her hands down his muscled chest, savoring the feel of his skin, the ripples of his abdomen. His skin was warm. So inviting. He closed his eyes, sucked in a ragged breath, and let it out in a forceful rush.
His every heated response elated her. Incited her. Moisture seeped from her sex. He swore. “Take this off.” He grabbed the hem of her chemise and removed it with a yank.
His heated gaze moved over her body, his tactile regard like a hot caress over her skin. He reached out and cupped her breast. She braced herself for the jolt of pleasure coming her way. He stroked his thumb over her nipple. She couldn’t stop the mewl that escaped from her lips.
“They look even better in the sunlight,” he told her. “You have such pretty nipples . . .” His thumb drew lazy circles around the tormented tip. “And best of all”—his voice dropped low—“they’re so very sensitive.”
Before she could ready herself, he hauled her to him, swooped in, and sucked her nipple into his hot mouth. A cry erupted from her lungs. She threw her arms around his shoulders and arched hard against him.
He gently bit and sucked the sensitized peak. She moaned, her fingers tangling in his hair, holding him close. This was exquisite torture, each hungry pull of his mouth causing her sheath to clench.
He turned his attention to her other breast and created the same heated havoc, her nipple at the mercy of his skillful mouth, plying her senses with each rasp of his tongue and suckling sensation. Shaking, she squeezed her eyes shut, unsure how much longer her legs would hold her weight.
The moment his fingers yanked on the ties on her drawers, her caleçons slipped down her legs and fell to her feet.
He picked her up in his arms as if she weighed nothing and set her down on the blanket, his actions surprising her. Towering over her, he stripped off the remainder of his clothing. His heated regard holding her riveted, she pulled in her knees, wrapped her arms around her legs, and watched.
He stood before her, completely unclothed and at ease. His rigid shaft snared her attention.
She looked away, her confidence faltering.
Jules knelt down in front of her and sat back on his haunches. He knew what she was thinking.
“There’ll be no pain this time,” he reassured her, not wanting anything to interfere with the sexual abandon she’d been experiencing. She stirred such intense carnal hunger, it was difficult to remember her lack of sexual experience.
The blush on her cheeks only made her silver eyes more vivid. She tightened her arms around her legs. “I want you to kiss me again.”
Now there was a request no man would turn down. “I’m going to kiss you, Elise.” Every last inch of her edible form. “Everywhere.” Pulling her arms loose from her legs, he pressed a kiss to the inside of her wrist. Then, wrapping his fingers around her ankles, he lifted her feet one at a time and placed them on either side of his thighs.
Though she was deliciously aroused, she stiffened slightly, her knees still together. Inexperience and inhibitions getting in the way. He wrestled to control his fever for her. Dieu, he couldn’t believe how strongly he wanted this woman.
He settled his hands on her bent knees. “Spread your legs,” he coaxed.
She bit down on her lush lower lip, pausing a moment, before she relaxed her legs enough for him to ease her knees apart.
“That’s it. A little wider,” he urged until her knees spread to his liking. “Good. Just like that.”
She sat very still, her long flaxen locks cascading over her back and arms. He devoured the sight before him, watching
as her sweet breasts rose and fell with each quick breath, her pert ultrasensitive nipples looking so tempting, begging to be sucked again. He took in her smooth belly, and the dark blond curls between her legs, taking his time to linger on her clit, so swollen with need.
And her glistening sex. Pink, trickling with desire.
Ripe for the taking.
Lust licked up his spine. The memory of slipping between those pouty folds, sinking into her, made his cock throb; a spurt of pre-come leaked from his prick. For as long as he lived, he’d never forget the delicious feel of her tight sex.
He scored his finger down her wet slit. She gasped and jerked.
“You are beautiful,” he said. “Every part of you.”
He rose to his knees, urged her onto her back, and balancing on one hand, leaned over her. His other hand on her sex, he lightly fingered her, keeping her keen, avoiding her clit. Not letting her come. She gave an impatient little squirm.
“You’re so wet. You’ve no idea what that does to me.”
Softly panting, she glanced down at his cock. “I believe I have some idea. Some things are hard to miss.”
He laughed. Despite her innocence, he loved it that she couldn’t stop herself from looking at his prick each time the opportunity presented itself. “You’re learning quickly.” He lowered his body, partially covering hers. She quickly slipped her arms around him.
He gave her clit a light flick. Her hips jerked and she moaned her approval. “More?”
“Yes! More . . .” She pulled him down for a kiss. “Too much talking,” she said against his mouth. “Not enough kissing.”
He smiled, then took command of the kiss, turning her famished kisses into ones that were languorous and lush. She was delightfully different from any woman he’d ever known. He was accustomed to dictating in and out of the boudoir. Looking to please him and maintain his interest, the women always deferred to his demands during sex. Elise had a will of her own, and spoke her mind when she felt the need. It was novel. And from her, appealing.
A Midnight Dance Page 10
