Until Midnight - eBook - Final

by Maya Banks

  She felt the blush creeping over her face, and she looked away. It was so different interacting with him during the day. He didn’t seem like the man she’d been so intimate with, and it was disconcerting. “Yes, I’ll be there.” She looked up at the large grandfather clock across the room, and her face fell in regret. “I really must be going. I hadn’t anticipated being gone this long.”

  “I’ll see you out,” he said, offering his arm to her.

  As he handed her into the carriage, he nodded his head at Margaret, who eyed him with something akin to hostility. Though he didn’t voice the words aloud when he faced her, Jenna clearly read the words that came from his lips. “Until midnight.”

  ###

  The only thing worse than the prospect of Sebastian and Quinn waiting to badger her, was Jenna coming home to find Stuart sitting in her drawing room. She was sorely tempted to pretend she hadn’t seen him and hide in her room. Unfortunately he saw her first.

  “Jenna!” He got up and rushed over to her, the lacy cuffs of his sleeves billowing out as he grabbed her hand. “I just about gave up hope of seeing you and returned home.”

  Too bad she hadn’t stayed gone five more minutes. She eyed him balefully, in no mood to contend with his theatrics. She wanted to find Sebastian and apologize for their earlier argument. “To what do I owe the honor of your visit?” She gingerly extricated her hand from his grasp.

  Undaunted, he grasped her other hand and led her over to the settee. “I have the most wonderful news to impart.” He sat down beside her, carefully arranging the hem of his ruby jacket. “We’ve been invited to Lady Lockhart’s soiree tomorrow night.”

  Jenna’s head snapped up at the mention of Lady Lockhart. “What do you mean we?”

  “Well, you and I, of course,” he said as though she were a dolt.

  “No, I meant were we invited together or were you invited and you wish me to come with you?”

  “I fail to see the difference,” he sniffed. “Really, Jenna. You’ve become so contrary of late.”

  “Just answer the bloody question,” she snapped.

  “Jenna!” His face whitened in shock, and he began fanning his face in rapid motion with his hand. He grabbed convulsively at his neckline as if it were choking the life from him. “Such language! So vulgar!”

  “Cease your yammering, Stuart.” She looked at him in disgust, tired of suffering his eccentricities for the sake of an engagement she didn’t even want.

  His mouth gaped open. Then to her surprise, he burst into laughter. “Jenna, my dear. You never cease to amuse me. Brilliant, just brilliant!”

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” she muttered. She got to her feet, smoothing her skirts in irritation. “Stuart, I really am not in good spirits today. Perhaps we should reconvene at another time.”

  “Of course. Do accept my apologies.” He walked to the door of the drawing room and turned back. “In answer to your question, Lady Lockhart invited us.”

  She sat on the settee long after Stuart departed. Had Gray prompted her to invite Jenna? If he had, he could very well be present.

  A smile spread across her face until her cheeks strained from the effort. An evening with Stuart was bearable if she could see Gray at the same time. And since the ball would no doubt carry over beyond midnight, it would afford her the only chance she had of seeing him that night. She could not continue to leave early or she would draw the suspicions of Stuart and her brothers.

  Finally she rose and went in search of Sebastian. She didn’t like the gulf that was widening between them, and she was eager to make amends.

  She found him in their father’s office going over a stack of correspondence. She eased over to the desk and sat down on the edge, scooting back on the polished surface.

  He glanced up, laying a letter aside. Sadness shown in his eyes, and it was nearly her undoing.

  “I’m so sorry,” she choked out.

  He stood up and enfolded her in his arms. “Don’t cry, Sprite.”

  “I was horrid to you. But I didn’t mean any of it.”

  “I know you didn’t,” he soothed.

  He drew away and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Let’s forget about it, shall we?”

  She smiled and nodded. “I’d like that. And I promise to wear the locket from now on.”

  Her heart lightened in relief. Things would be well between them again. She couldn’t bear to drive a wedge any further between them.

  “Now suppose you tell me where you picked up such deplorable language,” he said with a raised brow.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Mr. Douglas would like you to have this,” Masterson said as Jenna shed her cloak.

  She took the large box from the butler, glancing at it in puzzlement.

  “You’re to await him in his bedchamber.”

  “Where is he now?” she asked. But the butler had disappeared, as was his habit whenever she was around. Tucking the box under her arm, she mounted the stairs. When she reached his room, she eased the door open and stuck her head in. “Gray?”

  Silence loomed.

  She closed the door behind her and walked over to the bed, setting the box on it. Curiosity overcame her, and she removed the lid. A folded note lay on top of filmy white lace. She quickly scanned the contents.

  All day I’ve looked forward to

  seeing you in this.

  Gray

  She removed the negligee and held it up in front of her. It was a daring confection, sheer and offering little in the way of modesty. But the idea of wearing it for Gray sent shivers of delight down her spine.

  As quickly as she could, she divested herself of her clothing and laid them in a neat stack on the table beside the bed. She then pulled on the negligee. Lace fell to her feet, molding all her contours on the way down.

  She hurried to the mirror, but when she caught sight of her reflection, she gasped in surprise. Staring back at her was a beautiful, sensual woman. Reaching up, she unpinned her hair, letting it fall in a tumble down her back. Her hands fell to her chest, and she let them drift down over her breasts. Her nipples puckered and strained against the silky material.

  “You look even more beautiful than I imagined.”

  She whirled around, startled to see Gray standing inside the door.

  He started forward, coming to a stop just inches in front of her. The heat from his body wrapped itself around her, beckoning her closer to him. He smelled deliciously of leather and musk, and she drank deeply of his scent.

  “I am eager to unclothe you, yet the sight of you in the negligee is intoxicating. Quite a quandary this presents me.”

  Goose bumps dotted her entire body, and she sucked in her breath. He had but to speak, and she was awash in need.

  “Yes, I think I’ll leave you in it for now,” he continued as his eyes raked up and down her body. “Come here.” He led her over to the bed then lifted her up and laid her down, her gown spilling out around her.

  He stepped back, absorbing her with his eyes. “You said you wanted to experience passion. Tonight, Jenna, I plan to give you much more.”

  More? What more could there be? If the prior night wasn’t passion, she wasn’t sure she could withstand it. He began to pull his shirt from his trousers, tempting her with small glimpses of his flesh. When he’d removed his shirt, he leaned over her on the bed and ran his hand up her legs, knotting the lacy gown in his hands and letting go once more as he progressed upward.

  He lowered his mouth to the taut skin of her belly and pressed his tongue against the material. She reacted as if she’d been burned, arching her back off the bed.

  Both his hands grasped the soft mounds of her breasts as he nipped the skin below them with his teeth. Caressing, rolling the tips of her nipples through the silk, the firm pressure of his hands was as constant as the slow, torturous roll of his tongue.

  Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, holding her to hi
m. As her passion mounted, she forced his head up and melded her lips to his. Not wanting to be a passive participant, she met his caresses with her own.

  “Do you trust me?” he asked as he tore his lips from hers.

  “You know I do.” She gulped in air, trying to catch her breath.

  He pushed off her, rising from the bed. She stared up at him, searching his eyes for some sign of what he was thinking. He grasped her legs and pulled her to the edge of the bed. The friction of silk against her back heated her skin. Then she found herself face down on the bed as he gently turned her over.

  She blinked in surprise then tried to turn herself back over, but his hand pressed against her back preventing her movement.

  “Trust me,” he murmured.

  She immediately stilled though her senses were racing. Excitement mixed with nervousness curled in her stomach. But anticipation overcame all else as she heard him divest himself of his pants.

  His hands came around her waist, and he hoisted her up to her knees. She braced her palms against the sheets to hold herself up. Cool air washed over her legs as she felt him push her gown up to her waist. Her cheeks warmed as she envisioned the sight she must present.

  “Beautiful,” he murmured. “So beautiful, your hair streaming down your back, lace covering you.” He walked around to the end of the bed so she was now sideways to him. She cocked her head so she could see him and gulped as she saw he was naked.

  She moaned low in her throat and threw back her head when he reached out to cup her breasts. He ran his hand up over her shoulder and over her back as he walked behind her, his hand smoothing over her silk-covered skin.

  His fingers trailed over her buttocks, then between her legs, dipping into the soft folds. She rocked forward as he pressed a finger against the sensitive nub at the very heart of her femininity.

  A damp sheen of perspiration dotted her forehead, and she bit her lip, closing her eyes in delicious agony. She began to thrust back against his hand as his fingers dipped and swirled.

  Her eyes flew open and she gasped when his fingers plunged within her. “Please,” she begged.

  “In due time,” he said huskily.

  She moaned in protest when he stopped, but then his hands cupped her breasts from underneath, pinching her nipples between his thumb and forefinger. He stroked them until they were taut and stiff. The ache between her legs became unbearable as his manipulations increased.

  “Gray, please,” she gasped out.

  “What do you want, Jenna? Tell me.”

  “You. I want you. Inside me. Please. I cannot bear it any longer.”

  He chuckled. “Oh, but I’ve only just begun.” His hands left her breasts, and suddenly she felt his hot breath against her thighs.

  She rocketed forward when his tongue pressed between her legs. But his hands gripped her thighs and held her firmly against him. “Gray,” she cried. But he persisted, driving her mad with desire.

  Her knees were shaking against the mattress, her hands gripping the sheets as his tongue flitted around her sensitive bud. He suckled it gently, sending sharp bursts of pleasure straight to her innermost depths.

  Then he was gone and suddenly she found herself propelled backwards as he dragged her to the very edge of the bed. Her knees dug into the edge of the mattress and her legs dangled off.

  He grasped her hips and with his thumbs, parted her legs and positioned himself behind her. “Gray?” she said in a trembling voice. The force of her own desire had robbed her of breath.

  “I’m going to ride you,” he said, his sensual words sliding over her, nearly catapulting her to release.

  Every muscle in her body tightened in anticipation. Images of him mounting her like a mare rolled in her mind, causing her nipples to tighten, and the ache between her legs became a force too great for her to bear.

  He slid into her, hot and rigid. She cried out as he went deeper than she thought possible, as he elicited feelings in her she had never imagined in her wildest fantasies.

  When he finally came to a stop, she felt full, stretched and wild in her need. “More,” she whispered. “I want more.”

  He strained forward, pressing his hard thighs against her buttocks, and she pushed against him, determined to give him as much as he was giving her. He reached around and pulled at her nipples as he withdrew and pushed forward again.

  “Ride me,” she pleaded.

  And he did. Foregoing the slow pace he’d initiated, he began rocking against her, pulling her back to meet his thrusts. He gripped her hips, holding her firm as he rode her, hot and hard. Her gown worked higher up her back until her breasts were nearly free of the material.

  She was delirious in her ecstasy. Her head thrown back, she closed her eyes and let out a keening wail. His hands left her hips and tangled in her hair, holding her head back as he rode harder.

  Faster and harder, the sound of his thighs slapping against her buttocks filled the room, mixing with her sighs and moans.

  “Harder,” she urged. She was close to something extraordinary, yet she couldn’t quite reach it. But she knew she needed more.

  “Jenna, my God,” he panted. Spurred on by her directive, he renewed his efforts, thrusting into her until she knew he couldn’t go any farther.

  Higher and higher she climbed, the intensity becoming unbearable. She couldn’t take anymore. And then her whole world shattered into a million pieces as Gray’s hoarse cry reached her ears. Their movements were frantic, each trying to envelope the other.

  She bucked frantically against him as her release washed over her with such intensity, she collapsed on the bed. He fell with her, still locked within her as they sprawled across the bed. He ripped himself from her, and she felt his warm seed spill onto her back as he held her close.

  She closed her eyes, fighting to regain her bearings. Never in her life had she felt anything to compare to what she’d just experienced. The wild beating of her heart began to slow, though she could still feel the thud of Gray’s chest against her back.

  “Did I hurt you?” Gray’s concerned voice entered her haze.

  She smiled and turned her head up to look at him. “No.”

  “Let’s go take a bath together.”

  “That’s an offer I can’t refuse,” she said, remembering the last bath they had taken together.

  Several minutes later they submerged in the huge tub. He picked up one of her feet, rested it on his chest and began massaging the sole.

  She gazed at him for a long moment. “Why aren’t you married?”

  He arched an eyebrow but didn’t stop rubbing her foot. “I suppose I haven’t found the right woman yet.” A brief flash of pain sparked in his eye. Or had she imagined it?

  Her foot splashed back into the tub as he let it go. He picked up her other one and began massaging it.

  “Mmm, that feels so good.” She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment, sinking deeper into the hot water. What she wouldn’t give to spend every night of the rest of her life like this. Her eyes flew open. What kind of nonsense was she thinking?

  “Something wrong?” he asked, looking at her curiously.

  “No,” she said hastily. She sat up causing water to slosh over the sides. “It’s my turn to wash you.”

  He grinned at her. “I certainly won’t turn that down.”

  He presented his back to her, and she took up the cloth beside her. Lathering soap onto his back, she began rubbing the cloth over his skin in slow, firm strokes.

  He groaned. “That feels wonderful.”

  She reached around him pressing her breasts to his back as she began kneading his chest. She flicked her tongue out over his shoulder then nipped it with her teeth.

  He jumped in reaction. “Minx!”

  She grinned and lowered her hands in front, surprised to feel him hard and erect in her palm. “Oh my!”

  He turned and grabbed her, dragging her in front of him. He grinned down a
t her. “Oh my, indeed, you little tease. Now it’s time to pay.”

  He stood up holding her in his arms. Water ran off them in a rush, spilling over onto the floor. He stepped from the tub and carried her across the room. Setting her down in front of the fire, he got up and retrieved a towel. Seconds later he bent back over her and began drying her off.

  When he stood up to dry himself, she snuggled into the pillows and gazed into the fire. She felt him settle down beside her, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his chest.

  “How long do we have?” she asked softly, afraid to find out it was almost time for her to go.

  “Hours yet.”

  She relaxed in relief. She turned her head back to him and opened her mouth to ask him about the children’s home, but he covered her mouth in a gentle kiss.

  “Shhh for now. We can talk later.” He rolled her onto her back so that she was staring up at him. “I have other things in mind for that mouth of yours.”

  She giggled, but his words set her blood to racing. He lowered his head to the curve of her neck and lightly grazed her skin with his teeth. “Do you have any idea how crazy you make me?” he murmured in her ear.

  “Not any crazier than you make me,” she whispered.

  “Then I propose we do something about it.”

  She dragged his head down to hers. “I propose we dispense with the conversation.”

  “I like the way you think,” he said between kisses.

  She shoved him over and rolled on top of him. “I read an interesting book the other night. There was a rather detailed account of a woman and a man...and the woman was on top of the man.”

  “Do go on. I’m already liking this story.”

  “Apparently the woman did something like this.” She lowered her hand and circled his shaft with her fingers. Moving her body down his so that her head was above his waist, she slowly took him in her mouth. He arched against her.

  “Jenna!”

  She raised her head to look at him. “Then she did something like this.” Throwing a leg over him, she held herself over his erection then with agonizing deliberation, she lowered herself onto him.