by Alice Gaines
She gave him both and sat, waiting to see what he’d do. The moment held magic, embellished by the heat of the water, the scent of lavender, and the flickering light of the candles. He lathered the cloth and then scrubbed it over her shoulders, using a pressure that was firm and gentle all at once. From there, he went lower, scrubbing her shoulder blades and along her spine.
“You have a marvelous back,” he said.
“A back’s a back. It can’t be marvelous or anything else.”
“How lacking in imagination,” he said. “So unlike you.”
“Then, tell me how it’s marvelous.”
He kept washing her, lower in the water, stroking the cloth over her ribs. “It’s graceful, and it has this lovely furrow down the center.”
Come to think of it, she’d admired his back the night she’d climbed into his bed. She’d measured the width with her hands and marveled at the firmness of his muscles. Did he see something similar in her?
“I love your height,” he said. “Have I told you that?”
“Most men, in my experience, prefer petite women.”
“If so, most men are fools.” His hand and the cloth went to the bottom of the tub and to the end of her spine. “And this part of you…I can’t wait to see your arse.”
“My derriere?”
“Lord, yes. I don’t know why women’s fashions show off the breast and hide the backside. The silly bustles give no clue to what she really looks like.”
“I had no idea men liked to look at a woman’s ass.”
“You have no idea about a lot of things,” he said. “I plan to fix that while you’re here.”
She sighed and stretched. “I think I’ll like that.”
“I know you will.” His hands appeared in front of her. He’d lost the cloth somewhere but held the soap. He lathered both hands thoroughly, allowing her to watch. For a man, he had graceful fingers—long and expressive. They seemed to have a life of their own as he swirled the soap between them. She followed their movements, entranced, not even imagining what he’d do next until he dropped the soap and placed his palms over her breasts.
“Oh,” she cried.
“You didn’t expect that?” He bent and nibbled at her shoulder. “I’m going to wash you everywhere.”
“You only said my back.”
“How absent-minded of me.” He massaged her sensitive flesh, his fingers still slick with lather. He kneaded and rubbed, finally teasing the nipples between his thumbs and forefingers. If she could have melted into a puddle, she would have done it in a heartbeat.
“Does that feel good?” he murmured against the base of her throat.
“Oh, my.”
“I’ll take that as yes.”
She let out a groan of pure pleasure as he continued. Her nipples had stiffened and tightened, and still, he played with them. She closed her eyes and floated in a sea of sensation. A mere touch, even to so sensitive a place, shouldn’t sap her strength and cloud her brain—but it did. When his hands went lower over her ribs and to her belly, her sex clenched and then released more moisture.
Her legs fell apart without her willing it. Her body opened to him, surrendering to the pleasure he could give.
“Here it is,” he said as his fingers stroked the hairs between her legs. “Your sweet pussy.”
“A cat?”
“Pussy’s a word for your sex,” he said. “But if I stroke it right, I can make it purr.”
“Pussy,” she said, although her own voice came to her as if someone else spoke the word. Her entire being had concentrated on how close his fingers had come to that throbbing spot between her legs.
He touched her nether lips, stroking them forward and back. “Cunny’s another word. Say it.”
“Cunny,” she whispered.
“Well done. Here’s your reward.” His finger passed over her pearl, and she gasped loudly as the electric current rushed through her.
“You have no idea what those noises do to me,” he said, his voice low and evil.
She made another one, half between a moan and a gasp. She hadn’t planned to, but his fingers kept moving over her nubbin, now circling it, now rubbing.
“Your cries when you come are the most powerful aphrodisiac in the world,” he said.
“Come?”
“When you spend.”
Her head suddenly grew very heavy, and she rested it back against his shoulder. “If you don’t stop, I’ll come right now.”
“Exactly as I’d planned.”
“But I want to wait for you, so we can spend together.”
He kissed her temple. “You’ll do that, too.”
“More than once?”
“At least twice, but I may not manage more than that the first time.”
“Who could have imagined that possible?”
“And now for your first.” His fingers moved faster. She brought her hands to the rims of the tub and held on as he pushed her deeper and deeper inside herself.
“Imagine my cock inside you,” he said. “First, just the tip, slowly dipping between your folds.”
“Oh, yes,” she gasped.
“I’ll push a bit harder and go deeper into you.” His fingers kept moving, moving, moving. “You’ll feel every inch of me as I enter you.”
“Lord, yes. Please.” The spiral tightened inside her, twisting in on itself, preparing to snap.
“Finally, you’ll have taken all of me. Everything I am, sheathed in your pussy.”
“Yes.” It wasn’t even so much a word as a chant. Ohyes, ohyes.
“And then, I’ll frig you. Slowly at first while you grip me with your wet, sweet cunny.”
She bit her lip and hung onto the tub as he continued working her clitoris, now tugging gently on it.
“Finally, I’ll lose control and plow you. Hard and fast. And deep.”
She stifled her cries as the climax neared. She couldn’t fight it now. It was too powerful. Inevitable.
“And then, we’ll both scream as we come together.”
He finished her, his fingers moving lightning quick. Her shouts floated to the ceiling, and her body stiffened, nearly rising from the water. Her sex—her pussy—went wild with spasms while he finished her. Never pausing until the climax had released its fury and she sank back against the porcelain, moaning.
He held her for a moment until her senses cleared and she returned to reality. Then, he kissed her temple again. “You are a wonder. Now, for the real thing.”
Chapter Ten
Juliet took his hand and let him help her from the tub. Her legs wobbled some, either from the power of the climax or excitement at what would happen now. In truth, she’d have to admit to some trepidation as well. This was her first time. It would hurt. And the man was so blasted large.
She didn’t look at that part of him as he took a towel and dried her off. He lingered at her rear, rubbing the cloth over her and then slipping it between her legs. He made a noise at the back of his throat. A growl that sounded like approval. When he’d rubbed enough to have her skin warmed everywhere, he dropped the towel and grabbed the candelabra from the floor. Then he took her hand and led her into the bedroom.
Someone had turned down the covers, and more candles glowed on the table on the far side of the bed. She pointed to them. “Your doing?”
“I didn’t want to send a servant. You were quite absorbed with your bath.”
“Everything’s so beautiful.” That was an understatement. The thick carpet warmed her toes, and the soft light cast an enchanted glow over the bed. It was a large piece, but also graceful and feminine. An upholstered stepstool sat beside it to help an occupant climb onto the mattress. Curtains hung from the posts at each corner of the bed, and a lace canopy floated over it all.
David set the candelabra on the nearer table and pulled her into his arms. “Having a change of heart?”
She stared up into his face. “Of course not. I fought hard and long to get you here.”
“I used the wrong word,” he said. “I should have asked if you’re frightened.”
She hesitated, gazing into his face. A bit of what she’d seen in his expression before returned. That night in his bed in London, when he’d looked at her with such strange intensity. They’d almost made love that night. What would happen when they did? Would he have the same ferocity behind his eyes? Would he have more?
“Hmm?” he prompted.
“I’m a little scared.” Somehow, at a time like this, no sort of lie would form in her head.
“I’ve never taken a woman’s virginity,” he said. “I’ll do the best I can not to hurt you.”
“My goodness,” she said. “Why are we talking about this as if it were an execution? It’s a hymen, that’s all.”
That put the evil twinkle in his eyes. “You’re sure of that, are you?”
“Of course, what else could it be?”
“You’re an endless source of amusement.” He chuckled a bit. “Go ahead. Get in bed.”
She did and lay against the sheet on her side, watching him. He shrugged out of his robe and let it fall to the floor. As she’d guessed, he wore nothing underneath, although she couldn’t make out much of the details of him in the darkness. When he approached, the candlelight caught him.
“Stop there for a moment,” she said.
He did and raised a questioning brow.
“I want to look at you.”
He held his arms out to his sides and turned slowly. Before, she’d used the word magnificent to describe him. Now, that seemed totally inadequate. He was beautifully proportioned and finely muscled everywhere. Tall, broad and graceful. And, yes, he did have a glorious rear.
When he finished his turn and faced her again, she could admire the strong shoulders, his wide chest without a hair to hide the flat nipples. Then, the narrow hips.
Finally, she took her first good look at his sex. She hadn’t imagined its size. It stood, thick and long, straight out from his body.
“Well?” he said. “Do I suit?”
“You’d suit a queen.”
“Not the current one, I hope.” He climbed into the bed and pulled the covers over them both. “Besides, I’d rather suit a certain American miss.”
Before, she’d had to sneak into his bed, and now, here he was in hers instead. He willingly took her into his arms, and she could press herself against the length of him. He was still the miraculous creature whose bed she’d invaded in London. This time, both their bodies smelled of soap. Her hair dampened the pillow beneath her head, but he didn’t seem to notice. He rolled her onto her back and kissed her, starting slowly, his lips moving over hers with exquisite determination. His hand massaged her side as their mouths tangled. Stroking her ribs, pulling her against him, and fitting her to him everywhere.
As on the other night, the firmness of his chest contrasted with her softness. Her breasts grew sensitive, the nipples hardened. Tonight, she wouldn’t have to worry about him stopping, and she could have anything she wanted from him. He’d promised. Heat spiraled around them as he nibbled softly at her lower lip and then soothed it with his tongue.
“Have I told you what this does to me?” he murmured.
“This?” He couldn’t speak in riddles and expect her to understand as her mind had slipped into its most primitive ways of understanding. Every touch he gave her, every sound he made registered—every caress and nip. But words? She couldn’t possibly comprehend something as unimportant as words unless they came out simple and direct.
“Your lower lip,” he said. “Since the first night I met you, it made me want to devour you.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“You weren’t too pleased with me that night.”
“I’m pleased with you now,” she whispered. “In fact, I’m thrilled.”
“Wait a bit. It gets better.” He blew a hot breath into her ear and then circled the rim with his tongue. That oughtn’t to have been such an incendiary touch, but her whole body responded as a gasp escaped her throat.
“Incredible,” he whispered, his voice thick. “You react to everything I do as if I could perform magic.”
“You do perform magic.”
“Minx.” He gazed down at her. “Who told you that’s the ultimate way to flatter a man?”
“What is?”
The candlelight flickered in his eyes. “To tell him he’s a good lover.”
“It’s not flattery,” she said. “I’ve already had a taste of what you can do.”
“My pleasure.” He went back to his work, sampling every inch of her body with his lips. At least it felt as if he was. Each kiss radiated out to warm her everywhere. He moved lower as he slid along her body, pulling the covers with him. His hands never stopped stroking her, making velvet passes over her skin. She should have done something to return the pleasure, but honestly, her brain couldn’t form any plan except to lie there and take whatever he offered. And he offered sensuality so powerful, she could only surrender and accept it.
His mouth found a breast, and she should have expected the shock when he took the peak into the moisture of his mouth. How could each new caress move her more violently than the last? How could he draw more and more reaction from her flesh? She arched her back, pushing herself upward against his face. He squeezed the other breast while he worshiped the first and then tweaked the nipple gently.
Her breath came in gasps now as her body started the climb to the top. The wetness collected in the space between her legs. She needed him there. Not his hand or his mouth, but that huge hardness—his cock. The knowledge made her ache, her pussy throbbed in anticipation. She’d been created for this moment. She’d wanted him to give it to her for so long.
“Take me,” she whispered.
“I need to make you ready.”
“I am. Truly.”
He slid back up beside her. “No sacrifices. I won’t take you until you’re so aroused you’ll beg for it.”
“I’ve been begging you for weeks.”
“That’s not what I mean.” He reached between her legs and stroked the lips there.
A little current of moisture seeped from her, and she groaned in pleasure and frustration. “You must feel how much I want you.”
“You’re wet, but not begging.”
“I feel so empty. I didn’t know what I needed before, but now, I do.”
“You’ll have it. Soon.”
He touched her pearl, and her hips jerked upward. “David!”
“My poor darling,” he whispered into her ear. “A bit more.”
His fingers kept moving over her nub. He’d made her spend this way already in the tub. That climax had primed the little scrap of flesh to respond quickly to his caresses. She fought the madness. Clutching the sheets in her fists. She could so easily snap, but this time, how much sweeter to have him inside her when she did? Imagine, squeezing around his hard flesh when the rapture overcame her.
Now, his finger pressed at the entrance to her core. A sting of pain sliced through the fog of desire clouding her world, and she tensed.
“See?” he said. “You’re not ready.”
“It’s going to hurt no matter what you do.”
“Not ready.” He went back to stroking her pearl, running his thumb over it and then pressing it in circles. Maddening, irresistible. She moaned. A plea for relief. Now, please now.
His finger pressed again, but this time the approaching climax drowned out the pain.
“I’m…oh!…I’m ready,” she cried.
Still, he made no move to take his place between her legs but kept up the pressure against her pearl until she could have wept. She’d grown impossibly wet, enough to soak the sheets beneath her. Surely, he must feel that. He had to know how much she needed him.
“David,” she cried. “Now.”
He used more pressure against her barrier, and despite the prick of pain, her body arched into his touch.
“Now,” she moaned. “Pleas
e.”
“Now,” he said. He moved between her legs. They parted on their own to embrace him. Finally, finally, he positioned himself over her and guided the tip of his cock between the swollen lips of her pussy.
His thick member wasn’t a finger, though, and though her lips slid easily around him, her membrane resisted. The pain came again—stronger than before—but behind that, her sheath waited for him. Eager, wet and hot.
He didn’t push, though, but held himself above as her body trembled.
“Do it, David.”
“Oh, my darling, I want to.”
“Do it.” She gripped his shoulders, digging her nails into his flesh. “Do it.”
He let out a growl and pushed forward. The barrier broke, and the tip of his sex entered her. Victory.
“My darling,” he crooned. “Oh, my darling.”
She stroked his back, savoring the softness of his skin everywhere she could reach. “More, please.”
He let out a strangled sound and slid his cock deeper into her. With the pain gone, her muscles relaxed and accepted him, savoring the passage of his shaft as it entered her slowly, and he pushed himself all the way into her core.
He opened his eyes then and gazed down into her face while his hands stroked her hair. “Unbelievable.”
“Glorious,” she whispered back. “More wonderful than I’d imagined.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you, David Winslow.”
He gave her a wicked grin. “Ready for more?”
“Ready,” she said. “I want it all.”
He pulled back and then surged forward again. A whole new set of sensations. She let out a long “ahhh” and closed her eyes. She should keep looking at him, sharing the moment, but honestly, her lids had grown far too heavy to hold up. All her energy flowed to the place where they’d joined.
He set a regular rhythm, a luxurious in and out, stroking her inner walls. She’d been built for this…had waited for it since she’d become a woman years ago. Until this moment, she hadn’t understood how men and women completed each other. How empty she’d truly been. She’d only read about this reality. Words she couldn’t have understood this…this…this…perfection.
