Christie Kelley

by Every Night Im Yours

  Every nerve in her body tingled with anticipation. Her courage grew with every kiss. Cool air swept over her shoulders as he pushed the small cap sleeves of her dress down her arms. She hadn’t even felt him unfastening the hooks on the back of her dress. She wiggled to set her hands free and then realized how close her dress was to falling off her.

  “Don’t,” he whispered as she reached to yank her bodice more firmly over her breasts.

  Banning’s warm hands skimmed down her neck in a gentle caress until they reached the top of the fabric. She watched helplessly as he slid the dress down and then unlaced her stays, throwing the garment to the floor. Her unbound nipples tightened and rasped the fabric of her shift until he pushed it down and exposed her breasts to his intense gaze.

  “God, you are lovely,” he murmured. He shifted her on his lap so she straddled him then kissed her neck and downward until he drew one pebbled nipple into his mouth.

  She writhed with the contact, feeling his trouser-clad hardness against her most private area. Liquid fire raced through her veins. She pulled his head closer to her breast as if she could not get enough of him. And she couldn’t.

  She wondered what could possibly be better than this, when his hand glided up her silk enclosed thigh and found the opening in her drawers. His thumb discovered the small nub and rubbed gently, teasingly against her.

  “Banning,” she whimpered.

  The man she’d thought she hated was touching her most private of parts. And she loved it. She never wanted this to end. Her traitorous body and now even her mind wanted him here, wanted him kissing her, caressing her, driving her mad with desire.

  “Don’t think, Avis,” Banning muttered against her breast. One finger slipped inside her wetness, then two.

  How could she possibly think when she was burning with desire? She wanted to be closer to him. She wanted him inside her, claiming her as his lover. Glancing at him from under her lashes, his eyes were as dark as midnight. Unfulfilled need flowed inside of her. She wanted more than this, she wanted to be joined with him in the most intimate manner.

  Every stroke of his thick fingers sent her higher toward something unknown. Her muscles tightened around him, drawing him in deeper.

  “Just let it happen,” he whispered.

  She closed her eyes and her head fell forward as a violent explosion of pleasure sent her shuddering against him. “Banning,” she cried out.

  “That’s it, my love. Shh.”

  Resting her head against his shoulder, her breathing slowly recovered. She’d never thought making love would feel that…that…incredible.

  Banning shifted slightly under her and his trouser-covered shaft made contact with her moist folds. If he could make her feel so wonderful, she wanted to do the same to him.

  She placed a kiss on his jaw and set to work at his cravat. He didn’t say a word, letting her unravel his neck cloth to find more warm skin. His pulse leaped as she kissed his neck.

  “Whatever are you doing?” he asked with a low laugh.

  “Whatever you’d like me to do.”

  A groan was his only reply as she unfastened the buttons on his linen shirt. Even through his trousers, she could feel his hardness pulsating. She wanted to give him pleasure. But more than anything, she needed to know if she had the same effect on him that he had on her.

  She slid his jacket off and pulled his shirt over his head, baring his chest. “May I…?”

  “Anything you want to do to me, darling. Anything,” he groaned.

  She smiled against his chest as she kissed him. Finding a flat nipple, she flicked her tongue across it and he shuddered. Well, that was encouraging. She repeated his movements, brought the small nipple into her mouth, and suckled it.

  “Avis,” he moaned.

  She slid off his lap to kneel between his strong legs. His muscles twitched as she kissed down his flat stomach until she reached the band of his trousers. She found the buttons and each one popped through its hole. She slid the garments down over his hips, freeing his shaft from its confining prison.

  “You don’t know what you’re doing,” Banning mumbled. “You should stop before—”

  “I believe I am more than ready to see you explode,” she said with a small laugh.

  Mrs. Hathaway had given her more information than she requested. The housekeeper had told her men loved this, and Avis was determined to discover if that was the truth. She gripped his shaft firmly in her hand and let her tongue circle around the tip of him. He clutched the arms of the chair. A bead of moisture pooled at the very top of his penis. She brought him fully into her mouth, and he moaned in pleasure.

  Banning let his head fall back to the top of the chair. This was not what he’d expected when he pleasured her a few moments ago. All he had wanted was to see her find release, and stretch her a little before he took her the first time. But this was too much. Desire coursed through his veins and down to his swollen cock. He couldn’t make love to her now for he’d never last long enough to give her the pleasure she deserved the first time.

  Instead, he gave into the allure of her mouth on him. The sweet sensations grew stronger as her pull on him continued. He had never wanted a woman, never needed a woman as he did Avis. He was getting in too deep with her. Marriage was one thing, but these other feelings were not supposed to be part of his plan.

  “Avis, lift your head before it’s too late,” he bit out.

  Thankfully, she did as he requested. He placed her hands back on him and closed his eyes to the most incredible pinnacle he had ever experienced.

  Breathless from the experience he kept his eyes closed in wonder. How was that possible? He hadn’t even made love to her and yet, it was astonishing. He opened his eyes to see her watching him curiously. She was the most inquisitive woman he had ever met.

  “Does it hurt?” she asked in a soft, curious voice.

  “What? You mean when I spill my seed?”

  She nodded as her cheeks brightened.

  “God, no.” He bent down and kissed the top of her head. “You are the most incredible woman I have ever known.”

  “Hardly. I’m just a simple woman whose curiosity gets the best of her sometimes,” she answered with a coy smile. “That is how I ended up here with you.”

  Banning took his shirt, wiped his stomach and fingers dry then pulled her close. “Personally, I love that about you.”

  Did he just say that? He did not love her. He liked her immensely but that was all. Wasn’t it?

  Avis woke the next morning to the sound of rain battering the stucco and a heavy arm resting across her stomach. Not wanting to get up to a dreary morning, she snuggled in closer to Banning. After their first true passionate encounter last night, they had decided to sleep. In truth, she believed Banning wanted to give her time to rest and recover. She almost told him that she really didn’t need that, but he certainly tried to be a gentleman with her, and she did appreciate his gesture.

  She had thought she would have regrets about her decision to go away with the man who had brought her nothing but grief. Yet, the only thing she could think of was tonight when they might make love completely.

  But for now, it was morning and as usual, the only thing on her mind was food. Memories of a warm scone melting in her mouth set her stomach rumbling.

  “You’re hungry,” Banning’s gruff voice murmured in her ear.

  “It’s morning. I’m always hungry.” She smiled and arched her back as his hand cupped her breast.

  “I’m hungry too, but not for food.”

  “I need nourishment.”

  He growled. “You’re not very romantic in the morning, are you?”

  She rolled over and rubbed his whiskered cheek. “No. Where is breakfast?”

  “But it’s a nice rainy morning, perfect for early lovemaking and late breakfasting.”

  The idea of making love this morning made her tremble. She thought couples only made love at night, when it was dark. “I warned you yest
erday about my food inclinations. Besides, I won’t be petulant after I eat.”

  Banning leaned back and laughed. “Well, I cannot have my lady petulant in the morning.” He tossed off the covers, displaying his body to her. After he stood, he glanced over his shoulder at her. “Still want food?”

  She stared at his shaft in profile to her. A small smile lifted her lips upward. “Yes.”

  “You are a beast, my lady, making me cover this,” he said, pointing to his manhood.

  “Perhaps I am,” she teased.

  Banning tossed on his trousers and a shirt then proceeded to the kitchen. While he was gone, Avis had time to think about her choice of lovers. Emory might have been a good choice, but Banning was definitely the better selection. She doubted Emory would have given her time to get comfortable with the idea of making love as Banning had.

  She used to wonder if her innocence and sheltered life had affected her writing. Well, she certainly didn’t feel sheltered or ignorant now. The idea of Banning being completely inside her sent a rush of moist heat to her private parts.

  “Mrs. Hathaway hopes you enjoy her cinnamon scones as much as her raspberry ones,” Banning said as he entered with a tray.

  Dear God, the man was too handsome for words. His dark whiskers and loose shirt made him look like a pirate about to ravish his stowaway.

  “What are you smiling about?” he asked.

  “You look like a pirate.”

  He gave her a sardonic quirk of his lips. “A pirate. Hmmm, I might be able to satisfy that fantasy. Am I the conquering pirate and you my willing captive?”

  “I believe you should forget the fantasy and hand me a scone.”

  He laughed as he handed her the food then stretched out beside her. She had never felt so relaxed in her life. Perhaps it was the scones, or even more impossible, the man beside her.

  It was a strange idea that a man could make her feel at ease. With Banning, she had a very good reason not to trust him—he’d blackmailed her, he had kissed her on a wager, and they argued every time they were together…until now. Yet, here she sat eating scones in bed with him.

  “You’re terribly quiet,” he said then stuffed the last bite into his mouth.

  “I’m eating.”

  “And I am finished and feel like ravishing my captive.” He pulled his shirt over his head, yanked off his trousers, and rolled over on top of her.

  He inched the bottom of her nightrail up over her body. The more skin he exposed, the warmer she became under his scorching gaze.

  “Is this proper?”

  “What?” he asked with a kiss to her bare thigh.

  “Making love in the morning?”

  “Highly improper,” he said, kissing her belly. “But so is going away with a man who is not your husband. So I believe this must be normal for two scandalous people.”

  Other than living alone, she had never done anything “highly improper” in her life. Yet, ever since he’d kissed her in the study of her cousin’s house, she’d done nothing but improper things.

  He pulled the nightrail over her breasts and groaned. “You have the most beautiful breasts.” He quickly flung the offending garment over her head and tossed it across the room.

  She wanted her pirate to ravish her. Banning excited a primal part of her that wanted to be dominated by him. The bristly hair on his chest rubbed against her already tight nipples. She dropped the rest of her scone on the nightstand and welcomed his kisses. Aching need swept across her as warmth seared between her thighs.

  Every one of her senses heightened with his nearness until she became overwhelmed by him—the rasp of his breathing, the spicy scent of him, the sweet taste of his cinnamon kisses, and the burning touch of his lips against her skin. She arched against him desperate to be closer to his body, closer to him.

  He trailed his lips down her neck, flicking her rapid pulse there, before continuing to her breasts. He laved her nipple from all sides then finally suckled her completely. Avis twisted and moved beneath his skilled touch. Even fire would have felt cool compared to his mouth on her breast. His touch seared her soul, branding her as his possession.

  As his mouth whispered down her stomach, she felt adored. Safe in his arms and protected from her memories. Even loved. His lips skimmed lower across her stomach until he reached the apex of her thighs and continued through the curly hair until he found the hard little bud. She couldn’t think about anything but the sensations of his tongue lapping at her.

  The pressure built and this time she knew what to expect. His finger eased into her wetness, spreading her open for him. Then he inserted another finger to stretch her and stroke her. Her limbs felt like molten lead unable to move. Hot pleasure radiated from her core as he brought her closer to release.

  “Banning, now. Please,” she mumbled. “I want you.”

  “Not yet,” he whispered.

  She gripped the sheets as his fingers worked in her and out, causing her to tighten against him. He moved over her, watching her reaction to his touch. She closed her eyes and let the shuddering release wash over her.

  His shaft slid inside just as her climax hit. She couldn’t stop herself from pushing him in her farther, breaking the barrier that had kept her a virgin.

  “Ow, ow, ow,” she sputtered.

  “Shh, Avis. The worst is over,” he whispered, kissing her ear.

  He could still feel her pulsating against him with the aftershocks of her release. He concentrated every ounce of self-control he had on not following her over the edge into bliss. He had to make this wonderful for her.

  “How long do we wait?” she asked, then kissed his whiskered cheek.

  “Until you tell me it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

  “I believe I’m well enough. Besides there is only one way to find out.”

  He smiled down at her. He’d heard horror stories of men taking their wives’ virginity and the wives’ dramatic reactions. Slowly, he slid out and back in, waiting for a sign of discomfort from her. She closed her eyes and moaned.

  Definitely not discomfort. He brought her legs up around his waist, filling her completely. She opened her eyes in surprise and gave him such a seductive smile he almost lost his control right then.

  Avis was seducing him without words, purely with her smile, her kisses, a look. Her eyes closed as she arched against him. His control slipped a little more. He had to hurry her up or he wouldn’t be able to keep his word to her about withdrawing. Bringing his thumb down, he rubbed the pebbled nub with her wetness. She responded instantly.

  “Oh Banning,” she whispered, her muscles tightening, pulsating around him.

  He was losing ground fast. Her tremors continued to stroke him until he had no choice but to withdraw and spend himself on her stomach. But he had kept his promise to her. She might not get pregnant this time, but at some point they would do this properly and maybe by next year he would be a father. The idea of children with Avis warmed his heart.

  He collapsed on top of her, his heart pounding in his chest. She was his now. She would become his wife.

  Chapter Eleven

  Avis studied the man who slept next to her. His dark whiskers seemed to have thickened in the past few hours. The storm still raged outside, but inside, under the covers with Banning, the world was safe and warm. She felt emotionally shaken from her first lovemaking experience. No one had ever told her what to expect. Men did this all the time. Even Banning didn’t appear different after they had finished.

  Yet, she felt different. Not physically—well, she was a little sore, but she knew that would fade. Her whole world, as she knew it, seemed off-center now. Men were big, strong beings who got their way through abusing and demeaning women. Staring at the handsome man next to her, she doubted he’d ever done anything to harm a woman.

  And that was what had her so confused.

  Banning was known for getting what he wanted in life and business. He charmed the women he knew. All except for her. Sparkling blue eyes
blinked open and a warm smile lit his face.

  “What has you frowning at me that way?”

  She attempted to ease her frown but doubted it worked. “Nothing. Just lost in thought.”

  “About…?”

  Avis bit her lip. She wanted the intimacy that had formed in the past two days. Asking him about his objectionable feelings toward her might bring them back to the surface and for now, she preferred them buried.

  “Avis? Are you regretting what we did?”

  She couldn’t let him think that, especially when it was the farthest thing from the truth. “I’m wondering why we used to be so rude to each,” she blurted out.

  “Oh,” he muttered, a frown creasing his brow. “Why?”

  “We’ve been getting along so well the past few days. Why is it that we haven’t been able to get along until now?”

  Twin dimples framed his lips. “Perhaps we always sensed what was between us.”

  “What was between us?”

  “In the past eight years, have you never wondered what it would be like if we kissed again?”

  Heat scorched her cheeks.

  Banning laughed. “Can I assume your silence means you might have had that thought once or twice?”

  “Perhaps,” she answered, staring at his chest and not into his prying gaze. “Did you ever think about it?”

  He leaned in closer to her ear and whispered, “More than I would admit to anyone save you.”

  “Is that the reason you blackmailed me into an affair with you?”

  He went still. “Of course,” he answered a bit too quickly, then turned, flipped off the coverlet and reached for his trousers.

  Before he turned, Avis could have sworn she saw a tinge of pink sweep across his cheeks. “Banning?”

  “What?”

  “Why did you offer yourself to me?”

  “Just as you said, because of my attraction to you.” He stood, buttoned his trousers and grabbed his shirt. It was as if he couldn’t get away from her fast enough.