by Lacy Danes
“Women. Men. Doing whatever brings them pleasure.”
Oh. Wetness flooded her sex, and her muscles tightened at the idea of this man, whoever he was, watching her as someone brought her pleasure.
He strode forward, caging her against the wall, pressing her breath from her body. “Ouch.” Her hands braced the stone to push away. “How dare—”
Fevered hardness smothered her. Pinning her to the wall, the scalding thrust of his prick slid between her thighs and parted her aching flesh.
Oh yes. He wanted to join with her.
She pushed her bottom against his hips and delighted in the contrast of his brand probing her legs and the roughness of his trousers.
His knees bent and clasped the outside of her legs, winching them about his stiff staff. His erection, round, thick, and oh so delicious, pulsed between.
He groaned and she tightened her thighs about the burly prick. Exquisite friction raced along her slit, and her inner muscles clenched tighter. Yes, yes.
His heat scalded her back from the tip of her head to her toes, pressing her against the chilly wall in tactile opposition. He possessed her every pore.
Her hands slid to his hips and bum, and held him as they rocked together. Their breath deepened in unison. Her insides began to quiver. Rubbing her legs together on his length, more cream slid down her thighs and coated his phallus. A powerful bliss built with each grind of the hot head of his penis against her slick clit.
“This is mild, Cora.” He pulled her hair again, arching her farther against him as he groaned. His tongue traced her cheekbone, his hips rocking faster and faster.
“You desire me.”
“Yes. What have you come here for?” His metallic words hissed out through clenched teeth.
“To experience this and more with a man like you.” Her body trembled imagining this man, this aristocrat in the jungle, mounting her as another man suckled her breasts and pressed fingers into her bum.
His lips kissed her shoulder, and he grunted. Warm wetness traced down the curve of flesh as his hands clenched her hips, increasing the stroke of his prick trapped between her legs.
She wanted to separate her thighs to ride down on him. For him to impale her against this wall, just as he rode her trembling legs now. He gasped for breath, shuddering behind her as his muscles tensed, slowing his strokes. He would spend soon and she needed to know.
“Who are you? Let me see your face. I wish you to fill me—”
“Good God, woman. No!” His staff pulsed as he slid forward. His entire body shuddering about her as burst after burst of boiling seed sprayed her swollen clit.
“Oh! Oh!” Her pussy convulsed on top of his shaft. Fingers digging in to the cloth of his pants, she held him to her and screamed.
Her body trembled in rolling waves as the intense bliss grasped her. His seed dripped from the lips of her sex, thighs, and the wall as she collapsed panting against him.
“Damn it.” His body shuddered as he pushed from her. Warm lips lingered on her shoulder and then everything vanished.
She spun around, panting for breath. Reaching out for him, she shivered at the loss of his heat and body contact.
“No! Wait! Don’t leave.” Her hands flailed through the air. She tore frantically at the strap covering her eyes. The leather slid loose, and she spun around in the entry. She stood alone.
3
Rupert cringed as he entered the game room from the hall. Damn woman. He never lost control; he always asked before he touched, before he took.
He owned few principles, and he had plowed straight through them at the sight of her. He shouldn’t have touched, let alone frigged her, knowing she disliked him so.
The desire to rut with her pressed against the wall overtook him, and he barely managed to stop himself from shoving his cock into her scalding cunt. That would have been disastrous, even if she begged for such.
Devil help him, he did have some pride, and joining with a woman who found him repulsive went against all of it.
Her skin, so soft. And the smell of her arousal…He closed his eyes. Blister it, why was she not attracted to him? How could a woman of intense sensuality only desire the dandies who protected her?
He wanted to fuck her. Even more he wanted to watch her. Watch her being brought to discharge by, well, by someone. He groaned as his cock stood stiff from his body.
Damn it all to hell. Why did she have to come here tonight? He didn’t like feeling as if he had commited a lewd act, an act against someone’s desires. But…
They both found release, and he now had the memory of her sweet slender thighs squeezing him to an uncontrolled spend.
To sink into her would have meant the end of any control where she was concerned. He could feel it…uncontrolled desire, the want to posses her, to make her beg him to fuck her hard, while knowing fully who and what he was.
To watch her pleasure and be pleasured by another, only to be the one to bring her the ultimate release. He closed his eyes and dragged a hand through his hair. She was here for a man like him. Did she mean it?
He had tried a dozen times over the years to get Cora to consider him. Each time she turned him down without a second glance. If only…No, he wouldn’t think of that.
Striding to the wall just inside the room, he turned and waited for her to emerge. The faro and whist tables held no sway for him this night; his entire body was focused on the woman who would walk through that door.
Her beautiful naked body appeared, turning the heads of most men in the room. If she came to him or considered him with her stare, he would pursue her. But he would not, could not, approach if she once again lifted that pretty head of fiery hair and stared down her nose at him.
Cora. The epitome of woman: long legs and sensuous curves. Yet in her naked form, the light showed a large scar across the smooth swell of her belly. A frown creased his brow. Did she enjoy pain? She enjoyed giving punishment, but…
She regarded the room, looking for him most likely. Though, she wouldn’t know him when she saw him. She turned toward him and inspected his length as he leaned against the wall.
Ah, those breasts, small swells of flesh with peach-tipped nipples covering a good third of them. His mouth went dry.
Her gaze locked with his. His did not waver. The corner of his lips turned up. Yes, Cora. Watch me.
She stared down his naked chest, then lower to his black trousers and bare feet. The same as your unidentified lover.
He shifted as his cock swelled his flap. Her pink tongue darted out and licked the corner of her lip as her gaze locked with his again.
Shit, she was a siren calling him home. Maybe she’d grown bored with her scrawny fops. Well, he sure as hell would find out.
Another naked woman, much older than Cora, padded up to her side. Cora turned away from him. Ahh. But not once had she stared down her nose at him in disgust. He would have her yet this night.
“Well, Cora.” Mary slid an arm though hers. “What do you think?”
Cora couldn’t believe it. Few of the guests in the card room wore nothing. A few women, a handful of men. Some had shirts off, but most of the gentlemen dressed as if at any other club in London. She frowned.
“A bit disappointing, Mary.” Surely, the Hell Knights was more than the typical club.
A wicked smile curved Mary’s lips. “You were just a living hors d’oeuvre, and this is only one room of many in this house.”
Violin strings strained in the small card room.
“Ah, the vices shall begin.” Mary winked.
The man Cora watched bowed his head to her with indifference and turned toward an open door. A delicious flicker of emotion and sensation lifted the hair on her neck. Her eyes widened. What was that?
Mary chuckled. “A fine catch you have made, my dear. Not here an hour and you have the master drooling to bed you.”
What? She studied Mary. “He didn’t seem affected by me.” Her gaze turned back to the door and the ma
n’s retreating muscular back. His arms were incredible. The sensations lingered, caressing her skin as a feather would.
“That is Rupert Roland. Cool control. I have never seen him act impulsively. But underneath all his restraint, I think he is special.”
Rupert Roland. Of course she knew of his name. Who didn’t? But she never allowed herself to become familiar with his face or his physique. From his reputation alone, he was everything she had avoided over the past years.
Mary’s hand rubbed her arm, stroking her as warmth spread to her stomach, to her heart. The arousing, soothing sensation brought tears to her eyes. She missed Mary.
“Rupert had one bound to him for many years, but she never understood him or wanted to take the time. You two may be just what the other needs.”
“He is as bad a scoundrel, if not worse, than Matthew. I could never connect myself to a man like him.”
“Oh, sweet girl. All of the men in this club possess some of the qualities of that bumpus Dranger. That is why you are here.”
Mary continued to lightly stroke her.
“I’m not sure why I’m here. I know I want to experience a powerful man again. Just not one who is as controlling as—”
“As Matthew. Well, I don’t think Matthew’s control frightened you, dear. If I remember correctly, you enjoyed that aspect.”
Mary was correct, of course. His rages, his possessiveness, ended their love. Never would she put herself in that position again. To be owned to her soul. She would find a man who desired her, but not to the point of not letting her talk to another. Touch another.
“You’re right, Mary.”
“Well, then Mr. Roland just might do.”
“No, he is too controlled.”
“Ah, in search of a bit of passion, are you? Well, no doubt you will find plenty. The men here are known not only for their control and vices, but also for wonderful fucks.”
“Mary,” she said in mock outrage.
“Well, it is true, dear.”
Cora giggled, feeling like the fresh-as-grass girl she’d been when Dranger introduced her to Mary. Once again, she wanted to tell her everything. To have Mary mentor her, guide her back to this world.
“The man who let me down in the hall was just wonderful, Mary.”
“Oh, do tell. Which one of the masters untied you?”
“That’s just it. I…I don’t know.”
“Well, dear, your senses will tell you. Only the masters are allowed to untie.”
“Where is my dear girl Janice?” Mary glanced around the room, then guided Cora toward the door.
They walked through together, and Cora stopped still to gawk at the room. Now this was what she had in mind. This room dazzled from fantasy.
The walls, a rich shade of deep emerald green, depicted colorful men and woman in all sorts of vices in broad strokes. Strokes she could feel. There was flogging, buggering, a man in chains, and several pictures of multiple men and women engaged in different positions of the act. The images themselves were not shocking, yet wetness pooled between her legs at the scent of honey radiating throughout the room. Her mystery man.
White Corinthian columns stood proud around the edges, and the floor was open. This room no longer hosted the fancy dancing of a ballroom. Instead, the room was for strategy, control, and wicked desires.
An alternating pattern of black and white tiles formed a square in the center of the floor. A chessboard. Around the edges, naked men and women gathered as human pieces.
Rupert stood in the center and conversed with two other men. One of them bowed his head and left. Then he shook hands with a man with the same dark hair and chiseled chin. A striking resemblance; surely they were brothers.
“What an entertaining game this promises to be. Rupert will play his brother.”
“Being brothers, wouldn’t they have played previously?”
“No doubt. They enjoy sharing. It is said Rupert was introduced to woman by his brother’s mistress, but…”
“But what?”
“Rupert never plays. Not here anyway. I bet he is counting on you, my dear, to join his set of pieces. I think he wants to see how obedient you are.”
Hmmm…She bit her lip, taking in his muscular torso and arms as he gestured and quietly talked. Shivers raced across her body, remembering the arms of the man in the hall. Rupert’s arms fit the description of what she remembered. He could be the man who pleasured her so thoroughly in the entry. The man who she wanted to complete what he started.
“Does he normally watch?” She held her breath. Please let her say yes.
“Everyone watches, dear. Who couldn’t?”
She bit her lip. Even if Rupert wasn’t her mystery man, the man from the entry enjoyed watching. What better way to allow him to see her than to play a game everyone watched?
She would do it. The idea set her skin tingling. She had found a man who not only possessed a great presence of command, but also managed to show respect and kindness. That man was in this room; she would be a simpleton not to try and attract him.
She stepped forward into the ballroom and froze. No! Why did this have to happen? In front of her stood the reason she shunned men of presence for so long.
He hadn’t noticed her. Had he? She could leave. Her body trembled as it always did when she glimpsed him. Next her lungs would lock and she would flee like the coward she was. She turned around, but Mary stood on her heel.
“Put him behind you, dear.” Mary brushed her hair over her shoulder. “It is time for you to face Dranger, to show him he has no power over you.”
She was right. Cora closed her eyes. She was too old to pique his interest anyway, so she had nothing to fear. The hair on her neck stood and her hands shook.
“If you wish to show him he is mud to you, play on Rupert’s board. He will not approach you. And if Rupert is interested, he will not allow Dranger near you.”
Icy sweat slid down her back unrestrained by clothing. Mary’s sultry hand slid down in its wake. Settling on her bum, her delicate hand massaged. The touch, so caring, reassured and emboldened her.
You can do this. You are no longer emotional about him. You are strong. You can put him in his place if he does approach.
“You are right. I came here tonight to enjoy myself.” She nodded her head and continued down the ballroom floor to the gathering of people who lined up on each side of the checkered floor.
Rupert regarded her. His brows drew together, and a frown crossed his lips. What did he see in her face? Could he see her fear?
She glanced to where Matthew had stood. He was gone. Her shoulders relaxed. Thank goodness.
Rupert now conversed with his brother. What handsome men they both were. Though Rupert’s height and some unnameable quality said, Respect me and mine or you will pay. What would it be like to be with a man like him? All precise control.
She shook her head. She was not after unflappable desire. The raw carnal need she experienced in the entry this night is what she craved. Whoever her mystery man was, she would find him. Or more likely he would watch her play this game and then possess her.
4
Each brother selected their pieces from those willing to play. Rupert chose her with barely a nod.
How frustrating. He did not speak at all!
He couldn’t be the man who possessed her in the hall, much less be interested in her. Her shoulders slumped, and she shifted her feet from side to side.
Many of the men assembled around the checkered floor easily fit the description her body remembered—tall and lithe. But would a master who possessed the ability to quake her also have the ability to take orders from another man? Doubtful. Surely he watched from the sides.
Rupert pointed to four men and four women and waved them to step forward. His eyes narrowed in concentration, sparked and glimmered with control she wanted to shake.
Would their offspring have the same brilliant green eyes and dark hair?
Damn, what a stray
thought. Without a doubt, the sight of Matthew caused it. She shook herself and pushed the painful emotion down.
Stop staring at him. She forced herself to glance about the room. Matthew stood on Lord Brummelton’s side of the board, leering at her. His narrowed gaze caressed her body, leaving bitter sweat in its wake.
She would be damned if she let him see her fear. Forcing her lips into the sultry smile she used with her protectors, she inclined her head, then tore her gaze to the pieces on the board.
That was easy. See, you can be in the same room with him and stand on your own. You have had nothing to fear all these years.
The air swirled past her as Rupert guided a selected piece to the board and placed him on a square, alternating sexes, male then female. They were his pawns. She regarded his taut bottom, a firm rounded swell encased in expertly tailored black silk trousers. Why did she keep staring at him? He did cut a striking figure, but his indifference ground her teeth.
She forced her attention back to the game and watched his brother fill up the first line on his side of the board.
One man and one woman received white lengths of silk, and Rupert placed them on the board as his bishops. Two others received long thin birch switches, his knights.
He turned back toward the remaining pieces, and the corner of his lips curved into a wicked smile that sparked his amazing green eyes. Sinful. His legs moved in easy languid strides as he approached her. Her heart jumped in her chest. He was coming for her.
She clutched her hands together in front of her and bit her lip, stomach fluttering. Relax. You would think a man had never touched you before.
He reached out, snagged her hand, and turned it palm up. Her arm trembled as the tips of his fingers found the pulse on her wrist and gently circled the beating skin. Pinpricks raced up her arm, and her eyes widened as jade flashed, his gaze catching hers.
Oh, he had plans for her; this eyes told of intense wicked-ness and desire. She couldn’t breathe. He did want her. Her gaze dropped to his firm full lips, and her tongue traced her own. She wanted to spear her tongue into his mouth and taste him.
