How to Enjoy a Scandal

by Adrienne Basso

  This flood of sensation, this honest admission of desire drove out her sense of propriety. “You may choose not to take advantage of me, my lord. But alas, I am not nearly as circumspect.” She curled one hand behind his neck, her fingers gently massaging the cords of tense muscle. “You may choose to reject my offer. Perversely, I would understand”

  “Reject you? What insanity.”

  Their gazes met, and Gwendolyn clearly saw her own needs and desires mirrored in his eyes. “You see, Jason, I have come to realize that no matter how much I fight it, no matter how many times I tell myself it is wrong, I cannot hide the truth. I want you. Only you.”

  His arms shot around her, his mouth crushed hers with a fierceness that had her gasping. Gwendolyn’s fingers dug into the muscles of his upper arms and she pushed herself tighter against him. She returned his kiss with a sense of urgency, giving herself up to the pure sensual pleasure, desperate with the need to feel alive.

  His mouth teased and tormented until her skin heated as if it burned, as if her bones were melting like candle wax. His hands never ceased moving, caressing and holding. Shivers ran though her, her breasts tightened, her nipples rigid against the fine material of her undergarments.

  She opened herself to him, wanting only to be closer to him, wanting desperately to unleash the magnificent, extraordinary longing that flamed between them. Drawn to his masculine power, she felt her body softening. She burrowed her face in his neck, then set her lips to his throat, her teeth nipping at the strong tendons.

  He threaded his hand through her hair, dislodging the pins and scattering them to the carpet as her thick, dark tresses tumbled down her shoulders to the middle of her back. Jason’s hands slid to her waist, down to her hips and thighs, then up to her back. She felt the hooks of her gown come loose. With trembling fingers she helped him push the material off her shoulders and over her hips until it fell at her feet.

  Then he took her again in his arms and kissed her long and hard, kissed her until it felt as if her bones were melting from the heat and desire, kissed her until his arms were the only thing holding her up.

  Her senses were muddled and she was vaguely aware of being lifted in the air. Cradled in Jason’s arms, Gwendolyn continued kissing him, her tongue darting in and out of his warm mouth. Softness engulfed her body and then she realized that he had deposited her in the center of his bed.

  Startled, she sat up, her breath hitching in delight and excitement as she saw what he was doing. With a wicked smile on his handsome face, Jason untied his cravat and dropped it to the ground. His jacket, waistcoat and shirt soon followed. Gwendolyn’s eyes followed the movement of his hands as they rested on the bulge pressing against the front of his black evening breeches. He deftly twisted and released each button, then drew away the flap, leaving himself fully exposed to her.

  Gwendolyn swallowed deeply and watched in astonishment as the length of his penis grew. Her gaze returned to his handsome face. He eased the breeches down his hips and thighs and tossed them off. His eyes were smoldering as he approached the bed.

  Gwendolyn shivered. She dragged her chemise over her head and pulled it off, then rolled away her silk stockings. Naked, she wantonly reclined on the bed, whispering, “I want you to look at me too.”

  Cool air floated over her skin. Her breasts peaked and tightened. His eyes ravaged her, his gaze lingering with appreciation over every inch of her exposed flesh.

  “You are stunningly beautiful,” he whispered into her ear before he took the lobe between his teeth and nibbled.

  Gwendolyn squirmed as shivers rippled across her skin. He moved his lips to kiss her below the ear, then down her throat.

  “Open your eyes,” he whispered.

  The unexpected request caught her unawares. She struggled to lift herself from the languid haze of passion and did as he commanded. Her breath caught. She felt as if she were dreaming. His eyes were staring deeply into hers with a look that told her he found her beautiful and desirable in every way.

  But she also thought him beautiful. She slipped her palms upward to feel the defined mounds of muscle on his chest. His skin was smooth, the muscles beneath tight. She dragged her fingers through the crisp mat of hair scattered across his chest and settled them over the steady beating of his heart.

  Her fingers quivered as she moved her hand down-ward. The sound of his harsh breathing filled the room.

  Gwendolyn watched Jason from under her lashes, using his expression to gauge her direction. She continued her quest until she reached the heated flesh of his erection.

  He sucked in a quick breath as her fingers gently cur ved around the hard length. Curious, Gwendolyn fondled, stroked, then pulled. Jason’s eyes were heavy lidded, and he instructed her how to caress him, drawing her hand down his full length, spreading the mois-ture that seeped out of the tip.

  He groaned his approval, making no secret of his enjoyment. His clear pleasure pushed her to boldness. She was aching to give, aching to take all that he offered, trusting him to appease this strange, intense hunger.

  He kissed the tip of her nose, then leaned over her chest. She watched in utter fascination as he touched the tip of his tongue to the erect nipple. The sight, as well as the sensation, made her breathless. She laid her hand on his shoulders and let the feel of his wet tongue wash over her.

  “Watch,” he commanded. “Watch and feel.”

  He circled the nipple lovingly, then drew it fully into his mouth. A bolt of passion shot through her and Gwendolyn cried out. The sound of his gentle suckling added to the intensity of the moment and Gwendolyn soon found herself arching against him.

  He shifted his body and then hers, positioning her across the bed, pressing her thighs wide. Gwendolyn followed his lead, her limbs weakened with desire, her blood pounding with need. He ran his hand up along her inner thigh to the juncture of her legs, then knelt between her legs and kissed his way down to her belly.

  She arched wantonly toward him, then lost what little breath she had when he shockingly delivered an open-mouth kiss between her legs.

  Gwendolyn bolted upright from the bed. “My goodness, you must not do such a thing!” Her words came out in a breathless pant.

  She watched the play of candlelight over his face. His skin was flushed, his devilish eyes dark with passion.

  “Trust me, dearest. I know what I’m doing.”

  Ner ves taut with anticipation, Gwendolyn allowed Jason to ease her down on the bed. She tried to do as he bid and relax, but she tensed the moment she felt his breath tease the silky, aching softness between her legs.

  He ignored her reluctance and continued, slowly coaxing a response.

  Gwendolyn felt her muscles go lax. If she shut off her mind, it was easy to find the pleasure. Soon she began to feel tense and strange and almost melting, as if her body had been awakened from a deep sleep. Anticipating that she might again push him away, Jason grasped her wrists and held them at her sides. Ruthlessly, he flicked his tongue up and down along the slick pink folds of her flesh, tasting and teasing until the last vestiges of her reason vanished.

  Her body was on fire with the most glorious sensations she had ever known. Gwendolyn started writhing on the mattress, her body begging Jason to release her from this blissful torment. She pushed hard against his tongue, her body jolting with pleasure at each wicked lick.

  Oh, Lord, what was he doing to her?

  Breathless, she felt herself begin to shudder with an ache so deep she thought she might faint. Her thigh muscles quivered and he threw his arm over her belly to hold her still. Gwendolyn cried out as she felt herself reaching, straining toward that tantalizing something just beyond her reach.

  She buried her fingers into the muscles of his shoulders when the first wave broke. Gripping him until her knuckles turned white, Gwendolyn rode out the storm of passion, her spine arching as the spasms overcame her.

  Awareness returned in small degrees. Her breathing gradually slowed. She turned her body, a
nd her eyes met his.

  He smiled wickedly. “’Tis called an orgasm. Did you like it?”

  “You should bottle it, my lord. ’Twould make you a fortune.”

  He stretched over her, covering her with the hard heat of his body. Gwendolyn sighed and wrapped her arms around him, loving the feel of his weight. It felt beautiful and pure to be with him, which was absurd given their circumstances.

  “Open your legs for me.”

  His voice was deep and gravelly, making her shiver. She lifted her chin and met his sparkling emerald eyes, feeling a stab of illicit pleasure. Boldly obeying his command, Gwendolyn shifted her body, moving her legs, making it clear that she wanted it all. Trapped in the raw hunger of his gaze, her throat constricted, her heart leapt.

  Jason’s hand slipped beneath her buttocks and gripped it as he positioned himself in between her thighs.

  Gwendolyn tried to keep her wits focused, but her emotions were too jumbled. Excitement, fear, intense need and desire all warred for dominance in her mind.

  She turned her head to kiss his muscular arm and he began to ease himself slowly inside her. A feeling of full-ness along with a sharp tension coiled within her. He continued to thrust for ward, a fraction at a time and then pull back in a slow deliberate manner, each time keeping his movements shallow.

  Gwendolyn’s eyes drifted shut. It was amazingly intimate. Ever y inch of her lower body felt alive as he stretched and heated her flesh. But it was the deeper sense of longing, the awakening of emotions and feelings long suppressed that brought her the greatest grat-ification.

  Suddenly, he stopped moving to press his lips to her ear. “Are you truly certain?”

  Gwendolyn opened her eyes to stare up at him. “An odd time to ask that question.”

  “Not really. Technically you are still a virgin. I have reached the barrier of your maidenhead, but not yet broken it.”

  “If I told you to stop, what would you do?”

  He dropped his forehead to lightly touch hers. “Persuade you to change your mind?”

  “You do not need to persuade me,” she whispered.

  She felt caught in a force that demanded the surrender of her entire being and was glad of it, because she knew in her heart she would not be complete until their bodies were joined.

  “Thank God.” He smiled rakishly, then brushed the tip of his tongue along her lower lip.

  She arched in his arms and the tempo of his movements began again. The heat also began again; the yearning, the wanting. Her body throbbed around his, the tantalizing brush of skin against skin made her feel restless, edgy.

  Jason felt himself spiraling. He was like a man possessed, worshipping Gwendolyn with his body in a way he had never done with any other female. A fierce need filled him, pounded through his veins. He was enthralled by her naked, unbridled passion and honesty. The sweet scent of her desire filled his nostrils, the tangy taste of her flesh teased his tongue, the silky softness of her body drove him almost beyond restraint.

  He could hear the pounding of his heart, the roar of his own blood. The thought that he had summoned her passionate nature gave him a primal sense of satisfaction. Breathing hard, Jason began to move his hips slowly back and forth, pressing himself farther and farther with each thrust. She felt like heat and fire in his arms, but he resisted the lure of ecstasy, wanting to make certain she was ready, hoping he could somehow lessen the pain.

  But then she tightened her inner muscles and he could not help himself. Jason thrust deeply, then deeper still into her welcoming body and felt the resistance of her maidenhead burst.

  She cried out.

  “Are you all right?” he asked before moving to kiss her soft, swollen lips.

  “I’m not sure. Is it over?”

  Her voice sounded wistful, confused. It was difficult to cling to his control when his body screamed to rush itself to release, but somehow Jason managed.

  This moment was too important to be rushed. He knew in his heart that ultimately there would be no pleasure for him if Gwendolyn were not satisfied too.

  He leaned close and traced the curve of her ear with his tongue. “Lie back and relax, my love, and let me ravish you. I promise it will be pure delight.”

  He repeated the slow, deliberate movements until he heard her gasp. His hand drifted down to where they were joined and he began stroking her until she tightened her hold on him and moved faster, drawing him deeper inside her slick warmth.

  “Better?”

  “Hmm.”

  His restraint and gentleness slipped as he pleasured them both. She ran her fingers down his back to his buttocks and squeezed tightly. “Don’t stop. Oh, please, don’t stop.”

  Her hands felt warm against his skin. He had wondered if she would be shy about exposing herself and was delighted to find that she was honestly uninhibited.

  She panted softly beneath him, all modesty abandoned.

  Jason wrapped his arms around Gwendolyn, drawing her close so their bodies pressed together everywhere.

  He felt her need, because it so perfectly matched his own. With a whimper, Gwendolyn strained toward him and Jason thrust himself into her harder, striving to complete his conquest, needing her to never regret that she had chosen to give herself to him.

  Jason let his breath out in an audible sigh, feeling a soul-wrenching need to hold back his desire so that it could be a shared experience of exquisite pleasure between them.

  He felt his release nearing, and he fought harder to hold it back. And then her body began to convulse and shudder beneath him. Jason took Gwendolyn’s right hand in his left, twined his fingers through hers and lifted their joined hands over her head.

  Her body strained against his, writhing seductively and she cried out his name. He continued to thrust against her over and over until her shudders started to fade.

  “Jason,” she whispered in awe.

  At the sound of her voice, so full of wonder and contentment, something primal and deep hit him hard. His strokes took on an almost frantic urgency and he finally let himself come, spilling himself inside her.

  “Hold me,” he gasped, and she wrapped her arms around him, then lifted her legs high on his thighs, hugging him close. She shifted her buttocks, rocking her hips upward, taking him even deeper inside.

  The sounds of passion filled the air. Jason groaned and grasped her hips, holding her closer, binding her to him completely. With his body and his heart and his very soul. In this moment. And for the rest of their lives.

  Jason was unsure how long it took to come back to his senses. He struggled to regain his breath; it seemed like minutes passed before he could move. He was aware of her fingers relaxing around his hand and he released it, then tenderly brushed the damp hair off her brow.

  What an amazing, humbling experience! The passion, the sweetness, the total surrender and sharing.

  He raised himself up on his elbow and gazed down at Gwendolyn. Her eyes were closed, her face turned to one side. Her dark hair was spread in wild disarray across the pillow and he vowed he would relish spending the rest of his days looking at that sight.

  He ran his thumb over her cheek and she turned into him. The unconscious gesture of trust made his heart skip and fill with warmth.

  Gwendolyn’s previous kisses had let him know she would be a passionate lover, but her uninhibited response had surprised him. Though his experience with virgins was extremely limited—she being the only one—

  he doubted many were such naturals when it came to the physical aspects of making love.

  Gwendolyn had been an eager and equal participant, moving against him with joyful abandon, fondling his body, urging and even begging him to bring them both pleasure.

  Knowing she was this tempting as a virgin made the idea of teaching her the finer points of the art of lovemaking an incredibly delightful idea. She was so relaxed and open with him Jason grinned at the notion and his body began to slowly heat.

  Gwendolyn sighed and snuggled close
r and Jason felt his heart swell with emotion. He bent and kissed her neck. She moved even closer. His heart fairly ached.

  Then he nuzzled her cheek and whispered, “I love you, Gwendolyn.”

  Chapter Twelve

  The clock on the fireplace mantel seemed to tick very loudly in the silence. For a moment, all Gwendolyn could do was savor the words. She let them wash over her in a wave of sheer joy. He loved her—perhaps even more than she loved him. Delight filled her being. Her mind raced, unable to settle on a single cohesive thought. Her heart fairly ached; it was beating so hard and so fast the moment took on an unreal quality, almost as if it were a dream.

  But it was not a dream. The soreness within her body told her this was real, this had truly happened. Gwendolyn’s feelings vacillated wildly. To experience love and bliss and then so cruelly have it taken away by the reality of the situation.

  Jason was married—all she could ever hope to be in his life was his mistress. A female to be used at his convenience and then when he grew tired of her, sent along her way.

  She paled and the heady excitement his nearness evoked vanished abruptly. “The good Lord save me,”

  Gwendolyn whispered in distress. “What have I done?”

  He bent his head farther, his mouth brushing her ear.

  He flashed her one of his lazy, crooked smiles and she wondered at her own stupidity. Love her? How could he?

  He was married to another woman.

  “You have made me the happiest man on earth,” Jason insisted.

  There was a slight buzzing in her head. She wanted to try and preserve what joy she could out of the moment by not revealing the depth of her jealousy, but that was impossible.

  “I have no right to make you happy,” she whispered, angling her head so he could not look into her eyes.