“Touch me, Jennette.”
She rose up onto her knees and skimmed her fingertips from the base of him to the tip. Hearing his groan, she assumed she was doing this right. Remembering what he’d said about taking it in her mouth, she brought her lips to the head of his penis. She swirled her tongue around, tasting the salty flavor of him.
“God, Jennette.”
Slowly, her mouth covered him. Imitating the movements of two nights ago, she slid him in and out of her mouth. He reached down and grabbed her other hand, bringing it to the sac between his legs.
“Gently,” he moaned.
With a light touch, she caressed him there until she felt him tighten.
“Enough,” he rasped.
He moved over her, kissing her roughly as if unable to control the passion driving him. She returned his kisses with just as much force, craving his touch, his lips, the scent of him. Nothing else mattered when he kissed her. The world around them fell away until it was only the two of them. No scandals, no accidents, and no guilt.
He moved to her nipples. Suckling one then the other until she thought she might explode from the sensation. His mouth skimmed down her stomach, until he reached the curly hair between her legs. She watched as he opened her to him. His eyes darkened with desire and then his mouth moved on her.
She closed her eyes as pleasure radiated through her body, spiraling upward out of control. “Matthew,” she moaned as his tongue danced through her folds.
Higher her desire flew until she reached the top. Quivering, she called out his name as she shook with pleasure. This was where she wanted to be forever with him.
“Come here,” he said dragging her up to him. He moved to a sitting position and placed her in front of him. Slowly, he drew her down onto his shaft.
Matthew clenched his muscles as her wetness closed around him. He’d never been with a woman who excited him as she did. And after having her, he never wanted another. Once she’d fully enveloped him, he lifted her hips slowly until he heard her moan again.
He wanted to make this wonderful for her to make up for their first time. “Are you still sore?”
“Only a little,” she replied in a breathy tone.
“Just like that, Jennette.”
Slowly, she caught the rhythm and moved over him, sliding him deeper into an abyss of pleasure like none he’d ever experienced. Feeling her tighten against him and hearing her moans, he clasped her hips and took over. Just as she reached her climax, he released the tight grip he’d had on his control. He brought her down on him one last time as she clenched against his erection. Spilling himself into her, he groaned with the most incredible pleasure.
As they moved back to lie on the bed, the sound of the attic door locking echoed through the room.
Chapter 17
“What was that?” Jennette remained motionless on the bed, afraid to make any noise.
He blew out a breath. “I believe we’ve been locked in.”
She sat up, pulling the old coverlet over her nudity. “We’re what?”
“Give me a moment and I’ll go check.”
He pushed off the bed and dragged his breeches over his legs. After he reached the bottom step, she heard him turn the knob and then swear. He walked back up, shaking his head.
“Someone locked us in.”
“Who would do such a thing?”
He sat back on the bed and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Hmm, Robert, Annie, Lady Aston—”
“You?” she asked bitterly.
“It wasn’t me. If I couldn’t compromise you last night, do you honestly believe I would today?”
She shrugged lightly. “I really don’t know any more.”
“I did not even know you were here until I walked inside,” he replied, pacing the room.
“Why would Lady Aston do this?”
“She might have believed you were the one having an affair with her husband. Or perhaps she might have discovered we were here and thought to trap you with me, thus ruining you.”
She covered her face with her hands. “Of course she did. The woman wanted to marry Banning but my mother intervened and Lady Aston ended up wedded to Aston. It’s not me she’s trying to punish but my mother.”
Tears slid down her cheeks. The idea of being forced into either a scandal or marriage only made her angry. This was her life. Why couldn’t people just leave her be?
Strong arms brought her against a hard chest. Without thought, she wrapped her arms around the man who could end up as her husband. But she couldn’t let that happen. She had ruined his life once; she would never do it again.
If only things were different. She wanted to be the one to help him through the mess his father left him. Her money would allow him to get his estate in order and keep his tenants from being evicted in the cold winter. But mostly, she could build a life with him. At some point, he might even fall in love with her.
She stilled with the thought of loving him. Did she love him? An attraction to him was one thing but love was something completely different. Yet, having his arms around her felt right.
“It will be all right, Jennette,” he murmured softly.
Her family couldn’t afford another scandal. She’d made a promise to her father not to bring any scandal to their name and now she’d failed him twice. There had to be a way out of this mess without creating a disaster for him and her family.
“I don’t think it will be,” she replied, brushing a tear from her cheek.
“Yes, it will.”
“No, Lady Aston will find us here together. She shall take great joy in telling my mother and then if Banning doesn’t call you out, he will force us to marry. The gossips will love this. First the accident and now I’m found in your arms.”
He caressed her hair. “Of all people, your brother certainly can’t talk about scandal. His wife created enough shame by compromising herself in front of a large group of people.”
Jennette nodded. “Which is why I hate this so much.”
His hand stopped its gentle movements. “Is it?”
She moved away from him and looked him in the eye. “What do you mean?”
“Is it really the scandal that is bothering you or the idea of marrying me that you hate?”
“What?”
“You didn’t wish to marry me before so I can only assume you would not want to marry me now.” He walked to the windows and looked down.
“I wouldn’t want to bring more dishonor upon your name, Matthew. Marrying me is only going to make things worse.” For both of them. Once she married him, her money was legally his. He could do anything he wished with it, including gambling it all away.
“I suppose you are correct.”
“Is there any way we can get out of here before someone comes?”
He turned and stared at her. His gray eyes burned through her, seeing into her soul.
“No,” he said. “There are no trees close enough to climb and the fall could kill us. It appears you’re stuck with me.”
She tried to suppress the leap her heart made with his words. If there was no other way out of this mess then she would have no choice but to marry him. Her conscience might allow that to pass, but the logical part of her mind knew better. He was a gambler, just like his brother and father. Marrying him would be a dreadful mistake she might regret for the rest of her life.
“I suppose I am.” She looked around the barren room. “How long do you think it will take someone to find us?”
“If it is Lady Aston, my guess is she would like us to be here for quite a while so she can gloat that we must have been doing something scandalous.”
Which, of course, they had. Jennette stood, covered herself with the blanket, and walked toward Matthew. He stood by the window, still staring at her.
“I’m so sorry, Matthew.” She reached up and combed his hair off his forehead. “It seems every time we are together I create a disaster for you.”
His lips tilted
up slightly. “Not all the time.”
“When haven’t I?”
He pulled her close and nipped her shoulder. “We seem to be all right when we’re in bed together.”
A thrill of excitement raced down her spine. “Oh?”
His lips moved up her neck to the sensitive lobe of her ear. “We definitely seem to manage just fine there.”
Her head rolled back allowing him more access to her neck. “I think you’re right.”
“Always,” he said, then picked her up and brought her to the bed.
Matthew rolled off Jennette and brought her to his chest. The silky texture of her raven hair tickled his shoulder. Hearing her labored breathing only made him smile. She was such a passionate woman. And yet, so fearful of scandal. He wanted to know everything about her.
“What do you want most out of life, Jennette?”
She skimmed her fingernails down to his stomach. “My parents adored each other. And now I see Avis and Banning so obviously in love it…”
“Makes you envious?” he whispered.
“Yes,” she admitted softly. “I want a husband who will love me, remain faithful to me, and give me children. Lots of children.”
He smiled thinking of her cradling their child. “I thought you wanted to be an artist.”
“I already am an artist,” she retorted softly.
“Touché.”
She laughed. “Not that I wouldn’t mind having my paintings on exhibit at the British Museum or any other museum. Any place other than just my friends’ and family’s homes.”
Matthew thought back to that picture he’d noticed at Lady Elizabeth’s home…“JMT”. “Did you paint the landscape in Lady Elizabeth’s hall?”
“Perhaps…”
“That painting was so beautiful it stopped me. I was compelled to look at it.”
She glanced away with a slight smile. “Thank you, Matthew.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if your work did end up on display there.”
Her hand stopped moving, then she glanced up at him. “All right, we talked about me. What do you want?”
Matthew sighed. “I don’t want to feel like a failure. I want my lands secure and my tenants happy.”
“You are not a failure. Your father caused this problem. By trying to fix it, you will be a success.”
“Not without my name.”
She stiffened.
Damn. Just as they were starting to learn more about each other he had to bring up their past. “I’m sorry, I should not have said that to you,” he murmured against her hair.
“Yes, you should have because it’s the truth.” She moved away from him but put her head on her hand and looked at him. “I could never take back what happened…but if I could…”
“I know.”
She licked her lips and then bit down on the lower one. “What do you think John would say if he saw us like this?”
He couldn’t tell her that he believed John had already suspected their attraction. “I think he might be happy.”
“Why?”
“He asked me to protect you, Jennette. I almost wonder if he knew what might happen between us.”
“He could not have known,” she said roughly.
Damn, he was an idiot. He knew how much she loved John. She must feel as if she betrayed John by being with him. “I’m sorry. I can only imagine how hard this must have been on you. You loved him so much.”
She looked away from him as her cheeks turned rosy. He was such a fool. Did he actually believe she might love him? Even after five years, it was obvious that she still loved John. Was she just using him as a substitute for John?
And then there was Ancroft.
At least he could question her about him. “What does Ancroft mean to you?” he whispered.
Closing her eyes, she said, “I’m sorry. I never should have let you believe what I did. Nicholas and I are as much like brother and sister as Banning and I. Nicholas’s father was not a very agreeable man so Nicholas spent holidays and most summers with us. He took great pleasure in teasing me over everything, again, much like Banning. And yet, I’ve always been able to talk with him in a way I can’t with my brother.”
Matthew had no idea what to say to her. His jealousy of Ancroft now seemed petty and immature. And yet, he was curious why she hadn’t told him the truth at the beginning.
“Why didn’t you tell me this when I asked you the first time?”
She chuckled. “You were so furious when you found us out on the terrace.”
“You were wearing his jacket and he had his arm around you!” They had looked like lovers, not friends.
“And you looked as if you wanted to tear him apart.”
“I did,” he admitted.
“Why?”
He couldn’t tell her how jealous he’d felt that night. He had no right to be resentful of their relationship. Even at this point, he wondered if he had any rights where she was concerned.
“I know of Ancroft’s reputation. I didn’t want to see you hurt again,” he finally replied.
“Oh,” she said in a flat tone.
Had she wanted him to admit how he actually felt? She couldn’t possibly care when she obviously still loved John.
After pushing the covers off his torso, he sat up and looked down at the clothes strewn across the floor. “We should dress before someone finds us.”
Jennette nodded slowly.
As he dressed, the realization struck him that he didn’t want this afternoon to end. He wanted to continue their conversations and learn even more about her. What did she fear the most from marrying him? What was it that he felt certain she was hiding from him?
He would love to talk to her in more detail about his estates and his plans for the future. What ideas would she have for refurbishing his homes? He wondered if she would have any issues with hiring servants. Most ladies learned early on the proper way to hire help.
She could refurbish his houses. They could have children who would learn how to manage the estates properly. There was a conservatory in his home in Essex that would be a perfect place for her to paint. They could be happy.
He glanced back at her as she hurriedly dressed. They would be happy…if she could ever love him as much as she’d loved John.
They waited in silence for another twenty-five minutes, but she dared not ask him of his thoughts. With every minute that passed, his face darkened until he looked as if he might just strangle whoever walked through the door. The sound of horses neighing forced her to her feet. She raced to the window and looked down.
“Who is it?” he asked in a harsh tone.
“I cannot be certain.” She tilted her head, attempting to get a better view of the person. “I think it’s a man.”
“A man?” He exhaled sharply. “Your brother?”
“I don’t believe it’s Banning.”
“Then who?”
“I already told you I don’t know. I can’t get a good sight of the man.” She turned away from the window and crossed her arms over her chest. “What difference does it make? We’re caught.”
“So we are.”
Jennette pressed her lips together upon hearing the rough tone of his voice. He sounded very angry at the idea of marrying her.
Footsteps fell heavy on the wood floors. Doors opened and slammed shut on the lower level.
“Where the hell are they?” a man’s voice sounded from the second floor hallway.
“Somerton?” Matthew murmured. He strode for the attic door and shook it. “Somerton, we’re in here.”
The door shook confirming its locked state. “Give me a minute to find the key,” Somerton said as his footsteps faded away.
Matthew glanced back at her, his face dark with emotions she couldn’t read. Finally, Somerton’s footsteps grew louder.
She stared down the steps as the door creaked open. She prayed he was alone and hadn’t brought her brother with him. The door opened fully, revealing the ta
ll form of Viscount Somerton. With his shorter-than-normal hair and arrogant smile, he looked far more like a devil than her savior.
“Well, well, what naughty mess have I caught you both in?” Somerton asked with a chuckle. Looking up at her, he said, “Good God, the Selby family does make my life interesting.”
“Is anyone with you?” Matthew demanded.
“No, but you must hurry. Lady Aston is all atwitter because she is certain that something horrific must have happened to Lady Jennette. I overheard her speaking with her maid but it won’t be long before she brings this to the Dowager Lady Selby or Selby himself.”
“Lady Aston,” she said, shaking her head. She had been right all along.
Matthew glanced up at her and nodded. “Are you ready to leave?”
“Well, that all depends,” Somerton said before Jennette could even answer.
“On what?” Matthew asked.
Somerton crossed his arms over his chest and stared at them both with prying eyes. “Do you plan to marry each other?”
“Yes.”
“No,” Jennette replied at the same time as Matthew.
Matthew turned toward her, anger burning in his gray eyes. “Why not?”
Staring at his handsome face, she knew she had to tell him the truth. “Because I won’t marry a gambler who will squander my inheritance at the gaming hells.”
Matthew’s face turned pale. “You think I’m a gambler?” he whispered.
“Very well, then,” Somerton said. “She stays locked in here.”
“What?” Matthew and Jennette exclaimed together.
“If Lady Aston did this, then she is going to expect someone to be up here. So,” Somerton said, looking up at Jennette, “you will be here…alone.”
“Why are you helping me?” Jennette asked. Somerton took his reputation as a serious scoundrel to heart. He never seemed the hero to her.
Somerton tilted his head and smirked at her. “As I said, you Selbys make my life interesting. If you marry this poor sod that will stop.”
“Very well, in the continued interest of making your life exciting, I shall stay here,” Jennette said, smiling at the rogue.
Matthew walked back up to her. “Are you certain?”
Every Time We Kiss Page 18
