by Darcy Burke
There was a general moment of shocked silence and then applause burst around them, accompanied by whistles.
“I wish it was me,” a lady in daffodil yellow sighed.
“Well it’s me,” Kathryn said possessively, her hands curling into the silk of his black shirt.
Her words echoed though his head like a stunning gong. She wanted him. Just as much as he did. There was no question, and he nearly missed a step at the realization. In that moment, everything vanished. Completely focused on the heat between him and the woman in his arms, he strode through the crowded ballroom to the gilded arches leading to the private rooms. He had fought so hard against his hunger for her, but now nothing was going to stop him from fulfilling both of their desires.
***
Kate stood on the edge of a precipice not entirely sure if she jumped what would happen. Right now, she might either soar with absolute happiness or it was very probable she might crash upon the perilous rocks below.
God help her, she was falling in love with a brute. A brute who had knocked Count Sveren in the jaw and then swept her up into his arms as if she belonged to him and no other. So, yes, he was certainly a brute, but even so, her heart thrilled preposterously at the romantic moment.
Indeed, it felt so wonderful to be in his arms, she had to recall his heart was not open. She would not be a fool and throw herself blindly at love again. Never again would she risk her own happiness. Nor could she ignore the need for him humming through her veins. She pushed her concerns away, focusing instead on the feel of his superfine coat beneath her fingertips.
“Why did you do that?” she asked, her voice, much to her irritation, a breathy wisp.
Ryder strode through an open gilt door then kicked it shut behind him. Gently, he lowered her to her slippered feet. “Because it infuriated me to see you in his arms.”
She let out a frustrated laugh, resting her hands against his beautifully muscled chest. A chest she very much wanted naked for her exploration. It was so strong, and she loved the feel of him beneath her fingers. “You are a most confusing man.”
“I know,” he said gently. Ryder lifted his fingers and ever so gently traced them down his cheek. “There is one thing I am not confused about.”
“Oh, yes?” she whispered, hating herself for loving his touch so much.
His thumb traced over her lower lip, and his gaze fixed on her mouth. “I cannot cease thinking about you.”
If she’d been confused by his actions before, now she was positively dazed. Only days ago, he’d claimed they would never see each other again. Yet, here he was proclaiming she was always in his thoughts. It was damned tempting to ignore the questions rioting through her and simply suck his teasing thumb into her wet mouth. But she needed answers. “Do explain.”
“Since the opera, I have worked beyond all measure to remove you from my thoughts, but it is impossible.” He let his mouth hover above hers, his arm circling her waist. “I dream of your lips beneath mine, my hands cupping your breasts, of your sweet pussy welcoming me.”
Kate’s cheeks flashed with heat. Lord, his words alone were lighting her afire. Already, she could feel the wet need between her thighs that begged for his sex.
“Of course,” he murmured, easily guiding her back into the room, near the divan artfully placed for ardent lovers, “there is the fact we were so rudely interrupted the other night.”
Kate turned her head away, sucking in a slow breath. She was virtually demanding her own heartbreak. Her heart was begging her to let it love this man, but she knew all too well the folly of such urgings. She licked her lips, contemplating whether or not she could make love to him without letting a piece of her heart belong to him. For if she gave just the smallest of pieces, she would be doomed to give them all.
It was how her ridiculous heart worked.
His hips gently leaned into her waist, his hard length pressing through her skirts. A promise of the ecstasy he could give her. “Come, let me make love to you.”
She turned back to him, gazing up into his jet colored eyes. The room seemed to expand around them, and her blood pulsed hot and hungry. Good lord, he was handsome, and he smelled of spice and blood oranges. She let herself drink in his scent and couldn’t help but recall. . . “You have never even said my name.”
His brows furrowed, and he cocked his head, his dark hair caressing his forehead boyishly. “Kathryn,” he whispered. “Beautiful, lovely, Kathryn.” He lifted one hand so it gently caressed her neck and slid to her nape. He murmured against her lips. “Let me pleasure you, Kathryn.”
Her name on his lips was her undoing. Her body softened into his, and she offered herself up, ready to be taken in any way they might imagine, as many times as they might desire. “Make love to me.” It was half demand, half pleading.
But whatever it was, his chest rose and fell in a swift breath and he groaned. “As my lady commands.”
Kate grasped his back, and he pulled her tightly to him as he pressed open mouth kisses along her throat, nipping then smoothing the roughened skin with his lips. Shudders ran through her body, racing straight between her thighs.
Suddenly, he moved back then spun her around so her hips were cradled against the bulge in his breeches and her back was curved to his hard chest.
“Kathryn,” he said softly. “You make me forget everything when I’m with you.” He placed his strong hands against her waist then ever so slowly dragged them up her bodice, cupping her breasts through the silk of her gown and boning of her corset. “I cannot recall a single reason why I should not make love to you when I hold you like this.” He traced his hands up her shoulders and tilted her head forward, exposing the back of her neck.
“Only you,” he whispered against her neck. “Only you.” He lowered his head and gently bit her neck bit. Kate gasped and jerked against him, astonished that such touches could drive her so wild.
As he lavished her with kisses, his hands stroked the smooth rounds of her breasts then worked down.
Kate moaned, tilting her face towards her shoulder. Following her lead, Ryder took her chin in one hand and kissed her mouth, slipping his tongue between her lips. Hungrily, she suckled him.
With his free hand, he stroked down the front of her gown then pressed against the place where her thighs met.
Kate groaned against his mouth, her hands desperate to touch him, and she clasped at his arms.
Ryder circled his fingers over her mound, and she dropped back against him, her head resting against his hard chest. Pressure and need began to wind through her and she pulled her lips form his, desperately needing a deep breath.
Ryder let out a harsh breath then moved them forward. “Lean against the divan.”
“The divan?” she asked, already drunk on pleasure.
Guiding her, he said lowly, “Brace your hands on the arm and back.”
She blinked, but followed his instructions. At the feel of his hands guiding her legs up onto the soft cushions, leaving her bottom up towards him, she sucked in a quick breath.
As though she’d been completely distracted by their passion before, Kathryn noticed the mirrors hanging on the walls around them. Reflections of her, kneeling, her breasts pushed tight against her bodice, and Ryder standing behind her surrounded them. Her mouth opened slightly, and she dug her fingers into the blue brocaded divan.
He glanced up and smiled, his eyes darker than they had ever been as he lightly took her skirts in his hands. Ever so slowly, he dragged them up over her legs, bunching them at her waist. Kate swallowed, completely unsure of what he was about to do. She felt utterly exposed, her legs only covered by the sheerest silk and matching pink garters.
His fingers whispered over her ankles. “You are so beautiful,” he crooned, as his hands worked upward, massaging her calves.
The tips of his fingers were firm through her silk stockings, and when he reached her bare thighs, his touch softened. Ever so lightly, he traced his fingertips up the backs of her thi
ghs and to her bottom. He swept his hands over the rounds of her bum, parting her thighs even further with a nudge of his knee.
Swallowing back a good dose of shock, and focusing on the anticipation throbbing inside her, Kate tried to catch what he was doing in the mirror. His dark head lowered, and his mouth pressed to her lower back. With his hands cupping her hips, Ryder kissed the rounds of her bottom and moved down with infuriating slowness until he tilted her hips up high, exposing the soft folds of her sex.
A satisfied sigh escaped his lips when he slipped his fingers into the already wet folds. Kate jerked at the sudden intense pleasure and tilted her hips even higher, not knowing exactly what he was going to do with her.
“I’ve wanted to taste you for so long.”
Taste?
Then his mouth was on her hot folds, sucking them lightly into his mouth. A moan escaped her lips, and she shuddered with delight. The tip of his tongue traced her nub, swirling it as if it was the sweetest candy and his finger, oh lord, his finger slid into her core, probing her, matching the tempo of his tongue.
Groaning, Kate dropped her forehead to rest on the cool silk of the divan. Her body was wild with desire, and she was certain she was shattering apart. Just as she was sure he couldn’t take anymore, he sucked harder on her little nub and thrust another finger inside her.
She cried out as wave after wave of pleasure pulsed through her. Her arms shook and her thighs trembled, but he didn’t relent until she was collapsed against the back of the divan, panting.
“We’re not done, darling,” he said, his voice as low and rough as gravel. His hands took her hips and turned her.
Her skirts twisted wildly, and she pulled at them frantically, desire for him already building like heated coals.
Roughly, he reached down and dragged her hips down the length of the divan so her feet were resting on the floor. He parted her thighs with one hand.
Greedily, Kate reached up, working at the fastenings of his breeches. Her fingers fumbled, but she managed to free him. Her breath came in shallow, fast bursts as she reached in and took his hard penis from the restrictive clothing. Her eyes widened, surprised again, at how large he was. The tall shaft was erect, reaching towards his belly button. The small slit was wet with a small drop of dew. Instinctively, Kate reached out and rubbed it over the head.
Ryder groaned, his hips tensing. “God, I want to be inside you.”
Kate glanced up at him, and their eyes met for a moment. “Don’t wait.”
The world totally disappeared, and all she could see was him as he lifted her legs up and wrapped them around his waist.
For a moment, he teased the head of his cock against her opening, and Kate groaned, biting down on her lower lip. And then he thrust deep to the hilt. Kate’s eyes flared wide, and she drew in an astonished breath. The feeling was so deep and perfect she could hardly think.
Then he began to move, his hips rolling as he stroked her body with his cock in long hard thrusts. His hands held her hips firmly up and in place. Kate reached up and grabbed his muscled forearms, her nails digging into his skin through his silk shirt. For what seemed like minutes and a moment at the same time, he thrust, circling his hips again and again, driving her higher and higher. Though gripped by a growing pressure where their bodies met, Kate couldn’t tear her gaze from Ryder’s face. It was a mask of desire, his face flushed, and his lids half closed.
And just as she was sure neither of them could resist, he moved one hand and pressed his fingers to her nub, circling her slick desire over the sensitive spot.
Kate’s hands tightened on his arm, her mouth opening and she moaned, “Oh, yes. Yes, Ryder.”
At her words, his entire body began to tense and abruptly he pulled out. Ryder groaned his hot seed spilling on her stomach. His knees bent, and he leaned over her, slowly letting her legs fall to the floor.
They both drew in several breaths. Her body liquid, and drifting in unbelievable satisfaction, Kate reached for him. He lowered himself and gently tucked her in beside him as they laid down on the divan, her body spooned against his.
They remained silent, and Kate stared down at the blue and gold carpet. The pleasure slowly ebbed away, and she began to dread the next moments. The moments where they would have to speak. He didn’t wish to hurt her, she knew it. But he would send her on her way, just as he had done before. And she would be a fool if she hoped for anything else.
Even though he had just given her more pleasure than she had ever known, she was still in the same scandalous position she was when they left the opera. He wasn’t going to offer to marry her. And she didn’t want him to.
He would never love her and she knew, though it tore at her to admit, sex was the only thing he could ever give, because he could never give his heart.
It belonged to someone else.
And his body. . . to Kathryn’s shock, was not enough.
His breath was gentle against the top of her head, and his strong arm cradled her. And yet, it was time for her to go. Kathryn closed her eyes for a moment, promising herself she wouldn’t cry. She thought she had stopped believing in love when Percy Darrell trampled her heart. But she’d been wrong.
Somewhere deep down in her heart, she still had believed in love and that happiness waited somewhere for those who reached for it, but when Ryder brought her in to this room, he’d spoken only of desire. And now, well, now it was time for her to give up the hopes of those dreams.
Chapter Thirteen
“I’ve never felt anything like that before,” Ryder breathed, barely able to think let alone speak.
God, she felt so good against him. This moment was better than any moment he’d in the years since Jane. He blinked at the thought of his young wife, a wife who’d given him so much, and the pleasure of the moment began to dim.
Kathryn laughed softly. “I find that hard to believe, but thank you.”
There was just the slightest hint of pain in her voice, and Ryder hated it. He pushed himself up onto an arm and gazed down at her face. “Kathryn, I have never known a woman like you nor known the kind of pleasure you have just given me.”
She pressed her lips together and blinked. Gently, she laced her hands into his hair and brought his lips down to hers. Exchanging, warm kisses, Ryder allowed himself to take pleasure in just the smallest touch of her. After a moment, he pulled back, staring down at her rosy mouth and storm-filled eyes.
How in the hell was he going to continue as before? Now that he had allowed himself to enjoy her beautiful body and equally passionate mind, how could he go back to his cool control? And there was the matter of her ruin. But marriage. He still didn’t know. He’d promised himself so fervently to never break faith with Jane. And yet, Kathryn. . .
Ryder swallowed trying to understand the emotions ripping through him. “Kathryn, I—”
“No.” Her voice was soft yet firm as iron.
“No?” he said, a touch of astonishment lightening his voice.
She shook her dark head, the curls brushing against his shoulder. “Please don’t speak. This has been perfect, and I wish to keep it a memory to cherish.”
Ryder’s mouth snapped closed, and he stared up at the cream and gold ceiling. This couldn’t be happening. It seemed utterly impossible, laughable even. For, he knew what words she would say next. He said them often enough. To enough women.
“I will always treasure what we’ve had, but. . .” Her voice trailed off into a rough whisper.
Though inexperienced, Kathryn was a master already at the love affair. “I understand.” It was ironic that he’d just begun to hate himself for letting her effect his heart, and here she was handing his care back to him in a pretty little package of empty words.
“I’m glad,” she said, propping herself onto her pale elbow. “I hope we shall remain friends.”
He swallowed, his eyes wide and burning as he continued to stare at the ceiling. God, it was like hearing himself. Is this how the women he attempted t
o solace after their extremely brief affairs felt? If so, he should have been shot years ago. Hell, he felt as if a pugilist had slammed an iron fist into his unprotected gut.
“Of course,” he muttered. “If ever you should need anything.”
She pushed herself up. She gazed down at him, blocking his view. Her beauty was damn painful. Golden hair spilled down her back in tangled curls and crushed flowers. Worse, she gave him a cheeky smile.
When he reached up and stroked the smooth skin of her cheek, her eyes glowed with an unusual sheen, and she looked away quickly. “Thank you for being so understanding,” she said, edging to the side of the couch. “I’m certain if ever I am in trouble, you would be the first to fly to my aid and do it with great panache.”
On a complete impulse, his hand curved around her waist holding her to him. Kathryn shook her head with a sadly playful toss, then tried to stand. Ryder couldn’t help himself. If he let her go, that would be the end. She would be gone from his life. And they would never be friends. Lovers so seldom ever were after they parted. Blowing out a harsh breath, he pulled her back against him.
She laughed, a hollow sound. “Am I your captive then?”
“Certainly.” He pressed his face to her side, savoring her scent. It was the last time he would ever be so close to her. “I shall never let you go.” The words hung between them as false as any of his claims at honor.
Turning towards him, her smile was tight, as if she was playing the part of a lighthearted lady of pleasure. Caressing her fingers down the side of his face, she leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to his lips then stood.
Silent now, she righted her clothes, yanking the heavy skirts to the floor. Her fingers touched her hair, and when she clearly felt the jumbled mess, she let her hands fall to her sides. For a moment, she looked like a little girl who had a very merry time at a party and was now unwillingly readying herself to go home.
His jaw tightening and his chest clenching at the sight of the innocence still touching her in this moment, Ryder could barely stand it. He forced himself to lay back. There was no way in hell he was going to be a party to this ugly ritual of leaving. It was impossible to let the lies slip through his lips tonight or go through the motions he had done with so many other women.
