Lord Misrule (The Matchmaking Earl Book 1)

by Donna Cummings

  He leaned forward and placed a searing kiss on her bosom. She gasped, and then wobbled. Nicholas grasped her waist, but not before Juliana caught her balance, by placing her hand right onto his lap.

  “Oh!” A smile appeared slowly on her lips. “Yes, those aphrodisiac foods will indeed be a waste.”

  Nicholas laughed, and then tugged her against his chest. She linked her hands behind his neck. Somehow all of their movements had shifted her dress, exposing one very enticing nipple. He shamelessly put his mouth around it, sucking it between his teeth, relishing the way it hardened instantly, and how she leaned her head back and moaned.

  She continued to believe him the experienced one, but he had never encountered anyone like her. She was guileless, but not coy or shy about her pleasure. From what she had revealed, he was the only one who had given her any pleasure at all. Once again he found himself inexplicably possessive, as if he would harm anyone who might attempt to be her lover.

  Such a curious thought. He brushed it away, suckling her other nipple after she tugged the dress down for him. Her skin was just as exquisite as he had dreamed, only now it was flushed from her arousal. Her softly rounded breasts fit perfectly in his palms. Juliana pulled his mouth away so she could kiss him, a hot open-mouthed one that nearly unmanned him on the spot.

  He returned the kiss, breathing harder, as she was doing. Her hair draped around them, and he lifted one hand to put it behind her shoulder. How could he resist giving that a kiss as well? He wanted his mouth everywhere on her. But Juliana was growing impatient with tender, gentle kisses. She had begun to move atop him, sliding against his hardness, kissing him with an increased fervor.

  Her skirt was in the way, unfortunately. He bunched her hem in his hands and slid it upwards. She smiled, joyously, and then placed her knees on either side of him on the sofa. This was not at all what he had planned, but since Juliana was happy, he was not about to call a halt now.

  He smoothed his hands over her thighs, resting on the garters tied about her stockings. She shivered, but with visible excitement, so he inched his fingers higher.

  “You minx,” he murmured appreciatively. “You are wearing nothing else beneath this dress.”

  “You did say it was bound to create havoc.”

  “And that is before I knew what beauty it barely covers.”

  His hands found their way over her hips, and back down. Her mouth was a round O of surprise, and delight, so he traced the same path. This time he lingered, enjoying the roundness of her bottom in his hands. But then she began moving against him with more urgency, little whimpers of need coming from her at the same time.

  He pulled her down for another heated kiss. When she opened her mouth to him, he rubbed gently between her legs. She nearly screamed, but he kept his mouth on hers. She responded by pressing harder against his hand. There was no doubt of her arousal. He slipped his fingers inside and she moaned, dropping her head against his chest.

  If only he had disrobed, so he could feel those hardened nipples against his bare skin. That had been his original plan, but Juliana had made him jettison that in an instant.

  He kissed her temple, keeping up the rhythm inside of her. She began to move, too, drawing him deeper. He felt feverish once more, because now he wanted to be completely inside her. He knew how exquisite it would be, judging by how it felt driving her mad with his fingers.

  “Oh, Nicholas,” she breathed. “It is unimaginably good—”

  “Is it? Do you want more of it?”

  She nodded, quite emphatically, and then he stroked a spot designed to make her lose herself entirely.

  That is precisely what she did. She would have screamed, but he kissed her quickly, so as not to have the few servants on duty rush in to save their mistress. He also kept up the relentless rhythm, determined that the first time she came undone it would be unforgettable, and leave her craving more.

  Because that is what it had already done to him.

  She writhed and moaned for what seemed like hours. Nicholas could not seem to get enough of her wild responses, treasuring the feel of her in his arms, his mouth on hers. She finally slumped against him, and he held her close while her breathing returned to normal.

  Juliana finally lifted her head, but instead of wearing a blissful expression, she was frowning.

  He brushed her hair from her face. “What is the matter?” Surely she had enjoyed it. He could not bear to think otherwise.

  “The buttons on your coat.” She pulled her bodice back into place. “They are quite harsh and unforgiving against my skin.”

  Relief swamped him. “I shall see to it they are suitably punished.”

  “Banishment would be a fitting punishment,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “Yet, so they will not feel lonely, I shall let your waistcoat and cravat, and yes, even your breeches be exiled with them.”

  He grinned. Before he could try to halt it, he felt a little bit of his heart heading her direction. If only his life were different. This woman could be more than just a lover. He would not permit himself to entertain such fruitless thoughts, however. He would only allow himself to treasure the days and nights they had agreed to spend together.

  He probably did not even deserve that much. Nicholas pulled her against his chest and squeezed her tightly. But he was going to savor every single moment anyway.

  ~ * ~

  Juliana gazed at Nicholas with awe. She was still sprawled atop him, in a most indecorous manner, yet she had never felt so content her entire life. He had given her such breathtaking pleasure, the first she had ever experienced. Even better, it was merely the start, since they had many days, and nights, ahead of them.

  She placed a tender kiss on his lips, treasuring the smile he gave her.

  “Perhaps you were correct about heightening my anticipation,” she murmured.

  “What was that?” He cupped his ear. “It almost sounded as though you confessed to enjoying my plots and schemes.”

  She grinned. “You heard me correctly. Only I wonder now about you.” She boldly ran her hand along his breeches. “There seems to be a great deal of anticipation here.”

  “More than you know.” He gave her lip a tender bite. “But there is no danger of it waning any time soon.”

  “Please do not tell me I shall have to wait until tomorrow.”

  She did not have to feign dismay, for, despite having just been sated, she was already craving more. Waiting had seemed unbearable before Nicholas had commenced his entertainments, but now, after what she had experienced…

  Apparently she had instantly turned wanton.

  “You are in luck,” Nicholas said, “since I am not inclined to wait until tomorrow either.” He attempted to sit up, which was difficult with her splayed atop him. “I think we should retire to your bedchamber now.”

  She was more than amenable, but felt compelled to add, “You have not had dinner yet. I did say I would not have you starve while in my home.”

  His eyes lit up with a devilish glint. “I have no fear of that, since I plan to feast on you the rest of this night.”

  With those words, Juliana became even more impatient. She wriggled until she was in a half-sitting position, her legs draped over his, doing her best to remove herself from the settee without awkwardness. It was apparently one more thing she needed to learn.

  Once she was upright, Nicholas stood, too. He brushed her hair away from her face, and then tugged at her bodice, frowning.

  “I fear we may have torn this,” he said.

  “It does not matter,” she hastened to reassure him, but he was intent on removing his jacket.

  He placed it about her shoulders, and then pulled the front edges together until it concealed her bosom. “That should suffice for now.”

  “Until it can be banished?”

  Nicholas grinned. “Precisely. Now let us find our way upstairs.”

  He grabbed her hand and headed for the door. After opening it, he glanced quickly in either di
rection, but they were quite alone.

  “We must hurry,” she said, urging him along.

  “There is no one about to see us.”

  “It is not that. My patience has deserted me.” When he smiled at her, she added, “This is entirely your fault. I was impatient before I knew what I was missing. Now that I am aware—”

  He halted and pulled her into his embrace. His regard was as intense, as potent, as during their first dance, when she had decided she could not withstand such pleasure. Thank heavens she had come to her senses.

  “Juliana, what you have experienced is akin to the first course of a royal banquet.”

  Her breath left her body. She was not sure how she managed to ask, “How many courses will there be?”

  He gave another of his patently wicked grins. “How many do you want?”

  Instead of answering, she raced through the open doorway and headed for the stairs, keeping Nicholas’s hand tightly in hers.

  Chapter Eight

  Juliana opened her bedchamber door, unable to steady her breathing. “Perhaps I should not have run upstairs as I did.”

  She turned her head to see Nicholas breathing almost as heavily, but he was examining the room, taking in all the details—the mahogany clothespress, the dressing table, the cheval mirror. His gaze landed on the huge tester bed, adorned with brocade curtains tied back at each corner, and then he turned to look at her.

  “Did you and your husband…”

  His voice was gentle, and it made her heart soften at how he was visibly concerned about her reaction.

  “No,” she answered. “The few times that occurred was in his bedchamber.” She smiled. “There are no regrets in this room.”

  He kissed her, wrapping his arms around her waist at the same time. “I shall ensure there never will be.”

  She laughed, so happy she nearly could not bear it. She had never dared to hope for so much joy in her life.

  “How can you be so certain?”

  He pretended to be startled. “Because I know myself, and I have already learned a great deal about you.”

  “And what have you learned?”

  “Besides the fact that you are impatient?”

  “With good reason!”

  He nuzzled her neck with a playful growl, and she took the opportunity to move slowly against his body, thrilled at how hard he was against her softness.

  “I have also learned that your impatience works to my benefit,” he said. “For you are delightfully unapologetic about your desire. Which I should have realized when you approached me to be your lover.”

  “Clearly I sensed you would not find that a detrimental quality.”

  Nicholas released her, but only so he could peel his coat away from her body. “You have no idea how exciting this is,” he murmured. “Removing my clothing from you.”

  She reached for his cravat. “I suppose it cannot compare to me removing your clothing from you.”

  “There is no need to stop.” He grinned. “They are both equally enjoyable.”

  She worked at the intricacies of the knotted linen at his throat, while he began to unbutton his waistcoat. Once he had removed both articles, he tugged at his shirt, pulling it over his head. Juliana marveled at the sight of his chest, the smooth skin and muscles on display.

  She placed her hand against his stomach, surprised when he retreated slightly. He grabbed both of her hands, pressing a fervent kiss into each palm. “Your touch is divine,” he said. “And I could not prepare myself for how wonderful it felt, even though I thought I had.”

  He relinquished her hands, and she instantly smoothed them up his chest, and over his broad shoulders, and down his muscled arms. He tried to hide how ragged his breathing was, which endeared him to her even more. She stepped a pace closer, and placed her mouth against his hardened nipple. He clasped her head, holding her in place, brushing her hair back so he could watch.

  She found it all too thrilling. It made her eager for even more of him.

  She wanted to feel her skin against his bare chest. Apparently Nicholas wanted the same, for he spun her around, his hands seeking out the ties holding her dress together. In the next instant she felt the dress sliding away, dropping until it covered only her feet.

  Nicholas wrapped his arms around her. What a sensation that was. His skin was heated, as if he had stood by the fireplace for hours. There was no mistaking his strength, yet he held her tenderly, almost worshipfully. She was too impatient to let him set the pace, though, so she reached back, grabbing one of the buttons keeping his breeches closed.

  “I thought these were to be banished,” she said.

  “They are quite aware of how unwelcome they are.” He dropped his arms, presumably to disrobe. Juliana spun around to watch. He paused for a moment, and then that wicked grin lit up his face once more. “Your anticipation appears to be getting the best of you again.”

  “I merely meant to provide assistance, although you seem to be doing rather well without it.” She laughed, stepping back several paces. “I would expect you to be quite skilled at dressing yourself swiftly—to aid your hasty departures.”

  He gave her a warning look, or he tried to, but he was instantly distracted by her nakedness. It spurred him on, for in the next instant the breeches were gone, and she was admiring his nude form just as much as he was admiring hers.

  “Come here,” he said gruffly.

  She had no desire to disobey. She tiptoed across the lush carpet and when she was within reach, he wrapped his arms tightly around her. His mouth was on hers, and there was nothing patient or gentle about it. She had no interest in patient or gentle, however. She needed his passion. It was as heated as hers was just then.

  His hands moved from her waist and down over her bottom, tugging her close against him, letting her feel his arousal. It made her whimper. It made her impatient. She had waited seemingly forever and now could not wait any longer.

  He lifted his head, studying her, and then smiled. He led her to the bed and set her at the foot of the mattress, but he did not join her.

  “Nicholas?”

  “Patience, Juliana. You shall be rewarded for it. I promise you.”

  His eyes glinted with desire. She shivered slightly, eager for whatever he had in mind, especially knowing how much he enjoyed her pleasure.

  How long before Nicholas would want the same for himself?

  He must have seen the question in her eyes, because he leaned forward and kissed her sweetly. “My patience will also be rewarded.”

  He pressed her back until she was flat against the bed, her heart pounding unmercifully. She waited for Nicholas to settle himself atop her, but when he did not, she lifted her head to see if anything was amiss. To her complete puzzlement, he was kneeling in front of her.

  This was not at all what she had experienced previously. She had been led to believe Nicholas was well-versed in these matters, having had many lovers before…

  He placed a tender kiss on each of her knees and then smoothed his hands over her thighs, his gaze locked with hers. Juliana let her doubts fade away. No one had ever touched her with such reverence. It was an exquisite sensation. She dropped her head against the mattress, reveling in each new sweep of his hands, anticipating where they might touch next.

  She wriggled slightly, hoping it would entice his fingers to replay those exhilarating moments she had experienced on the settee. Apparently it worked, for Nicholas slid two of them inside her, and she lifted off the bed, awash in pleasure.

  He continued the delicious rhythm, making her want to move faster, and harder, anything to deal with the agitation building inside her. It was a mix of pleasure and unbearable anticipation. She wanted to rush toward it and away from it, all at the same time.

  She started to ask him for relief, needing it desperately. Before she could, he placed his mouth on her, at the very source of her pleasurable agony. Her voice came out in a muffled scream. She grabbed at his hair, holding him in place, t
errified he would retreat before she was ready.

  But he knew precisely what she needed. His lips moved in a wicked fashion, kissing her as he had done with her mouth earlier. Juliana could feel herself blushing furiously, but she was more than willing to die of embarrassment rather than miss out on anything he was doing just then.

  She had thought herself wanton before, but apparently she had barely commenced down that wicked path.

  “Nicholas,” she pleaded. “I cannot bear it if you stop. I know I will perish if you do.”

  He nodded quickly but did not relent. His fingers worked inside of her more intensely too. She could not withstand it any longer, the constant building, ascending, striving for something just out of reach—

  And then it was hers, at last. Nicholas gripped her waist, his mouth making her ride a wave of pleasure so intense she could not breathe. It lasted so long she thought perhaps she had lost consciousness. Or perhaps she had spiraled into heaven.

  She finally exhaled a long, contented sigh. Her eyes were still closed, but she could feel Nicholas moving up closer, onto the bed next to her.

  “Yes,” she said, “you were absolutely correct. That was worth every minute of the wait.”

  He laughed, gathering her into his arms. “And this banquet has just commenced.”

  Chapter Nine

  Nicholas told himself to remain patient, but Juliana’s responses had made him nearly mad with desire. He had already been at a fever pitch, but seeing her come apart, giving herself over to her pleasure…he had nearly come apart then too.

  He kissed her deeply, smoothing his hands over her skin everywhere. Her hands roamed over him too, her fingers sliding softly, tantalizing him with the feather-light touch. He lifted his head, just to see her beautiful face.

  He could only marvel at her once more. How had he managed to refuse her the first time?

  “Can I say once more how grateful I am that you rescinded your refusal?”

  She laughed, her hands moving over his hip. “As grateful as I am that you rescinded yours?”