A Lady’s Christmas Rake

by Andresen, Tammy

  Damn it. She swallowed. This was not how her morning was supposed to go.

  Will ran a hand through his hair as he stormed toward a billiards room he’d seen the day before. He needed to smack a few balls around for an hour or so. Anything to take his mind off what he’d just invited May to do with him later. Of all things holy. How was he to discuss such a book without…Well without reacting like any virile young male would?

  Shit!

  He stopped at the threshold of the room and cursed anew. Spotting the billiard sticks, he clasped one and set up the table. A few minutes into his solitary game, Matthew, May’s younger brother strolled into the room and watched him.

  William smiled at the young lad who looked a little bookish and very pedestrian, if his highly starched shirt and clean pants were any indication. Unlike his sister, he surmised he didn’t venture down to the sea shore too often. “Matthew, how are you today? Would you care to have a game with me?”

  The young boy smiled but didn’t venture any closer. “No, thank you. I don’t like the game. If you ask my sister though, I’m sure she’ll give you one. May’s very good.”

  “Your sister plays billiards?” Why this pleased him to hear he had no idea, and in all truth it didn’t surprise him. He was starting to surmise May did a lot of things well. Including driving him mad.

  “Often. She always beats Papa and now he’ll no longer play against her.”

  Will chuckled. He loved nothing more than a challenge together with a wager. Perhaps it could be his way of getting to taste, even just once, May’s delectable lips. “Well, I’ll have to ask her then.”

  Matthew nodded before turning on his heel and walking from the room. William smiled. What an odd little creature he was.

  All too soon, May arrived, keeping her attention fixed firmly on the windows that looked over a native area of the garden, filled with coastal plants and manicured lawn walkways.

  William sat down on a settee made for two and didn’t say anything as she sat beside him. Her features weren’t telling him anything new, other than the usual aloofness and disdain she held for him since their first meeting. “Are you ready for your lesson, my lady?”

  Her eyes widened a fraction and it was the first glimpse he had of her that perhaps she wasn’t as composed as she made out to be. Good. That made two of them. “Yes. And to make things easier I’ve marked certain pages I wish to discuss first.”

  Will took the book from her and braced himself to engage in the most inappropriate action of his life. He would burn in hell for what he was about to discuss with a future nun. He opened the book and an image of a man taking a woman from behind met his gaze. He inwardly cringed at having the task of explaining such a position. He really ought not to tease people into retaliation in future.

  “This doesn’t look at all possible to me. I think the artist is playing its readers for fools.”

  William cleared his throat. “This position is possible and enjoyable for both parties.” He ran his finger over the image to where the man and woman joined. “The woman would—” The word stuck in his throat and May looked at him expectantly. “Would encounter deeper penetration and probably reach orgasm quite quickly, especially if the man reached around and touched the woman’s most private of places.”

  “Most private of places?” May stated, her eyes widening in alarm.

  William cringed. “It’s a little nubbin that can be stimulated to make the woman orgasm.”

  “Oh, well, that’s very interesting.” Her cheeks went bright red and William cursed himself a fool for ever giving her the books in the first place.

  William took a calming breath. “Do you know of what I speak?” His body hardened as he waited for May’s reply, and as much as he fought to keep it under control, the thought of them in the exact poses in the books, drove him to distraction. That he was feeling this way without a single touch from her upon his person was telling indeed.

  “Oh…I—” Her mouth formed a perfect O and he forced himself to look at the painting hanging across the room. He didn’t need any more imaginings of what her mouth in that shape could do to him. He cringed at his own thoughts. He was a cad.

  Will took pity on them both and shutting the book, he said, “I believe we should stop reading through these together. I’m not sure what your stance is on the matter, but I’m finding this extremely uncomfortable.” Pleasurable yes, but painful. Will adjusted his seat, hoping May didn’t notice his growing arousal.

  She let out a relieved sigh. “I’m glad you said so, as I am as well.” She laughed, the sound making his gut clench pleasantly. “I just couldn’t let you think you could disconcert me like you did.”

  “I don’t know what I was thinking.” Will met her gaze, holding out his hand. “Let us shake on a truce and work on being friends?”

  May’s delicate fingers entwined with his and heat coursed up his arm. “That sounds perfect. Thank you,” she said.

  Will pulled away and sat back. “You know, I must admit I enjoy liberating conversation as the one we’ve just shared. It’s not often that a lady and a gentleman can talk so frank.”

  “It was, wasn’t it?” She paused, a small frown between her perfect eyebrows. “I’m sorry for how I treated you when we first met. I was very unkind and rude.”

  He waved her concerns away, not liking the worry that clouded her blue orbs. “Should the positions have been reversed, I would have been wary as well. You were right to question me as you did. You are a strong, willful woman who only wishes to protect her family. That is something to be commended.”

  “Thank you.” For the first time since he’d met her, she looked at him with warmth.

  William couldn’t sever their locked gazes even if he wished to. There was something innocent and wicked about May that drew him like a moth to a flame, and even knowing that his wings would be burned should he get too close, it would not stop him. “You’re a very beautiful woman. Is your heart really set on becoming a nun?”

  The luncheon gong sounded and both of them jumped back. He chuckled feeling absurdly young and innocent, which he was not. His years enjoying town life had ensured his innocence was lost many years ago. “I suppose we should go.”

  She stood quickly and stood there a moment before looking back at him. “I have my reasons for wanting to enter the church. Life is complicated and unfortunately we do not always get what we want or with the passing of time, what we want changes.”

  His eyes narrowed at the resolve he heard in her voice. What did May really want? He doubted she always had her heart set on entering the church. And what a waste of a great woman should she end up doing so. Women such as May were rare gems that didn’t come about in society often. It baffled him how she’d not found a husband in town. She was a Viscount’s daughter, from a good family and home. Her choice made little sense to him.

  There was nothing left to it, he would have to try and change her mind.

  Chapter Three

  May took a calming breath and strolled toward the dining room, noting that the servants were busy decorating the house with holly and mistletoe. The deep red and green ribbons they were wrapping about the staircase banister brought home even more that Christmas wasn’t far away, and very soon her life at home would be over.

  She could hear her father and brother talking upstairs as they made their way downstairs. Her heart pounded and had the lunch gong not sounded, she was sure William may have kissed her. Her first real kiss. Pleasure thrummed throughout her body, causing goosebumps to rise on her skin. Dressed as a gentleman today, he really was very pleasant looking. And when speaking to her like an equal, not a silly, young woman, it made him even more appealing.

  At the dining table, she sat at her usual spot and greeted her family as they entered. William followed and he grinned. May smiled back as he settled himself across from her.

  “I thought with your permission, Lord Levinstone, I could steal away your daughter for the afternoon and have her show
me the estate. I understood from Father it’s quite vast.”

  May choked on her slice of ham and took a sip of water. “You want to see the estate? With me?” She vaguely heard her father’s answering chuckle and ignored it. “Why?”

  “Why wouldn’t anyone wish to see your home? I’m sure it is magnificent with its wild beauty and rugged shorelines.”

  Her father nodded eagerly, a large smile on his face. “Of course May will show you around. I look forward to hearing about your excursion tonight at dinner.”

  “Papa, we haven’t anyone to chaperone us. I cannot go.” She quickly met William’s challenging gaze. He looked different from when they were together in the private parlor, as if he was contemplating something that involved her in his stormy blue eyes. May ignored her rioting emotions at the thought of them being alone and away from the house… This was dangerous.

  Her father sighed. “We are not in London now. No need to stand on ceremony. And I trust your judgement, May, no matter what you may think.” He threw her a pointed stare. “Lord Grandison is also a guest. He would not displease me. Would you, my lord?”

  “Of course not,” he stated, nodding once. “And please, call me William. No need to stand on ceremony between friends.”

  May turned to a waiting footman. “Please send word to the stables for two horses to be saddled directly.”

  The footman bowed and left to do her bidding. She ate the rest of her lunch in silence, the conversation of farming the least of her thoughts. All that occupied her mind was that for the next few hours she was going to be alone with a man. And not just any man, but the only man who made her uncomfortable in all the right places on her body.

  This was a dreadful conundrum.

  * * *

  A little while later, May rode Mystic, her Arabian mare, out of the stable yard at a trot. She refused to give way to the urge to roll her shoulders from William’s direct gaze that bore into her back.

  He’d been quiet as they’d mounted their horses. Words threatened to bubble out of her, asking him what he was thinking in that bold mind of his. Or why on earth he wanted to look around an estate that farmed mostly sheep and little else. Even baby lambs after a few years were not that exciting to look at.

  She pointed out some landmarks, the local church and the direction of the closest town as she rode along an old coastal path, known only by the few estate workers. Cliffs gave way to sandy beaches and the view of the ocean called to her to explore and enjoy. Just as it always had since she was a little girl.

  “Do you own all this land?”

  The question started her out of her musings and she pulled her mount to a stop. “Yes. The beach below is very good for fishing. There are some old smuggler caves there as well.”

  “Can you show me?”

  “If you wish it.” She dismounted and tethered Mystic to a nearby tree. William did the same and followed her as she showed him the way down to the beach. Grey, angry storm clouds gathered on the horizon and May paused. “I’m a little worried about the weather.” The wind picked up and the sweet, fresh scent of forthcoming rain accompanied it.

  William gazed past her and narrowed his eyes. “You might be right. How long would it take for you to show me the smuggling caves?”

  “Not very long, but the weather can come in quickly here. I’m not sure if we should risk it, it’s quite a steep climb to the shore.” She took another glance at the gathering clouds. “Oh well, come on. As long as we don’t dawdle, we should be all right.”

  “Dawdle?” William laughed. “Now that’s something I haven’t done in a while.”

  May headed for the worn walking trail. No doubt he never dawdled. He was probably too busy with numerous women to ever think about taking some time to just enjoy their company instead of their bodies. Although, after the images she’d seen in those books, enjoying women as he did, he probably enjoyed life immensely. May sighed, not knowing how she felt about such thoughts.

  They reached the sand, and with the increased wind, the waves swirled and broke higher against the shore than normal.

  “Just over here they are.” She entered one smuggling cave. “Now where did I leave the lamp?” she mumbled to herself.

  “You have a lamp here?”

  The question asked quite near her back made her start. In the dark, she supposed William hadn’t known how close he was to her. The thought that he knew exactly how close she was and what his nearness did to her nerves wasn’t worth thinking about. “I used to play in most of the caves along this shore and others. I left lamps in all of them. I can’t see in the dark, you see,” she said, lighting it quickly.

  He laughed and stepped closer still. “Do you realize you just made a joke?”

  “I may be a future nun, my lord, but I’m not dead. I do know how to enjoy myself.”

  “Really?” A disbelieving eyebrow rose. “How?”

  “I do all manner of things. None of which you need to know about.” The thought of what she would like to do, with this man especially was enjoyment enough. And it was all his lordships fault in any case. Had he not shown her those naughty books, she would never have had any of these thoughts haunting her mind.

  May stilled when he placed a stray curl behind her ear, his fingers lingering to slide down her neck.

  “What if I’d like to know? Would you tell me?”

  His voice was low, and the breath of his words brushed her ear, leaving heat to pool at her core. The flickering flame cast a shadow across his face making him look like the rugged man she’d first met on the beach. “Probably not.” Her whispered voice sounded breathless with need. Had she known better she would assume William was courting her right at this moment. Seducing her even.

  “What if I begged?” His touch glided down her arm and she shivered at the roughness of his palm.

  “You shouldn’t touch me like that.” May made no move to remove his hand and she knew her statement was moot. She did want him to touch her like that, and in a lot of other places not just her arm. If only she could blame the books entirely, but she could not. After her disastrous Season in town, where she’d seen many of her friends find husbands, and noted the many stolen kisses they partook in, May had wanted to experience the same. It looked so delicious to be held against a man’s body, to have them want you with a desperate need that matched your own.

  Slowly he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. “I want to touch you. Desperately.”

  His gaze searched hers and she read the question he held inside. Would she allow his kiss? Oh, yes, absolutely. If only once before entering the church. May reached up and pulled him against her mouth. Their lips meshed and held and on a gasp his tongue swept against hers with abandonment.

  The need to enjoy every moment and place everything they were doing in her memory urged her to follow his lead. Tentatively she flicked her tongue against his. The oddest sensation, one she’d never felt before bombarded her senses. Heat, soft flesh against flesh, a mating of mouths ensued. Her stomach clenched in desire and she closed the space between them completely.

  William’s hand slipped about her waist and slid down to pull her against him. She gasped as the hardness she recognized as his manhood stood against her body. He wanted her. Wanted her as much as she craved the touch of him.

  The stone wall of the cave met her back as he pushed her up against it. He broke the kiss and May felt a slight chill as he lifted the hem of her gown. She bit her lip as William slowly kissed his way down her neck and across the bodice of her down.

  “We should stop.” William pulled back a little. “I promised your father.”

  May inwardly cursed. They couldn’t stop now. Her body craved him, needed him. This was possibly her only chance of ever experiencing such a tryst with a man and having the memory to keep her warm for many years to come. Determined to get her way, she slipped her hand about his member and stroked. “No. I forbid it.”

  He growled as more air swept across her thighs. She c
losed her eyes, hoping William might touch her where she now thrummed in pleasure. It was wrong. So deliciously wrong, but so good as well. If only to experience this once in her life, she would be content.

  “Just say the word and I will stop,” he said.

  May couldn’t bring herself to say anything. She clasped the hair at his nape and brought him back to her mouth just as the feather-light touch of his hand skimmed over her most private of places. She moaned. His kiss deepened, their tongues entwining with force as his fingers, one in particular slid across her nubbin. May wrapped her leg about his hip and William took advantage of her action and parted her undergarments. Moisture pooled at her core, her body craving his touch. He stroked her heat, flicked over the part of her that ached for more.

  “Can you remember what this part is called,” he asked, making her whimper with longing as his hand sent another burst of pleasure to course through her blood. “Do you want me to show you what it can do?”

  Without heed, May undulated against his hand. “It’s called a nubbin and yes, please show me what it can do.”

  William smirked flicking her smart little nubbin again, and then he did something she’d never thought possible. He slid one and then two fingers into her and there was no stopping her moans as he worked her heated flesh toward pleasure. With each stroke, he kissed her, his tongue mimicking what his hand was doing beneath her gown. This was so much more than she’d ever imagined and realization hit her that this was why women married men. Who would not want to enjoy such touch every day.

  “You’re so beautiful. I want you, May. I want to taste your sweet body more than you’ll ever know,” he said, his voice rough with need.

  Would she go to hell for enjoying herself so much? Probably, but right at this moment she couldn’t bring herself to care. May made a mental note to pray for forgiveness for her sin when she arrived at the convent. “I know…” She sighed as pleasure mounted and her body burned in his arms.