Before she knew it, Phillip replaced his fingers with his fully engorged cock. He grabbed Charlotte’s legs and returned them to his shoulders. He braced himself above her and thrust at a grueling pace. His shaft pressed into her heated core.
His mouth and fingers had left her body so sensitive that after a few thrusts, she spiraled over the edge again. He continued rocking into her, and she met him at every thrust. The slapping of their bodies as they met, mingled with their sounds of animal pleasure echoed in the room.
This would be their last time together, and Charlotte wanted to make it as memorable as possible. She cried out Phillip’s name, which encouraged him further. His hard cock plunged deep inside her. With each thrust her body ached, demanding more.
Charlotte came again and squeezed her muscles hard on his member. Phillip cursed and leaned down to kiss her. His kiss was greedy and unrelenting like his lovemaking. A few seconds later, Phillip came hot and fast inside her. They collapsed in exhaustion. Phillip was still inside her, when he leaned toward her. For a moment, she thought he would say something, but he simply bent over and gave her one last kiss before pulling out.
Phillip lowered Charlotte’s legs, then climbed on the bed and pulled her against him. His heat permeated her body, and it made her shiver.
“Are you cold?” Phillip asked.
“No,” Charlotte answered.
Phillip pulled her closer, and Charlotte snuggled into his arms. She wished they could stay this way forever. Just the two of them, nothing to keep them apart. No silly war, and no long-ago memories of hurt and betrayal. Charlotte had to stop herself before her thoughts turned too melancholy.
Tonight was for making memories. Charlotte could mourn her loss in the morning. She kissed Phillip’s hand, which was wrapped around her chest. He, in turn, placed a tender kiss on her head. Then he leaned toward her ear and whispered, “I will give you a short break. But just know, I have plans for us for the rest of the night.” Charlotte’s heart raced in anticipation. So, there was more to come. She drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face.
Phillip woke her up twice during the night to make love. Each time, he surprised her with new ways to find pleasure. Every time they came together, Charlotte felt her love grow. She also knew every stroke might be the last.
The lovers finally fell into a restful slumber until the sun announced the dawn. The first rays of light crept through the curtain and landed on Charlotte’s face. Her eyes squinted at the invasion of the morning. She felt sore and achy but in a perfectly sinful way. Last night had been a night to remember forever. She rolled over and faced Phillip. He was lying on his back, one arm over his head. His chest rose in a steady rhythm; he was still asleep.
Taking advantage of the moment, Charlotte tried to memorize everything about him. She wanted to remember every curve of Phillip’s body and every ripple of his muscles when she relived last night in her dreams. Her gaze wandered down and stopped at his already erect member. Maybe she could get a better look at it without him knowing. With the light of day, she wanted to see all of him.
Charlotte pulled the sheet down to Phillip’s toes and scooted down for a closer inspection. It was interesting, she supposed. The shaft was long and thick with ridges and hair at its base. The tip was round and smooth. She raised her hand to touch him but hesitated, so as not to wake Phillip. She glanced back and saw he still slept. A little exploration wouldn’t hurt. She ran a finger over the opening at the top, then circled the head. Phillip didn’t make a sound, so she continued. She slid her hand down the shaft, feeling the small veins that helped engorge him.
Next, Charlotte’s eyes traveled to the sack laying directly below Phillip’s cock. She could see the outline of two round structures. Curiosity got the better of her, and she glided the back of her fingers over them. She was careful not to wake Phillip because she feared it would break the spell, and he would leave.
Charlotte’s attention turned back to Phillip’s erect length. Last night, he had placed his mouth over her mound, and seemed to get great pleasure from doing so. She wondered if it would be the same for her if she took him into her mouth. She licked her lips, thinking about it.
Perhaps if Charlotte was gentle, she could get a taste. Her mind made up, she stuck her tongue out and ran it up the side of his cock. Then she ever so slowly took the tip into her mouth and sucked while swirling her tongue. She took him in deeper and felt his cock stir in her mouth. Phillip moaned, and Charlotte looked up. Their eyes locked, and Phillip’s nostrils flared. “Don’t stop,” he begged.
**********
Never in his wildest dreams could Phillip have imagined this moment. The picture of Charlotte with her hot mouth on his cock and her hair cascading over her shoulders to pool on his thigh would be etched in his memory forever. She looked like an ethereal being with the morning light behind her. When Phillip had asked her to continue, she had done so without hesitation. Now, he let her explore him with her hands and mouth. He made a hoarse as she took him in again, deeper this time. Lust coursed through his veins. He had been sucked before but nothing like this. In the past, it had been merely for his pleasure, but he sensed that Charlotte was enjoying herself, too, which only heightened his desire.
Phillip closed his eyes, lost in sensual ecstasy. Charlotte’s mouth engulfed him, and she made little sucking sounds as she glided her tongue up and down his length. After a few strokes, his balls tightened. He knew he was close to coming. Phillip rocked his hips while Charlotte continued to use her hot mouth to drive him to a frenzy. Her hand found his sack and began stroking and squeezing. Phillip was going out of his mind. If he didn’t have such good control, he would have climaxed in that instant. Instead, he put his hand on Charlotte’s head and helped guide her as he increased the pace.
“Charlotte,” Phillip gasped, “you make me mad with that mouth of yours.” In response, she took him deeper, and he moaned louder.
Phillip couldn’t take it much longer, but he didn’t want to finish in Charlotte’s mouth. He stopped thrusting and whispered, “Charlotte, I need to be inside you.”
She looked up and saw the raw desire in Phillip’s eyes. As if knowing what he needed, she climbed on top of him. Phillip captured her mouth in a kiss and then whispered, “I want you to ride me.”
Phillip held out his hand and guided Charlotte over top of him and onto his cock. Her entrance was soaked from the excitement of pleasuring him. He buried himself inside her, his erection sliding past her wet curls. They sighed at the familiarity of their coupling. Phillip thrust his pelvis and placed his hands on Charlotte’s hips to help her. She caught on quickly and copied his movements. Every time Charlotte slid down, he felt her hot channel clench his manhood. He would not last long, but he wanted Charlotte to come with him.
Phillip found Charlotte’s clitoris and stroked the sensitive spot. Charlotte purred, so he applied more pressure. She thrust harder and deeper; she was close. After a few more flicks with his finger and a gentle squeeze, Charlotte orgasmed. At the same time, she clenched his cock inside her, and Phillip’s seed erupted. The release was hot and violent; he was paralyzed with pleasure. He kept thrusting, not wanting the moment to end. When they finished, Charlotte lay her head on Phillip’s chest. He felt the crush of her breasts against his chest, and he felt her heartbeat keeping time with his own. It was the most content he had ever been, and he wished every morning could start like this, until the end of time.
They remained that way for a time before Charlotte rolled to the side, separating their bodies. Phillip enfolded her in his arms. He didn’t know what to say; there were no words to describe what he felt, except for one, love. He closed his eyes as if to erase the word from his mind.
Realizing that a servant might come in at any time, he removed himself from Charlotte’s arms. “I should go before someone comes in. If I don’t leave for my assignment, Commander Barnes will have my hide.” He faked a lighthearted laugh and hoped it sounded sincere.
Charlotte nodded with a smile, which didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I understand, Phillip. Go, you have a job to do.” Phillip knew she was putting on a brave face, but he didn’t know what else to say.
Phillip quickly dressed and walked to the door. Before opening it, he glanced back at Charlotte, laying on the bed. The covers were at the foot of the bed, and she lay there naked and unashamed. She was even more ravishing in the full light of day. His heart reached out for her, but he left the room before he could say or do anything foolish. Phillip made his way back to his room, changed, and was down the stairs in a half-hour. Ethan waited for him in the hallway.
“Well?” Ethan said.
Phillip got into his riding jacket. “Well, what?”
Ethan snorted, “You know bloody well what. Did you say anything to Charlotte about how you feel?”
“What was I supposed to do? Declare my feelings and then leave? I told you I’m letting her go, and I did.”
Phillip turned to leave, but Ethan grabbed his arm. “You’re making a mistake, Phillip. Don’t do what I did with Kate. Don’t let the one woman you love slip through your fingers. It has been five years for me, and every day feels like the first day.”
Phillip shrugged off Ethan’s grip. “Take care of Charlotte. Goodbye, Ethan.” He walked out the door to the waiting horse. Phillip galloped away without looking back. He couldn’t bear to see Charlotte standing at the window, watching him ride away and out of her life. It was better this way, he told himself. His mind believed him, but his heart did not.
Chapter 17
Charlotte watched Phillip ride down the drive until he was out of sight. The day was warm, but she felt cold and empty inside. Watching him leave was like watching a piece of herself go as well. After all they had been through, life would seem dull. She would leave shortly, with Lord Norris, for the trip back home. Charlotte didn’t know how she could return home and pretend like everything was normal when her entire world felt topsy turvy at the moment.
Charlotte had changed in so many ways. There was strength and resilience in her now, which she may never have found if she hadn’t embarked upon this journey. She had survived trials and tribulations that many women would have succumbed to. Most importantly, she learned she could love someone and give herself completely to one man. Unfortunately, that man had just ridden out of her life. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she went to prepare for the day ahead.
Before long, the footman announced the carriage was ready to leave, and Charlotte made her way downstairs. Both Lord Norris and Captain Fitzsimmons waited to escort her out. She tried to look happy, but she saw in their eyes they weren’t fooled.
After saying goodbye to Captain Fitzsimmons, Charlotte took her seat in the carriage. Lord Norris entered and took the seat opposite her. They were on their way to Paris and then on to the coast. They didn’t plan to stay in Paris, so the journey would only take a few days, depending on the weather.
Lord Norris sensed Charlotte was not up to talking and did not engage her in conversation. She appreciated the kindness of being left to her thoughts. For once it was nice to travel without fearing for her life, but she felt lonely without Phillip. The prospect of seeing her family after such a long absence warmed Charlotte’s heart. Most likely her mother would never let her out of her sight again. She had to think of a proper story to explain why she had left so suddenly. She wondered if she should tell them about Nikoli. The questions and scenarios ran around her head, and, after a while, she fell asleep.
The jostling of the carriage awakened her sometime later. Charlotte’s neck was stiff from sleeping in such an odd position. Ethan was across from her reading a paper. He glanced up at her and smiled, “Did you have a nice nap?”
Charlotte rubbed her neck. “I will let you know, once I get the kinks out. How long was I asleep?”
“About an hour. We should be near Paris tonight.”
“Will we be going to the city?” Charlotte had stopped there with her mother and sister on their way to Austria.
“We will stay long enough to change horses. I have to make it to London in a timely fashion.”
“More work from Commander Barnes,” Charlotte stated.
Lord Norris raised his eyebrow. “The war stops for no one, Miss Bradley.”
“Please, call me Charlotte. After all, you have been so kind to me, and I feel like we have a good acquaintance.” This time her smile was genuine. She liked Phillip’s friends.
“Very well.” Lord Norris rested the paper on his lap. “Then you must call me Ethan. If there is anything you need once we are back in England, please do not hesitate to contact me. I consider you a friend, Charlotte. I know it can be difficult to go back to a normal life after the adventure you have had. If you want to talk, let me know.”
Ethan’s sincere offer touched Charlotte. She thanked him and settled back to watch the countryside.
They traveled through Paris the following morning, with Ethan acting as a tour guide. He pointed to interesting sites along the way, which made the trip more enjoyable than Charlotte had thought possible. By afternoon, they were back on the country roads, making their way to the coast and the awaiting ship. Charlotte was curious about how Ethan and the others had become spies. They were men of the upper class, and they certainly didn’t need to work to make a living.
“Ethan, might I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
Charlotte leaned forward in her seat, “How did you and the others start this? I mean, how did you come to do what you do, running all about, doing this secret work.”
“You mean, you never asked Phillip?”
Charlotte cast her eyes down at Phillip’s name. “We didn’t have much time to talk about such things.”
Ethan settled in to tell the story. “It was by accident. The three of us were on holiday in Italy. One night, as we returned home, we heard a scuffle. Several men had cornered another chap and were arguing with him. We didn’t think much of it and were walking away when we heard the lone man speak. He was English.”
“You couldn’t leave a fellow Englishman alone,” Charlotte surmised.
“Of course not. So, we turned back to check on him, and the poor man was getting a beating. We rescued him and sent the other blokes on their way with broken noses to remember us by.”
Charlotte could imagine Phillip, Ethan, and Hugh in a street brawl. She pictured Phillip’s hard body, stealthily dodging blows. The thought of him sent a shiver of desire down her spine.
Ethan continued, “We found out the gentleman was there on assignment. He was trying to find some artifacts which had been stolen. We helped him, and he told us he worked for Sir Darnley. When we came back home, the fellow told Sir Darnley how we had helped him, and Sir Darnley asked us if we wanted to help the cause. We said yes, and the rest is history.”
“But why would you risk your life? You all have titles. What is there to gain? Aren’t you afraid?”
Ethan answered her questions with one of his own, “Charlotte, why did you help Phillip?”
“It was the right thing to do. There was no one else to deliver the information since Nikoli had been shot. If I hadn’t agreed to the mission, the information would have been lost. I couldn’t let that happen because it was vital for the war efforts.”
“And so, you have answered your own question. We do it because it needs to be done. It does not matter if we have titles or not. The important thing is that the job gets done, and we are the ones who step up to do it. We don’t do it for glory; it is a complete secret that we exist. There is no monetary gain either. We do it because our country is depending on us to keep it safe when there is no one else to do it.”
His answer did not surprise Charlotte. It was what Phillip had told her. They were the only ones to do the job because others would not.
“I don’t think Phillip wanted to leave you.” Charlotte’s eyes widened at Ethan’s words. “But he knew it was his duty. He had his orders, and Comman
der Barnes wouldn’t let anyone else go in his place.”
Charlotte averted her gaze. Talk of Phillip was inevitable, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready for it.
“You love him, don’t you?” Ethan asked, but he already knew the answer. After all, he had watched Charlotte throw herself into Phillip’s arms when he had walked out of the barn. She had clung to him as if she never wanted to let go.
Afraid to speak, Charlotte nodded.
Ethan sighed, “I thought as much. If it helps, I’m sure Phillip loves you.”
Charlotte’s heart skipped a beat when she heard those words, but she longed to hear them from Phillip. She felt defeated and slumped back in her seat. “What does it matter. He is riding away from us as we speak. Besides, I don’t think Phillip is interested in me or love.”
“Then he is a fool. Hugh and I told him as much last night.”
Charlotte sat at attention. “If Phillip loves me, then why didn’t he tell me before he left?”
“He has this crazy idea that you would be better off without him. He wants you to go home and have some time apart. Phillip believes your feelings will change once you are back home.”
Charlotte was indignant, “That’s ridiculous. I’m old enough to know my mind, and I know I love Phillip.”
“He is under the notion that you will go home and find someone else to love. He felt it would be selfish to declare his love when he might get injured or worse during his next mission. In wanting to protect you, he decided for both of you.”
Charlotte shook her head, “All this time, I thought Phillip mistrusted me because of what happened to him in the past. I assumed he was leery of any female who showed him attention, but it’s not me whom he doesn’t trust, it’s himself.
The Way to a Spy’s Heart: A Steamy Victorian Historical Spy Series (Romancing Intrigue Book 1) Page 14
