The Secret to a Spy’s Heart: A Steamy Victorian Historical Spy Series (Romancing Intrigue Book 4)

by Laura Shipley

  Louis did not love her. He might desire her body, but nothing deeper. It made sense. He had loved Michelle. She was kind and gentle whereas Colette was rough around the edges, too independent. Louis had said before that she was a survivor and could take care of herself. He assumed she did not want or need anyone in her life, but he was wrong. Colette would not act the sniveling woman, clinging to him, begging for his love. No, she would play by her own rules and would revel in what time they had until it was over.

  “I understand,” she answered.

  “Do you? Every time I see you, all I can think about is being inside you, of hearing your moans as we make love. Your pure unabashed passion is intoxicating. I have never felt this way about another woman. Michelle was too delicate. The scars from her past made it difficult for her to let go when we were intimate, and I respected her wishes. But with you, I feel we can truly take the greatest fulfillment in our lovemaking.”

  Her heart sank. It was as she had guessed. He craved her body, nothing more. It would have to be enough. Already her body hummed from his proximity. The thin silk of her nightgown felt too heavy, too hot when he stood so close. The raw hunger in his eyes made her junction pulse with need.

  “Louis, you don’t have to be alone tonight—or any night while I’m here.”

  On a sharp intake of air, Louis pressed his lips against hers. The kiss spoke of possession, of all-consuming infatuation. They enveloped one another in their arms, both giving into their carnal desires. Colette let him remove her night dress, and a moment later she lifted his shirt over his head.

  Louis entwined his hand in her hair and positioned her mouth for his tongue’s invasion. He swept into her, hard and demanding. The ferocity of his embrace let Colette know how much he wanted her. His erection brushed against her abdomen, begging to be freed. Colette wanted to taste his cock in her mouth. Other girls had told her of their experiences and that it drove men wild.

  Without hesitation, she opened his pants and slipped her hand around his iron hard staff. His dick came to life in her hand. A long moan vibrated in Louis’s throat. A moment later, she broke the kiss and was down on her knees. She took a second to admire his hefty manhood, nestled within his silver-blonde hair. A drop of moisture appeared out of the tip. She glanced up at Louis.

  He stood there, like a golden deity, enveloped by the light of the fire. This was all hers, to kiss and worship as she pleased.

  “This is what you do to me, sweet Colette.” He rubbed his hand over his shaft. “You make me hard and ache with desire. You make me want to bury myself inside you until there is nothing left in this world but us, but you don’t have to do this.”

  “I want to taste you, Louis. You have given me so much. I want to explore you.” She licked the small droplet. A curse passed his lips. “I want to pleasure you.”

  Louis grabbed her hair, forcing her to look at him. As they locked gazes, Colette’s arousal grew. She never thought being on her knees before a man would make her so wet. The slight tug on her hair made her core throb.

  “Anything you do gives me pleasure, Colette.”

  He released her hair, and she turned her attention back to the treat dangling in front of her. She licked her lips, then took him into her mouth. The saltiness of his juices tickled her taste buds. Her tongue played with his tip, swirling, and nipping around the opening. With her other hand, she encircled his cock and worked her hand up and down.

  Soon, she had a rhythm, sucking him deeper with every advancement. Louis was well endowed, but Colette opened her mouth wider, wanting to take in every inch. His fingers once again laced through her hair, giving her a gentle push.

  After a few more strokes, he was pumping inside her wet mouth while her hand worked the rest of his length into a frenzy. Louis threw his head back and her name came out between his gritted teeth. “God, you feel so good, my love. You will make me come.”

  At those words, Colette worked him harder. She hollowed her cheeks, increasing the pressure on his cock. He was close, but before she had the reward of tasting his release, Louis pulled her off his member and drove his tongue into her mouth.

  Their tongues dueled for supremacy, each wanting to be the master. Hands were everywhere, and somehow they ended up on the bed. Colette was unable to catch her breath—Louis was all over her. His mouth continued its sensual assault while one hand went to her breast to fondle her nipple, and he put his other hand between her legs. The sexual heat between them built until the inferno could not be contained.

  Of their own accord, her legs spread wide for him. There was no denying that she hungered for his touch. His skilled fingers found her pearl and worked her until she was bucking on his hand. She broke the kiss. A groan of satisfaction left her lips. He inserted his fingers into her ready channel, and she arched into his caress.

  Her words were breathless. “Please, Louis.”

  “Tell me what you want.”

  She gasped when his fingers found the spot buried inside her. “I want you to make me yours.”

  “You already are.” He swept into her mouth with an earth-shattering kiss. “You will always be mine.” With a curl of his fingers, she succumbed to the euphoria of release.

  She gasped and whined as she hurtled into oblivion. Before she could come down completely, he thrust his bulging cock inside her. As he filled her, Colette surrendered to the passion she could only know in Louis’s arms.

  *******

  Lord, she was perfection. With each stroke and moan, she took a piece of his heart. When she had taken him into her mouth, he had been sure he would die from the sweet torture. Her sensual mouth had made it almost impossible not to finish right away. It had taken every bit of willpower not to fuck her mouth until he exploded.

  Now he was fully sheathed inside her depths, utterly lost to the carnal possession which came each time he coupled with Colette. He pounded into her harder with an animalistic urge to conquer. Colette’s moans grew louder as they climbed the precipice. Her fingers clawed the sheets as her back came off the bed, and she threw her head back in abandon. Another stroke and her channel clamped down on him. Her warm cum bathed his cock. There was no question Colette was his. Louis was already addicted to her, and the only remedy was a lifetime together.

  Leaning forward, he tasted her lips. The sound of their bodies meeting with each thrust echoed in the silent room, only interrupted by their sounds of unabashed pleasure. Louis broke the kiss long enough to see Colette’s lips swollen and her body slick with sweat.

  “Louis, I need more,” she whispered in a throaty voice.

  “As you command.”

  In one swift motion, he unsheathed himself, flipped Colette over and brought her plump ass into the air. A second later, he entered her wet pussy again. The angle buried his shaft further, penetrating to her molten core. He took up his sweet, torturous rhythm and grabbed her ample hips to guide them.

  “How does that feel my darling?” He rocked into her.

  “God, yes. It’s wonderful. You’re so deep.”

  He rode her body like a man possessed, with a driving hunger only her body could fulfill. Louis smelled the scent of her arousal, perfume to his nose. He was the reason she was wild, begging for more. He was the only man who could give her what she desired. With each thrust, he branded her as his forever. He wanted to scream the words out loud, tell Colette he loved her, but he bit his tongue. Instead, he would show her with his body what he would not allow himself to say with words, not yet.

  Finally, Louis knew he found the spot. Colette’s gasps grew louder, and she cried out encouragement. She was close, and she looked beautiful caught in the throes of passion. He rammed his rod into her with a primal urge to release his seed.

  The tension in his balls tightened until he felt the current rush to his dick. Colette pushed down as he rocked forward, causing him to tickle the delicate spot secreted inside her, setting off a cataclysmic reaction. On a mutual cry, they climaxed, bodies shuddering at the strengt
h of their coupling.

  Louis spilled inside Colette as her muscles convulsed around him. He pounded into her once more before his legs gave out. He rolled onto his side, still buried inside his prison of sensuality. The pair cradled together as they panted, basking in the afterglow. It had been the single most satisfying intercourse Louis had ever had, on multiple levels. The connection between them could not be denied.

  Finally, Louis separated from Colette. He grabbed the cloth from her wash basin and gently cleaned them both. After he finished, he returned to bed and held her in his arms. Colette laid her head on his chest. The smell of her rose soap tickled his nose.

  He kissed her head. “Get some rest. The next few days will be exhausting, but we will have each other to lean on.”

  Colette turned her face up to him. “Yes, we have each other,” she said and kissed him once more before settling into sleep.

  The next day came too soon for Louis. The first streaks of daylight peeked through the curtain, reminding him of where he was and that he could not linger. Regrettably, he pulled himself away from the slumbering Colette. He quickly pulled on his pants and crept back to his own bedchamber.

  In a few hours, the house would be bustling with guests and their servants. It would be best to get an early start and see to any last-minute preparations. Once in his room, Louis waited another hour before calling for his valet. He busied himself with work in the office until breakfast.

  When he entered the dining room, Colette sat to his left. He paused a moment to study her. Their eyes met. She did not look away shyly or do anything that would let anyone know what they had shared last night. It seemed Colette had already readied herself for the next few days. He gave a nod of greeting and took his seat. During breakfast, they checked with the housekeeper and butler to make sure all was ready.

  Shortly before noon, the first carriages arrived. A light lunch buffet had been set so the guests could dine as they pleased. Within a few hours, the house was abuzz with noise. Servants bustled about in all directions, each with their own task to do.

  The ladies retired to their rooms for the afternoon to rest for dinner. Louis did not see much of Colette once everyone arrived. She was busy playing hostess and making sure everyone was comfortable. He admired her for taking everything in stride.

  They had made introductions as people arrived, and dinner that night included another round of pleasantries. Louis and Colette moved about the room, ensuring that everyone was satisfied with their quarters and had had an enjoyable meal. When the men stayed behind after dinner to drink their port, he made sure to pay more attention to Monsieur Gobeil.

  “How was your meal, my friend?” Louis patted Gobeil’s shoulder.

  “Ah, it was fantastic, Louis. I may need to steal your chef away.”

  Louis chuckled. “I am glad you enjoyed it. By the end of the week, you may need to let your trousers out.”

  “My wife may not be too happy, but it will be worth it.”

  Louis offered Gobeil a cigar. “How are things in finance?”

  “The usual—not enough money and too much debt. This war is draining our coffers. Although I am sorry I did not invest in some munition factories. Those fellows are making a fortune.”

  “War can be profitable for some people. I myself am looking into a private venture.”

  Gobeil leaned forward in his chair. “Really? Does it look promising?”

  “Possibly. There are still issues to work out.”

  “Is there room for other partners?” His old friend raised a brow.

  “I will check with my contact, but there may be things he requires from you and your contacts in the government.” Louis met Gobeil’s curious stare. Would he take the bait? Next to Chabot, Gobeil was the greediest of the group.

  “Can you tell me anything else? I need more information before I can commit to such a project.”

  Louis grinned. “Perhaps we can speak about this further later on in the week, somewhere more private.”

  Gobeil nodded his head in agreement.

  “Now, I think we should join the ladies.” Louis stood and led the men to the salon, where the women awaited them. It was a start, he thought. When he entered the room, he immediately joined Colette. She was speaking to Monsieur and Madame Marion. As the group conversed, Louis slipped his arm around Colette’s waist. She ever so slightly leaned into his embrace. The remainder of the evening went smoothly, and at last their guests retired.

  Earlier in the evening Louis had asked Colette to meet him in his room at midnight. He wanted to make sure she had held up on the first day. Just after the appointed hour, he heard a knock on the door. Colette stood in her night dress with a shawl covering her shoulders.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked as he closed the door behind her.

  “Tired. I never realized how exhausting it could be just talking to people.” She gave a quick laugh. “Some of those ladies could make gossiping their profession.”

  “That is how many in the upper class spend their time.”

  “I know. I’m so glad you are not one of them.”

  Louis placed a tender kiss on her lips. As much as he wanted to make love to her, he knew tonight was not the time. Even so, he still wanted to hold her. “Will you spend the night?”

  Colette chewed her lower lip.

  “We need not do anything except sleep. You are my mistress, remember? Everyone assumes we are sharing a bed, so you need not be embarrassed. Besides, this may be the only time we can be alone and talk freely.”

  She sighed. “You are right, on both counts. I will stay.”

  He could not stop the large grin that formed. He took her hand and led her to the bed. After removing her shawl, he pulled the covers back so she could slide in. Louis followed and brought her against his larger frame. It felt good to just hold her and be together. They spoke a few more minutes about plans for the following day before sleep overtook them.

  They rose around nine the next morning. A maid informed them that only a few guests had asked for their breakfast so far. They had planned no outings or activities until the afternoon, figuring some people would sleep late. Today would start the real work. Louis was acquainted with all the guests by name, but some he was more familiar with than others. It was imperative he learn as much as he could during this week.

  CHAPTER 22

  The next few days flew by in a whirl. Colette could not remember the last time she had been so busy. Each morning, she met with the staff to go over the activities and meals for the day. Everything went as planned. The food was splendid, the wine perfectly aged, and the desserts heavenly. She did not know how the chef came up with so many delicious dishes.

  The morning hours were quiet, with many guests sleeping until noon, especially if they had imbibed too much the previous night. One morning the men went hunting and a few ladies joined, including Colette. They hired musicians for entertainment one evening and even had circus performers another night. Lawn games and riding filled the afternoons.

  Throughout the week, Colette made time to speak with each female guest. It amazed her how easily their tongues wagged, even about their fellow houseguests. Colette learned some useful and sometimes startling information. Madame Lesage, in particular, was most interesting. She had inherited her husband’s estate on his death and was keen on increasing her fortune. Colette found herself in the precarious situation of liking the woman. In other circumstances, they might have become friends.

  Madame Lesage had not outright said, in any way, that she was willing to betray her country. Her pursuits seemed to be purely driven by money. Colette had a soft spot for the woman because of her love for Monsieur Paulin. They were an odd couple, but when they were together, it was clear that they cared for one another. Unless it was necessary, Colette had already decided she would not name them on any list given to Jacques. She could not bear to see them arrested. There were plenty of other candidates, some of whom already had a long list of crimes.


  Each night, she and Louis would meet and discuss what news they had gathered. There would be plenty of material to give the Fox if it came down to it. The more time Colette spent around the upper class, the more she longed for her old life. At least on the streets you knew where you stood with people. There was no hiding behind fancy houses and expensive clothing. Everyone was on equal footing if no one had anything to lose.

  After their discussions, they would make love. It was the happiest Colette had ever been. To know that each night she would be with Louis was almost more than she could have hoped.

  Soon, the week ended. The ball was the next evening, then the following day the guests would leave. It would be back to Paris for them as well, back to the cold reality of war and espionage. Colette deplored going back. She wanted to stay with Louis in the country. The children would love it here. She could picture them running up and down the garden paths or riding horses over the lawn. It would be heaven to have them here with her and Louis.

  The night of the ball, Colette put the finishing touches on her wardrobe as Louis came into her room. The trousers Louis wore were tailored and tapered at the ankles to show the shape of his calves. Under his dinner jacket peeked a paisley waistcoat with an impeccably shaped necktie. It was no wonder she had noticed many of the ladies sneaking peeks at Louis behind their fans. He was one of the younger, more attractive gentlemen in attendance. Colette had experienced a few pangs of jealousy, but when they met and his hand would brush over hers or he wrapped his arm around her, she would smile. Louis belonged to her, for whatever amount of time they had.

  “You look absolutely stunning,” he said when he entered.

  The dressmaker had outdone herself with the gown. The dress was a soft sky-blue silk with swaths of silver fabric arranged throughout the material of the full skirt. The waist cinched snuggly, and Colette prayed her corset would not pop if she took a deep breath.

  Louis’s eyes swept down to her exposed décolletage. The heat of his stare made her nipples harden. Now was not the time, she scolded herself. Tonight was their last chance to obtain the information the Fox required.