Page 22 of The Marquess's Scandalous Game
A rough groan escaped him as he laid her back on the sofa and raised her nightdress. Emma felt the air cool her heated skin. Leo slowly ran the tips of his fingers from her shin to her thighs and back again. Emma quaked and trembled at his feather-light touch. He moved her nightdress up to her chest exposing more of her. Slowly and seductively, his gaze swept over her, and she could not tear her gaze away from him. Emma flushed when he lifted her hips and removed her drawers.
Leopold sat Emma up on the sofa and removed her remaining garments. She flushed under the scrutiny of his gaze then he kneeled before her and took one breast in his hand, flicking his finger over a nipple as he claimed her mouth. Kissinghim was exotic. His mouth was hot, wicked, demanding, and indulgent. She wanted more. She wanted it all.
Emma groaned with pleasure at the delicious ache when he squeezed her nipple, but it was nothing compared to the jolt that shook her core when he took her nipple into his mouth and kissed it. While he kissed her, she felt the light feather touch return to her thigh and then her belly. He did not touch the core of her but she wanted him to. A heat that she could not explain had ignited there.
Emma grabbed his hair and pulled him closer when his finger lightly touched her between the thighs. The touch was fleeting before he removed his hand, and she wanted to feel the thrill of his touch on the core of her. Emma gasped when finally, his hands returned to tease the cleft between her legs where his finger parted her and found her molten core. He massaged her nub slowly before he dipped his finger into her core, and she could feel silky wetness. Emma could hardly form a thought when he laid her back on the sofa and slightly spread her legs. He lowered his head then, and she felt his hot breath on her inner thigh before his tongue licked her.
Emma held on to his head as he licked her slowly, wanting more, needing more until he clamped his lips on her pulsating core and she groaned. He moved his tongue over and over increasing his intensity, flickering over her folds and core until she screamed. His fingers dripped with her release. She trembled all over and she was sure, if she was to stand, her knees would not support her. She heard his ragged breathing as he sat beside her on the sofa and gathered her in his arms so that her head rested against his shoulder. He kissed her forehead. Emma’s breathing slowly returned to normal as she recalled her wanton scream.
“I wanted you to kiss me, my lord.”
“I know, my sweet Emma. After what we have just shared, I insist you call me Leopold when we are alone.”
Emma lifted her head from his shoulders. “Leopold, you will be my Leo. I quite enjoyed my first kiss.”
“You will be the first to call me Leo.”
“Well, I like that I am your first.”
He brushed his lips against hers. “We will have a lifetime of kisses, but for now, you, my dear, will return to your bedchamber.”
Leo helped her to dress and escorted her back to her bedchamber. Emma opened the door and turned to him expectantly. He gave her a final kiss as they bid each other good night. Emma closed the door and crawled under her quilt. Her body still burned like slow embers, and she touched her swollen lips. If Leo would kiss her like this to her heart’s content perhaps being married was not so bad after all.
It was the maid who roused Emma the next morning, and she was embarrassed to have slept so late. Apparently, she missed breakfast because it was an early affair. Her siblings had been up early, no doubt anxious to see more of Adlington’s grounds. Everyone else was gathered downstairs patiently awaiting her arrival. The maid helped her to dress and led her downstairs to the drawing room where her family was gathered. She had only just sat when the door opened and Leo entered.
“Emma, I hope you rested well.” His gaze flickered over her momentarily.
After your ravishing kiss, Leo, I most certainly did.“Never better, my lord; in fact, I overslept.”
“It must be the fresh country air at Adlington. It always does me well.” There was a twinkle in his eyes, and Emma realized he was teasing her.
“Please follow me.” He spun around and Cora, Anna, William, Louise, and Percy rushed past Emma. Her father stepped in beside her and they walked to the main entrance.
“The grounds are quite lovely, Emma, and we have been blessed with good weather. I went for a stroll this morning.”
“I cannot wait to enjoy it, Father.”
Emma was surprised to find that when she entered the courtyard Lord Adlington was showing her siblings bats and balls for cricket. They were very excited at the prospect of having a game. Cora was sixteen, William thirteen, Anna twelve, Louise ten, and Percy was nine years old. Leo showed them to the picnic area shaded under the large trees, and not far off was the cricket pitch. The children all had their bats, and Percy ran towards father and grabbed his hand. Father would play a game too.
The picnic area had wooden benches and chairs. Emma took a seat and watched as Leo and her father explained the rules of the game. Shortly thereafter, a few of the servants came from the hall and they were divided into teams. Percy would be one of the first to bat, and she realized he had a smaller bat which was suitable for his age. Emma’s eyes welled up when he hit his first ball and set off running. There was such a prideful grin on his little face and all his siblings cheered him, even those on the opposing team.
They played for a few hours before the servants brought food to the table. The food signaled a pause in the game, and they had an enjoyable meal.
“Will you walk with me, Miss Corbett. We shall not go far, and everyone will be able to see us on the path,” Leo said, his arms outstretched towards the well-worn path.
Emma flashed him a wide smile. “I would like that, my lord.”
They set off, strolling among the conifer trees.
“I must thank you, Leo. You warmed my heart today.” She was happy and somehow, she wanted him to know it.
He gave a soft command. “Tell me.”
Emma raised her face towards the warm afternoon sun. “It has been such a long time since father spent any quality time with the children. To be frank, he has not been at home as much as when my mother … well, father always had a reason to be away from us.”
“I am delighted that I brought you some comfort, and as your husband, it will be my mission to bring you pleasure.”
Emma’s steps faltered when she remembered reaching her pleasure last night. She recovered quickly and gave him a bold stare. “And will you teach me how to pleasure you, Leo?”
