Page 58 of The Duke's Wicked Widow
Suddenly, he was moving again, steering her toward the back door after the amorous couple. The alleyway was dark, wider than she’d expected. At least the horrid scents were missing, and a bit of moonlight cut through the clouds above.
Fawkes pulled her deeper into the alley and Ellie followed. Not quite eagerly, but not scared. Shecouldn’tbe scared, and dash it all,why not? The man was a poisoner, a criminal with a horrid sobriquet.
But she still felt safe with him.
He pulled her to a stop and spun her about. She felt him slam into the brick wall, but he took the impact on his shoulder and protected her. Before she could thank him, his arms snaked around her.
He was breathing as heavily as her when one of his arms crossed in front of her stomach, yanking her back flush against him. The other hand rose and cupped her throat.
“Ye see that,milady?”he hissed against her ear. “Ye see what they’re doing?”
When Ellie swallowed, she felt his callused palm against the sensitive skin of her throat. His hold kept her immobile, his breath sending shivers down her spine.
With her eyes closed, she answered him truthfully, giving her head a little shake.
“Thenlisten.”
Yes.
Oh yes.
Somewhere ahead of her in the darkness of the alley, she could hear it; the soft sighs, the giggles, the grunts. The slap of wet flesh coming together. The heavy breathing.
And her pulse jumped.
She wondered if he could feel it.
Had she thought it arousing to watch those women being touched?Hearingwhat was happening ahead, knowing what those sounds meant, what sensuous journey they were embarking on…
Ellie shivered, unconsciously squeezing her thighs together to assuage the damp heat of her core.
“Ye ken what that is?”
God in heaven, why did his growl make her want to moan? Ellie arched her back, her throat pressing forward into his hold, her arse backward against…againsthim.
His member was hard and thick, and she felt relief that he wasn’t unaffected.
“Y—Young love?” she gasped.
His chuckle was harsh. “She’s awhore, Ellie. She works these streets. Her name is Lottie and she fooks men for money.”
That absolutely shouldnotbe arousing.
It was.
“You—you know her?”
Fawkes’s hand, the one over her stomach, rose to cup her breast. Even through the wool of her coat and her gown, she felt him, and this time, didn’t halt the moan from slipping through her lips.
“These are my people, Ellie. I work here, among them.”
Was it her imagination, or did his cock throb, probing at her arse?
“As a chemist.”
Another harsh bite of laughter and the hand on her breast squeezed, sending flames through her body.
She dropped her head backward against his chest, welcoming his touch.
