Page 46 of Untaming Lady Violet
“So, this would simply be for appearances?”
“Yes. And for a bit of pleasure, if you agree,” Tristan said.
“You will kiss me... and touch me, as you did before?” Violet asked hesitantly. “But you will not make me your mistress?”
“Yes and no.” He deliberately kept his response cryptic.
“You won’t entertain Lady Fiona while helping me,” Violet asserted with unexpected fierceness. “I will not compete with that woman, even if our arrangement is a false one.”
Tristan had serious doubts of just how counterfeit things might be between them, but he nodded in agreement. “I’ve no interest in that woman. Shall I prove it right now?”
“How? Lady Fiona isn’t here.”
“Good thing, too,” Tristan murmured. “This demonstration is strictly for your benefit. Besides, she would be terribly jealous if she saw me do this.”
Chapter 19
With soft tenderness, Tristan staked his claim.
First, he nibbled the outer edges of Violet’s succulent lips, reveling in the little gasp of pleasure she emitted. Drawing the fullness of her bottom lip into the grip of his teeth, he gave it a series of lazy nips until she shuddered in response. Her hands came up, reflexively clutching his shoulders and the material of his robe.
Next came a full invasion of her mouth. No part was left undiscovered. His tongue swept along hers, encouraging her to mimic his actions. When she became bolder, meeting him halfway and feinting his tongue with her own, Tristan delved deeper, sweeping through and drinking her in.
She was so damned sweet, so responsive and warm, it was easy to get lost in her. To drown in her splendor. If it were possible to kiss her forever, he would happily do so.
But there were more accessible parts of her now. Areas he’d dreamed of seeing laid bare were pressing against him, her soft sighs ambrosia to his senses. With slow, careful movements, he let his hands coast down her sides, measuring the span of her waist through the thin robe before finally cupping the outside curves of her breasts.
Like an untried filly, Violet stiffened under the heavy weight of his hands. Tristan did not relent. With no words, he coaxed her into returning his kisses until she gradually relaxed. Sinking back against the wall, she did not voice a protest when he moved even closer. One of her hands curled around the back of his neck with such desperation it seemed she required his strength to hold herself up.
Then her fingers knotted in his hair, and Tristan found he was the one groaning with desire.
Tearing his mouth from hers, he set about exploring the elegant curve of her neck.
“I could feast on you all day, Violet. All night. And still find myself hungry for more,” he murmured in between open-mouthed kisses and half-gentle, half ravenous bites of her flesh.
With every rake of his teeth, Violet shivered. “I—I think I would like that.”
He nipped her ear with a chuckle. “I’ll make damn sure that you do. Tell me, kitten. Did you enjoy what we did together in my studio?”
While he spoke, the ribbons to her nightgown were being undone. When he spread the edges of the robe apart, followed by the bodice of the gown, more of her body was exposed.
Violet swallowed hard.
“Yes. It was wonderful. But…” Her words trailed away as Tristan sucked in a breath at the sight of her.
Violet Everstone was absolute perfection. Creamy white breasts crowned with nipples of the palest rose hue could be considered works of art. Long auburn red hair curled in shimmery splendor around the full, lush curves.
Tristan wanted a taste of her so badly, his mouth was watering. With hands rough and gentle, he caressed the glowing bare flesh.
“I know, sweetheart. That damned interruption wasn’t kind to either of us. There’s more. So much more. Will you let me show you?”
Violet quickly nodded, meeting his gaze when he cupped her chin in the palm of his hand. “Yes, Tristan. I felt… empty when we left your studio that afternoon. As though I were supposed to be filled with… something… but it was snatched away instead. I cannot explain such an odd feeling. Frustrating and exciting at the same time. I liked it and hated it.”
“I can remedy that,” he soothed. “Can I take this off you? Yes? When you want this to end, or if I should move too quickly, you only have to tell me. I will stop immediately. Do you trust me to do that, Violet?”
“I trust you, Tristan.” She bit her lip, eyes darkening to the shade of the flower she was named for.
She trusts me.
