Page 4 of A Duke But No Gentleman
He shrugged.“I’ve lost count, you callous villain.”
The marquess laughed.“And how many of those heartbroken and embittered wenches found solace in your bed?”
He grinned.“A few.”
Tristan shifted his position so he could rest his chin comfortably on his bent arm.He felt no embarrassment in observing Jewel as she moved as gracefully as a dancer while stroking her lover.Norgrave did not possess a dram of shame when it came to amorous displays.He was proud of his body, and his prowess as a lover.It excited him when others watched him take a woman.
In truth, Tristan was not as immune to the couple’s love play as he feigned.It was not difficult to recall the softness of Jewel’s skin, the silk of her dark tresses against his face, or the quiet sigh that always escaped her lips when he filled her.His testicles tightened at the thought.
His hand moved to his thigh.What he felt was lust, but it wasn’t Jewel or Eunice that he hungered for—any woman would do.His duties to his family and his lands filled his days and nights, and he had little time for a demanding mistress.It was unlike him to deny his appetites, but he had not minded his self-imposed celibacy.As he observed Norgrave with Jewel and Eunice, his thoughts turned inward and drifted as he considered searching for an amenable lady who would satisfy him in bed while he was in London.He was not as hard-hearted toward his lovers as Norgrave, but he preferred an uncomplicated arrangement.
There was also Norgrave to consider.
Although he would be the first to heartily cheer if Tristan took a mistress this season, he would also place demands on his time.With his thoughts spinning in his mind like wooden puzzle pieces, he had not noticed that Eunice had left the bed at Norgrave’s whispered request.It wasn’t until she knelt beside the sofa that his gaze focused on her face.
“Your Grace, do I please you?”Eunice asked in a soft hesitant voice.
Tristan studied the naked woman offering herself.He had barely glanced at her when Jewel had introduced her, since he had only planned to toast Norgrave on his victory and retire for the evening.He wasn’t surprised that his friend had other plans.As he took a closer look at Eunice’s face, he could find little fault in it.He deduced her age fell somewhere between twenty and twenty-five, but it was difficult to tell with the cosmetics she had applied to her face.Her body was a bit too slender for his tastes, but her limbs were well formed and unblemished.He glanced at Jewel and wondered if this had been her strategy all along, since it was obvious the young woman was her current protégée.If he needed a mistress while he resided in London, why not invite Eunice into his bed?Her thoughtfulness would spare him the time it would take to find a willing woman on his own.
Unfortunately, Jewel was too busy pleasuring his friend to confirm his suspicions.
Since the woman was expecting some sort of answer from him, Tristan shifted his gaze back to Eunice.“You are quite lovely, my dear.Nevertheless, I am quite content with my brandy and thoughts.Nor would I wish to deprive Norgrave of your company.”
Her face fell with disappointment.“But he said—”
From across the room, Norgrave seemed to choke with laughter.“Tristan, don’t be an arse.If your cock gets any stiffer, the buttons on the flap of your breeches will pop.”
“Tend to your own business,” Tristan snapped, as he glanced down and noted the prominent bulge at the front of his breeches.It was pointless, but he tried to conceal his arousal with his hand.If he had the capability to blush, he would have in that moment.
The marquess snorted, and delivered a hard slap on the courtesan’s buttock.“And you, to yours, my friend.”Jewel gasped in surprise as Norgrave pushed her onto her back and covered her.He growled against her throat and she laughed in delight.
Tristan started at Eunice’s touch.She had moved closer while he had been distracted.Her left breast brushed against his thigh as she reached for the buttons at the front of his breeches.
He placed his hand over her fingers as she worked the first few buttons free.“Pray ignore my friend.I did not lie.I have no expectations.If you wish to return—”
“I do not, Your Grace.”She tipped her face earnestly upward.The manner in which her hair tangled around her face was quite charming.His high opinion of her increased, when she boldly slipped her hand into his breeches and curled her fingers around his engorged cock.“You have your thoughts and brandy.Leave this to me.”
His left leg slipped from the cushion as his legs parted until his foot rested on the floor.Eunice accepted his silent invitation, and crawled closer until she could press her breasts against the apex of his thighs.Tristan did not stop her when she pulled down the flap of his breeches and released the hot length she stroked with eagerness.There was no point denying the fact that he was aroused, and Eunice’s shy offer had eroded his restraint.
Any female will do.
Norgrave, the arrogant bastard, had deduced his needs even before he had.
From his friend’s point of view, the woman admiring his cock was merely a means to an end.Norgrave did not truly care which woman Tristan bedded as long as he ceased behaving like a bore.
The realization dampened his ardor.
He detested being manipulated.Eunice sharply inhaled when he abruptly grabbed her by the hair to stop her from lowering her head.Their gazes met.One held bridled anger and the other pain and fading lust.
“Let me pleasure you, Your Grace.”
Without waiting for his reply, her tongue shot between her lips and she licked the head of his cock.The muscles in his stomach rippled and he swallowed the groan forming in his throat.
“Bloody hell, woman.Are you trying to kill me?”
Eunice’s eyes crinkled in mischief.“I’ll give you my answer in the morning.”
Her lips parted and this time Tristan gently guided her mouth to his straining arousal.Eunice opened her mouth wider and she took as much of his rigid length as she could.He clenched his teeth as she held onto the base of his cock to control the depth of his thrusts.
