Page 65 of A Whisper of Desire
He eased himself back against the headboard, gave himself over to pleasure. For the first time he did not worry about controlling his urges or desires. He felt safe with Marisa.
His fears eased as Marisa cupped his face, skimming his cheekbone with the pad of her thumb, coaxing his lips wider and slipping her thumb inside for him to suckle. A shudder wracked his frame as he drew her thumb deep into his mouth while watching his erection disappear inside her as she began to ride him more vigorously.
Soon he could not help but move too. His grip on her hips tightened as he thrust upward, her thumb left his mouth, and he bent to replace it with one of her turgid nipples. He suckled her, alternating between breasts. He loved how when he tugged a nipple deep into his mouth she ground down on him with a low moan.
Soon their cries grew in volume. He left off her breasts and sought her mouth, plunging his tongue deep. Feelings crushed his chest, not just desire but something warm and welcoming. He drew back and held her gaze in aching sweetness. An epiphany.He wasn’t his father.He wasn’t his father because he couldn’t imagine wanting to do this with any woman other than Marisa.
It wasn’t the act or position that was ramping his desire. It was Marisa. His wife. His partner in life.
“This feels so good. Only with you,” he said longingly, gripping her hips as pleasure took hold of him.
“I love you,” she cried, breathing hard.
She kissed him again. He let out an anguished groan as he thrust more deeply into her hot, wet heat. It was too good, too much. His powerful rhythm quickened as he took control, letting their fever climb to the peak. With heart racing, he couldn’t hold back. “Come for me, with me,” he commanded.
She dropped her head back, climaxing at his words, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, her swollen breasts crushed against his sweat-dampened skin. Maitland bucked and strained as he came, spilling himself inside her with a mighty roar.
She collapsed onto his chest, shudders washing through her body as her orgasm faded. He pressed a kiss to her cheek where it lay on his pounding heart. He owed this woman his life. For he realized he’d been living only half of one for so long.
—
They must have fallen asleep because the room was dark, no candles lit, and he could hear a soft knocking on the door.
“Your Grace. You requested I help you dress at ten.”
Gilbert, his valet.
He felt Marisa stir beside him. “What is it?” She pushed up on one elbow.
“Damn. We are supposed to be at the club tonight.” He pressed close to her, his member stirring. “I’d rather stay here with you.”
“We have the rest of our lives. It’s important we break Angelo and get the information he is withholding.”
With a sigh Maitland sat up and rubbed his hand over his face. “True.”
Grabbing his arm, Marisa said, “We go to the club together?”
Maitland shook her hand off. “After everything we discussed today, can’t you see I can’t have you on my conscience too. It’s too dangerous.”
Marisa nodded. “I understand that, but we are simply going to play cards. I’ll be by your side the entire night.”
The breath choked in his chest as he saw the determination in her eyes. He had to let her go with him.
“No going after the boy. Promise me, Marisa. I will have your word.”
Darn it.If she gave her word she could not go back on it. “Fine. No going after the boy. But when we have what we need from Angelo you have to promise me we go back for the boy.”
Maitland pulled her to him and kissed her soundly. “I can agree to that, little one.”
She smiled up at him, and as Maitland called for Gilbert to wait a moment, she made her way across the room to call for Susan to help her dress in her costume.
Chapter 16
The boredom she felt was unexpected. It had been exciting at first to watch Maitland play vingt-et-un. He started off keeping his winnings small, and then in the last half hour began to make bigger wagers. Watching how the game was played, she now understood how a man of Maitland’s ability with numbers could win against the house by memorizing the cards that had already been played.
Now she was bored and simply wanted the night to end. Instead, Marisa used this time to watch for Simon. She hadn’t seen either brother since arriving at the club two hours ago.
It would not be a good idea to ask after them either. She didn’t wish anyone to know of her interest, just in case they were being watched.
