Page 58 of A Lady Most Wayward
‘I will not allow you to be a liability for the rest of us,’ were her exact words. Hardly flattering, even if they were true.
But she is right. I will not be the weak link in this chain of warriors.
Clearing her mind of swirling thoughts, she exhaled and focused on pushing volatile emotions out of her chest until she was completely calm.
‘You are not as hopeless as you think, Olivia. You just let feelings get the better of you.’ Philippa circled around Olivia, forcing her to pivot as she tracked the duchess. But she left Olivia a small opening. Acting on instinct, Olivia sprang forward, tackling her low around the waist. They crashed to the floor in a heap of skirts, tangled limbs, and loose hair, but Olivia was on top, giving her an advantage. She blocked the wild swing Philippa tried to deliver and caught one wrist, then the other, pinning both next to Philippa’s head. Sitting low on Philippa’s pelvis, she smiled triumphantly. ‘I suppose I’m not so hopeless after all. Even with all my uncontrolled emotions.’
Philippa struggled against her hold, but Olivia tightened her knees around Philippa’s hips, holding her in place. The duchess’ skirts made it impossible for her to use her legs to any advantage.
‘Fine. This round goes to you. Now kindly get off.’ Philippa spoke through clenched teeth as she bucked her hips, attempting to displace Olivia. But she had been listening to the lessons Philippa delivered and she was ready. Hunkering lower, her blonde curls fell loose, creating a curtain around their faces. They were both breathing hard, and Olivia was acutely aware of Philippa’s lithe body undulating beneath her, creating delicious friction against her core.
‘No. I don’t think I will.’ Olivia leaned closer and ran her nose from Philippa’s jaw to her ear, inhaling sweet jasmine and spicy frankincense. ‘I do have trouble controlling my emotions around you, Duchess, no matter how hard I try.’ She whispered the words into Philippa’s ear before sucking the lobe into her mouth and biting hard enough to stun the duchess into stillness. ‘I find myself wondering what might happen if I stopped trying.’ She nuzzled the soft skin just under Philippa’s jaw and pressed a kiss where the duchess’ pulse beat madly before sucking hard enough to leave a mark.
‘I’ve not seen these fighting tactics before.’ Philippa’s husky voice urged Olivia onward. Philippa shifted her hips, no longer trying to escape, but instead making space for Olivia’s thigh to nestle between her legs. Olivia bent her knee, pressing into the heat she could feel through Philippa’s layers of silk and crinoline. Philippa had taken control of their lovemaking last time. Now it was Olivia’s turn. She couldn’t admit the depths of her affection for Philippa. Not yet. But she could show the duchess exactly how much she wanted her.
‘I’ve no wish to fight you, Philippa.’ Olivia nibbled her way up the elegant column of Philippa’s throat, nipping her chin before she paused, her lips a breath away from Philippa’s. ‘I want to give you the same pleasure you gave me. Will you let me? Will you let go?’
Philippa’s body hardened. ‘Let go?’ Panic filled her blue gaze.
Olivia wasn’t sure what her question meant to Philippa, but she knew she was treading on very delicate ground. ‘Of your need to be in control. Can you let go and trust me to take care of you?’
Philippa exhaled, the tension in her softening, but Olivia’s curiosity was piqued.
What did you think I was asking? What has you so scared, Philippa?
‘I don’t need anyone to take care of me.’ Philippa tried to pull her wrists free from Olivia’s grip, but she wasn’t giving up so easily. She tightened her fingers, refusing to grant Philippa freedom.
‘You don’t need me to, but do you want me to?’ Olivia raised her brow and waited.
Philippa swallowed, her gaze flicking from Olivia’s eyes to her lips and back again.
‘Or are you too frightened?’ If nothing else would convince the stubborn woman, surely she could provoke Philippa by questioning her courage.
‘I’m not scared of you.’
‘Prove it.’ Olivia bent her head and pressed her mouth against Philippa’s, teasing the seam of her lips, waiting for the duchess to open.
Let me in, sweet woman.
Philippa’s body softened as her lips parted. Olivia plunged, triumph singing through her blood as she tasted the heady flavour unique to Philippa. Stronger than any whiskey and just as intoxicating.
‘Keep your hands where they are,’ she demanded between kisses as she released Philippa’s wrists and slid her hands down her toned arms, following the curve of her high neckline. ‘I dislike the cut of this dress.’ Clever fingers expertly worked at the onyx buttons until half of them were undone, and the tops of Philippa’s glorious breasts were exposed. Her pale skin glowed in contrast to the dark material.
‘Shall I inform Delacroix of your preferences?’ Philippa arched a brow, but her uneven breaths and the colour riding high on her cheeks belied the cool words.
Olivia didn’t answer. Her attention was focused elsewhere as she traced the lace-lined edge of the fine silk chemise covering Philippa’s dark-cherry nipples. She wore an under-bust corset, pushing her breasts up while leaving them deliciously exposed. Instead of pulling down the silk, Olivia stretched it tight. Philippa’s budded nipple pressed against the nearly transparent fabric and Olivia bent forward, licking through the material, catching the tip of her breast between her teeth, knowing the silk would dull the bite. Philippa cried out, her hips bucking, but Olivia gave her no quarter, nibbling, sucking, laving the sweet tip until she knew it ached, and then blowing on the wet silk. She sat back to admire her work. The fine material was now completely translucent. Philippa’s nipple, dark, swollen and puckered, was somehow more erotic covered in wet silk than nothing at all. Philippa’s cheeks were pink, her glorious hair in disarray as she thrashed her head from one side to another, her eyes closed, her wrists still by her head. Knowing they could be discovered at any moment added another thrill. This was forbidden. Naughty. And insanely arousing.
‘I wonder if I can make you climax just from this,’ Olivia mused, bending to the other breast and administering equal attention until Philippa cried out, her body tensing. Her legs clamped around Olivia’s knee. She knew what she would find under the duchess’ skirts. Her cleft would be wet and swollen. Needy still, even after one climax. Because a woman’s body could reach that shining pinnacle again and again. Each time more intense than the last. And Olivia wanted to see how high she could take the duchess before she finally flew.
‘That was… I haven’t ever come just from…’ Philippa’s hands were in Olivia’s hair, tugging her away.
Olivia sat back and caught Philippa’s wrists once more. ‘Oh no. We aren’t done yet. I’m just starting.’ She put her hands back over her head. ‘Don’t move, Duchess. Or I’ll stop.’
Trailing her hands on either side of Philippa’s cheeks, she smiled at the always controlled woman’s look of dazed confusion. ‘But I already climaxed.’
‘Once. Yes. But once is never enough with you. I want to see you come apart again.’
Philippa shook her head. ‘What about you?’
