Page 15 of Her Duke of Sin: Lady Be Wicked
“This day hasn’t gone as planned,” she said in a quiet tone.
“No,” he replied. “It hasn’t” His tone was as grave as hers had been. Was this some sort of sign? Should he stop pursuing her? Was the fates trying to tell him she wasn’t for him. That he didn’t deserve her?
“Gideon,” she said.
Whenever she said his name, it sent a jolt straight into his heart. Would that ever change? “Yes, darling?”
“Stop brooding,” she demanded. “And join me here.” She had settled on to the settee, but had spread the blanket over the threadbare cushions first.
He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. She was so lovely. Her clothes were wet, and her hair clung to her face and neck. He wanted to remove her clothes and taste every inch of her. She’d never allow it, but oh, he wanted it. “I don’t think that’s wise.”
“It is,” she insisted. “Come here,” she said again. “And kiss me.”
Gideon gaped at her. He hadn’t heard her correctly. Had he? For the first time that day, he stopped thinking, stopped questioning everything, and just acted on every instinct buried inside of him. He strode forward and sat beside her, and then pressed his lips to hers. The fire between them burst into a flame so fiery it burned them both. Who needed thoughts when they could have this?
Eight
Juliette allowed herself to fall. To give in, and accept him, and the affection she held for him. Her incessant overthinking had almost driven her mad. Instead of dwelling on all the things she was uncertain about she had decided to accept that she desired the Duke of Sin. Gideon had made her feel so much. All the emotions welling up inside of her were almost too much to bear. She had to let them free. Which was why she had demanded he kiss her. The need to feel his lips on hers had become impossible to ignore.
And now that he was kissing her…
She could never have imagined the freedom of allowing herself to give in to her own desires. Her skin was hot and every touch, every press of his lips to hers, every breath…each brought out even more pleasure. Juliette wanted to demand even more but then she would have to stop kissing him long enough to usher the words necessary. Instead, she leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She could not get close enough to him. Her desire overtook her, and she would give anything to be with him. To love him…
“You’re so lovely,” he said in a hoarse tone. “You undo me.”
“I…” She swallowed hard. How did she express what she wanted from him? Needed.. Juliette licked her swollen lips. “Gideon.” His name came out huskily almost like the invitation she hadn’t been able to voice.
“Yes, darling,” he asked. “Whatever you desire. It’s yours.”
“I only want you,” she told him. Her words came out breathy as the passion boiled over inside of her. How had she thought she could ever resist him?
“I’m yours,” he said huskily. “Always.”
He might mean those words now. But would he after he had what he wanted? She couldn’t believe them. Then she might hope, and that would be too dangerous for her heart. It was enough that he desired her in this moment, and she would savor their time together. She had to have this one day with him. A perfect interlude she would always hold dear in her heart. Juliette would not ruin this with unnecessary questions. “Then love me,” she told him. Even though she knew this passion between them had nothing to do with love. At least not on his part… “I want everything.”
“As do I,” he said, then pressed his lips to hers again.
She nearly sighed in relief, but she had little breath left to expel. He had stolen it all. No, she had willingly given it to him. He stole nothing from her. She belonged to him. Always. It didn’t matter if he ever returned her love. It only mattered that she adored him and for her, that was enough.
Gideon lowered his head and trailed kisses down her neck. Juliette was slowly losing control and nearly begged him for more. Somehow, he understood without her speaking a word. He slid her bodice down and sucked one of her pert nipples into his mouth. She moaned and ran her fingers through his hair. She had never felt anything like this. He moved over and slid his tongue over her other nipple, then gently drew his teeth over it. The small bite of pain set her over the edge, and when he then sucked her nipple to ease the ache, another one started to grow between her legs.
“Gideon.” Juliette wanted him to touch her everywhere. The wetness between her thighs made her slick with need. “I…”
“I know,” he said in a soothing tone. “I need you too. But we’re taking this slowly.”
He was going to kill her with passion. She didn’t complain. Not exactly… “I can’t…” It was excruciating. It was everything. It was too much. It wasn’t enough. Juliette was a conundrum of desire and pleasure. “Kiss me again.”
“I plan to,” he told her. Then he lifted her up. “Lets remove this lovely riding costume, darling. I want to see all of you, and kiss you properly.”
She wanted that, too. This was her gift to herself. She may never feel such pleasure again, and she planned on taking full advantage of all he offered. Juliette helped him with the tiny buttons until the bodice loosened enough so that it could fully be pulled off. Then she stood and let the riding costume fall to the floor. She stood before him in nothing but her shift and boots. Gideon worked on her boots and pulled them off her feet. “Almost there love,” he said. “Not let’s take off that shift.”
Juliette was suddenly a little shy. “You should undress too.” She wanted to see him.
“Later,” he said. “I want you too much and I’ll go too fast if I undress.”
She lifted a brow. “Leave on your trousers then and remove the rest.” She would not remove her shift until he at least removed something. Fair was fair, after all.
Gideon chuckled and did as she demanded. He pulled off his boots first. When he stood before her bare chested, she sighed. He had a wonderful body, all toned and delectable. She stepped forward and pressed a kiss to his chest, then licked slowly upward. “Bloody hell,” he groaned the words. “You undo me, darling.”
