Page 59 of The Phantom Duke
She inhaled sharply, her body and mind a mess of heady desire mingling with icy dread. “More than I care for my own life.”
“Then, leave the mask where it is.”
But why should he ask for that?
“No,” she said.
“I am cursed, but that curse has nothing to do with touch. Only sight. Close your eyes,” Damien said.
Maria did not want to deny herself the sight of his eyes. Wanted desperately to show him the fallacy of his notion about a curse. But her core pulsed with insistent need, silently begging her to do anything to please him.
I must take what little victories I can. I want him. Oh, Lord. How I want him! If it must be blind, then so be it!
She obeyed and closed her eyes. The sound of the leather hitting the stone floor made her want to open them, to look uponhim, but she resisted. There came the sound of fabric ripping, and then something was wrapped around her head tightly. She reached for it, but Damien moved her hands aside.
“Open your eyes,” he ordered.
Maria was blindfolded by a strip of white cotton. She realized that he must have torn it from his shirt. Under the lower edge of the blindfold, she could just make out his nudity. She gasped, tantalized by the indistinct nude image.
Maria ached to see him fully, unimpeded by the cloth, but her imagination was extensive. She could imagine well enough his broad shoulders and muscular chest, which would narrow to a trim waist. His thighs were muscular and well-formed, and when she squinted, Maria could just barely discern the dark cloud of curls above his shaft.
“Now it is your turn,” Damien growled lowly.
“Will you close your eyes?” she asked.
“Do you wish me to?”
“No,” Maria breathed, the idea sending her pulse racing.
She began to undress, letting her gown lie where it fell, stepping out of it. Then she rolled down her stockings and removed her stays. One garment remained between her nudity and hishungry eyes. She gathered the hem of her chemise and lifted it up and over her head in one swift movement.
Then, she turned and leaped into the water. It engulfed her, warm and welcoming. But she had no notion how to orient herself or keep herself afloat. There had simply been an uncontrollable urge to cover herself in the dark water, to hide herself.
Strong arms went around her from behind. Rigid muscles were pressed hard against her, and she was drawn upwards to break the surface. His hardness pressed against her, seemingly massive against the small of her back. She gulped for air.
“That was foolish!” Damien snapped.
“I knew you would save me,” Maria coughed, letting her head fall back on his shoulder.
Her body was limp against him, letting him bear her weight. His lips fastened on her neck, and Maria let out a long, low moan at the pleasure that radiated outward from that point. She felt his teeth and warm breath against her skin.
She could not see, but that only enhanced the pleasure, leaving her in a world of touch. This man was not hurrying with her, but he wanted her. Maria arched her back, her toes curling as his manhood brushed against her spine.
“Now you are marked as mine,” he said after a moment.
She clapped her hand to her neck and laughed, low and husky with desire. The thought of being marked by him should have, perhaps, been an insult. She was not an animal to branded. But instead, the thought of being marked by him sent a sharp thrill racing through her.
“And will I be allowed to mark you?” she asked.
“I will wear it with pride.”
She turned in his strong embrace, trusting him utterly to keep them both afloat. She kissed him, hungry for his taste. Her lips lingered on his neck, and her blood roared in her ears at the intimacy of being so near him. .
Then she lowered her head to his chest and bit hard. He yelped but did not pull away. Maria’s heart hammered, for she had not quite anticipated such a strong reaction. She could not understand how it didn’t echo from the ancient stone.
“Now, you will learn to swim,” Damien said.
And suddenly, he was pushing away from her. Maria yelled, clinging to his arm. Her legs kicked wildly at the water, as she struggled to keep herself afloat.
