Page 39 of The Duke of Desire
“You’d grow wet with desire, and I would feel the moisture on my fingertips. Using my thumb, I’d find that tiny spot near the top of your sex. Did you know that spot is where pleasure lives for a woman? If you stroke that spot in just the right way, you’ll achieve release without any penetration whatsoever. You could even do that for yourself.”
Her legs felt like pudding. She used the tree to support herself lest she fall into a puddle at his feet. “I’ve, er, I’ve tried that. I must not know how.”
“I could show you.”
Yes, yes, yes, please.
His voice lowered to its deepest, most seductive tone yet. “But, if you’d allow me, I’d also like to put my finger—or fingers—inside you. Perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself. Yes, I think so. For I find myself dreaming of putting my mouth on you as well and using my tongue—”
“Stop.” She sucked in a breath, her heart racing. “Please stop.” She couldn’t stand another moment. She was very close to pulling him against her and demanding that he do all those things to her right this very instant.
He moved a bit away from her, and she was immensely grateful. “I didn’t mean to overstep.”
“No. You didn’t. I’m just…” What, exactly, was she? Excited. Overwhelmed. Reckless. Maybe not the last. At least not yet. She pushed away from the tree. “We should get back.” She started toward the path, expecting him to try to stop her.
When he didn’t, she couldn’t decide if she was relieved or disappointed.
They descended to the base of the path in charged silence. Ivy was as aware of his presence as if they were touching. Every breath he took sounded like a moan, and every glance he sent felt like a caress.
When the ground evened out, he paused. “You go on ahead to the house. I need to fetch my horse.”
“Thank you for the walk.” She managed to find his gaze, and the heat of his stare burrowed into her still-aroused body.
“I look forward to doing it again.”
She didn’t know if she could commit to that. She also didn’t know that she could say shewouldn’t. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
“I’m sure,” he murmured.
She turned and forced herself to walk to the house. Her gait was long and fast. With each step, she wondered if she’d let her one chance to be with the Duke of Desire slip through her fingers.
