Page 80 of Beyond Scandal and Desire
He pulled her fingers out of his mouth, pulled his out of hers, cupped the back of her head and brought her down to him so their tongues could experience what their fingers had. Leisurely, yet deeply. Stroking and thrusting, suckling and soothing.
His groan was low, nearly feral, perhaps because he knew she would give him no more than this tonight, that he would ask for no more, even as his body was tense with need, with a hunger for her that would terrify him if he thought about it later when she wasn’t in his arms. But as long as she was curled against him, he would face the hell of not possessing her completely, if only for this. For now this was enough, this was everything.
This was a promise of more.
He was offering more. She knew that as she explored the sultry confines of his mouth laced with the dark, rich wine he’d been drinking. He was offering everything even as he had to know that she would not take it, that she was not yet ready to cast aside all the morality she’d been taught.
But oh how she was tempted.
Draped over his chest, his belly, between his thighs, she could feel the hard length of him pressed against her. It had startled her at first, when she’d taken his fingers into her mouth, and she’d become aware of his body changing. Startled her but not frightened her. Instinctually she’d understood what was happening, that he was preparing for the taking of her—
But as he’d initiated no advances toward that completion, she realized he quite possibly had no control over that aspect of the mating ritual, and that pleased her even more. That she could have such influence over him, that she could drive him to such distraction. He wanted her, he desired her, and she’d never felt more powerful in her life.
This was a man who controlled everything around him, and yet she could control him.
She wondered if she took him upon the roof if she could showhimfireworks. Some night she might, but for now she was content to be where she was, with his broad hands running over her back, her buttocks, squeezing, lingering, moving on.
The sensations he elicited from her were what she’d hoped being with a man would be like. All heat and hunger and need. The need to be touched, stroked, kissed. The need to be held as though it was the only way to stay anchored, the only way to fly together.
Here was the itch about which he’d spoken. Now she understood why a woman would risk so much for a moment’s pleasure. Because it extended beyond the moment, because she would carry it with her into tomorrow and the day after. Because it elevated her, gave her confidence, made her feel loved.
Loved as she’d never felt before.
Cupping her face between his hands, he drew back, held her at a short distance, his gaze searching, and she wondered if her lips were as swollen as his. They felt as though they were when she ran her tongue over them, taking delight in the way his eyes tracked her movement, the way they darkened.
“Damn, but you are temptation and sin,” he rasped. “I should see you home while I still have the will to resist.”
“Am I so hard to resist?”
“Nearly impossible.”
She grinned, delighted by his words.
“You little witch. You’re happy about that.”
“I am. I feared I wasn’t.”
His thumbs stroked her cheeks. “You are the most tempting creature I’ve ever known.”
She ducked her head into the curve of his neck. “You humble me.”
“My God, Aslyn, I am the one humbled. You’re the daughter of an earl, and I’m but a bastard.”
Her head came up. “You’re a successful businessman.”
“With no lineage to speak of.”
She shrugged. “You’ll be the first of your line. Every great dynasty must have a start somewhere.”
He chuckled low. “You see me with a dynasty?”
“I see you being, doing anything you want.” She pushed herself up until she was sitting on the sofa. “It’s not all fun and games, being part of the nobility, you know. There are expectations, duties and responsibilities. We’re not allowed to scratch itches until we’re wed.”
He shoved himself up until both his feet were on the floor and he was sitting beside her. “You’re not allowed to lose your virginity until you’re wed.” Leaning in, he kissed the side of her neck. “I think you learned tonight there are other ways to scratch itches.”
“I suppose you know them all?”
“I know a good many. I take great care not to have any by-blows.”
