Page 20 of Midnight with the Marquess (The St. Clairs 2)

“You are,” she admitted sullenly. “Maybe I should ask someone else.”

He froze, hoping she didn’t mean it. When she didn’t speak, he continued.

“Tonight, you’ll learn about other places you can be kissed. And thatyoucan kiss.”

Rachel looked more interested now.

“Close your eyes.”

She did as he asked and he took a moment to drink in her beauty. Then he slipped his hands around her upper arms and softly kissed each eyelid. His lips moved to her temple and glided along her cheek. Rachel let out a sigh. Evan kissed the tip of her nose and then jumped to her jaw where he pressed quick kisses and nibbles along it. He tightened his fingers and slid his lips to her ear. Gently, he sank his teeth into her earlobe. She shuddered in pleasure. He continued playing with it and then used his tongue to circle her ear.

Now, she sighed loudly. He nibbled and tongued along it and then went back to her jaw, taking his time to reach her other ear and repeat the process. When she began to squirm, he moved to the slender column of her throat and kissed and licked and nipped at it. Little moans escaped her lips. Her breathing grew quick and shallow.

He took a risk now. As he continued to press his lips against her throat, he untied the sash on her robe and parted it. The second it opened, he trailed hot kisses along her collarbone.

“Lower,” she murmured, starting to move her body.

Evan complied and reached the curve of her breast. He let go of her arms and pulled the night rail down slightly for better access, then glided his tongue along the upper curve.

“Oh!”

Rachel stretched toward him and Evan pushed the gown down further, baring her breast. He kissed his way to her erect nipple and circled around it with his tongue. She whimpered, her hands gripping his shoulders as she moved closer to him. He kissed around it with his lips and then brushed them on the nipple itself.

“Yes,” she sighed. “Oh, yes.”

Evan took her breast into his mouth, his tongue pleasuring her as she made lovely sounds in the back of her throat. Then he eased away and pulled her nightgown back up.

Rachel opened her eyes. They were dazed—and full of heat.

“You said that I could also do some kissing.”

“I did,” he agreed.

Her smile looked both innocent and wise at the same time.

Rachel St. Clair proved to be an astute learner. She repeated back to him everything he’d done to her, starting at his temple. A deep longing rose in him as she kissed and nipped at his throat. Then her fingers slid down his chest and opened the three buttons. Before he could stop her, she’d pushed his shirt aside and her lips scorched his chest.

Desire shot through him. Without thinking, he ran his fingers through her unbound hair, something he’d unconsciously longed to do. The silky strands felt cool and smooth to the touch. Then he stilled. He’d promised to tutor Rachel in the art of kissing. Not respond to her kisses. He should stop her. Now.

But he let her go on a little longer.

Anticipation built in him as she worked her way down and, good pupil that she was, used her tongue to circle his nipple. She then grazed it with her teeth and licked at him.

Evan thought he might die from the pleasure. And it was that thought that told him he must put a stop to her actions now. Before he reacted—and things ended badly.

He latched on to her shoulders and pulled her away.

“I think our second lesson has come to an end,” he said with more control that he felt.

Her bottom lip thrust out in a pout.

“You’re not a two-year-old child,” he said brusquely. “Pouting will get you nowhere.”

Rachel gazed at him. “Did I do all right?”

He cupped her cheek. “You did very well, Rachel. Very well.”

With that, he kissed her brow and then stood.

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