Page 59 of Love Abandoned

Chapter Twenty-Six

You have absorb’d me. I have a sensation at the present moment as though I was dissolving.

—Keats, Love Letter to Fanny Brawne

Elizabeth had recognizedRichard’s hesitancy and had been afraid he’d withdraw. Slipping her dress off had been an audacious move, but she knew she must do something to regain his attention. All calculation disappeared when Richard took her nipple into his mouth. The sensation stimulated a need for more. Much more.

She pulled the ribbon from Richard’s hair, freeing it and running her fingers through the long strands. He moaned appreciatively, and she continued, alternately massaging his scalp and clasping him tight to her breast as sensation built between her legs. She fell back upon the sofa, pulling Richard with her, pleased by his hard length pressed against her leg. She wiggled, sliding down, trying to position herself so she might feel him pressed against the spot that longed for him. When she had succeeded, she arched her hips, hoping no words would be needed to tell him what she wanted.

He pulled back abruptly, balancing on his elbows, a sliver of distance between his body and hers. The gold flecks in his eyes danced in the firelight, and his face looked grim, almost pained. Elizabeth sucked in her bottom lip, tears stinging her eyes. Was this all so distasteful to him?

“My God, Elizabeth, you are beautiful in your need,” he said gruffly.

He shifted downward, raising her dress as he did so until she was fully bared for his viewing. His breath was warm and as rapid and haggard as her own. He inhaled deeply, then rested his forehead against her mound, the rise and fall of his chest adding to her growing excitement. A shudder ran through her body at his proximity, and when he gently forced her legs open, she did not fight it.

His tongue warmed a delightful caress through her nether regions, and she rolled her head to the side, biting back a moan. His fingers parted her, and he did it again. This time, a small sound escaped.

“I would hear it all, my love,” Richard cooed soothingly as he spread her further. He took her nub into his mouth and suckled as he had her breasts.

But the sensation tonight was like none she’d ever known. She both wanted to arch against him and withdraw from its force. She alternately tried to do both, but his hand under her buttocks held her firm. His momentum grew, and he was relentless, offering her no calm from the storm that was quickly brewing. When he inserted a finger, she gasped at the sensation. But when it assumed the rhythm of his delightfully wicked tongue, she was convinced she would truly lose her mind.

“Let go, my love. Let go,” he said and resumed his administrations.

And she did. It was not a gasp. It was not a moan. It bordered on a scream. Of pain. Of pleasure. Of absolute release. When the last ripple had slowly rolled through, she relaxed back upon the cushion on the sofa, her hand cradling Richard’s head, who lay with his cheek pressed against her inner thigh.

Once the overpowering sensations had subsided, sanity returned. As incredible as the experience was, she’d not fully reclaimed their relationship. Making love was a mutual experience, a shared pleasure, not a worker bee providing for the queen. Although, she’d not discourage her bee from that particular line of work in the future. It had been divine.

She tugged on his head, encouraging him to inch up her body. His eyes were glazed with the same need that burned deep inside her. She pulled at his cravat and yanked at the front of his jacket.

“I want more,” she said. “I want it all.”

*

He sat up.More? All?Careening with the satisfaction of the heights of pleasure he’d brought Elizabeth, Richard could not think straight. His cock twitched, reminding him it was alive and well and would thoroughly enjoy theallshe was suggesting.

“Elizabeth,” he started, not wanting to ruin such an intimate moment but not knowing how to explain this was as far as it could go. He stared at his lap, running his hands through his hair and shaking his head, trying to dislodge the desire ripping through his mind and body.

“Yes,” she said softly, and he made the mistake of looking at her. She was shimmying out of her dress, her eyes holding fast to his.

Before he could speak, she lifted her hips and pulled the dress fully off. He should look away, but he could not. She tugged at her stays until she could wiggle out of that too. She lingered for a moment, her pale body resplendent in the lamplight, then she lay back on the cushion. Richard swallowed, trying to find his voice, mesmerized as she ran a hand sensually along her side, leaving her fingers dangling tantalizingly close to the spot he had just pleasured. The firelight flickered, dancing over her body, the entire scene surreal and tempting as hell itself.

“Elizabeth,” he said again. This time, his voice was a warning, although he still could not bring himself to look away.

“Yes,” she said, drawing up her legs and dropping her knees to each side. “I have missed you, Richard.” Her voice was low and rough as she reached between her legs and ran a finger over her flesh. She visibly shivered, and Richard’s balls tightened. He sat rigid, willing his traitorous body under control.

He should get up and leave. Go to his bedroom and relieve his need. He fumbled for the decanter and shakily topped his brandy, sipping it while watching her fingers work the magic his tongue had enjoyed. When she inserted a finger, he growled in frustration. The minx laughed and got to her knees.

“We need to get rid of this,” Elizabeth said, tugging at his half-untied neck scarf. “And this.” She fully undid his jacket, and he obligingly shrugged out of it as though he had no will of his own. “This,” she said, removing his waistcoat. “Yes, this,” she said, unfastening the buttons of his shirt. He lifted his arms so she could tug it off, knowing full well he should have stopped her at his jacket.

She sat back on her heels, her magnificent body on full display. “Oh yes, I much prefer this,” she said, running a finger down his chest and stopping at his waistline. “Wait,” she said playfully, smiling with feigned innocence. “What light through yonder window breaks?” She trailed her finger lightly over the tip of his cock, which was straining to get out of his trousers. She undid his placard and let it drop, and his member sprang free.

Elizabeth ran two fingers, one on either side, up his length, gently smoothing the crest before grabbing it firmly and pumping several times. Richard was ready to spend right there, but she unexpectedly released it and lay back on the cushion.

“It is the east, and I am the sun,” she said, spreading her legs and smiling in sensual invitation.

Richard lost all self-control. His every fantasy centered on Elizabeth, and she was teasing and taunting him and willing him to do what he so wanted to. He growled, pushing his trousers below his hips and towering over her, glaring, wanting her to push him off, to refuse him. But she did not.

“Come home to me, husband of mine,” she said, arching against him. “I have missed you.”

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