Page 61 of A Deal with the Duke of Ice

“Look, we can’t. I’m sorry, I am.”

Rosaline tried to straighten herself up, awkwardly aware that her hair had probably become disarranged. The ache between her legs was stronger than ever, and had seemed to take no heed of the fact that Benedict had said no.

She glanced up, catching him staring at her.

“Oh, hell.” Benedict said. “Come here.”

She shuffled forward nervously, not entirely sure what he had in mind. She was vaguely aware that she was not acting like a lady should. Ladies weren’t eager, weren’t flushed and disheveled andaffectedby gentlemen this way. It wasn’tproper.

At the moment, Rosaline didn’t care what was proper and what was not.

Benedict leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.

“Turn around,” he said, his voice low, “Turn around and lean back against my chest.”

Rosaline obeyed, finding herself leaning against Benedict, with his legs on either side of her. She tentatively reached down, touching the strong, corded muscle of his thigh, and heard Benedict chuckle in her ear.

Her dress was already pulled up around her knees, and Benedict slipped his hand underneath. Rosaline’s breath hitched at his strong, warm hand on her knee. The tingling, aching feeling got stronger.

His hand slipped higher and higher, warm, rough fingertips sliding against her skin. Rosaline forced herself to stay still, although her heart was pounding fit to burst.

Was… was he going to slide his hand all the way up? Was he going to touch her… touch her…there?

Benedict’s hand reached its goal, fingers pressing against Rosaline’s most intimate parts. She clapped her hand over her mouth, desperate to not make a noise.

“Do you like that? Do you want me to keep doing that?” Lord Benedict murmured in her ear.

Rosaline’s breath was coming hard and fast, her chest heaving in sync with the movements of Lord Benedict’s hand underneath her skirts.

“Yes… yes…” she gasped. “Yes, please.”

He continued with a slow, circular movement. It was strange how just a touch could create such a powerful feeling. Rosaline closed her eyes, leaning back to rest her head against Benedict’s shoulder. The feeling grew and grew, exploding in a white-hot sensation of pleasure.

She gasped, tightening her hand on Benedict’s moving arm, eyes flying open. She drew in deep breaths, slowly, slowly circling down from the heights she’d ascended.

Rosaline very nearly fell asleep. Benedict presumably rearranged her skirts while Rosaline lay mumbling sleepily against his chest, still coming down slowly from her high.

“That wasmarvelous.” She breathed.

Benedict laughed, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Yes, it’s said to be rather good, you know. There are a reason people are so keen to be married and have children.”

“But we aren’t married, are we?” Rosaline said, a cold feeling spreading through her limbs and wiping away the last of the golden afterglow.

“No, we aren’t.”

That was when the front door banged open, and they heard footsteps approaching along the hall.

Rosaline gave a squeak of alarm, leaping to her feet. Her legs were like jelly, and she tottered for a moment. She might have fallen if Benedict hadn’t grabbed her arm.

“It’s just Joshua.” He murmured.

“Just…” Rosaline broke off, frantically trying to smooth creases out of her skirts, tucking strands of hair behind her ears. “He’llknow.”

“He will not know. The man is an oblivious idiot. Look. Let’s just go out and meet him. Act casual. Or we can sit in here and wait until he’s gone.”

Rosaline shook her head, glancing at the clock in the corner. “No, I have to get home. It’s late.”

Benedict chewed his lip, frowning. He nodded, although he said nothing.

---