Page 47 of The Scoundrel and the Lady

They quickly made their way up to her room, and again Merritt locked the door behind them. He pressed her against the closed door and kissed her hard.

Her tongue darted out and rubbed against his own, and lust surged hot and wild through him. He spun her around and walked them over to her bed. He shifted their position enough so that he could work the buttons at the back of her dress. Thankfully there weren’t as many as there had been that day in his study. Soon he was able to loosen the gown and pull it off her shoulders and down the front of her body.

“I want to see you,” he said. “All of you.”

She nodded. “Draw the curtains closed.”

He did as she bade, then returned to her.

Her eyes fluttered closed, but she made no move to stop him as he removed her dress then took his time undressing the rest of her, sliding off each of her slippers then rolling down first one stocking, then the next. Her legs were long and shapely, just as he’d imagined them to be from watching her walk in the trousers. With every touch, she squirmed with pleasure, emitting small noises of bliss.

But he needed to see the rest of her. He methodically removed all of her undergarments, then set her on the bed. She lay before him like the perfect gift. The curls at the apex of her thighs weren’t as bright as the ones on her head, but they were red and drew his attention away from her ivory skin. And then there were her breasts. Perfectly sized and pouty, with pert pink tips that beckoned his lips. But he wanted to take his time and touch her everywhere. He cupped both of her breasts gently, and she arched against his hands, pressing her hardened nipples into his palms.

She was the most alluring and beautiful creature he’d ever seen.

He leaned forward and kissed her throat, then down to her collarbone, then to the rise of her breasts. He kept a hand on one while he tasted the other. She was so sweet.

His hands continued to explore her breasts while he kissed her thoroughly. He reached down and moved a hand up her leg, her skin smooth and soft beneath his palm. His fingers traced behind her knee to the sensitive flesh of her thighs. When he brushed across the juncture of her legs, she released a seductive sound of desire. His own need poured through his veins and settled heavily in his groin.

He moved through her nether curls and found her flesh hot and slick with her need. She trembled when his fingers moved against her. She whimpered softly. He continued his exploration.

He slipped one finger inside her, and slowly he began his rhythm. He found the nub beneath her folds and stroked across it. Her pleas became erratic. She arched toward him. She was intoxicating—her body, her touch, her smell. All of her surrounded him, and he wanted this moment, this night, to last forever.

Closer and closer he brought her to the edge, then he would pull back. He loved watching the pleasure play out on her expressive face. She was, undoubtedly, the most passionate woman he’d ever touched. He needed to be inside her. His own desire was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, so he kissed her deeply.

His finger dipped in again as he flicked across her folds. She tightened around his finger with the rhythm of her release. “Yes, Merritt,” she whispered. Her head pressed into the pillow behind her. “Yes.”

Quickly he guided himself into her before her climax subsided. Oh God, she felt good. Hot and tight and so slick. Her climax started again, and her walls squeezed around his shaft as he increased the depth of his thrusts. And then as his own release rocked through his body, he emitted a primal moan and collapsed atop her.

…

Iris listened to Merritt’s even breathing as he lay next to her in her bed. She could still feel the effects of their lovemaking on her body. Her flesh seemed to quiver every time she closed her eyes and remembered the sensations of their coupling.

She had wanted to say no to him today. More than that, though, she’d wanted him, craved the pleasure he could give her, despite knowing that indulging in her desires would likely lead only to hurt. Yet, when he’d told her how much he ached for her, how he’d only pushed her away in the past because of how much he desired her, she hadn’t been able to think straight. Her only coherent thought had been that he wanted her. And that had been enough.

She wasn’t so foolish to believe that after this she would be able to go back to her life as it was before she’d met him. But this… His arm snaked around her waist and pulled her to him. She closed her eyes, loving the feel of his warm breath on her bare neck. Lying here with him only made her think of what it would be like to live like this every day. To wake up in the arms of a man one loved.

It seemed ridiculous that she could already know she loved him. She barely knew him. Still, something powerful had happened between them these last few days. Something she’d never experienced before. So, she’d do her best to brace herself for the pain that was certain to come when he walked out of her life, leaving her with only the memories of their time together.

Iris must have dozed off because now that she opened her eyes she could see light peeping at the edges of the closed curtains. Merritt still lay behind her, and he snuggled closer, his warmth and strength molded to her back.

“I have thoroughly ruined you,” he said. His breath scorched her neck and filled her with desire.

“Yes, I am thoroughly ruined.” He’d most assuredly ruined her for any other men. No one would ever compare to Merritt.

“I shall, of course, do the right thing,” he said.

Her heart stuttered. But she said nothing, merely waited for him to ask the question she so hoped was coming next.

“Even though I wasn’t raised a titled gentleman,” he said, “I do know that if you steal a lady’s virtue, you offer her marriage.”

Still she said nothing.

“Iris?” he asked gently.

She wanted to get up, to leave the bed and run from the room, but she stayed motionless.

“Iris, I asked you a question.” He rolled her onto her back so they could see one another.

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