He laughed, the sound rich and deep as it reverberated off the glass walls. He laughed so rarely it was fascinating to hear.
Placing a finger under my chin, he twisted my face to the side as he leaned down. “It’s the orphan girl’s fault for enthralling the duke so completely with her innocence and beauty.”
Our lips met. It was a soft and gentle kiss, not like his usual conquering possessions. His cock lengthened against my back and my own body awakened in response. Turning in his arms, the silky water dripped off my shoulders as I straddled his hips.
Reaching between my legs, I sought to position his cock at my entrance. For a moment, the head brushed my still sore asshole and I gasped, before feeling him push inside my pussy. Gingerly, I let my body adjust to his girth as I slid down the length of his shaft, impaling myself on him.
Offering myself to him.
Richard nuzzled his face between my breasts, the bristles of his stubbled jaw sending shivers up my spine as I began to raise my hips up and down, slowly fucking him.
Later, as I lay sideways on his lap amidst the cooling water, he stroked my wet hair as he said, “I have another surprise for you.”
Despite the calm of our sated bodies, I tensed.
There was always a sharp, painful edge to Richard’s surprises. Dark shadows lurking behind sunlight.
“You do?” I asked, trying to keep the fear from my voice.
“I hope you won’t mind a little conspiracy between your friend Jane and me, but I had her give me some of your designs.”
Caught off guard, I sat up. “Really?”
He nodded. “You are truly gifted, especially the Victorian gowns. They’re stunning.”
I shrugged. “Just a fantasy of mine. I’ve always wished people still dressed like that, you know? With the corsets and skirts and rows and rows of silk and bows.”
He tapped my nose. “Fortunately you are with a man who can make that happen.”
Tilting my head, I slanted my eyes at him. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve had a few of your designs made up. The dresses arrive tomorrow. There was a champagne chiffon off-the-shoulder one I particularly liked and I’ve decided to have your portrait painted in it.”
My mouth opened. I didn’t know what to respond to first. The fact that I was going to see one of my designs come to life or the fact that I would be the one to wear them for an actual painted portrait.
Water splashed over the edge as I rushed to hug him.
As I looked over his shoulder, the low-hanging sun had caused the spidery shadow of the birdcage to creep over the marble floor and envelop the tub.