He cupped her cheeks. “I derived immense satisfaction from seeing you flushed and coming apart on my tongue. I can still taste you.”
Her heart tripped.
“You are a passionate and sensual woman, Adel. It would be a sin to not please you when you are in need.”
She flushed her body to his. “I am in need now.”
He chuckled lightly. “Were you not pleased?”
She was, so thoroughly she felt boneless. But wasn’t there more? She was sure they had not explored the it as yet. “I want everything, Edmond.”
Tension invaded his muscles. “I will not risk you.”
“How can you be so resolved that I will be at risk? Every woman is different.”
“There have been dozens of deaths every day for women in town from childbed complications since my wife died. Medicine has advanced, yet the rate of death has not slackened.”
His voice was blank, devoid of all emotions. It was perverse of her, but she preferred the man who showed rage and pain. Grief could be soothed, pain could be comforted, but this coldness was almost impossible to shatter.
“Then do not risk me,” she said softly.
Surprised flared his eyes wide.
Then he dropped his forehead to hers. “I promise you I won’t. You are young and vibrant. You have much to live for. You do not deserve to have your life snuffed out because I cannot control my baser needs.”
Oh, Edmond. “Are there no ways to prevent me from becoming with child?”
“Yes. But they are not foolproof and some are very unpleasant.”
“I am willing to try.”
“These are not methods suitable for a lady.”
She arched a brow. “Who are they suitable for?”
“Mistresses.”
Adel had heard some whispers of Cyprians…fallen women. Was he to take a mistress? Adulterous liaisons were the norm among the ton and were even seen to be expected in men with wealth and power such as Edmond had. Anger stirred inside. “Are you implying you have a mistress? Let me be honest, I will not have it, Your Grace.”
A fleeting smile touched his lips. “You wouldn’t, would you?”
“No!” she growled.
“I would never dishonor you so,” he said with sincerity.
The rage that had been climbing dissipated. “Oh.”
She tipped and pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips. When he froze she whispered, “Oh, no you don’t, no more retreating from me. I am holding you to your promise to please me whenever I need, and I can assure you, after the delight I have partaken in, I will need to be pleasured a lot. I will gladly be your mistress and wife, and that way you can do all manner of wicked things to me without worrying about my sensibilities.”
He turned his head and unfathomable eyes ensnared her. Then they warmed…heated, and he gripped her tighter and claimed her lips.
The possibilities just got even better.
Chapter Eighteen
You can do all manner of wicked things to me without worrying about my sensibilities.
The husky dare was still rattling around in Edmond’s head, fueling his lurid imagination, which in turn had encouraged his cock to remain in a constant state of readiness. He could still taste Adeline on his lips. Sweet, addicting, and he craved more. Worse, he’d told his duchess he wanted to tup her until she trembled from exhaustion.