“Sweet mercy,” she whispered as he lapped at her sex with his tongue.
He pushed her legs wider, until she was completely open and exposed to him. Despite the shock, it was wonderful. He was wonderful. A rush of pure sensation and wickedness filled her body and made her squirm. Gillian watched Nicolas taste and tease her through hooded eyes, never daring to close them completely in case he stopped.
But what he did to her was incredible. She felt too large for her skin, too far away from his. She pulled on him just as he did something that drove her body wild. She thrashed and cried out, muffling her mouth with her arm.
Gasping for breath, she collapsed back in the chair, boneless and overwhelmed by the Duke of Stapleton’s lovemaking.
Nicolas held Gillian’s legs up at the knees, and she felt no shame in that. She had never enjoyed intimacy until now. She’d also never known what her marriage had lacked before.
Releasing one leg, Nicolas unbuttoned his trousers, tucked his shirt up beneath his brocade waistcoat, and then slowly pressed inside her.
It took her overly sensitive body a moment to adjust, and then she reveled in his powerful thrusts, in his tight grip on her thighs, and the bright, lust-filled expression in his beautiful eyes as he took his pleasure.
This was not the duty she’d endured for her husband. This was something else, beyond her experience.
He caught her head and held her cheek in his palm when he finally slowed. He grinned. “So very good and easy. Are you sure we’ve not lain together before?”
Gillian took the question as it was meant—as a jest to prolong his passion. She laughed softly, and brushed her lips against his palm. “I would have remembered how very good you were if that were true.”
He grinned, closed his eyes and exhaled, as if he were in heaven making love to her. He found a new rhythm, hard enough to move her backward with each stroke, deep enough that her own desire was suddenly rekindled.
She stretched to touch his face, craving more from him. “So very good, Nicolas.”
He must have seen something in her expression, for he touched her quim once more, teasing the little bud at the apex of her slit with skill and persistence. “Again?”
Gillian twisted her hips, gaining new sensations from the slight change of position. Exciting ones that would bring her to that moment of intense pleasure again. How did he do that when her own husband had left her feeling only empty and sore? “Yes, I think so!”
They drew closer, grinding together. She held his gaze, and then her body curled in upon itself, and she soared again, crying out in surprise the next moment.
Nicolas caught her cry with his mouth and stayed with her until she calmed.
He drew back his hips suddenly, then his hands left her skin. “Gillian,” he gasped, panting hard as he spilled his seed away from her.
She remained as he had left her, and then slowly lowered her feet to sit up gingerly. For a change, there was no discomfort but a pleasant ache where this man had been joined to her.
Nicolas turned aside, straightened himself, then sat back on his heels. “Now we’ve done it.”
She grinned, basking in his warm smile and presence. She should feel guilty, wanton, decidedly wicked. But she felt none of those, only pleased with herself for being brave. “We have. And very well done it was, too.”
He swooped in to kiss her quickly. “A pleasure.”
Gillian cupped his face a moment, feelings she should not experience growing for the man holding her. However talented he was in the arts of the bedroom, it was imperative that she not mistake this moment. He was a duke and she the paid companion. They could have no future together besides the carnal. It was just lust and loneliness drawing them together. “If there is nothing else, your grace, I should return to my duties.”
He nodded, his grin dimming. “So we will say nothing of this?”
“Indeed. It will be our secret forever.”
He stood, groaning and rubbing at his knees. But he held out his hand to help her up, repeating the moment that had led them into their dalliance. Gillian was grateful for his support and clung to his hand a moment longer than strictly necessary. Her legs felt decidedly weak. It had been a very long time since she had lain with her husband, never mind having found pleasure in the experience—climaxing twice in so short a span of time appeared to be an exhausting experience.
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her fingers. “Until this evening.”
“Yes.”
Nicolas turned her hand over and kissed her palm softly. Gillian’s body quivered anew as he glanced up and licked across her palm. There was a devilish look in his eyes that she couldn’t resist. Would they talk tonight or would he want to make love again? Once tasted, Gillian was certain she couldn’t refuse a
second invitation to pleasure.
She brushed her body against his deliberately as they parted, reveling in his warm, tortured groan. He swatted her backside lightly and she laughed with him, feeling the happiest she’d ever felt in her life. She could spend another sinful interlude in his arms. In fact, she was most eager for it. She blew him a kiss and sauntered out, feeling very good about herself, and beautiful too.