“My heart has craved a union since you pushed me up against the stone wall and kissed me in the rampant way one expects of a rake.”
The muscles in his abdomen clenched at the memory. “Did I not warn you? The gentleman in me will be mindful of your comfort. The licentious libertine will plunge into your body with only pleasure in mind.”
“I have always avoided libertines, until now.” Desire flashed hot in her eyes.
Lust pounded in his blood.
Valentine captured her hand and led her from the dining room. They never spoke as they ascended the stairs. He drew her into his bedchamber and locked the door.
The fire in the hearth roared.
Candles burned in the candelabra to cast a warm glow over the red walls.
The room was set for seduction.
“How will this work?” she asked as she stood in the middle of his bedchamber.
Valentine smiled as he slipped out of his coat and draped it over the chair. He moved to the four-poster bed, parted the gold curtains and sat on the end.
“As a man who embraces equality,” he said, watching her intently as he relaxed back and propped himself up on his elbows, “I believe it is your turn to remove your clothes.”
Her eyes widened. A nervous laugh escaped her. “Surely you’re not serious.”
“A libertine never jests in the bedchamber.” He was somewhat thankful she wore gentlemen’s clothes. It meant he wouldn’t have to assist her with stays. “Take off your coat, your cravat and waistcoat. Drag your shirt over your head. Let me see you as I have longed to do from the moment we met.”
She stared at him, appeared rooted to the spot.
“You’re safe here,” he added as he tugged at his boots and discarded them. It was a lot to ask of an innocent, and he did not want her to feel uncomfortable. “We need to undress, Ava. But if you would rather go behind the screen, rather I assisted you—”
“No. I want to undress for you. I am just a little nervous that is all.”
“As was I when I stripped to my waist while hurtling along in a carriage in November.” And his heart was beating just as fast. His cock throbbed with the same compelling need. “Is it wrong that I wish to worship your body as well as your mind?”
“No, it’s not wrong.” She breathed a sigh as she shrugged out of the coat and it landed on the floor. “Actually, it’s quite flattering.”
With their eyes locked, she unbuttoned the waistcoat and untied the simple knot in the cravat. Both garments slipped to the floor. Valentine’s fingers itched as he watched. His mouth was dry. His heart pounded against his ribs.
Ava tugged the loose shirt from the breeches and then ran her fingers through her hair until the luxurious brown curls fell over her shoulders. He saw the outline of her hard nipples pressing against the fine lawn as she moved, and decided he was too impatient to wait.
“Help me undress.” He came to his feet, was already unbuttoning his waistcoat as he closed the gap between them. Urgency almost made him rip the damn thing off his shoulders.
Ava fiddled with his cravat, and he helped her untie the knot. When they both stood in their shirts, she looked at him and arched a brow. “Who will go first?”
Valentine slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close until he felt the heat from her body. He kissed her, softly at first, until the raging fire within demanded more. One hand settled on her left buttock and squeezed, the other fisted into her hair, angling her head for a more in-depth exploration of her wicked mouth.
Their tongues danced in unison to the drumming beat of their passion.
Their ragged moans and pants filled the room, the sound sending another surge of blood to his cock.
“Tell me you want me, Ava,” he said as he gripped her shirt and dragged it over her head.
The sight of her soft round breasts almost rendered him speechless. The pinkest nipples he had ever seen demanded his attention.
“God help me, you’re so beautiful.”
Without another word, he scooped her up into his arms and lowered her down onto the coverlet. In her embarrassment, she drew her arms across her chest, and so he climbed on top of her, pressed the full length of his body against hers and held her hands above her head as he reclaimed her mouth in another searing kiss.
Uncontrollable lust saw him grind his hips against her despite the fact they still wore breeches. Ava writhed beneath him, her legs instinctively wrapping around his hips as if her body ached for the pleasure he had promised.