‘What do I want from you?’ he asked as soon as the hedgerows enshrouded them completely. ‘Everything. Nothing less. I should have you kneel before me, Your Grace. I should have you do whatever I ask. Beg me to take you in hand and punish you for being such a temptress.’
Her breathing had quickened, he could hear it. Feel her pulse moving through the two of them. ‘You are in bad need of a punishment for what you have done to us both, don’t you agree?’
‘I don’t... I don’t know.’
‘You don’t have to know. You must only answer, yes, Your Grace. That is the only answer that will do.’
The pause she took was only a breath. A twinkle of starlight and nothing more, but it felt like an eternity.
‘Yes,’ she whispered. ‘Your Grace.’
Flames licked at his veins. Arousal pulsing through him so dark and heavy he thought he might be drowned by it.
They turned the corner, and he found a bench, perfectly situated there in the garden, such a private spot. And it was a bit early yet for others to be making their way out here for trysts. At least he hoped so.
And even if not.
She was his wife.
‘But here we are in a garden,’ he said. ‘In all things I have in mind for you... Not here.’
‘Why are you teasing me?’ she asked, her voice breathless.
‘I am very, very serious,’ he said. ‘I can assure you.’
He gripped her chin, tilted her face up, and kissed her. He had kissed her before, but it had been nothing compared to this. This was... He was not being careful with her. For the way that she looked at him, the way that she acted as if he had done her harm by not finishing what they had started in his garden back at the town house...
Tonight would either inflame her desire for more or would cure her of her need for him altogether. Either way, it would be fun. The kiss was bruising. And she gasped as he licked deeper and deeper into her mouth, bit her lower lip, before sucking it hard.
She did not have any skill. But what she lacked there she made up for in enthusiasm. She was gasping, arching her body against his, trying to get closer. Trying to get everything.
‘Be still,’ he said.
And she responded. That note of authority in his voice made her entire body go limp against his.
‘I will give you what you need. I promise.’
She whimpered, and he bit her lip again. ‘Do not doubt me. Trust me.’
He moved his finger down to where the fabric of her dress met the plump flesh of her bosom. He pushed his finger beneath that gap, letting it drift around that curve, and he felt goose pimples break out over her skin.
He knew that her nipples would be tight beneath her undergarments. And he wanted deeply to pull the top of her dress down, reveal them and suck them again. But, not now. He would not risk exposing her so thoroughly here.
A light touch was not his preference, but he could tell that it tormented her, and that, he did enjoy.
‘Please,’ she begged. ‘Please.’
‘You will not get more until I say. You will not get release until I allow it. You are mine. My wife.’ The words sent a lightning bolt of arousal through his body. ‘Your satisfaction is my responsibility. It is also your reward. And it will not be claimed before I allow it.
‘You know what I mean, don’t you? Your release. What you experienced when you shattered in my arms in the garden.’
‘Yes,’ she whispered. ‘I understand.’
‘Have you ever felt that before? When you are alone in your room, did you ever put your hand between your legs and stroke yourself?’
‘I...’
‘You’re a clever girl. You discovered that pain makes you feel powerful. That it thrills you. Did you discover how much touching yourself between your legs could thrill you?’