Chapter Fifteen
The following morning, when Raven awakened, it took her a few minutes to remember where she was. The beautiful bed with its opulent indigo draping and silklike sheets made her wonder if she was still dreaming, or had been magically transformed into royalty because the room and its fittings had to belong to a queen.
Leaving the bed, she walked to windows that ran the length of one wall and peeked through the curtains to look out. It was still dark. Normally, at this time of day, she’d be preparing to start breakfast while mentally listing the chores needing her attention. However, none of that would be required. In Braxton’s home, someone else would be doing the preparing and making the lists. As his guest, she could step aside and let the day course without her attention, and she wasn’t sure how to do that. It was a wonderful problem to have, of course, but it felt odd knowing she wasn’t expected to be of service. So, shedecided to do something queenlike and indulge in a bath.
Once done, she dressed in the new clothing Brax had purchased for her and was surprised to find more items in the bag than she’d initially seen. She guessed they’d been added to the trove while she was in the back of the store changing out of the suit before she rejoined him and Mrs. Wells at the counter. There were drawers, garters, and two lovely pairs of ladies’ gloves. After putting on her shoes, she did her hair and savored the lingering scent of roses in the room’s air and on her skin from her bath salts. It made her think of the bath he’d drawn for her in Charleston and their slow, lust-filled coming together after. She hoped she’d get the chance to be scandalous again with him soon.
She’d just completed making her bed when she heard a soft knock on the door. Walking over, she opened it. Seeing Braxton, she smiled. “Good morning.”
“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
“I did. How about you?”
“I missed falling asleep with you beside me.”
“I missed being there.” And she had.
“Let’s fix that tonight, shall we?”
“I’d like that.”
He looked to the room behind her. “I smell roses.”
“My bath earlier.”
“Ah. The scent makes me want to tumble youback onto the bed and slowly seek it out on your skin.”
“I’d like that as well.” Her awakened senses called to him. Even though their last intimate encounter had been only a few days ago, she felt as if it had been months.
“Would you like a quick orgasm before breakfast?” he asked, eyes sparkling with heat and mischief.
“Must it be quick?”
He laughed. “And you accuse me of being scandalous.” He leaned down and gave her a soft, blood-warming kiss.
He moved into the room and closed the door softly behind them.
What she saw in his gaze could’ve set her skirt afire.
“Open your buttons for me. I adore watching you undress.”
Holding his smoldering gaze, she slowly worked the small beads free. He bent and brushed warm, worshipping lips over the bared base of her throat. “You smell divine.”
He drew her shift down and rubbed a thumb over her tight nipple. The licks that followed made her back up against the door to keep from dissolving to the carpeted floor. He alternated between plying her mouth with kisses and feasting on her breasts.
“Raise your skirt, please,” he husked out. “I purchased it just for moments like this.”
Her sensations climbed. “Wicked, wicked man.”
He placed a kiss on her collarbone and nipped her gently. “You make me want you half dressed every time I see you. Open your legs.”
She did so, and he stroked and teased and played through the opening in her new drawers. The entire time, he watched her rising to his wordless seduction, as if viewing her uninhibited responses to his pleasuring fed his own.
“I promised quick.” He eased in two talented fingers and bent to possessively claim her damp dark nipple with his mouth. He bit her there with just enough passion to make the orgasm crackle over her like lightning. She buried her scream in his suit-covered shoulder to keep from being heard.
“Like that, did you?” he teased gruffly, fingers continuing to move lustily in and out. Shuddering, she moaned hoarsely. “Wait until tonight,” he promised.
When she came back to herself, she dropped her skirt with weak hands and fought to catch her breath. The last peals of the orgasm continued to resonate like a far-off bell. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever be able to leave the room.