Through his trousers, she cupped the growing evidence of his arousal. “You do want me,” she whispered, enchanted by his sweet moan.
“Yes, love.” He hissed a breath as she stroked back and forth. “You can feel how much.”
With shaky fingers, she unbuttoned the flap of his trousers. “I mean to touch you, Nicholas. If I do something wrong, you must tell me.”
He offered no protest. The languid look in his eyes confirmed he lacked the strength to fight these cravings. “Do what you want with me. Everything you do brings immense pleasure.”
Swallowing down her nerves, she glanced at his jutting manhood. It was much longer, much thicker than expected. Still, she wrapped her fingers around his shaft, shocked to find his hot skin moved like silk over steel.
“A man dreams about many things,” he began, covering her hand with his and giving her a quick lesson in how to please him. “He never expects they’ll come true.”
“Did you dream about me touching you, Nicholas?”
“Too many times to count.” He closed his eyes against her novice strokes, a soft moan of ecstasy escaping his lips.
Never had she felt so empowered.
Never had she thought to see him like this.
So unrestrained, so free.
She breathed in the rich, intoxicating scent of his skin, wondering what it would be like to kiss the glistening head.
“I know what you’re thinking,” he panted, jerking his hips and thrusting his manhood through her fingers, “but I’ll not last five minutes in your mouth, and I’m desperate to prolong this experience.”
“Then take me to bed.”
She sounded like a wicked wanton, but when a woman had loved a man for years, she wasn’t afraid to be brazen.
He stilled her hand. “You’re to tell me if you want me to stop. Tell me if it’s not to your liking.”
“Lillian said to expect lots of bouncing.”
He laughed, his blue eyes glinting like sunlight on the sea. “There’ll be a little, but I mean to have you slowly, savour every second. What else did Miss Ware say?”
She shouldn’t repeat it, but she did not keep secrets from him, not anymore. “That it can be pleasurable if the man touches a certain spot.” He had touched that spot with his mouth and tongue, and it had been utterly divine. “I know there’s truth in that statement.”
“Indeed. I shall ensure every moment is pleasurable.” He glanced at the table. “Do you want wine? It might help to relax you a little.”
“No. I’m quite at ease now.”
Never had she felt so at peace.
He inclined his head. “Then, let us dispose of these cumbersome garments. I want to see you naked, love, and may study your luscious form for quite a while.”
He removed his clothes quickly, throwing them onto a chair and standing before her in all his naked glory. Like a bronze sculpture of a Greek god, every hard muscle was polished to perfection. He had always been strong, but he appeared like a formidable force, a prime example of masculinity.
The mere sight of him made her wet between the thighs. She didn’t need the wine, not when she felt giddy and drunk with desire.
She gathered the hem of Delphine’s petticoat. “Will you play lady’s maid and help me strip?”
“I’d hoped to watch as you reveal every inch of bare flesh.”
“You do know I’m not wearing a corset?”
“I had noticed.”
She removed the petticoat and kept her gaze locked with his until she drew her chemise over her head. A cold chill crept over her skin, bringing goosebumps to the surface, hardening her nipples.