Chapter19
Her hollow threat had worked.She had no intention of approaching another man and asking him to make love to her.She could scarce believe she was even asking Ashford.No other man had ever stirred such feelings in her.Desire, admiration… and trust.She trusted him.
Ashford lifted her, and for a moment she thought he was going to set her on her feet.Her disappointment vanished, however, when he brought her down over his lap again, but this time her legs were draped on each side of his.
Her nightdress rose, exposing her lower legs to the cool night air.She should be shocked, but instead a thrill of anticipation filled her.
“You have no idea what you’re asking for.”
“I think I do, my lord.Amelia has… shared a few things with me.”
He closed his eyes again, which meant he was trying to gain a measure of control.She couldn’t have that.She wanted this man out of control.
His hands on her hips kept her perched over his knees.With a deep breath, she inched closer to him.His eyes sprang open, and the heat reflected within them gave her the confidence she needed to continue.
He helped her, one strong hand on her back, the other still clutching her hip, as he brought her body fully against him.
The shock of sensation was like nothing she’d ever felt before.If she thought the way her breasts felt when she was pressed against his firm chest was shocking, it was nothing compared to the way his hard length felt between her legs, where no one had ever touched her.
He was hard for her, a sign that her friend had assured her meant he very much wanted to make love to her.
She rubbed herself against him, enjoying the way he growled almost as much as she enjoyed the shock of sensation that went through her.
“This is your last chance to change your mind.”His voice was rough, his jaw clenched, telling her how much he, too, wanted to continue.
In reply, she brought her mouth to his.
Thankfully, Ashford took charge then.She cried out in protest when he ended the kiss before she was ready, but instead of pushing her away as she’d feared he was about to do, he brought his mouth to the side of her throat.
Delicious shivers flowed through her as he continued a heated path to the neckline of her nightdress.With a quick movement, he dragged the fabric down over her shoulders and exposed her breasts to the night air.
If she’d had any reservations before he arrived, they were well and truly gone now.The fact that they could be discovered only added to her excitement.She didn’t want to think about what that said about her.
His mouth covered one nipple, pulling on it, while he weighed the other breast with a hand.And through it all, his other hand kept her pressed tightly to his rigid length.The tumult of sensation was almost too much.
And then he started moving.Or, more accurately, he started rocking her along his length.When she realized what he wanted, she began to rise up and down as best she could, her feet just reaching the ground as she perched on his lap.She dropped her face into the crook of his neck, her breath coming in harsh pants, echoing with his own.
She didn’t know what happened, but she went from enjoying the feelings he was wringing from her body to being desperate for more.If he stopped now, she didn’t think she’d recover.
And then something wonderful happened.A wave of pleasure streaked through her body, almost too much to bear.She started to cry out, but he captured her mouth with his, swallowing the sound.
They stilled, his hard length still pressed against her.And then he pushed her back until she was perched on his knees.She felt the loss of his body against hers keenly.
His breath was still harsh, whereas hers was starting to calm, and she realized that whatever pleasure he’d just given her, he’d denied himself the same.
She examined him.His eyes were closed, his jaw clenched, confirming her suspicion.
Amelia had told her there were things a man and a woman could do outside the marriage bed to bring pleasure to one another, but she hadn’t given Mary any details.Well, she’d now experienced one of those things, and she wanted to give Ashford his own release.
Clinging only to the fact that he had pushed her away from him, she surmised that the feel of her body against his had brought him to the brink of losing control.His hands pressed firmly on her hips, preventing her from sliding close to him again.So instead, she reached down, hoping that he would enjoy her touch on his member.Perhaps it would help him find his own satisfaction.
His hand wrapped around her wrist and his eyes fixed on hers for what seemed like an eternity.Finally he swore and lifted her from his lap.She found herself sitting on the bench, watching in stunned silence while he stood and turned away from her.
What should she do?
She raised a hand to reach out to him again and hesitated.Which was silly, really, given what had just happened between them.
If she leaned forward, she’d be able to touch his backside, which was covered by his black tailcoat.She almost diverted her hand to his waist, but her hesitation was absurd since he’d kissed her breasts.Her naked breasts.