Two Shades of Seduction (10 page)

“You shall have to work harder than that to appall me, my lord. As I’ve said before, I think you say wicked things simply to shock me.”

“And if I were to say something very wicked to you?”

“I’m certain the initial embarrassment will dissipate quickly leaving me better prepared for your next sinful remark.” Her words made Quentin clutch at his chest with his hand as though in great pain as he shook his head solemnly.

“You wound me grievously, my sweet. To think my wicked ways won’t shock you is sad news indeed.”

“I’m certain you shall recover quite nicely, my lord,” she said with a laugh.

“Ah, but will you? After all, my sins are many, and I intend to teach you all of them.”

“Given your reputation, I am reasonably certain you will be an excellent tutor,” Sophie said with a laugh. Her nonchalance pricked Quentin’s ego.

“Then you’re prepared for all the pleasurable things I intend to do with your body?” Deliberately, he kept his voice soft and caressing. Her gaze met his, and he bit back a smile at the trepidation he saw glimmering in her eyes.

“I doubt you could provide me with any information I’m not familiar with already.”

“A challenge.” This time he didn’t hide his grin. “Then perhaps I should tell you that I am eager to discover whether your nipples are the color of soft pink roses or if they’re a pale shade of chocolate.”

Her gasp was her only response, and he liked the way she quickly reached for her cup to take a deep drink of wine. He’d taken her by surprise. Sophie’s gaze met his over the rim of her cup. Despite the shocked look on her face, something altogether different shimmered in her eyes. Encouraged by her expression, Quentin reached out to pick up an apple. He examined it for a long moment as he waited for Sophie to relax slightly. The moment he heard her breathe an almost inaudible sigh, he looked at her again.

“I have a fascination with nipples, Sophie. They tend to remain as hard as my cock during lovemaking. Of course, to ensure they remain hard, I’ll have to stroke them with my tongue.”

“Dear lord.” Her words were more like a choking noise as she stared at him in appalled fascination.

“As I recall, I did warn you I am wicked to a fault.”

He took a bite out of his apple as he watched her, silently daring her to admit he’d shocked her. Almost as if she could read his mind, she remained silent, clearly determined not to yield ground to his ungentlemanly behavior.

“Not only do I intend to suck on your nipples, Sophie, I’m going to kiss every delightful inch of you. I’m going to work my way downward until my mouth reaches that delightful spot between your legs, which is certain to be hot and wet. I’m going to use my mouth to make you writhe in my arms until you beg me for a release you’ve not yet experienced.”

“My lord, I—”

“Then when I’m quite certain you’re ready for me, I’m going to plunge my cock deep inside you over and over again until I spill my seed in you. And all the while, I’m going to enjoy hearing you cry out from the pleasure of it all.”

Silence fell between them, and he noted the rapid rise and fall of her breasts. The look of shock on her face made him clench his jaw tight. He’d gone too far. He quickly dismissed the thought. Better she know now, than later, the kind of man she was marrying. There was still time for her to change her mind. Reluctantly, he had to admit that he didn’t want her to change her mind.

Sophie’s gaze was dark with something he couldn’t define, but her relatively calm composure pleased him. Most women of her background would be running from him in hysterics, but not Sophie Hamilton. She was either determined not to let him win their argument or she was completely enthralled with his vivid description of what he wanted to do with her. To his surprise, he found himself hoping it was the latter.

The tip of her tongue darted out to dampen her lips, and Quentin’s chest tightened at the way his body reacted to the sight. He wanted to feel those luscious lips wrapped around his cock. He was going to teach this fascinating creature to do things no wife would ever expect to learn from her husband. The idea made him grin as he bit into a tart apple.

“You seem well-pleased with yourself, my lord.”

“I am,” he said as he swallowed and grinned at her.

“I suppose you find me amusing.” Her cool tone startled him and he studied her more closely. Hazel eyes flashed with anger, pain, and something close to humiliation. Her expression triggered regret inside him.

“You think I’m laughing at you,” he said quietly.

“Aren’t you? Isn’t that what this is all about? A bit of sport with the old maid.”

This time the bitterness was clearly evident. He closed the distance between them and grasped the hand that was twisting her napkin with extreme violence. With a gentleness that surprised him, he carried her hand to his lips.

“Sophie, I was not having sport with you. I truly am a scoundrel of the worst kind, and you should think hard about marrying me. But if you become my wife, I can assure you it will be one of the most pleasurable experiences of your life.”

He deliberately stroked her forefinger with his tongue, before pulling it into his mouth. As he sucked on her finger, he watched her shocked expression give way to reluctant pleasure. Releasing her finger, he turned her hand over to kiss her wrist. The tremor shooting through her reverberated against his fingers. Instinct told him it wasn’t fear, but excitement.

“Tell me, Sophie, what do you think about when I touch you.”

“I…I don’t…know. I suppose I like how nice it feels.”

“Nice?” He’d not heard a woman use the word nice where he was concerned in years. It didn’t do much for his pride. “I believe I need to help you with your definitions regarding pleasurable sensations.

Not waiting for her to answer, he tugged her down to him then rolled her onto her back. Her mouth pouted with surprise, and his cock stiffened at the sight. With a slow stroke, he ran his thumb along her bottom lip and it quivered beneath his touch. Already consumed with the need to touch her, he refused to wait any longer to taste her lips.

Holding her chin with his hand, he kissed her hard. The scent of honey and lemongrass washed over him, teasing his senses. The women he’d made love to in the past had always worn exotic scents, but Sophie smelled of fresh wind and meadows. His tongue plunged into her mouth.

Unlike yesterday, this time she tentatively swirled her tongue around his. It made him rock hard. He pulled away and gently nibbled on her lower lip before his mouth drifted down across her jaw to the side of her neck. The soft moan that escaped her filled him with elation. It had been a long time since he’d been so eager to bed a woman.

His hand deftly undid the buttons of her riding jacket. The garment fell open to expose her white combination. When she murmured a protest, he kissed her until she sighed against his lips. Slowly, his fingers brushed over the tops of her breasts. She stiffened slightly, but didn’t protest as his hand deftly unlaced several of the top loops of her undergarment.

Eager to look at her, he pushed himself upward to view her plump flesh and her dark pink nipple. His inability to fully expose her breast created a dark lust in him. He lowered his head and circled his tongue around her hardened nipple through the thin layer of material that covered the taut peak. The gasp that echoed above his head wasn’t one of protest, but one of pleasure. It encouraged him to continue suckling until the lace of her combination was damp and clinging to the rounded top of her breast. A second later, she arched her body upward, her breast pushing against his mouth. It was a gentle surrender that heightened the erotic sensation of tasting her. God help him, but he would have to take care where this woman was concerned or he might find himself tangled in a web he would find difficult to escape.

§  §  §

As Quentin’s long, hard body pressed into hers, a hot mist of sensation and pleasure engulfed Sophie. A deep moan passed her lips as his mouth tugged on her nipple until the caress ignited a painfully exquisite need inside her. The sensation was primal in nature, and it left her hungry for something she understood, but had never thought to experience. Fire skimmed its way along her senses until she was certain she would burst into flames.

Sophie gasped as his teeth nipped at her tender flesh. Instinct made her arch her back with a silent demand for more. Her fingers spiked through thick, dark hair that caressed her skin like silk. It wasn’t fair that a man could have such beautiful hair. Even more unfair was the way he could manipulate her body so easily until she was little more than soft clay to be molded in his hands.

A multitude of sensations engulfed her as Quentin took her mouth in a hot kiss. His tongue swirled around hers leaving the sharp tang of apple in its wake as an unfamiliar sensation slid over her. No one had ever kissed her like this. It left her longing for something more. Deep inside her brain, she recognized how wanton her behavior was, but his touch made her crave more. The rough scent of him was overwhelming raw male in its mixture of bergamot soap, leather, and a faint hint of earthy spice.

The thunder of her racing heartbeat echoed in her ears as her arms encircled his neck, and she kissed him with an eagerness that alarmed her. How easily she’d surrendered to his caresses and the hard, firm lips teasing her into submission. The soft earth pressed into her back while the weight of his body pinned her beneath him. It was a confinement she had no wish to escape. His touch thrilled her and she didn’t want him to stop. The sudden touch of his hand gathering her skirt upward made her inhale a sharp breath. He stopped and raised his head to look down at her.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he commanded in a rough voice. It was an unfamiliar sound, but instinctively she realized it was one of desire. She excited him. Sophie Hamilton, spinster, had aroused the Devil of Devlyn Keep. Exuberance swept over her as she stared up into green eyes blazing with a fire that threatened to consume her. It was the first time in her life that any man had looked at her with passion. The heady knowledge made her shudder beneath him.

“I…I want more.”

“More of what?”

“I want you to keep…kissing me…touching me.”

“Then you shall have it.”

His lips slanted over hers again in a deep, hot kiss. The now familiar scent of bergamot swept over her senses as his hand slid further up her leg. A lethargy sped its way through her limbs as instinct made her arch upward. The soft linen of her combination brushed across her hard nipples as if it were made of harsh wool. Dear lord, how badly she wanted his mouth on her breast again. She was certain it was the only way to assuage the tension rising inside her. A moment later, his tongue slid between the valley of her breasts, and she uttered a soft cry of delight.

She craved the touch of his hand on her, everywhere, even in that most intimate place between her legs. Heat streamed its way through her limbs until fire encased her entire body. She’d never felt so deliciously wicked in her entire life.

Cool air suddenly stung her skin, instantly dousing the desire that had held her enthralled seconds before. In consternation, she stared up at Quentin as he retreated from her to stand several feet away from her. Disappointment and confusion spiraled through her. Slowly sitting up, she studied him in puzzled silence.

Tension tugged the scar on his face so tight it was a harsh white streak cutting its way across his darker complexion. Shaken by her response to his touch and his rejection, Sophie sat up and avoided his gaze. Her fingers fumbled first with the lacing of her combination then the buttons of her riding habit. Embarrassed, she rearranged her hair into a more presentable state. She darted a glance in his direction to see him watching her. Quickly glancing away, she was about to rise to her feet when a strong masculine hand was presented to her. Hesitation made her slow to accept his assistance, and a dark growl echoed out of him.

“Come Sophie, I have no desire for anyone to stumble upon us like this.” The clipped words chilled her.

“Nor I,” she snapped as she placed her hand in his so he could pull her to her feet.

Sophie didn’t know what she’d done wrong, but she hadn’t been the one seducing him. As she looked up at him, she was startled to see desire still blazing in his green eyes. The sight sent her pulse skidding out of control. Heaven help her, but the man excited her. With only a few caresses, he’d driven every thought from her head except for one. Desire.

It had made her throw caution to the wind just moments ago. And caution was the one thing she needed to observe where this man was concerned. The Devil of Devlyn Keep was dangerous. She was certain he could easily break her heart if she didn’t take care.

“Come, it’s time you went home.” His voice was devoid of emotion as he offered his arm to her.

She hesitated for a brief moment then accepted his arm and allowed him to guide her toward Augustus. When they reached the white stallion, Quentin ran his hand along the horse’s hindquarters to the saddle then flipped up the leather flap to check the girth straps. Satisfied it wasn’t loose he dropped the flap and patted the animal’s sturdy neck.

“Sophie, I want you to carefully consider what you’re doing. I want you to think about what will happen if you marry me day after tomorrow,” he said in a terse tone as stepped in front of Augustus to stroke the horse’s nose.

“I’m aware of the consequences, my lord,” she said quietly.

“I wonder.” He turned his head and narrowed his gaze at her.

“My family will disown me.”

“Of that there is no doubt, but it is the guilt I think you should consider, Sophie,” he said. “Can you live with that?”

She hesitated at the question.
Could
she live with the guilt? Everything she knew about her father’s dealings confirmed Quentin wasn’t the only person her father had swindled. Her father had broken trust with so many people over the years. But it was his tyranny and the trust he’d broken with her that convinced her she could live with whatever guilt was thrust upon her.

“I can live with it,” she said quietly.