Wicked Wager (13 page)

And then he did.

It was even better than their first kisses. She knew now how to open her mouth and respond to his teasing, tantalizing tongue thrusts. As their tongue-play grew more passionate, she leaned into his solid warmth and strength and let her body meld to his. Her breasts were crushed against his hard chest and her stomach rested against the provocative ridge of his arousal. The unmistakable evidence of his masculinity made her weak with longing.

Seized by a sudden restlessness, she pressed herself against him. Her body knew exactly what she needed. If only he would touch her…soothe that tormenting ache.

****

He could scarcely believe how responsive she was. The awareness nearly pushed him over the edge. He wanted to rip off their clothing and push her down on the bed. With effort, he forced himself to continue with foreplay, kissing her neck, then moving his hands down to cup her buttocks. As he pulled her against him, she made soft mewling sounds. He kneaded her delicate flesh through her gown and then pulled up the thin silk, exposing her sheer muslin pantaloons. Dragging them down, he touched bare skin.
Mmmm. Pure bliss.

He stroked and fondled, then slid his fingers along the cleft of her bottom, seeking paradise. She moaned as he touched her tender essence, her response making him fight for control. She was so wet. So small and tight. He could barely get a finger inside her. Somehow he must slow down, take his time to ready her.

He edged her toward the bed where he broke off their kiss and helped her lie down. She rested on her elbows facing him, her eyes wide and helpless, her kiss-swollen lips parted. He pulled off her slippers and stockings, then pushed her dress further up and took her pantalettes completely off. For a moment, he admired her naked beauty. Then he gently spread her thighs and lowered his mouth to kiss her sweet, intimate flesh. She let out a cry of mingled delight and shock.

****

Dear heavens!
She’d been on the verge of begging him to soothe her savage need, but she’d never guessed he’d do it this way! The pressure of his mouth both soothed and tormented her. She writhed and raised her hips as a fierce heat built inside her. She could not. Help. Herself. Could. Not…

A wild cry escaped her lips as a fierce energy burst inside her and exploded.

Gradually, she floated back to earth and opened her eyes. Revington was leaning over her. His mouth glistened with moisture and his dark eyes watched her. She felt her face heat with a blush at the thought of what he’d done to her. And this was only the beginning. They had not yet…

She took a deep breath, anticipating what was to come. The aching, heated sensation again built inside her. How could that be? He’d taken her to such heights of feeling. Could there really be more delights to experience?

But as he started to undress, she felt a twinge of panic. A few moments before, she’d been quite sure of herself. But that was before she realized just how intimidating he would be without his clothing. His bare shoulders seemed twice as broad and his naked torso much more muscular.

He sat on the chair by the bed to remove his boots. Once they were off, he stood and pulled down his trousers and small clothes. She stared. She hadn’t anticipated that his male member would be so…

She brought her gaze back to his face. If she didn’t look down there, she might regain her nerve.

But, having seen him, she couldn’t get the image from her mind. She told herself he wasn’t as large as a stallion, that there was no reason to be intimidated. But he was certainly larger than she’d anticipated. She couldn’t imagine how they were going to…

He seemed to guess that his nakedness unsettled her. Moving quickly, he climbed onto the bed, pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

Once again she gave into the delights his lips and tongue and teeth could arouse. By the time he’d kissed and nibbled her neck and shoulders, she was helpless with desire. As he mouthed her breasts, the yearning ache between her legs grew urgent. She clung to him as he eased her farther onto the bed, feeling nearly blind with desire. The feel of him on top of her, his heated flesh against hers…Oh!

And still he kissed her, plundering her mouth, then nuzzling her earlobes and neck. She writhed and moaned, feeling as if she would burst into flames. Helpless with need, she spread her legs and lifted her hips, seeking something, seeking
him.
In response, he rubbed his phallus against her, making her feel the hard, heated length. Holding himself above her, he rubbed his member against her belly and then lower. As the soft, plump tip stroked her intimate parts, she opened herself to him, desperate to be filled, to have the raw, fierce ache inside her soothed and satisfied.

****

At last, she was ready. His own control was near the breaking point. As she thrust her hips up to meet him, frantically seeking penetration, he used his hand to guide himself, pressing his cock against her sweet slit. For a few seconds, there was resistance, then he was inside her. She let out a gasping moan, and he felt her body tense around his. The pressure nearly did him in. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, fighting the desperate urge to thrust deep.

Reaching between them, he found the top of her cleft and sought the tiny tender nub at the center of her pleasure. She reacted by moaning and shifting her hips, allowing deeper access. He continued to stroke her, not touching the sensitive spot but circling around it. She arched her body and cried out. As she went limp, he thrust harder and faster, finally giving in to the implacable needs of his own body.

She was caught up in a whirlwind of mindless sensation. Once, twice, three times she reached some pinnacle of feeling, partially recovered, then found herself climbing the heights again. As he dragged her to the summit, his breathing was harsh and fast in her ears, while his body pulsed inside hers with some ancient rhythm. She could only hold on while they galloped toward their soul-shattering destination. Close…closer…His deep groan echoed her own intense release.

He collapsed upon her, breathing hard. She held him tight, feeling a deep tenderness. As he raised his head and looked at her, she saw perplexity in his expression…and something else, a sudden wariness. Triumph surged through her. She’d reached him. For a brief time, the mask of the cold, hardened gamester had fallen away and she’d forced him to actually feel something for her.

But along with that realization came another thought. In the process of drawing him out, she’d stripped away her own protection. If she’d made him care for him, then it was balanced by a sudden surge of yearning in her own heart.

She struggled for control, telling herself she couldn’t give up her own goal and let her emotions overrule her wits. The pleasure he’d shown her was fleeting. She had the whole rest of her life to consider.

****

It would be so easy to fall asleep here
. His body felt replete with sexual satisfaction, his whole being, languid and content. The next moment he reminded himself that he’d already let Penny get too close. He dare not fall asleep next to her silky feminine warmth, or what reason and resolve he had remaining would dissolve.

He forced himself to get out of bed, taking care not to touch her or look at her as he did so. Somehow he had to regain his poise, his normal sense of himself. He gathered his clothing, but even that action brought his thoughts back to Penny, reminding him how he’d practically torn off his garments in desperate need to join his body with hers.

Damn!
He must remember not to go so long without having sex.
Yes, that was it. He’d simply waited too long, allowed himself to become too desperate. That was why he’d wanted her so badly.

He jerked on his trousers and hastily buttoned his shirt. Now that the deed was done, he needed to move on, to get back to his normal mode of living. He needed some distance from his response to her, the way her body felt in his arms. Her scent, her taste…

Hurriedly putting on his stockings and boots, he made up his mind. He’d go to the club. Have a few brandies and look for a game. After all, that was his business, his livelihood. He’d neglected it far too much as it was. Grabbing his coat and cravat—he’d have Bowes retie it—he hurried out the door.

****

Penny sat up at the sound of the door shutting. As Revington dressed, she’d been in a kind of daze. She hadn’t thought he’d leave so abruptly, and without saying a word.

She got out of bed and went to the adjoining water closet, then returned to the bedchamber. Her sense of repletion vanished, and she felt bereft and melancholy. She was obviously wrong to think lovemaking would influence Revington’s feelings for her. If such a blindingly intense experience didn’t affect him, nothing would. Her whole plan was a waste of time.

Even worse was the knowledge that what they’d shared had changed her feelings for
him
. They’d been so close, as if they were one person instead of two. How was she to forget that and go back to despising him?

Restless, she grabbed her clothing and dressed. But even as she clothed herself, she couldn’t help thinking about the way Revington had kissed her. A wave of emotion swept through her and she bit her lower lip, feeling as if she might weep. What was wrong with her? Why did she long to have him come back and hold her in his arms?

She forced off the mood, finished dressing and redid her coiffure as best she could. Downstairs, she peeked into the library but found it empty. She sought out Bowes in the foyer. “I’m looking for Mr. Revington.”

“He’s gone out.”

Feeling irritated and depressed, she went to the library and tried to read. She glanced up frequently, watching time creep by on the mantel clock. When the hands pointed to eleven o’clock, she slammed the book shut.

Where was he? With Elizabeth Valant? Bitter jealousy clenched her jaw. How dare he treat her like this? She was his fiancée. She deserved some respect and consideration. The next moment, her anger slipped away and she felt almost despairing.

Disgusted with herself, she left the library. Bowes was in the foyer. “I’m going to bed, Bowes.”

“Very good, miss.”

As she started up the stairs, her fury returned. Did the whole staff guess Revington had bedded her and then left like a man fleeing for his life?

Thinking of the staff made her remember Maggie. She could certainly use some company now, not to mention some advice. Returning downstairs, she asked Bowes, “Is Maggie still up?”

“I’ll go and see. Should I send her up if she is?”

“Yes, but if she’d gone to bed, don’t wake her.”

She went back upstairs and changed into her nightrail. A few minutes later, there was a knock on the bedchamber door. “Miss? Did you need help undressing?”

She opened the door and Maggie entered. Penny stared helplessly at her a moment, then said, “I did what you suggested. I seduced Mr. Revington.” Maggie gave her a startled look, and Penny felt her face flush with embarrassment. Turning away, she began to pace.

“Afterward he left. Ran out of here like a man fleeing for his life. And he hasn’t come home yet.” She again faced Maggie. “What do you make of that?”

“Perhaps he remembered some sort of business he must attend to. His behavior might not have anything to do with you.”

“You don’t truly believe that, do you, Maggie?”

Maggie looked thoughtful. “I suppose not. But even if he left because of you, it doesn’t necessarily mean anything bad. He might have been so affected by what happened between you that he needed to get away.”

“I suppose it’s possible.” Penny recalled the expression on Revington’s face immediately after they’d made love. The look he’d given her had been almost tender. But for all she knew, she’d imagined it. She sighed. “The thing is, where do I go from here? What do I do now?”

Maggie gave her a tentative smile. “He’s bound to come back some time, miss. When he does, you can insist he spend time with you, take you around the city. He did promise he would.”

Penny nodded. Maggie’s advice was sound. Even if their first experience of lovemaking hadn’t affected him, that didn’t mean all hope was lost. The real problem was, by the time she’d broken through his cold reserve, she feared her own emotions would be in tatters.

****

“Marcus! What the devil are you doing here? It’s nearly midnight. Why aren’t you with Penny?”

Marcus grimaced as James greeted him in the library of his townhouse. “I spent the day with her! That should be enough.”

“Testy, aren’t we?” James responded. “What did she do—insist you go shopping with her?”

Shopping—if only that’s all they’d done. Heated memories filled Marcus’s mind.
Penny lying on the bed, naked. The feel of her skin. Her taste…

No. He wouldn’t think about it. Moderating his voice to blandness, he said, “Obviously, I can’t spend all my time with Penny. I have to earn a living.”

James arched a brow. “I just don’t want you to forget the terms of our wager. You did promise to behave like a proper fiancé.”

Dash it all! Why had he ever agreed to this? He could easily afford to pay James to manage his affairs. There’d been no need to make this ridiculous wager. It was only that he’d been so certain he’d win. Now he wasn’t certain of anything any more.

“Lord Wendover is having a party tomorrow night,” James added when Marcus didn’t answer. “I’m sure Penny would enjoy the opportunity to experience the London social whirl firsthand.”

Marcus wished he could say he hadn’t been invited. But he knew that was unlikely. Despite what he’d told Penny, every week he received a half-dozen invitations to soirees, routs, and other gatherings. As a single man, he was in great demand by hostesses eager to balance out their guest lists. Of course, he wasn’t a single man any more, or he wouldn’t be as soon as he and Penny were married.

Attending the ball wouldn’t be so bad. There’d be such a crush he’d scarcely have to speak to Penny. Indeed, taking her out in public might be the ideal solution to his dilemma. He could appear to be spending time with her, and yet keep things formal and distant.