Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
‘I have never in my life wanted anything as badly as I want you, Eliza.’ His body moves in and squashes the space so I am forced to look up at him. How can something so beautiful, I wonder, be so broken and dark? But I can see glimmers of light here and there.
His hand cups my breast and, all too sharply, I suck back air, daring to flatten my palm on his chest, still, as I was the first time I encountered him, amazed by the fine form of his physique. Stepping back and leaving me at the mercy of my unstable limbs, he removes his jacket and drops it to the rug. Tugs his cravat off and drops that, too. Then, his crisp white shirt. I’m certain that if I were capable of tearing my beguiled eyes from his bare chest, I would find a look of power and certainty.
‘Have you touched a man’s naked torso before, Eliza?’ he asks.
He knows I have not, so I do not waste my breath answering him.
He watches me so very closely as he slowly moves his fingertip to my lips and presses the pad of his finger against my soft flesh, and his head tilts in thought, lengthening his neck. It is taut and inviting. A wicked bang lands between my thighs, making me shift. Oh my goodness, he looks too sensual. I feel hot, even standing here in this sheer cloth. His finger moves to my hair and he twirls a lock around it, and I wonder what he could be thinking, for his face is tight and expressionless.
Then, quite unexpectedly, he grabs the front of my chemise and pulls me onto his mouth, and it catches me by surprise. There is, however, nothing I can, or want to do to stop him. His voracious invasion is impossible to resist and without thought or instruction, I naturally surrender to its power. I find his naked shoulders and delight in my first experience of a man’s bare flesh under my palms. He moans, the sound deep and rumbling, in between firm swirls of his tongue, and I taste the sharp edge of gin. I suppose it could be said that he has lost control, for his actions certainly suggest it, and his kiss is almost clumsy, but then he pulls back and gasps in my face, searching my eyes as his hands lie upon mine on his shoulders. ‘I do believe, and I must apologise sincerely, that I have crossed the line.’ He heaves and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand roughly. He has kissed me before, but it is not our kiss to which he refers. He was clothed and we were not in the privacy of his home.
I look at my hands on his naked flesh. ‘I cannot be sorry in this moment, Your Grace.’
He smiles very lightly, and it is exquisite on his hard face. ‘Eliza, to you I am simply Johnny.’ He cups my cheek and I find myself unable to resist nuzzling into it. ‘And I hope you may never regret it.’
I don’t know what to say, so I say nothing, instead choosing to continue with my fitful breaths as he holds me in place.
‘Are you ready to be disgraced?’
I swallow and nod as he, brimming with need, slowly comes closer, his green eyes passing from my mouth to my eyes constantly until his lips are lightly brushing over mine, but, this time, contrary to our last kiss, it is relaxed and tender, less urgent and rushed. Not a stolen kiss, but one without urgency. He holds the nape of my neck over my hair and begins walking backwards, which, in turn, encourages my steps. I care not where he is taking me, and I cannot see to know, my eyes remaining closed as we kiss deeply, but as my body becomes warmer, I conclude we are nearing the fireplace. It is true, the Duke is quite the talented kisser, overwhelmingly good. One night would never be enough, so I am truly glad he has expressed his expectations in that regard. I feel in this moment, this exquisite, tender, understanding moment, that I need nothing but this feeling of raw abandon ever again.
His hand leaves my neck and grasps the hem of my chemise, lifting it and breaking our mouth contact to get it past my head so I’m forced to release his shoulders and lift my arms. I am naked, completely bared to him, but I lack the ability to pay too much time or concern to that fact, as his passion and energy consume me.
‘Are you all right?’ he asks, breathing down on me, his groin pressing into my stomach.
‘Yes,’ I gasp, clenching my eyes shut, trying to comprehend what is happening. ‘Yes, I am very all right.’