“And again, thank you, for returning the button… which means I believe that you don’t mean to give me away and I do thank you so very much.”
By God, she was magnificent! The thought flooded through him and took over every coherent vibe in his brain. It turned him into something primal, with a hunger he couldn’t deny to himself was real.
He found he couldn’t resist the way she made him feel and his response was feral. He scarcely murmured as he scooped her into his arms in one deft movement, “Indeed…I think you should show me.”
* * *
Star had led him into the library fully aware that it was socially incorrect. Her brother was asleep upstairs and they were completely alone. She saw her hands shake as she poured his brandy and just barely got her trembling fingers under control when she handed him the snifter.
Star knew what she was doing. She might be inexperienced in the art of making love, but she knew, this was more than flirting. This was moving matters into obscure nether regions where nice could turn into naughty. The notion made her smile to herself.
She wasn’t playing games. She wasn’t going to tease or be coy. She wanted this moment alone with him. She wanted to take it as far as she could. She knew and understood the consequences of doing so.
Even knowing and accepting, she felt a moment’s fear. A sudden doubt touched her with logic. This was unacceptable behavior for a good maid. Did she want to be a good maid? No. Faith no. How utterly devoid such a life would be.
Still…what was he doing? Was he sincere? What was she doing? Would she take it as far as he wanted to go?
She sat beside him on the sofa in a dimly lit room alone, with his body so close to hers. She was headed for a fall she told herself, but yes, one that would fill her with sensation.
Indeed. At least she was headed somewhere she wanted to go…to him. She wanted to feel his arms around her. She wanted to feel his lips on hers. She wanted so much and it all centered on him. She couldn’t let him walk out of her life without experiencing him fully—could she?
Suddenly, she was in his arms. His lips softly brushed against hers, gently parted her lips and as his tongue entered and waltzed with hers, a fireball in her head exploded the air and the room into a white light. Her eyes were closed, but she could see rockets flare and stars glitter!
He managed to work her tongue in a manner that sent shivers of passion through her untested body. Untested—ha, she thought, no more. Would she regret this in the morning? Would she regret this when he was gone? No. She wanted this one night even if this was her one and only time with him like this.
She pressed against him aware that she was no longer in control of what she was doing. Star moved on instinct and desire. Deep inside she felt as though something had been ignited. One kiss followed another until she knew she was lost to him, lost with him.
A cool draft hit her as he leaned away from her and whispered her name, repeated it and offered, “Star…this is madness.”
“Hmmm,” she agreed. “Madness.”
“We must stop,” he told her.
“Hmmm, stop,” she answered. “In a moment…” with which she offered up her mouth again and he took it, this time almost wildly as his tongue plunged and taught hers just what he wanted from her.
His hand had reached into her low cut bodice and found her breast. He released it from its confines and fondled her with an expertise that riveted her to him. She felt a gasp of pleasure escape her lips.
The next thing she knew, he bent his head to lick at her nipple and when she heard him moan, she felt a rush of pleasure. He whispered, even as he suckled and fondled, “You beauty you.”
She was filled with exultation and meant only to tease when she answered banteringly, “Is this thanks enough?”
He pulled away at once, a frown on his face, his voice touched with anger, “Is that what you are doing…performing your gratitude?”
Her hand moved instinctively to dole him a slap across his handsome face, but he caught her wrist and chastised amiably, “But sweetheart, you are the one who suggested just that,” his voice was cold, his eyes colder.
“You are insufferable!” she said. What had happened? What the devil had just happened?
“Still, I want you. In the meantime, you need not keep me quiet by…seducing me, if that was what you were doing. I mean to help you and your brother, whether you want that help or not. . I don’t need payment…of any kind.”
Is that what he thought? Oh no. He thought she was trying to bribe him with seduction to keep her secret. She adjusted her clothes in a huff and her mind worked wildly. How could he think that of her? She went rigid as she pulled away from him and scooted to the far end of the sofa.
He frowned, “Change your mind, then? I promise to help and you no longer wish to show your gratitude?”
Her arms were crossed over her middle, “That wasn’t what I was doing,” she snapped.
“No? What were you doing?”
Hurt, she threw at him, “Getting a bit of experience from an expert, nothing more.”