Cinders and Ashes (Cavendish Mysteries 2)

“No,” Amelia murmured, sliding her hands upwards across the corded muscles of his stomach to slide through his chest hair and flick his nipples. She was rewarded by his responding groan, and repeated the motion as she straddled him.

Sebastian whispered encouragements to her as she slid over him, eyeing the pebbled nipples inches from his face with lascivious delight. He was almost there, when she leant backwards and away from him.

He glared balefully at her. His attention captured by the sight of her lush thighs resting on either side of his hips, his hard erection poised at her entrance. The sight of her lowering onto him combined the sensation of her tight sheath encasing him, made him groan aloud and swear fiercely, and encourage her onwards. He tried to thrust his hips upwards only to find her weight holding him down, preventing him from withdrawing.

“Amelia.” His brow and chest were bathed in a fine sheen of sweat. He should be blazingly angry at her for tying him up. But he was too enraptured by the sight of her new feminine confidence. He just couldn’t find it within him to do anything but enjoy her curiosity.

She remained silent as she slid down over him, relishing the feel of his rigid length sliding deep within her. Once impaled on him, she slid her hands slowly across his chest, kissing her way to the turgid nipples buried within the thick patch of hair, and licking them. She was fully aware of his intent stare as he watched her, and loved having him under her control.

“You want me,” Amelia murmured, gasping as she slid upwards until he was almost out of her, before sliding back down. A hot pool of tension began to coil low in her belly and she knew release would be soon. She strived to hold off her own completion. She wanted, needed, to see how far she could push him.

“You know damned well I do. Untie me, and I will show you,” Sebastian growled, as she encased him in her feminine heat once more.

“Do you want me to stay?” Amelia murmured, flicking her tongue over his turgid nipples before sitting up.

She ached to have him suckle her in return. She wanted his hands on her. But knew if he was untied, he would take over. This was about her control, not his.

“You can stay in my bed anytime you want to, you know that,” Sebastian muttered, not sure where she was headed. He had never had a conversation with a woman while making love before. It was a bit unnerving, and galling, to think she wasn’t so caught up with the sex that she felt the need to have a chat.

“I mean here, in Tingdale, with you,” Amelia moaned softly, as she slowly slid her own hands down over her breasts, cupping and measuring their weight before squeezing them gently. She felt a thrill of feminine delight, as Sebastian’s tongue swept over his lips hungrily. He stared at her clever fingers gliding over the lush mounds of her breasts raptly, aware she could see the pure longing on his face.

“Yes, I want you to stay,” Sebastian murmured, willing to follow her lead for now. He was fairly certain if he tugged hard enough, he could snap the bonds holding his wrists. But he didn’t want her to relinquish command just yet. He wanted to see if she would actually finish what she started. He was also curious to discover where she was headed with the questions.

Amelia leant forward to sweep her lips across his; nibbling his jaw until the softness of her lips tickled his ear. Sebastian shuddered. “If you break my trust, Sebastian, I will leave, and I promise you will never see or hear from me again,” she whispered, before nibbling down his neck and continuing downwards.

“Amelia,” Sebastian warned, swearing roundly as she eased off him and took him into her mouth again. “Damn it,” he swore, tugging hard at the ties holding his wrists. The delicious sensation of Amelia’s clever fingers rolling his balls, combined with the heat of her mouth on his rigid shaft took over, and he was lost to everything but the delicious sensations she created.

“You’ve got to let me go, Amelia, I can’t last much longer,” he gasped moments later, as he felt the pressure build to uncontrollable heights.

He tried to tug free of the bonds as he warned her to let him go, but wasn’t unsurprised when she ignored him. Unable to do anything other than follow where she led, with a shout he gave himself over to the most dazzling release that was so intense, the world momentarily faded.

Stunned, he lay staring up at the canopy for several moments while his heartbeat slowed and his body cooled. He was still gasping from the force of his release when Amelia bent over him and began to kiss him softly.

He knew then that whatever happened between them, she would never disappear from his life, whatever she claimed. If she did leave, he would move heaven and earth to find her. There would be nowhere she could hide. She was his.

“Take me again,” Sebastian demanded softly, knowing it would be a while before he was ready to find release again, but fully aware she hadn’t found her own satisfaction. He watched as she took his half flaccid member into her mouth again, and felt the delicious sensations stir his shaft back into life with a groan.

Dawn was creeping over the horizon when Sebastian dragged his weary carcass out of the luxuriously warm bed, and away from her feminine lure. Blinking sleep out of his eyes, he glanced back at the wanton goddess who had captured his soul during the night.

She had stunned and delighted him with her willingness to try new things. He eyed the bonds on the end of the bed ruefully, and rubbed his wrists with a smile. He should be angry with her for tying him up, but the sight of her taking him into her mouth was worth a few rub marks on his wrists. Well worth it.

Quickly dressing, he quietly lit the fire and turned for one last look at his future wife. With her hair sprawled out across the pillow, she looked wild. A sated and exhausted goddess.

Immediately, the veiled warning she had given him about returning with Eastleigh in tow rose to the forefront of his mind. Despite her threats, he had to inform Eastleigh of her whereabouts. After all, he couldn’t ask for the woman’s hand in marriage while claiming he didn’t know where she was.

He didn’t know all of the facts about what had happened, but would take steps to ensure the man posed no threat to Amelia. If Dominic was right, and Eastleigh had been searching for her, there really was no reason why the man shouldn’t know his daughter was indeed safe and well.

With one last lingering look at her, Sebastian turned and left.

A few days after Sebastian’s departure, Amelia arrived downstairs to breakfast to find a letter resting on her plate. Cautiously, she eyed the unfamiliar script before tugging open the wax seal. She couldn’t prevent the tears that flowed at what she read.

“Ma’am, is everything alright?” Hodgkiss asked softly, shaken to see

the delightful new lady of the house so distressed. Eschewing all protocol, he gently patted the young girl’s hand in a fatherly way while motioning for a footman to get help.

Since the master had brought her through the door looking all bedraggled and desperate, she had proven to be the most undemanding house guest. She had been kind and considerate towards all of the staff, taking the time to ask about their health and families. It was disturbing to see her so distressed, especially with the master not in residence.

“Amelia, what is it? Have you heard from Sebastian?” Isobel gasped, rushing to the table with a worried frown.