When he stood naked before her, it was she who held out her arms to him, her body taut from the ache within her and the thought of how he would, soon, bring her to unbearable pleasure. His hand moved downward over her belly until his fingers found her.
“You are exquisite, Cassandra.”
“So are you.”
He leaned his dark head down and let his mouth caress her breast.
“I want you.”
He clasped his hands beneath her hips and lifted her. “Wrap your legs about me.”
She grasped his neck to steady herself and obeyed him, though she did not really understand what he was about.
He lifted her easily, and she felt his fingers gently stroking her, and then parting her. He thrust upward and she buried her face in the hollow of his throat, whimpering at the agony of sensation he was creating in her. His hands molded her hips tight against him as he thrust into her. She tightened her legs about his lean sides to heighten her pleasure, and sought out his mouth. But the difference in their sizes frustrated her, and without thinking, she reared back against his arms, upsetting his balance. He fell onto the bed with a roar of laughter, and she sprawled atop him.
“So my lady wishes to be more conventional, does she?”
He pulled her upright until she was straddling him, her hips upon his chest.
He caressed and kissed her until she was on the edge of her climax before he lifted her hips and eased her down upon him.
He could not contain his own moans when he felt the rippling convulsions grip her body, and he dug his fingers into her hips and pressed her downward, hard against him. He was deep inside her but the pain she felt was consumed by the waves of frenzied pleasure that ripped through her.
“Oh my,” she whispered at last, and sprawled her length on top of him.
He laughed softly and squeezed her tightly against him.
Chapter 22
Cassie laughed and punched lightly at the earl’s chest as he lifted her from the copper bathtub. He heard a tentative knock on the dressing room door, and quickly drew a large towel around her. “A moment, love,” he said, shrugging into his dressing gown.
To Scargill, who was pacing restlessly to and fro in the bedchamber, he was less loving.
“I trust you have an excellent reason for this interruption,” he said curtly, closing the door behind him.
“It’s Daniele, my lord. He believes he has found that animal, Andrea.”
“Where?”
“In Riva Trigoso. Daniele sent one of his men to fetch you.”
“Damn, it is two days’ hard riding,” the earl said, rubbing his jaw. “Why does Daniele not simply bring him here?”
“His man says that Andrea is no longer alone and it will take some of your men to bring him back.” Scargill saw his master gaze with a furrowed brow toward the dressing room, and drew himself up. “I will go, my lord, and bring that swine back myself.”
“No, Scargill, it is my responsibility as well as my pleasure. How many men does Daniele feel we need?”
“If you go, my lord, not more than three others.”
The earl cursed fluently under his breath. Mr. Donnetti and The Cassandra would not return from Alexandria for several days. As much as he did not wish to, he would have to take three of the men from the Villa Parese.
“You, Rapallo, and Girolamo will remain here, Scargill, and stay with Cassandra. We cannot afford to take any chances with her safety.” He looked away toward the dressing room. “Have the men ready to leave within the hour.”
Cassie became very quiet when the earl told her what had happened.
“I shall return—hopefully with Andrea—in five days, Cassandra, no more. I promise you.”
“I will go with you, my lord.”