Every Time We Kiss

Jennette turned to the maid who had her hand outstretched. She retrieved the note and thanked the maid. Opening the missive, she frowned.

It is imperative that you meet me in Aston’s study at 10.

No one had signed the note, but the handwriting didn’t appear to be Matthew’s or anyone else she knew. The slanted, flowing handwriting looked feminine. Lady Aston, perhaps. The lady had gone quite pale when she discovered her husband’s infidelity. Maybe she wanted to ask her more questions.

She walked into the salon and scanned the room. Lady Aston was indeed missing and it was almost ten now. With a shrug, she strolled down the hall to the study. Two orange trees occupied the space by the windows and filled the smaller room with a sweet scent. She pulled an orange blossom off a tree and inhaled the delicious aroma.

“You came.”

Jennette whirled around at the sound of Huntley’s voice. “What are you doing here?”

He rolled his eyes. “I sent you that note.”

“Oh. Then what is so important that you had to speak with me now?”

“Lady Jennette, after hearing what happened to you today, I haven’t been able to get the image of you off my mind.” He took a step closer. “All alone in that room, hearing Aston and that maid rutting like animals. I can only imagine what it must have been like to listen to them.”

The man was a complete and utter pig. “What does that have to do with me?”

He stepped even closer. She had no place to go but into the orange tree.

“Did hearing them excite you?”

Jennette glanced around trying to find a way around him. But he now stood directly in front of her. With a plant and windows behind her, there appeared to be no place to go.

“Did you get damp thinking about what they were doing? Aston filling that servant with his hard cock. Did you touch yourself? Bring your finger deep inside you? Or rub that little nub of yours? Did you come?”

“Don’t be vulgar, Huntley.”

He inched closer until his chest was all but against her. “I want to know how you taste. My cock wants to be deep inside you, riding you, breaking through that virginal barrier.”

Her heart pounded. A bead of sweat rolled down her back. Knowing she couldn’t wait any longer, she raced past him. She had caught him off guard. With only two steps left to the door, he yanked her arm back toward him.

“You are going nowhere.” His hot breath smelled of old brandy and stale cigars.

“Don’t do this, Huntley,” she pleaded.

“I have no choice. I want something and the only way to get it is by fucking you.”

“Money,” she panted. “I shall pay you. Whatever you want.”

His wet lips touched her neck. “I don’t want your money.”

If he didn’t want her money, what could he possibly want from her? Most men desired her fortune.

“I’m not an innocent,” she admitted, hoping that would stop him.

“Even better. No virginal tears, just pleasure for both of us.”

He clasped her hands and brought them behind her back. His lips approached hers and fear terrorized her. She couldn’t let him do this to her. As she opened her mouth to scream, his mouth battered her lips. His tongue chafed at hers. She struggled against his grip but that only seemed to excite him more.

Huntley ground her hips against his erection. Feeling his hardness brought on full panic. She had to get herself under control. There had to be a way out of this situation. Remembering what Banning had taught her, she brought her knee up between his legs as hard as she could.

Freedom came in an instant.

“You bitch,” he screamed and fell to the floor.

The door opened and Jennette looked over to see Matthew, Somerton, and, oh God, Banning.