Ten Ways to Ruin

His mouth found her lips, and his tongue warred with hers for a domination she didn’t understand. Nor did she want to think about it any longer. She wanted to enjoy everything, the warmth of his breath on her cheek, the hardness of his limbs where she sat, and the feel of his mouth on hers. Her senses were overwhelmed to the point of capitulation.

Knowing he still might think of himself as nothing but an item on her list to be scratched off, she hesitated before bringing her arms around his neck. His slight groan of pleasure was all she needed to hear. Her fingers raked the back of his hair.

His hand skimmed down her leg until it reached the junction of her thighs and then paused.

Don’t stop!

She wanted to shout the words at him. But fear of his rejection kept her mouth quiet.

Slowly, he pulled back from their kiss and stared down at her with those intent blue eyes that many of his acquaintance must fear, and yet, she did not. “I am not a good man, Emma. I won’t do this and beg prettily for your hand.”

And thank God for that, she thought.

“Good,” she said with a tilt of her head far more bravado than she felt. “Because you are the last man I should ever wish to tie myself to for life.”

“Then why?” he whispered before plucking a quick kiss.

“Why what?” she asked and then boldly reached up and kissed him. His strong arms wrapped around her, pressing her even closer.

“Why me? In your bed?”

Pulling back slightly, she looked up at him. “I don’t know why, Simon. You drive me mad with anger, frustration...and desire, unlike any man I have ever met.”

His lips turned up slightly, crinkling his eyes. “Good.”

“Good?” She smiled shyly.

He slid her off his lap and then rose to look down at her. “Yes, good. Because you do the same to me, and now, I intend to remove every stitch of clothing on your luscious body and kiss you from head to toe.

He stared at her with such a look of desire, her heart pounded. “Every stitch? Oh.”

“Starting with this lovely gown that is covering far too much of your beautiful body.”

He leaned over and kissed her breathless. As he continued his onslaught on her mouth, he walked her slowly back toward the large canopy bed in the other room.

The back of her legs hit the edge of the bed, stopping her movements. She pulled at his cravat, untying the white silk. As he unwrapped the cloth from his neck, she worked at the buttons on his waistcoat. Finally, she had him down to just his shirt and trousers. She slipped her hands under this shirt, skimming her fingers up his chest. She savored the sensation of hard muscles and warm skin. He groaned softly when her fingers crossed over the sensitive peaks on his chest. She wondered if they were as sensitive as hers.

“You’re driving me mad,” he rasped.

“Good.”

He lifted her as if she weighed no more than a feather and placed her carefully on the soft mattress. Her legs dangled over the edge of the bed. Instead of feeling awkward, the position allowed her to wrap her limbs around him.

His mouth returned to hers with a burning madness that she loved. Their tongues tangled together as his chest pressed into hers. She never wanted this kiss to end. When it finally did, she moaned her frustration.

While his mouth continued to enflame her senses, one hand slipped between her legs, opening her folds to her mound. She moaned as his fingers played there, pressing, flicking, and finally entering her.

Her body ached for release, but she had no idea what to do. She writhed under him. His finger slid in and out her until a second joined the first, spreading her slightly wider.

She moaned again.

He smiled down at her in such a wholly sensual manner she realized this was far from over. He moved away from her only to discard his shirt. Staring up at his chest, she noticed the fine black hair that formed a line and disappeared into his trousers. Curiosity ad her wondering how far down the line went. Would she find out now?

His fingers reached for the fall of his trousers and unfastened the two buttons there. Emma’s breath came in short pants as she waited for more. The intriguing bulge there seemed to grow larger as she stared.

A loud rap interrupted his movements.

“Go away,” he shouted.