Engaging the Enemy (The Wild Randalls 1)

Illuminated by firelight, her room seemed startlingly feminine, and the familiar scent of her perfume robbed him of breath. He glanced around the chamber quickly, but saw no signs of a maid waiting to attend her.

“Put the candle down, Leopold, and blow it out. I will require your further assistance tonight.”

There it was! There was the next shocking thing to pass through those wicked lips. He should not be here, he should ring the bell for her maid and walk away. But she was so very tempting. So lovely and soft that he was helpless to deny her. He set the candle down on a nearby table and pinched the wick, leaving them with only the firelight playing over her body. She stood with her back to him, presenting the long line of buttons to him that he hadn’t spared time to unfasten in the rose arbor. Each came free easily and Mercy rushed to step out of her gown.

“My corset strings next.”

Leopold gulped, staring down the length of her back and the teasing outline of her buttocks visible through the thin chemise. The corset strings almost defeated him. He seemed all thumbs to loosen them. But perhaps he merely attempted to delay the evening further because he certainly wanted to make love to her again. How his cock had hardened again, after being so well satisfied before, escaped him. He’d never wanted a woman the way he wanted Mercy. He wanted to hear her calling out her pleasure as he stroked inside her again and again.

At last he could fit his fingers beneath the loosened corset and tugged until she could step out of it. Firelight illuminated the outline of her trim figure; tiny waist, generous hips to wrap his hands about. She was the most desirable woman he had ever met and still he wanted more. Mercy stretched and swayed, rubbing her hands over her skin through the chemise. The sight stirred him beyond reason and he stepped up behind her and slid his arms around her waist.

Although she leaned against his chest, Mercy’s hands stilled his wandering fingers. “I thought you were done with me for the night, Leopold.”

He’d certainly tried to give her that impression, but Leopold had given up on fighting his passions the moment he’d crossed her threshold. Tomorrow, he’d try to control them better. He dropped his head and kissed her neck while he held back the words he was afraid to say. He feared he’d never be done with her. She stirred his desires too damn much for his sanity. But tonight he belonged to her. Tonight he would love her until dawn lightened the horizon.

Leopold turned her head until their eyes met. “Not yet, my duchess. Not yet.”

He kissed her and forgot all the reasons why sharing her bed again could not be in her best interests. Mercy responded with no hint of hesitation, bending her body until she touched him from breast to thigh. A frown marred her forehead before she lifted her hands to tug at his clothes. She pushed his coat from his shoulders and then went to work on his waistcoat. “I want to see you. All of you.”

The husky quality of her words washed over him like fire and he shucked the rest of his clothes as fast as he could.

Mercy’s chemise landed at his feet and he looked up.

God’s blood, she was beautiful in her nakedness, skin licked by firelight and shadow. Her breasts were full, nipples peaked with arousal, and the delicate thatch of curls between her legs made him want to fall to his knees. But before he could do more than stare, Mercy stepped forward, and stroked her fingers down his sides. His breath caught as she slowly slid her body forward to encompass him. Soft skin, heated and sweet, pressed against him as Mercy learned the planes of his chest and back. Her chin lifted, lips parted, so Leopold did what he’d wanted to since they’d first met. He scooped her into his arms and carried her to bed.

The cool linens curled around them, adding new sensations to their tryst. Mercy hummed to herself softly as her hands stroked his back and kneaded his skin. She rocked against him, pressing her curls to his aching length as she had before. He knew what she wanted better now and he would see her satisfied as never before.

Slowly, he wriggled down her body and kissed her breast. He drew the hard peak into his mouth and teased her while she moaned. He shaped her other breast with his hand. Mercy writhed and shuddered, hands clenching and unclenching on his hair as he switched from one breast to the other.

She shuddered and pressed her pelvis against his stomach. The damp heat of her shifted him lower. He might shock her out of her skin in a moment, but he would taste her tonight and bring her to completion with his mouth.

Her belly was soft and he kissed all around her navel, dipping his tongue inside and drawing wet c

ircles on her skin. But he could smell her desire too keenly to ignore what he intended for long. He wriggled the short distance down the bed until his head rested on her thigh.

With her legs open, the firelight illuminated her folds perfectly. He stroked one finger through her curls, parting her completely to his gaze. Luscious, damp heat coated his finger as he played, listening to Mercy gasping his name as she thrashed her head from side to side.

He brought his face against her and inhaled deeply. His cock ached painfully to join with her again. But he couldn’t do that. He could not risk impregnating her, so he kissed her lower lips and kept on kissing.

Mercy bucked away from his mouth, a desperate wail echoing around the room. When she settled, he held firm to her hips and kissed her again and then licked his tongue over the place that would bring her the greatest pleasure. She bucked again, but then her legs widened and her hands curled into his hair to keep him there.

He licked her nub slowly, feeling it rise toward his tongue. He drew on the nubbin as she repeated his name. She was close to finding her release but wasn’t there yet. To make her come, he eased two fingers inside her body and twisted them.

Mercy’s body clamped on his fingers as a desperate, feminine wail left her mouth. She called his name as she shuddered violently and rocked her hips against his face. Leopold memorized it all—taste, smell, sound—because he knew he’d never find another woman who would respond to him like this again. Despite the joy of making love to her, he’d made a mess of everything. He would never marry, never find a lover who could take her place. The old duke must be happy in his corner of hell. He’d ensured Leopold would be miserable for the rest of his life.

Chapter Fourteen

The taper in Leopold’s hands flared to life, brightening the dark bedchamber around him. He stood slowly, protecting the flame so it would not go out again before he could light his candle. He was doing everything he could not to wake Mercy. It was a long time until morning and he still had to get back to his own chamber without being noticed. But most especially he did not want to wake Mercy because he simply did not know what to say. Saying thank you for making my dreams come true seemed paltry regards after such a frantic night of passion.

She had been everything he remembered and more.

He redressed quietly, but as a precaution, so he could move about the sleeping abbey undetected, he left off his boots and prowled toward the door barefoot. However, before he left her bedchamber, he took one last look at the sleeping woman; hair tossed about the pillow, a soft pale arm reaching toward the empty side of the bed. She was utterly captivating and lovely. Why had her husband allowed her to be used in the old duke’s plans all those years ago?

He shook his head and turned his back on his questions. There was no answer, of course. Not with her husband dead and the old duke long gone.

Leopold eased out into the hall. All was silent. Still. Carefully, he picked his way back to the blue suite and closed the door. He let out a heavy sigh, relieved to have returned undetected.

“Good morning, sir. May I take your boots?”