Page 39 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

“Katrina.” His raspy moan stoked flames in her core.

God willing, any second now, he would kiss her. She closed her eyes and waited, anticipation adding to the warm glow enveloping them. Their ragged breaths mingled, creating a sensual harmony.

From her neck to her shoulder, his fingertips languidly grazed her skin, exploring and teasing, reducing her to a raw sphere of want.

“Please, kiss me,” she begged.

A throaty rumble of male longing tickled her ear. “Yes, my princess.” His kisses trailed along the path his fingers blazed.

As wonderful as this was, she needed his lips on hers, in the same way he’d devoured her that first night.

His words caressed her already sensitive skin. “’Tis as if you are made of silk.”

Sighing, she tilted her head to the side, inviting him to lavish her neck. She’d never again begrudge him his experience with women. Not when it led to these expert ministrations.

Both a master at art and seduction, he separated his lips between each kiss, occasionally gifting her skin with a warm breath as he slowly worked his way up and down her neck.She clutched his waistcoat, digging her nails into his back, encouraging him with pleas of, “Oh, yes.”

He halted at her ear to nibble, then blew a seductive breath, raising the hair on the back of her neck.

Any defense she had left cracked, releasing a dormant wild feline. She clasped her mouth around his neck, drew his skin into her mouth, and sucked much harder than any proper woman should.

What in the heavens did the man bathe in? Because she wanted to lap it up. Every last salty, citrusy, minty bit of it.

He chuckled, then moaned. “Do you mean to mark me, my princess?”

Whatever that meant, she might. Especially if it involved ravenous suckling. She again pulled his skin into her mouth.

“Fuck,” he moaned.

She’d always hatedthatindecent word—but not from Evan in the throes of passion. She bit and sucked, doing her best to elicit another filthy utterance.

Using the tip of his tongue, he licked from the bottom of her neck upward, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. “Delicious,” he murmured before nibbling his way back down. Once he reached the grove where her shoulders and collarbone met, he suckled. He was gentle, quite unlike the inner beast she currently embraced.

“Do you like that, Katrina?” he asked.

Oh, my stars. “Yes!” She reeled with pleasure.

At long last—thank the heavens above—his lips touched hers, then pulled away. He tapped and retreated. Over and over again.

She may be inexperienced, but she knew from his sensual smirk that the fool was taunting and reveling in her writhing body. She’d allow him this moment of cockinessbefore she commandeered the upper hand. Threading her fingers through his hair, she pressed her lips to his.

“I’m so fucking hard.” Wrapping her in his arms, he thrust his tongue into her mouth and ground the unyielding bulge between his thighs against her hip.

Hah. Indeed, he was.Hard. She’d won. He was hers.

As their tongues tangled, she followed his lead. At first tentative, she grew bolder with each tap and swirl of her tongue. Eventually, she brazenly nipped at his lips as she tugged at his hair.

She should stop. Someone might walk in on them. But she couldn’t find the strength to care, especially now that he fiddled with the buttons on the back of her dress. He made quick work of her already loose stays. She gasped as the air hit her breasts. Her stays slid over her shoulders, then pulled around her waist.

“My God,” he murmured. “I knew they’d be beautiful.” He cupped her breasts and lifted them.

Trembling from need, she could no longer hold her body upright. She collapsed against the back of the settee. Thankfully, he didn’t allow the distance between them. With his gaze glued to her bosom and both his hands caressing her breasts, he pressed against her.

She fought the urge to close her eyes because she wanted to watch as he stroked her areolas. He was so attentive. So beautiful. So thorough. Heavy lids hung over his eyes as his thumb and forefinger drew circles around first one nipple, then the other. The nibs came alive, pebbling to stiff peaks.

She’d been transplanted to heaven.

He gently flicked a tip with his tongue. Once.