Page 41 of Tempting the Marquess

“Oh! Do you know, years and years ago I was snooping in Mother’s things, and I found some. I thought I could use them for my dolls when they had bath time. Actually, I think that is when I may have been banished to Miss Chadwick’s…stop me, I’m babbling.”

William smiled as he fetched a decanter of brandy and glass, then returned to the bed. “No you aren’t.”

“I hope you know what to do with that. Because, um, I don’t.”

Leaning forward, her cupped her cheek and brushed his lips over hers. “Don’t be nervous. It will befine.”

“All right,” she said, taking a deep breath and lying back down on thebed.

“This will only take a moment,” he continued, swiftly soaking the small sponge in brandy, then, parting her thighs wide, he carefully pushed it inside her up as far as it would go, leaving the string outside so it could be easily removed later on. “There. How does thatfeel?”

Samantha’s brow furrowed, then she smiled. “Good. I can hardly feelit.”

Thank Christ for that. He was well out of practice.

Resettling himself on the bed, William balanced on one forearm while he fisted his cock, pumping it once and rubbing it against Samantha’s slick flesh to recoat it in wetness. Even that action had him gritting his teeth against a surge of pleasure, although if her low whimpers were any indication, it felt equally good for her. Then he fitted the swollen head to her entrance, and slowly, so slowly, pushed inside.

Tight. Scaldinghot.

Paradise.

A guttural sound escaped and his hips jerked, forcing his cock in to the hilt. Samantha groaned, and her fingernails briefly dug into his arms. William immediately paused, sweat gathering at his temples as he waited for her to adjust to his size, and soon he was able to start a delicious game of advance and retreat.

“Yes,” he gasped, grinding himself against her clitoris. “That’s it, sweet. Come for me again. Come when I’m buried deep in yourquim.”

“Please,” Samantha moaned, her thighs locked around his waist and her taut nipples scraping his chest. “William, please…more…”

Faster and harder he plunged, reveling in her wild orgasmic cries as her inner walls gripped and released his cock, until finally he reached that brutal, blessed point of no return and came with a hoarse shout, his seed gushing inside her in several exquisitely wrenching spasms.

Barely able to catch his breath, William collapsed on top of Samantha. He made to move away so he didn’t crush her with his bulk, but her legs remained around his waist and her arms pressed into his back, as though holding him in place. His neck prickled, and he sighed as she threaded her fingers through his hair and gently massaged hishead.

It felt good. Too good. Like returning home after a long absence.

Like something he might want to do for the rest of hislife.

Imagine. Samantha Standish telling you her plans for the day across the breakfast table each morning. On your arm at the theater, or whispering amusing asides in your ear at dull soirees. Naked and eager in your bed each night. Her belly growing big with child. Dark-haired sons and daughters with golden curls running amok in the nursery, bringing Hastings House to life with laughter and banishing the dark and lonely times forever…

No.

Shaking his head, William forced himself to withdraw from the haven of her warmth and comfort. He’d already made too many mistakes tonight. White would string him up if he knew, and “I wanted her so badly” would never be an acceptable excuse for the destruction of a mission that could be the difference between life and death for so many Englishmen. Not to mention the uproar if Aunt Jane and Stephen foundout.

Silently, he settled himself beside her in the bed, pulling the quilt up over themboth.

Samantha blinked sleepy, sated eyes. “Is something wrong?”

“No,” he lied, unable to stop himself smoothing a disheveled blonde curl behind her ear. “Restnow.”

“Mmmm,” she said, tucking herself againsthim.

Soon she was fast asleep, and he stared at the ceiling. This absolutely would not happen again.

Hours later, he sat perched on the side of the bed, bathed and dressed, drinking in the sight of her as she slept. Her hair was a tangled mess, her skin patched with pink where the overnight growth of his beard had rasped it, yet he had never seen anyone look more lovely. His self-imposed ban had lasted approximately an hour; when she’d moved against him, all warm and wet and willing, he’d had her a second time. Next he’d woken to her caressing hands, and he’d lifted her on top of him, sucking her nipples and stroking her clitoris while she rode his cock to ecstasy. Then the last time. It was difficult to believe that had been him as he’d put her on her hands and knees and taken her roughly from behind. Christ. The primitive, crude things he’d said as he thrust impossibly deep and bit her neck like some sort of animal. But he’d been desperate, knowing their time together would soon be ending, and Samantha had urged him on. She’d screamed his name as her soaked, greedy quim pulsed around him in a violent orgasm, and he’d come harder than he thought possible.

Yet far worse than what he’d done…now he didn’t want to leave. Duty weighed heavier on his shoulders than a cart full of rocks.

Giving himself a mental slap, William slung his large leather satchel over his shoulder, leaned down and brushed his lips against her forehead. She murmured unintelligible words, her nose twitching in a way that made him smile, but then sat bolt upright, one hand clutching the sheet to her breasts while the other reached forhim.

“Don’t go,” she pleaded. “Stay here with me, where it’s safe. They can find someone else for the mission.”