Page 21 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

“Eager, are we?” he asked, his tone one of mirth.

“May I keep touching you?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He grinned down at her. “Please.”

She ran her hands over every inch of his chest and shoulders. His hands settled on her hips, giving her leave to touch and explore as she pleased. She had the strongest urge to kiss and lick each of the muscles which moved and flexed under her fingers, but she would save that treat.

“How did you get these?” she asked, indicating his muscles. “You are more impressive than a statue.”

“When I’m in the country, I spend much of my time outdoors working with my tenants on repairs or other tasks,” he replied. “I don’t like to sit idle for long. I enjoy getting my hands dirty and the exhaustion of a hard day’s work.”

“I see,” she said. “They are delightful.”

He drew in a breath when her hands shifted to his stomach, which was just as hard and muscular, with defined. She ran her hands along muscles that appeared to form a V, leading into his breeches. She ran her fingers along the band around his waist, then slipped one finger beneath the fabric.

“Will you remove these?” she asked, moving her finger against him beneath the band.

“Now, isn’t it only fair that you should remove something first? Can we get rid of this robe you wear? It’s lovely, but it’s also very much in the way.”

She stepped back and untied the sash, letting her robe fall open. She smiled when his breath caught, as she let the robe fall off of her shoulders and pool around her feet.

“Did you pick this out for me?” Jude asked, running his hand along her hip over the silky fabric of the night rail.

She nodded. “I never had a use for it before, and tonight seemed like a good reason to wear something like this.” Juliana found she very much wanted him to enjoy what he saw.

He licked his lips, and she had never felt so powerful and womanly as she did under his gaze. “Please tell me you have more of these.”

She smirked. “I do.”

“It shall be like unwrapping a present every time I visit,” he said, his tone almost predatory.

She noticed his gaze had settled on her breasts, which were almost completely visible through the fabric. He stepped closer and with both hands cupped her breasts through her night rail, running his thumbs along the tight buds of her nipples.

“It’s your turn,” she whispered, between her deep breaths from his touch. “I believe the clothing on the lower half of your body must go.”

He pulled her body against his, clasping her bottom to pull her to meet the hard bulge, rubbing himself against her. “You wish to see this, my lady?”

“See and touch, my lord.” She marveled at her newfound boldness, but with Jude she found she had the confidence to fearlessly assert her desires.

Jude released her so she stood before him, and he took a step back. He worked at the buttons on his breeches. She caught his eye and the wolfish grin spread across his face before she fixed her gaze at the ridge beneath the fabric, awaiting what hid behind his breeches.

His manhood was on full display, protruding proudly after he pushed his bottoms down and let them fall to the floor, stepping out of them and kicking them to the side.

She stepped forward and hesitated for only a moment before she took it in her hand. He sucked a breath of air when she did so, and she saw him close his eyes.

“Am I hurting you?” she asked.

He swallowed hard. “No. That feels quite good.”

She continued moving her fingers along the smooth, velvety shaft protruding from a gathering of curls. She closed her fingers around it, intrigued at how hard it was, like steel. Running her hand deeper to the base of his member, he swallowed again.

“Is this how you achieve the same release you gave to me?” she asked, thoroughly enjoying her exploration of him.

He wrapped his hand around hers. “It’s one way, yes.” He moved her hand to stroke him, slowly.

“What is it called?” She kept stroking him, noting that his eyelids were heavier and his hips moved against her strokes.

“There are many names. Cock is a common one,” he said, a bit labored.