Page 57 of Lord of Mistrust

The bodice was off, and Chloe was down to her shift, made from such fine linen that he could see the warm tones of her skin beneath. He ran his hands over her arms, back, and chest with a swift, sure touch, forcing himself not to linger at her breasts. Her nipples tightened as he skimmed over them, and he groaned aloud.

“This was something else I didn’t do, but I wanted to.” He laid her back, supporting her on his arm, and brushed his lips over hers, tracing the shape of them with his tongue and then increasing the pressure. When he bit softly down on her lower lip, she gasped, and his tongue darted in.

She forgot the game and kissed him back with such fervor that he was forced to pull away. He hadn’t finished his demonstration yet.

“As I said, I most definitely did not do that, even though I could have.”

“You didn’t kiss me?” She sounded breathless. “Why not?”

“I didn’t completely forget that I bore the name of gentleman.”

Her eyes opened again, and she stretched her arms behind his neck. “So, why are you doing it now?”

“To make sure you aren’t dropping off to sleep and missing any of the demonstration,” he lied. He ran a hand over one breast, unable to resist the lure of her erect nipple. He felt himself rise in response and wondered just how far he dared take this.

He wasn’t left wondering for long.

“Robert?” Chloe kissed him, then tilted her head to one side, her cheeks flushing delightfully.

“Aye, sweeting?”

“Do you desire me? Would you like to lie with me?”

Chapter Thirty-Four

There was a choking noise. Chloe sat up, worried.

“Robert? Are you all right?”

“Aye, indeed. Taken aback by your boldness, I confess. But not offended by it. Nay, indeed. And the answer is an unqualified ‘yes’. Only—I trust you don’t mean now. Not before we are wed.”

Ah, yes. She should, mayhap, have asked that question first. But she’d been caught up in the moment.

“Forgive me. I’ve interrupted you.”

She allowed herself a self-satisfied smile and lay back on the bed, thrilled at the prospect of what was to come. It took some strength not to draw Robert back down to her, to further sample the heated promise of his kiss.

She forced herself to close her eyes and become limp again, although she felt anything but relaxed. Next, Robert rolled her onto her stomach, pushed up her skirts, and trailed his hands across her buttocks and along her thighs. She shivered—such a pity she’d been insensible when he did it before. She’d never felt so excited and deliciously wicked in her entire life!

After feeling over her stockings and feet, and running a finger around inside each garter, he rolled her onto her back once more. His breathing was becoming increasingly rapid, but she could no longer feel the warmth of him. Why had he pulled back?

“Was that all?”

She heard his intake of breath.

“Nay, that was not ‘all’, as you put it. Are you certain you want to persist with this pastime? You may not like what comes next.”

“Pray, continue. I have to know everything, Robert. No more secrets—we must learn to trust each other.” And she was thoroughly enjoying herself, but she didn’t want to put too much power in his hands. Not quite yet.

“Remember, Chloe, that you asked for this.” His voice had become a low growl.

With a little wave of shock, she felt his hot fingers undoing the drawstring of her shift. Cool air caressed her breastbone as he pulled the edges of the linen aside.

“What are you doing?”

“You’re meant to be insensible,” he admonished.

“I can’t help it. I need to know exactly what I’ll be forgiving you for.” She also needed him to continue—though she hoped she gave no sign of it, her body was thrumming like a bowstring.