Page 36 of The Dandy Lyon

“Yes, please.” She didn’t know what he planned to do, but if it was better than this, she wouldn’t say no.

“Good. Just stay as you are and tell me if you wish me to stop.”

“I can’t imagine wanting that.”

Marcus set his lips to her breast once more, kissed the nipple, then slid his mouth down across her stomach, dropping kisses and he strayed lower. When he reached her navel, he dipped his tongue into the small crevice, and she shivered with delight. Everything he did to her made her feel loved and cherished. And filled with an energy that buzzed throughout her body, though it had begun to settle down low in her stomach, the place where Marcus had just kissed her.

Restlessly, she stretched her legs out as Marcus shifted lower in the bed, his mouth now almost to the place where—

Gasping, Joanna raised her head up, seeing only his dark hair poised overtop the place where her legs were parted slightly. “Marcus?”

He raised his head immediately, his gaze going straight to her face. “You wish me to stop? I will,” he said, his voice quiet and tender, “even though if we continue, you will experience one of the deepest pleasures a man can give a woman.”

Who would want to relinquish such a chance? Especially with Marcus? Despite her misgivings, she swallowed hard and said, “No, please don’t stop.” She laid her head back and closed her eyes, willing herself to simply relax and allow her husband to take care of her.

His lips returned to the intimate place just above her curls, moved into them, and searched until he found a sensitive place, a little nub that when he touched it with his tongue her hips bucked as of their own accord and she gasped loudly at the strange sensation that shot through her body. Her face seemed on fire, but she couldn’t think about being embarrassed while Marcus plied his tongue again to that spot, making her quiver and starting an ache deep inside her somewhere. That ache seemed to intensify, to spiral upward with every stroke he made until without warning, the ache exploded within her. Joanna clutched the covers and cried out as wave upon wave of indescribable pleasure cascaded through her shaking body.

Marcus continued to massage her, his lips and tongue swirling around the nub, each touch eliciting another burst of pleasure until at last he stopped and she stilled, panting as her sated body relaxed into the mattress. He snaked his way upwards until he lay beside her, then he gathered her to his chest, his warmth soothing as her frantic heartbeat slowed.

“Oh, Marcus. That was so…” Joanna didn’t have words for what had just happened, what she’d felt inside.

“Satisfying?” he whispered in her ear.

“Absolutely.” She draped an arm over his chest, wanting to be as close to him as was humanly possible.

“There is more, you know.”

She did know. Diana had made certain she did.

Joanna nodded. “Is it as good as this was?”

“Infinitely better, love.” He kissed the top of her head. “The best there could ever be.” He sighed. “But as with anything that is worth the game, there is a price to pay for it.”

Shifting so she could look at him, Joanna pursed her lips. “And in this unfair world, it is the woman who pays the greater price, I believe.”

Marcus chuckled but nodded. “It’s not fair, I agree. However, you only pay it once, and the sting isn’t great, so I’m told.”

“Who told you that?”

“I’m afraid that is privileged information, my love.” He eased her back onto the bed. “I am not a man who kisses and tells.”

“I didn’t think we were speaking of kisses.” Joanna stared up at him, trying to summon a look of reproach, although she didn’t really feel reproachful. Men were not expected to come to their wedding beds virgins. And truth to tell, she was rather glad Marcus wasn’t. One of them needed to know what they were doing. Based on what had just transpired, her husband certainly did.

“We aren’t.” He levered himself over top of her. “But I don’t do other things and tell either. So rest assured, my love, our time spent in this bed stays in this bed as far as I’m concerned. Now, tell me, wife,” he paused as if savoring the word, “do you wish me to continue?” He peered into her eyes, as if trying to find the words there. “If you don’t, then we can cuddle here until we fall asleep.”

The words were bravely spoken, and Joanna knew he meant them. If she cried off, he would hold her until they fell asleep and no reprimand would ever pass his lips. But the idea wasn’t appealing to her in the least. Not after what he’d made her feel just now. And because she wanted more than anything in the world to be as one with him. “Cuddling may be good enough for some, but when have you ever known me to take the easier path?” She reached up to stroke his cheek. “You have already taught me so much, but I want you to teach me more.”

His eyes grew darker and he swooped down to kiss her, invading her mouth with an intensity that thrilled her. “You are without doubt the perfect woman.”

Warmed by his praise, Joanna relaxed into the mattress. “Tell me what I should do.”

“Bend your knees and open them outward.” When she’d done so, Marcus shifted himself so he knelt between her legs. Leaning forward, he filled his hands with her breasts, cupping them, kneading them, stroking the nipples until they had furled tightly once more.

His touch had Joanna moaning in the back of her throat, pressing her breasts into his grasp. Desperate to feel even more of him, she slid her hands up and down his arms, though that wasn’t enough. His head came down, his mouth fastening on her nipple, she ran her hands through his dark hair, delighted by the silky feel of it. When he drew it into his mouth, she moaned and pressed him closer.

Suddenly his hand brushed at her entrance, one finger skimming her opening, then swirling upward to the sensitive nub. She shuddered, moaning his name as that wonderful ache began again deep within her.

“Almost there, my love.” He shifted his big body and something hard and hot pressed against her opening—and pushed forward quickly.