Chapter 30
KENDRICK
I’d been in the presence of many beautiful women, but something about Caroline set her apart.
As I watched her cast aside her corset and stand before me in her chemise like an angel just before her fall, I was struck with the sensation that I was on the precipice of something important.
Something I’d never experienced before with a woman.
She trusted me.
Despite the fact that I’d made her no promises, that she was not the type of woman who engaged in casual dalliances, she’d chosen to give herself to me. She was willing to risk everything to be with me today.
An uncomfortable emotion was trying to work its way into my consciousness, but I refused to allow it to surface. Nothing mattered except this moment with this incredible woman.
When she reached for the ribbon at the top of her chemise, just above her breasts, her fingers trembled. The hint of her nervousness made me feel unworthy of her trust. Her willingness to do what I’d asked of her was enough. I didn’t need her to act the part of a more experienced woman.
“Stop.”
She froze, and her eyes lifted to meet mine. “Am I doing something wrong?”
I closed the distance between us and covered her hands with mine. “You’re perfect.”
Truer words had never been spoken.
She leaned into me, and I couldn’t resist kissing her again.
Normally, I wasn’t sentimental, but I wanted to show her as much pleasure as I knew she’d bring me.
For some unknowable reason, this woman had me thinking about what I could do for her.
It was a novel feeling and one I’d never experienced before.
I swept a hand under her knees and lifted her into my arms.
She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled back to smile at me. “I must admit that I never expected you to actually sweep me off my feet.”
I couldn’t help laughing. “To be honest, you bring out something in me I didn’t realize I possessed.”
She bit her lip as she examined me. “Kendrick—”
I kissed her delectable mouth to stop the question I knew she wanted to ask. What is happening here? I didn’t want to think about it, and I certainly didn’t want her to speak of it aloud, because my answer would only disappoint her. And that was the last thing I wanted to do.
I carried her to the bed and laid her carefully on its surface. When I stepped back to look down at her, I couldn’t help thinking she looked perfect reclining on my bed. I vowed then that I would bring no other woman here. Only Caroline.
I straightened and shrugged out of my tailcoat.
She shifted onto her elbows, her eyes moving up and down my body as I unbuttoned my waistcoat. It wasn’t lust that I saw in her eyes, but wonder. She was as surprised by her reaction to me as I was shocked by my response to her.
I dropped my coat and waistcoat to the floor. My valet would chastise me for my carelessness later, but I couldn’t fight my sense of urgency.
I tugged my shirt over my head, dropping it on top of the pile of clothing.
Caroline’s tongue darted out to lick her lips as she stared at me.
We stayed like that for some time, her eyes taking in my shirtless form, my own gaze moving over her body.
I could see the dark tips of her breasts plainly through her thin chemise, as well as the shadowed space between her thighs.
I don’t think Caroline realized I could see so much through the thin white fabric, but I knew that it would be too much to ask her to lie naked for my perusal. That would come in time.
I hardened thinking about all the things I wanted to show her, to do with her and for her.
“Kendrick.” Her voice was low and husky.
“I know, darling.” I lay next to her, and she rolled into me. “Are you scared?”
She shook her head. “I should be, but no.”
I waited for her to touch me first, delighting in the way her slim fingers moved over my arms and chest. When her hands strayed down to my abdomen, I couldn’t hold back a soft grunt as I thought about how good it would feel to have her hands on my cock.
I rolled on top of her and kissed her, then I started moving down her body. Before long, I drew her chemise up her thighs, then she shifted her hips so I could remove it completely. Finally, my mouth was on her breasts.
She held me there, her fingers curling into the hair at the nape of my neck while she made soft, husky sounds that inflamed me further.
I moved down her body and made space for myself between her legs. I’d never done this for another woman, but Caroline was special. And I couldn’t hold back the selfish desire to ensure she remembered me when we parted.
She hesitated before relaxing fully, a small crease forming between her eyebrows. “I wasn’t told to expect this.” Then she exhaled, her breath a soft hiss as I tasted her. “I don’t know what you’re doing, but please don’t stop.”
I chuckled against her then redoubled my efforts, enjoying the taste of her on my tongue.
She began undulating her hips, which told me she was enjoying this as much as I was.
I slid a finger inside her, groaning at how small she was, and concentrated on suckling at the small bundle of nerves at the top of her opening.
I was impatient now, eager to be inside her.
But I wouldn’t take her until she’d found her release.
When I slid a second finger into her, relishing the tightness and anticipating how amazing she would feel when I finally slid into her, she made a soft cry of surprise, and her whole body shook.
I kept my mouth on her until the last shudder raked through her body.
I dropped soft kisses on her inner thighs before moving over her again. Her pupils were blown wide, the blue almost completely gone now.
“I never imagined such a thing was possible.”
I nuzzled her ear, delighting in the shiver that ran through her body, before licking her neck. I inhaled deeply, enjoying her scent and hoping it would permeate my sheets. “I want to do so much to you.”
Her hands were on my waist, then she was reaching to undo the fall of my trousers.
I lifted my head to stare down at her. “You don’t have to.”
Her smile widened. “I want to do this.”
I nodded, and she continued unbuttoning my trousers. Then she reached inside and encircled my cock with her hand. I groaned as she explored me.
“I was told that men get hard,” she said, “but I didn’t expect you to also feel so soft.”
“You’re killing me, darling.”
“I hope you mean that in a good way.”
I watched her, my heart unexpectedly full. “I mean that in only the best way.” I kissed her again, but I soon needed to place a hand on her wrist so she would stop. “If you keep doing that, we won’t get to the best part.”
She licked her lips. “We wouldn’t want that.”
“No,” I agreed.
I was still wearing my trousers, but I couldn’t wait any longer. I took myself fully out and placed the head of my cock at the entrance of her wet heat. I forced myself to wait a moment, allowing her to get used to the idea that I would soon be inside her.
“That feels so good,” she said, her voice soft. “I wasn’t sure it would.”
“It’s going to hurt when I get inside you.”
She nodded. “I know.”
I pushed into her with one quick thrust then held myself still when her breath caught. I kept my eyes on her face, and I hated the pain I could see reflected in the way she clenched her jaw.
I resisted the fleeting urge to apologize, since I wasn’t sorry. She felt incredible. Doing this with Caroline… I didn’t know why, but I’d never enjoyed a woman half as much.
A small vee formed between her brows. “Why are you waiting?”
I huffed out a small laugh. “I’m not a monster. I’m waiting for you to become more comfortable.”
She shifted her hips, causing me to let out a surprised grunt. I moved slowly then, out and then in, and she made a soft sound that had me wanting to continue. But first, I had to ask, “Does it still hurt?”
Her hands were gripping my shoulders, but she lifted one to cup my cheek. “No, Kendrick. I think I’d very much like for you to continue.”
She didn’t need to ask twice. Holding back proved almost impossible, but it was important to me that she enjoy this. So I reached down to stroke her where our bodies were joined.
Her breath hitched, and she started to move.
I allowed her to set the pace. When she tightened unexpectedly and reached her second peak, I was no longer myself.
I pushed into her again and again until I reached my own release.
I pulled out, but not as quickly as I should have.
I was calling myself all sorts of names, but the look of wonder on Caroline’s face made me pause.
“I think,” she said, “I can understand why women are lining up to be your mistress.”
I dropped next to her with a surprised laugh and pulled her into my arms. “You are not going to be my mistress, Caroline.”
She let out a soft sigh, “I know. But it would have been nice.”