Chapter Seven #3
“Before we do this, you should know that I’m not an innocent, so there is no moral obligation or responsibility on your part… afterward.” The admission was said in a choked whisper, and she worked hard to keep control over her emotions.
“Do you assume I will think less of you for that? For who you chose to love and why?” He tightened his arms, made soothing sounds into her ear.
“We all have a past, and we have all made decisions that propelled us to this point. Right or wrong, they belong to us alone.” He pressed his lips to the side of her neck, which both set her ablaze and heightened her anxiety.
“Here, in the heart of this maze, where you feel most safe? You’ll find no judgment. ”
“Oh.” By increments, she relaxed, but only slightly, for the more he nibbled the skin beneath her ear, the longer he drew a hand up and down her arm, the way the heat of him seeped into her, a different sort of anxiousness filled her.
Yet there was a certain freedom in his embrace as well as a certain…
relief, as if she could lay down her burdens for a brief moment. “Laurence…”
“Concentrate on what I’m doing to you. There is no room for worry in this moment.
” The captain licked and kissed a path along the side of her neck.
All the while, he continued to stroke a hand up and down her arm.
When she fidgeted, restless, he brushed the fingers of his other hand along the top of her bodice.
She gave in to a tremble. It had been over three years since she’d lain with a man, and every second of that time, she’d reprimanded herself for a fool, convinced herself no one would ever want her again due to her actions and the same that followed, yet here she was, willingly encouraging it to happen again.
When she glanced upward, he dipped a finger beneath her dress to oh so briefly graze a hardened nipple, and she sucked in a breath.
The sensations that danced through her belly were too marvelous for words.
“Mmm. I could easily forget… everything with you.” Rose reached up a hand and hooked her fingers about his nape, gently pulling his head closer.
It was lovely being here with him, not needing to fear what anyone would think, for she was secure in his strength and care.
That was something she’d desperately missed over the years.
And it was lovely feeling it again.
When she turned her head, he captured her lips with his, and for several minutes, they spoke with kisses and fleeting caresses.
Eventually, and she was never quite certain how it had happened or how willingly she’d helped, he’d divested her of her clothing then attention was turned to his.
Once he was as naked as she, Laurence settled her once more between his legs with her back to his chest. The chill in the air was a bit shocking, but the moment he put his hands on her and renewed his caresses, the heat of desire returned to chase them away.
“I knew you would be beautiful,” he whispered against her neck, and ever so gently he drew his fingers along her sides, played her ribs as if he were a violinist.
“Gammon.” Her eyes fluttered closed, and she reclined into him, both relaxed and alert. “Living alone and going through scandal has given me more curves than are fashionable.”
“While that might be true, going through fire has made you strong and beautiful.” As he cupped her breasts, she sucked in a breath of surprise. “I cannot wait to explore.”
Though the whispered words warmed her from head to toe, she shook her head. “Hardly that.” If only he knew what she’d done.
“When seen through my eyes, always.” And he kissed the side of her neck.
“Oh…” Lost in a sea of sensations both foreign and familiar, Rose sighed and gave herself into his care, fairly drowned in desire when he squeezed her breasts, rolled the nipples at the roots.
“Oh, yes, do that.” She might now be a fallen woman and ostracized from society, but she well remembered what this act felt like, and she encouraged it.
“Whenever you feel afraid or alone, think of how you feel now, how you glow with every new touch, caress, or kiss I give you.” His lips glanced against the side of her neck while he spoke. “You are more powerful than your fears, Rose.”
“I suspect you need to remember that as well.”
“Perhaps, but this time isn’t about me.” When he glanced his palms over her erect nipples, a shuddering moan escaped her.
She arched her back so great was the pleasure he imparted.
Oh, his lovely, lean and muscled body tempted her, but she could do nothing about it, not while he manipulated her breasts in such ways that she nearly went flying.
For the moment, she let herself pretend, let herself sail away on a dream where she didn’t need to worry or keep her responsibilities.
“I need so much more, Laurence. Please.” Then she wriggled her bottom, felt the heated hardness of his shaft in the cleft of her arse, and desire flared anew.
Clearly, she couldn’t fall more deeply from society’s favor than she already was, so she might as well enjoy this foray into sin.