Chapter 16
As the final notes of the music played, Peter guided her gracefully off the dance floor, his hand still resting protectively on her back.
The ballroom was filled with the sound of applause as the other couples finished their dances, but for Peter and Lavinia, it was as if they were in their own little world, separate from the rest of the guests.
Once they were away from the dance floor, Peter led her to a quieter corner of the ballroom where they could speak without the fear of being overheard. The shadows provided a semblance of privacy, though they were still very much in view of the other guests.
Lavinia could feel the weight of Peter’s gaze on her as they stood together, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words.
She wanted to tell him everything—to confide in him about her fears, her hopes, and the confusion that had been plaguing her all week.
But she hesitated, unsure how to put her feelings into words.
“Don’t you think there are too many people hovering around us?” she said as she smiled at a group of young ladies nearby.
“It would be nice to finally get a little bit of silence, do you not agree?” Peter asked, as if hinting at something.
“I do not think there is a place in this room where I can acquire such silence, Your Grace,” Lavinia muttered under her breath.
She felt his hand move lower on her back. “There is an empty room at the end of the hall. I think you would find the peace and quiet you are looking for within those four walls.”
She blushed upon realizing what he meant.
He is directing me to his room.
“And what if I do not want peace and quiet, after all?” she asked as she shifted her weight, allowing the sleeve of her gown to brush against his coat.
Peter chuckled. “That is precisely what I was hoping you would say, Miss Fitzroy.”
Lavinia moved a step away from the wall, but just as he promised, he stuck right beside her.
She was thrilled at the thought of returning to his room and doing…
Well, she did not know exactly what they would do once they were alone, but she tingled all over with anticipation while just imagining the possibilities.
They rushed out the door and dashed down the hall. Lavinia’s heart raced in her chest, and she heard Peter laughing as he jogged behind her.
“Are you in such a hurry, Miss Fitzroy?”
“Indeed,” she called to him over her shoulder. “I do not want anyone to see us make this hasty escape.”
She skidded to a halt in front of the door to his chambers and waited for him to open it, then she hurried inside.
Once the door was closed and locked behind them, she sucked in several deep breaths.
“I had no idea you were so eager to be alone with me,” Peter said as he crossed what little space separated them and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“I merely wished for the peace you promised,” she said in a whisper.
“Really?” Peter dropped one hand from her waist so he could grab her hand. “Peace is all you need?”
“I… I…”
“What do you want to do, Lavinia?” he asked. He turned his head to kiss her palm, and her cheeks reddened. “What should I do to you, Lavinia?”
Several wicked scenes flashed before him, but there was doubt in his mind. He wanted to do so many things to her, but he feared that she was not ready. He watched as she stared at his hand on hers.
Lavinia looked so enchanting on this particular night. Peter gazed from her eyes to her lips. Oh, her supple lips had beckoned to him since the first time they’d met. He wanted to feel them again.
He had never felt so wild and needy before. He had been with his share of ladies, but he had never wanted someone as much as he wanted her.
In a swift but gentle motion, he grabbed her other arm and placed it on his shoulder. Lavinia’s eyes widened. He heard her gasp as he dropped her hand and grabbed her waist forcefully. He pulled her in so that his stiff length rested against her abdomen.
He watched her lustful eyes. He knew she wanted something, and he wanted her to say it. He squeezed her hips, then lowered his mouth and kissed a hot trail along her jaw. His hands slid up so that he could stroke her breasts. He felt her inhale sharply.
“Do you like this?” he asked.
Lavinia only nodded, but he wanted to hear her.
“Does this feel good?” He cupped her breasts, squeezing them gently as his thumb rubbed against her nipples.
She moaned. “Yes.”
“Would you like to do more?” he asked.
She tipped her head back and whispered, “More. Yes, more.”
Wasting no time, he pulled down her dress, revealing her thin chemise. Lavinia wriggled her arms, and he helped her peel away the rest of the sheer fabric.
He pushed the material down as far as it would go, then gazed at her glorious form. Her breasts were full, her nipples erect. Peter was hungry for a taste. He was aching. He stared at her perfect breasts, big and perky. He quickly covered them with his hands, rubbing his thumbs over her nipples.
“Yes, Peter,” Lavinia moaned.
Peter felt her hands tighten on his shoulders, and he leaned forward to capture her lips in a quick kiss. Lavinia panted against his mouth as he continued to massage her breasts.
“That feels so good,” she whispered.
“What do you want me to do next?” he asked.
He enjoyed watching her moan. Her mouth opened as her sweet breath blew into his face.
“Kiss me, please,” she begged.
And without any delay, he did.
Their lips crashed onto each other like missing pieces falling back into place. He devoured her mouth, letting his tongue meet hers. Lavinia moaned into his mouth as he squeezed her nipples softly between his fingers. He knew she wanted him, too.
Eventually, Peter broke the kiss. He planted small pecks on her cheeks, jaw, and neck, and finally ran his tongue across her breasts. He sucked one nipple into his mouth. Lavinia moaned louder, fueling his enthusiasm and desire. His tongue flicked swiftly against her erect nipple.
He felt her hand move to the back of his head, pulling him closer.
She pulled at his hair as he continued to suck and tease the pretty pink bud.
He squeezed her left breast while licking the right one.
Her loud moan echoed through the room when he switched sides and did the same thing all over again.
“Oh, Peter!” Lavinia rested her head on his shoulder, nearly losing her balance.
The foreign sensation built up inside her so fast that she could not handle it. She did not want him to stop fondling her breasts, but what he was doing with his mouth was too much.
She moaned, releasing the tension in her body. She did not know that it was possible to feel such pleasure.
She remembered touching herself, but it was a different feeling when Peter’s hands explored her.
She was more aroused, more pleasured. She wanted more, but she could not figure out what else there was to know.
Whatever he was doing to her body must be some kind of sorcery.
She felt like his mouth could perform miracles.
“I want… I want…” she panted, unable to articulate even the most basic of her needs.
“I want you to feel me, Lavinia,” Peter whispered in her ear, his breath sending shivers through her.
She could not comprehend what he had just said, but she tried. She slid her hands down to his shoulders, strong and broad. She pulled him closer, still feeling his tongue on her nipples.
Then her hands skated over the buttons on his jacket. She wanted to rip the thing off him, but her hands trembled when she tried to loosen even one of those shiny buttons.
Suddenly, Peter lifted her and carried her to his bed. She inwardly applauded his swift and flawless maneuver. She knew he was strong, but she did not expect him to be that coordinated.
“What are you doing?” she asked in panic as he pulled up her skirts.
He kissed her lips as he leaned over her, grazing the bulge in his breeches against her exposed legs. Lavinia felt her core throb as he pulled his mouth away from hers.
“What… what is…” She could barely breathe, let alone think of how to speak, when he brushed the tips of his fingers over her leg before squeezing and caressing her thighs.
“Do you grant me the permission to touch you fully?” he asked.
Lavinia did not understand. He was already touching her! Was there supposed to be more than this?
But despite her confusion, her eagerness to feel more made her nod earnestly.
She watched Peter smirk as he slowly moved down her legs.
She watched in wonder and lust as he planted small kisses on her kneecaps, her thighs, and then on the crease where her hips met her legs.
His tongue darted out occasionally, and she wriggled under his touch.
It felt nice but also new, and she could not wait to see where his mouth would fall next.
Soon, his lips found her core. His tongue slowly licked her womanhood, leaving her trembling. She moaned.
Should I feel this way? Should we be doing this?
Her mind raced, panicking as the pleasure continued to build. His tongue felt so good, licking her as if she were dessert. She felt the fast-pulsing vibrations as he flicked his tongue against her nub.
She was at heaven’s gate. Pressure built in her belly. She needed release. Moans escaped her mouth, but that was not enough. She wanted to release every bit of tension that was coiling in her lower abdomen.
Peter rubbed the flat of his tongue over her sex, and she squealed. Her body was no longer hers at that moment; it was his. She could not control what he was doing, but she knew she liked all of it.
“Your Grace,” she gasped as he sucked on her.
Her hands flew in the air, searching for something to hold onto. She clutched at the bed, feeling the soft quilt slide through her clawing fingers.
“Peter,” she shouted as he spread her legs wider and continued to lick her attentively.
She watched his head bobbing up and down. This was something that only Peter could make her feel.
He continued his quest, stroking her with his tongue. Lavinia moaned his name over and over, wanting to feel this good always.
This was a bliss she had never experienced.
One she had never even known existed, but now she understood that if the Duke of Pemberton had not come to the house party this week, she would have lived the rest of her life without feeling his touch, without tasting such pleasure, and without knowing that she was wholly and truly adored.
Lavinia knew that this was something she would want more; it was something that she would miss. And she knew that there was no way she’d let go of him.
Not now, not ever.