Chapter Four #3
“Yes! Just helping a customer.” Breathless, she’d thrown back her head.
A couple of pins fell from her hair, and the heavy caramel-blonde tresses tumbled about her shoulders.
With labored breathing, she slowly moved, bumping against the major’s mouth, but Cornelius grasped her hips, holding her still.
The wicked man sucked and teased that button for all he was worth, first using strong friction and then following with gentle, soothing licks to keep her on that edge.
“Penny? Do you require assistance back there?”
“No, I’m doing quite well. Delicious, in fact,” she gasped out. “Saw a spider, that’s all.
“Horrid beasties.”
She could almost hear her brother nod. The situation was most amusing and somewhat surreal.
What would Johnathan say if he knew his best friend was pleasuring her while he was in the room?
At the moment, Penny didn’t care, for they’d passed both wicked and proper already.
The major continued to dance his fingers over her skin.
Knowing there was nothing she could do about the present situation and knowing also that her brother was clueless, she stifled a cry when Cornelius lifted a hand and rolled one of her nipples, alternating that sensation with a series of sharp pinches that had her sagging in his hold.
“Oh, God,” she whispered, trying hard to stifle any sound with her eyes shuttered.
Johnathan, damn his eyes, continued his stilted conversation. “Those damned things make me go squeamish immediately.”
“Oh, yes.” She talked exclusively to the major, her body trembling, her fingers flexing on his shoulder. Any minute she’d fall into release, and if her deuced brother didn’t leave, they’d all end up embarrassed. “Go… away…” she panted.
“You’re obviously… involved in your work.” Johnathan cleared his throat. “Will I drive you to the Fortners’ rout tonight?”
“I cannot wait!” She was near frantic, her whole body thrusting against the major’s hand, and Cornelius didn’t let up.
“No need to make jest of it, sis. If I didn’t know better, I’d say your mind is beginning to go unhinged instead of mine.” Johnathan’s footsteps echoed on the hardwood as he crossed the room. “Don’t dawdle when your butler tells you my carriage is outside. Mama and I will need you to come quickly.”
“I’m endeavoring to do just that,” she whispered, trembling in Cornelius’s hold.
“By the by, I don’t like this new, independent attitude of yours.” But her brother finally left and the tin bell over the door tinkled.
When the door snicked closed, Cornelius paused in his ministrations and glanced up at her. “Your composure under pressure is admirable.”
“The pair of you need to be damned for all eternity.” She tossed her head. Heat slapped at her cheeks. “Finish me. I’m nearly done.” Was that too waspish of a command?
“Damn, I rather like your tart mouth.” He resumed his task, adding extra tension and friction with his fingers as he worked her over with his tongue and teeth.
“Oh, oh!” Penny undulated her hips, held his head to her body, and when he increased his suction, she hit release and shattered in spectacular fashion.
Bliss slammed into her in waves. “Merciful heavens!” She stifled her scream with a hand to her mouth.
Seconds later, she slumped against the shelf with a tired but sated smile as contractions rocked her core.
“You do not play fair, Major.” She lifted a shaking and attempted to repin her hair.
Cornelius chuckled. “It seems you were either quite desperate for satisfaction, or you still retain the schoolgirl crush.” He whipped a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the moisture from his face.
“Cheeky. I’ll never tell.” She glanced pointedly at the bulge in the front of his trousers as he stood.
When she reached for him, he captured her hand in his.
“Shall I alleviate that for you?” What sort of woman was she to even offer?
She barely knew this man, despite their history, and she’d certainly only done the same to Weymouth twice in the whole of their marriage, hoping to stimulate him.
“Not just yet.” He grinned and then tugged her into his arms and brought his lips crashing down on hers. Pulling away, he winked. Clearly, not repentant at all. “I won’t apologize for that.”
“I didn’t ask you to.”
He looked at her with speculation in his eyes. “You are surprising, Lady Weymouth, in a good way.”
Residual trembles played her spine, and she shivered. What she’d allowed him to do wasn’t proper, and even though she had a crush on him years ago, that didn’t mean she’d carried a torch for him over the years, did it? If even a whisper of this got out, her brother would be furious.
A faint thump from the level overhead brought her back into the present.
One or both of the owners were moving about.
“I’m sorry, Major, but it seems I don’t have what you’re searching for here.
” Though she had no idea his taste in women—or reading material—that had to be the answer, because she wanted more from her life than an empty dalliance with a well-known rogue.
Didn’t she? But yet, now that everything she’d relied on before was about to be gone, why shouldn’t she pursue something that was purely scandalous and just for her?
“Ah. Too bad.” Emotions she couldn’t read flickered over his face in the winter sunlight. A frown tugged his sensual lips downward. “No matter. I’ll leave you to your other customers.”
She nodded. “That doesn’t mean I won’t find what you are searching for soon. Perhaps you should check back, and often.”
His expression shifted, lightened, and curiosity reflected in his brandy-hued eyes. “Indeed, I might.”
“Or perhaps try the rout tonight.” Oh, Penny, you are a fool.
Surprise jumped into his eyes. “I will. Thank you.” Finally, he grabbed his cane and then left the aisle.
“Dear heavens.” She sagged against the shelf. Seconds later, the cheerful tinkle of the bell over the door sounded, marking his departure.
Damn your eyes, Major.