Chapter 8
Eight
T he flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows across the drawing room, illuminating Selina and James as they sat side by side on the chaise longue. Her fingers trembled as she set down her brandy snifter, the amber liquid sloshing gently.
His heated gaze locked onto hers, filled with a potent mixture of desire and hesitation. She found herself unable to look away as the air between them crackled with tension.
"James," Selina whispered, her voice barely audible. "I have changed my mind about kisses."
She shifted closer, bridging the small gap between them. Her hand rose of its own accord, fingertips grazing his bruised cheek with feather-light softness.
He inhaled sharply at her touch. "Selina," he murmured, his rich baritone sending shivers down her spine. "Are you certain? I have no wish to take advantage of you."
Her mind raced. Was she certain? After the loss of her husband, she had sworn never to open her heart again. And yet, here she was, trembling with longing for this far to handsome rogue.
"Yes," she said, her voice quavering. "I cannot deny what I feel when I am with you."
In one fluid motion, James captured her hand in his. Warmth shot through her at the contact, setting every nerve alight. He tugged her closer until she could feel the heat radiating from his body.
"Darling, Selina," James breathed, his eyes flickering with tenderness. "There is nothing I want more than to kiss you."
Her breath caught in her throat as James leaned in, his lips barely brushing against hers. The world around them faded away, leaving only the drumming of her heart and the intoxicating scent of his cologne—a heady mix of sandalwood and spice.
As their passion ignited, her mind warred with her desires. "We should not," she gasped between kisses.
James pulled back slightly, his gaze intense. "When you kiss me like that," he growled. "I want you, Selina. All of you. But I will stop if you wish it."
With those words, the last of Selina's reservations crumbled. “I want you, too,” she sighed, leaning closer. She surrendered herself to the kiss, her body desperate for him.
As they sank back against the plush velvet sofa, her mind swam with a mixture of desire and disbelief. James's hands roamed her body, igniting a fire she thought long extinguished.
"James," she said, her voice thick with longing. "I never thought I would feel this way again. That I would need a man like I need air."
He pulled back, his gaze searching hers. "My darling Selina," he murmured, "you deserve all the passion this world has to offer. Let me worship you."
She nodded, her lips parting in invitation as she pulled his mouth back to hers, and her world narrowed to the exquisite sensations coursing through her. The taste of brandy on his tongue, the warmth of his hands as they caressed her through the thin fabric of her gown, the sound of their mingled breaths in the otherwise silent room .
Selina arched her back as James's lips found the sensitive spot behind her ear. A soft moan escaped her, and she clung to him, her nails digging into his shoulders through his coat.
"Ah!" she exclaimed, as James's hand skimmed the side of her breast. Her mind reeled, torn between loyalty to Nile’s memory and the passion brewing within her. "James, I... I am afraid."
He lifted his head, his eyes filled with a mixture of desire and tenderness. "Of what, my darling?"
Her voice trembled as she confessed, "Of losing myself. Of betraying Nile. Of being hurt again."
James cupped her face in his hands, his touch gentle despite the fire in his eyes. "You cannot live in the past. I swear to you, Selina, I will never willingly cause you pain. Trust in me, as I trust in you."
As their lips met once more, Selina surrendered herself to the moment, allowing the pleasure to wash away her fears and doubts. She wanted him more desperately than she had ever wanted anyone, and she would not deny herself.
Her fingers fumbled with the buttons of James's waistcoat, her usual dexterity abandoning her in the throes of passion. He chuckled softly, his breath warm against her ear as he assisted her, shrugging off the garment and tossing it aside .
“It has been a long time,” she said.
"I am glad of it," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief, “for I have the honor of reawakening your wanton side.”
“Be quiet and kiss me,” she laughed.
“My. But you are impatient, darling,” he teased.
She felt a blush creep up her cheeks, but she met his gaze defiantly. "Perhaps you are simply too slow, my lord."
James's eyebrow quirked at her challenge. With swift, practiced movements, he began unlacing her gown. "Is this more to your liking?"
As the fabric loosened around her body, Selina's breath caught in her throat. "James," she sighed, her voice thick with emotion, "I have never wanted as I do now. I feel as if I will die if you do not make love to me this instant."
His hands stilled, and he gazed at her with such intensity that Selina felt as if he could see into her very soul. "Nor I. You have awakened something in me. Something more than mere lust. I want to savor you. Take my time and explore every curve of your body."
Her heart raced as he peeled away her gown, his fingertips leaving trails of fire on her skin. She shivered, not from cold, but from the intensity of her desire.
As James's shirt joined her gown on the floor, Selina marveled at the sculpted planes of his chest, tracing a fingertip along a thin scar near his collarbone.
"A remnant of my misspent youth," James murmured, his voice husky with want.
She leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to the scar. "Every mark tells a story," she breathed against his skin. "And I want to know them all."
He cupped her face in his hands, his eyes shimmering with a mixture of desire and vulnerability. "And so you shall, Selina, my darling. I've spent years guarding my heart, but you have stormed its defenses. I want to share myself with you. Mind, body, and soul."
Selina's breath hitched, her own walls crumbling in the face of his honesty.
Their lips met in a tender kiss, far different from the passionate ones they had shared earlier. This kiss spoke of promises, of a future neither had dared hope for.
As they parted, he traced the curve of her cheek with his thumb. "I have always wanted you. From the first time I saw you. Bloody hell, I was jealous when Hollyfield swept you off your feet. It was the only time he truly bested me."
Selina leaned into his touch, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I had no idea."
“That is because I was not of a mind to marry and you deserved a husband.”
“And now?” she asked, a coquettish grin playing at her lips.
“Now you deserve to be ravished,” he said, nipping at her neck.
She gasped at the sensation of his teeth grazing her sensitive skin. Her fingers tangled in his dark hair, holding him close as he trailed kisses down her neck to her collarbone. Each touch sent sparks of pleasure coursing through her body, stoking the fire that threatened to consume her.
"James," she breathed, her voice husky with desire. "I need more. I need you."
He lifted his head, his heated gaze meeting hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. "And I you, my darling. But first..."
His hands skimmed down her sides, leaving goosebumps in their wake. With practiced ease, he divested her of her remaining undergarments, leaving her bare before him. Selina fought the urge to cover herself, feeling suddenly vulnerable under his heated gaze.
"You are exquisite," James murmured, his eyes roaming her form with unabashed appreciation. "A goddess made flesh."
Her body warmed at his words. "You flatter me."
"I speak only the truth," he replied, his voice low and fervent.
Before she could respond, he lowered his head, pressing soft kisses to her breast. She arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping her lips as his tongue flicked across her sensitive peak. Her hands clutched at his shoulders, nails digging into his skin as she pressed greedily against him.
His fingers danced along her inner thigh, teasing and tantalizing as they inched closer to her center. Selina's breath came in short gasps, her body trembling with anticipation. When he finally touched her most intimate place, she cried out, overwhelmed by the intensity of the sensation.
"James," she moaned, her hips rising to meet his hand. "Oh, James..."
He worked her skillfully, his fingers finding that secret spot that made her see stars. Selina clutched at him, her nails raking down his back as pleasure built within her. She was so close, teetering on the edge of ecstasy.
"Let go, my darling," James murmured against her ear, his voice rough with desire. "Give yourself over to me."
With a keening cry, Selina shattered, waves of bliss washing over her. James held her close as she trembled in his arms, pressing soft kisses to her face and neck as she slowly came back to herself.
"James," she whimpered, her voice thick with need. "Please...”
He lifted his head, his eyes dark with desire as they met hers. "Tell me what you want, my darling," he murmured, his fingers continuing their teasing caress.
She trailed her gaze over him, all lean muscle and barely restrained power. Her gaze traveled lower, and she felt a mixture of anticipation and nervousness flutter in her stomach.
"I want you," Selina breathed, her cheeks flushing at her own boldness. "I want you inside of me."
A slow, sensual smile spread across his face, and with a low growl, he captured her lips in a searing kiss. In one fluid motion, he lifted her, carrying her to the nearby rug. He laid her down gently in front of the fire, his body covering hers as he settled between her thighs.
Her breath caught as she felt his hardness pressing against her.
He cupped her cheek, his gaze tender. "Are you certain?" he asked softly. "We can stop if you wish."
Her heart swelled at his consideration. "I have never been more certain of anything," she replied, pulling him closer, tilting her hips against him.
With a groan of pleasure, James entered her slowly, inch by inch. Selina gasped at the exquisite sensation of fullness, her body stretching to accommodate him.
"Darling, Selina," he breathed against her neck. "You feel divine."
She wrapped her legs around his waist, urging him deeper, thrusting her hips against him. She’d never felt such desire. Such intense passion and need.
He set a languid pace that soon had her writhing beneath him. She matched his rhythm, her hips rising to meet each thrust. The firelight cast a golden glow over their entwined bodies, highlighting the sheen of sweat on their skin.
"James," she gasped, her nails raking down his back. "More, please... "
He captured her lips in a searing kiss, swallowing her moans of pleasure. His hands roamed her body, caressing and teasing, finding spots that made her shiver with delight. She arched her back, pressing herself closer to him, desperate for more contact as she took greedily from him.
His thrusts became more urgent, more demanding. She clung to him, her nails raking down his back as waves of pleasure washed over her. She threw her head back, lost in a haze of sensation, aware of nothing but James and the exquisite feelings he was evoking in her.
"Look at me," James commanded softly, his voice strained with effort.
Selina's eyes fluttered open, meeting his intense gaze. The vulnerability she saw there, mixed with the raw desire, took her breath away. In that moment, she knew this was more than a night of passion. Her heart, which she had thought forever closed, opened to him.
"James, I..." she began, but her words were lost in a cry of ecstasy as her climax washed over her.
He followed her over the edge with a guttural groan, burying his face in the crook of her neck as he shuddered above her. For several long moments, they lay entwined, their hearts racing in tandem as they caught their breath.
Finally, James lifted his head, pressing a tender kiss to Selina's lips before rolling off of her and gathering her into the crook of his arm.
They lay entwined on the rug, the fire casting a warm glow over their bare skin. He pulled a throw blanket over them, cocooning them in warmth and intimacy as he held her close.
"What happens now?" Selina asked, her voice quiet, tentative.
James pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Now, my darling, we hang onto each other. No more games. Just you and I, side by side."
Her lips curved into a smile. "I rather like the sound of that." She feathered her fingers through the dusting of dark hair on his chest, then kissed his jawline.
As the night wore on, they spoke in hushed tones of their hopes and fears, their dreams and regrets. The barriers between them, once seemingly insurmountable, had crumbled to dust.
She couldn't help but marvel at how quickly her world had turned upside down. Once, she had viewed him as her adversary, a thorn in her side. Now, she could not imagine a future without him .
"I never imagined I could love again," she said, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "Especially not you."
He chuckled softly, capturing her hand and pressing a kiss to her palm. "And I never thought I would find myself utterly captivated by the formidable Lady Hollyfield. But here I am, in love and utterly besotted. How things change."
"Indeed, they do," Selina murmured, a hint of wonder in her voice. She shifted closer, nestling into the crook of his arm, inhaling his scent. "Tell me, James, when did you first realize your feelings had changed?"
A playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Perhaps it was the moment you called me an 'insufferable cad' at Lady Ashworth's ball. Your fire intrigued me."
Selina laughed, the sound bright and genuine. "You deserved it, if I recall correctly. You had just spilled your champagne on my new gown."
"It was an accident, I assure you," James protested, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Though I can not say I regretted the way it clung to your curves."
“That was a lifetime ago.” A blush crept up Selina's cheeks, but she did not look away. Instead, she leaned in, her lips a breath away from his. "And now, Lord Blackwood? Do you still find me intriguing?"
His response was to close the distance between them, capturing her lips in a searing kiss that left her breathless. When they finally parted, her head was spinning, her body alive with sensation.
"Does that answer your question, my love?" James murmured, his voice husky with desire.
She could only nod, her heart pounding a wild rhythm in her chest. As she gazed into his eyes, she saw not just passion, but a depth of emotion that both thrilled and terrified her. For the first time since Nile's death, she allowed herself to imagine a future filled with love and laughter.
As she snuggled against him, she fought the heavy pull of sleep, not wanting to miss a moment of this newfound intimacy. But eventually, lulled by the steady beat of James's heart and the warmth of his embrace, she succumbed to slumber.
He pressed a gentle kiss to her temple before allowing his own eyes to close, joining her in peaceful repose.
A sharp click pierced the air, startling them awake. Selina’s eyes flew open, heart leaping into her throat as she found herself staring down the barrel of a pistol .
"How touching." Lord Hawthorne's smooth voice dripped with sarcasm. "I do hope I am not interrupting."