Chapter Eleven #3
He inhaled deeply and marked her soft, steady breaths. The rhythmic pulse of her heartbeat. The warmth of her skin against his. She was here—alive. Reuben took comfort in that, even though he knew it could have ended much differently if—
No, he refused to think on it another moment.
“Shall I go secure us a table in the dining car?” Reuben asked, turning the subject toward something lighter.
Cassandra sat up, removing her gloves, and his arm slid from her shoulders as she turned toward him. “While I do have quite a hunger, I fear it may not be sated quite so easily.”
Reuben stiffened at the gentle caress of her fingertips along his jaw. He wanted her. By the saints, he wanted her desperately. But this was neither the time nor the place for a dalliance. He rested his hand on hers, ceasing her curious torment.
“Would you deny me?” she asked, her voice a husky purr. She slowly removed his gloves.
“I could deny you nothing, Cassandra.” He traced his fingers along the inside curve of her wrist before bringing it to his lips.
“Then allow me to indulge.” She gasped when he suckled the pulse point into his mouth and grazed his teeth over the soft skin before allowing her sleeve to cover it once more. “Reuben.”
When she whispered his name, his restraint evaporated like morning dew in the summer sun.
“Fuck,” he muttered before grasping the back of her neck and pulling her in for a heated kiss. Her warmth consumed him. The sweetness of her lips mixed with the desperation only enhanced his desire.
She moaned as he pulled her across his lap, holding her close, cursing the thick skirts twisting around her legs and the narrow confines of the train car. Her fingers threaded through his hair and tightened their hold. He groaned at the delicious pressure.
One hand held her steady while the other slid along the inside of her calf beneath the cursed fabric. He shoved it aside as he trailed his hand higher, searching for the decadent center of her. When he finally reached the slick heat between her thighs, he grinned at her satisfied moan.
“Is this what you wanted?” he asked, teasing her with his questing fingers. “It must be.” He nibbled his way along her jaw as her head tipped back. “Your body weeps for me, darling.”
Reuben slid two fingers inside her heat, savoring the way she rocked her hips back to take him fully. Her grip on his shoulders tightened as he slowly fucked her with his digits. His thumb made slow, even circles over her delicate nub. Her soft gasps grew into louder and more insistent moans.
“That’s it, darling.” He murmured against her neck. “Take what you need.”
He relished the effect he had on her, urging the desire to spill forth in a wanton display of pure, unbridled lust. She met his thrusts with a continuous roll of her hips. Back and forth, she took what she wanted, and he gave it willingly.
Every whimper, gasp, and moan sounded like a carefully orchestrated symphony to his ears, and he basked in every sweet note. This woman unraveled him.
He quickened his pace, eager to see her sated.
Not because he wished to end this delightful moment.
His cock ached with want, and he refused to pursue any pleasure of his own until they reached Scotland.
Cassandra would be savored with reverence, and he wished to reserve her cries of pleasure for himself when he drove deep inside her.
Cassandra reached her climax in a rush of gasping breaths as she tightened around his fingers. With careful attention, he slowed his pace until he’d ceased completely and withdrew his hand from beneath her skirts.
She leaned back, holding his gaze, and smiled.
Reuben lifted his fingers to his mouth and licked them clean. He smirked at the sharp intake of breath as she watched him savor each digit. The action was meant to torment her, but it left his cock even harder than it had been before.
“I fully intend to finish what we began here once we reach your son’s Scottish estate.” Reuben savored the look of pure longing that crossed her lovely face before it disappeared into a poignant frown.
“You intend to make me wait that long.”
“My intent, madam, is to ensure that we make it to Scotland without arousing suspicion, and I dare say, ravishing you on this train would rouse much more than curiosity.” He kissed the base of her throat.
Cassandra shifted in his lap, making his uncomfortable position even more painful. He knew she did it purposefully, even though she brought no attention to it. She stopped a breath from his lips. Their gazes locked.
“I think your suggestion to visit this estate was merely an opportunity to get me out of London and far enough from the ton to avoid creating a scandal.” Her lashes fluttered, but the look she wore was not the one of an innocent debutante.
Cassandra knew precisely what she wanted—and how she wanted it.
Judging from the hunger in her expression, Reuben knew he should be extremely concerned about what her intentions were.
But it only left him more aroused.
“I fear I underestimated you, Cassandra.” He cupped her cheek in his hand and stroked his thumb over her lower lip. Her eyes darkened with need at the simple caress.
“Most do.” She parted her lips and licked the tip of his thumb. He slid it past her teeth, allowing her tongue to dance across the sensitive tip.
“You will be the death of me, I swear.” Reuben claimed her mouth in another punishing kiss.
She melted into him, grasping his lapels and teasing his senses into oblivion.
Reuben drew back knowing if he continued, he would not be able to harness enough restraint to stop. His labored breath matched hers.
“I shall reserve us a table for luncheon.” He gently repositioned her on the bench beside him and stood.
Cassandra pouted but quickly tossed her head and gave an elegant shrug. “That sounds delightful.”
Reuben knew a dismissal when he heard one, and while he disliked the sudden cool air of indifference she showed, he took it as the opportunity it was. A chance to put distance between them and allow their ardor to dissipate.
Less than a day should be simple enough. Then he remembered they were sharing a train compartment.
What in heaven’s name had he been thinking?