Chapter Twelve #3
“I am at your mercy.” He caught her up in his arms and lifted her as a groom would his bride. With steady strides, he vacated the dining room and took to the stairs.
Cassandra’s arms tightened around his neck and her breath teased his jaw.
When he reached her bedchamber, he kicked the door closed behind them and lowered her to her feet. She laughed, breathless, and swayed. He steadied her with his hands on her hips.
“I had the Mackenzies prepare a bath for you while we ate.”
“That sounds delightful.” Cassandra grinned as she reached for the buttons on her shirtwaist. “Will you join me?”
Reuben glanced through the doorway where the copper tub lay tucked out of sight. “I doubt it will fit both of us.”
“I believe it will.” She licked her lips, teasing the fabric free and exposing the glorious expanse of her bare skin. “There is only one way to find out.”
With a growl, Reuben cast off his remaining restraint and tugged at his own garments.
Her eyes darkened as he removed each item to mimic her own.
Her shirtwaist joined his shirt on the floor, followed by his trousers and her skirts.
She quickly loosened her corset, slipping it free until she stood before him wearing only her chemise, drawers, and stockings.
Reuben knelt, still wearing his underclothes and slid her feet from her shoes before unclipping the garter belts and rolling the stockings off.
When he stood, she tugged the chemise over her head and let it flutter like a flag on the wind as it fell to the floor. He admired the generous curves and pert nipples. His mouth watered, wanting nothing more than to sample their delights again.
Cassandra trailed her fingers over his stomach, making his body tense and his cock tent the fabric covering him. Her hand traveled lower, skimming over the hard ridge of his cock, making him suck in a shuddering breath.
He wrapped his hand around her wrist, ceasing her bold exploration. “Continue and I shall be forced to forego the bath and bend you over that bed.”
The challenge flickered in her eyes, but she relinquished her hold, stepping back.
Reuben watched her disappear through the adjoining door. Saints preserve him. Her ass swayed in an alluring rhythm with every step. Her mere presence was a siren song that lured him into madness. And he surrendered willingly. He took a deep, steadying breath before following her.
She bent over the copper tub, running her fingers through the hot water scented with dried flowers. He leaned against the wall and waited as he admired her in such a state.
For years, he had desired her. But having her in such a vulnerable state of undress at his mercy left him emboldened. Reuben stripped off his remaining clothes.
He reached for the cloth towels on the shelf beside him and the soap. After placing them on the table beside the tub, he paused behind her. His hands rested on her hips, and her gasp made him grin. With the tub half full, she turned off the water and surrendered to his touch.
“Feel the effect you have on me, madam.” He pressed his cock against the soft cleft of her ass.
When she moaned, he rocked his hips forward, grinding himself against her as he held her firmly in place.
His lips sought the shell of her ear. “You consume my thoughts. My dreams,” he whispered.
“I dwell in darkness without your light.”
Cassandra arched against him, molding her back to his chest. His hands slid around to her stomach and drifted higher, cupping her breasts in both palms. She filled his hands, spilling over in the best ways. He squeezed and savored the groan of pleasure that broke from her throat.
“Reuben, please—” Her plea died when he lifted her into the tub. He stepped in behind her, sank down, and pulled her on top of him to sit on his lap.
The hot water stung his flesh, but not nearly as much as her body burned him with the intimacy of the moment. She settled back against him, the water dangerously close to overflowing the tub. His palms cradled her breasts again as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
Gently, he teased her nipples with the pads of his thumbs, slowly circling with firm strokes until she squirmed against him. One hand drifted lower, over her stomach, until he cupped her sex in his hand. She gasped, shifting higher, panting with need.
He teased her pussy with his fingers, coaxing and stroking.
Sliding deeper with each pass until he felt the slickness of her arousal beneath the water’s surface.
Her hips rocked against his hand, needing more friction—more pressure—and he obliged her, grinding the heel of his hand against the apex of her sex.
“Pl—Please,” she begged as her gasps and moans pierced the air, filling the small room amid the sloshing of water.
Reuben shifted them both, placing her perfectly to take his cock. He slid deep with a single thrust and groaned at the pure bliss of her heat encasing him. She tightened around his cock as she gripped the sides of the tub.
Together, they found a rhythm, moving slowly at first and building momentum as the pleasure increased.
Water splashed everywhere, spilling over the sides of the tub, but Reuben was lost in the moment.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, thrusting to meet her desperate gyrations.
She was close, and he was not far behind.
Reuben’s fingers found her sweet center and gave her the pressure she sought. Circling the sensitive nub, he kissed the bare skin of her shoulder, urging her pleasure to the pinnacle.
Cassandra cried out as her climax struck with the force of a lightning bolt. She took him deep, grinding her hips against him and shuddering at the overwhelming sensations.
Reuben felt his own release rushing toward him. He tried to pull free, but she held him firmly beneath him. He growled against her skin as he came buried deep inside her wet heat and his hold tightened around her waist.
They stilled in the warm water as the storm settled around them. He rested his head against her damp skin. Reckless. Stupid. Wonderful.
He sighed. There was no escaping this. Cassandra captivated him. Body, heart, and soul. She knew not the power she wielded. No matter what transpired, he would always love her.
Even if she gave up her status and her place in society to be with him, she would never forgive him once she knew the truth of all he had done in the name of love.