Chapter 34 #2
Even the dusting of dark hair on his chest and the intriguing line of it that arrowed down into his trousers were mouth-wateringly mesmerizing to Mina.
As for Phinn’s rampantly aroused male member …
it stood to attention, tenting the fall of his trousers like a flagpole.
To think she’d soon get to see that part of him too.
And later, that impressive hard length would slide deep inside her and she truly would be his …
Mina swallowed. When she raised her eyes to Phinn’s he was watching her, an expression of tender concern on his ruggedly handsome face.
“You can change your mind about this any time, Mina. I clearly can’t hide how badly I want you.
But I’m a large man, everywhere, and if the sight of my …
my unruly cockstand is givin’ you second thoughts, we can do other things.
Things that just bring you pleasure.” He gave her a half smile. “I can wait until we’re wed.”
Mina placed a hand on his bare chest. “I love how unruly your … your cockstand is,” she murmured. “To see you so aroused, arouses me too. And you should know by now, I’m no shrinking violet.”
“My brave, beautiful Mina.” Her hair, which had become hopelessly mussed during their kisses, was falling down around her face and he tucked a loosened lock behind her ear. “Life with you is going to be the most amazin’ adventure.”
She smiled. “And to think we’ve only just begun.”
“Aye.” Phinn’s smile was slow and all kinds of wicked as he slid the straps of her chemise down, baring her shoulders completely. Leaning into her, he placed a hot, open-mouthed kiss on the side of her neck as he began to slowly and methodically release the fastenings at the front of her corset.
As he worked, his fingers brushed her nipples, making them peak impudently through the thin lawn of her chemise, and when his smoldering gaze lingered there, frankly admiring the sight of her breasts, a burning blush rose in her throat and swept over her face.
An unexpected feeling of uncertainty fluttered in her belly.
Why was she suddenly so damned self-conscious and more missish than a room full of Parasol Academy graduates? Good heavens, the man had fondled and kissed her bared breasts but a few hours ago. And in the drawing room!
Phinn’s hands had rucked up her chemise to her waist as though he were about to untie the ribbon securing her drawers. But perhaps he’d sensed the rising tension in her body as he paused. “You’re beautiful, Mina,” he murmured, his gaze catching hers. “Don’t ever doubt it.”
“I … I know I’m being a ninny,” she returned, her voice breathy with nerves.
“And I wasn’t expecting to be beset with last-minute jitters.
It’s just … it’s just that I’ve never been completely naked in front of anyone before.
Especially not a man.” She released an awkward laugh.
“And you’re so beautiful and perfect and I’m …
well, let’s be honest, I’m a little curvier than I would like to be.
Courtesy of my penchant for cake, no doubt.
” She couldn’t contain a sigh. “So much for my much-professed bravery.”
“Hey …” Phinn cradled her hot cheek, stroking there with the pad of his thumb.
“You’re not a ninny at all. You’re feelin’ vulnerable and there’s nothin’ wrong with that.
But … but your curves are gorgeous. Delectable in fact, and don’t you ever think otherwise.
Truth to tell, I’m bewitched by you, always have been, and …
and I meant it when I said you’re beautiful.
” His other hand skimmed down her side to her hip, his caress warm and reassuring.
“Every bit o’ you. But-but if you don’t want me to remove anythin’ else, that’s all right too.
Just say the word.” His mouth hitched in a wicked smile.
“Believe me, I can work around clothes.”
Mina held his gaze. How she loved this man. How he seemed to read her so well, and how he understood her and never judged her about anything at all. “No. We can keep going. When we come together, I don’t want there to be any sort of barrier between us.”
Phinn’s mouth hovered above hers. “Then that’s how it will be, oh love of mine,” he murmured before his lips brushed over hers in the softest of kisses.
Then his hands were unpinning her already tumbledown bun until her locks were free and spilling down her back and about her shoulders and over her breasts.
Whether he’d done so to create the illusion of a veil that partially shielded her nudity, or whether he just wanted to see her as no one else ever had, with her hair unbound, she wasn’t sure.
But nevertheless she appreciated the care he was taking with her, more than she could say.
A few moments later, when Mina’s drawers were gone and she stood before Phinn in nothing but her chemise and stockings and shoes, he sank to the floor and began to unbutton her half boots.
And then he found her Parasol Academy knife, strapped to her ankle.
From beneath the tumble of dark brown hair across his brow, he looked up at her, his green eyes agleam.
“I don’t think you’ll be needin’ this anymore,” he said, amusement brimming in his voice as he unfastened the strap and removed the sheathed weapon.
“You never know. It might come in handy for peeling apples or opening letters or even shaving. It’s very sharp,” she returned.
He rubbed a hand over his jaw where his night beard was growing. “Are you tellin’ me I need a shave? Because you know I’ll do it for you.” He grinned. “I … I can wake Frobisher.”
Mina aimed a frown at him. “Don’t you dare. Aside from the fact I’m practically naked, I’ve waited weeks for this, Phineas O’Connell. I’m willing to endure the rasp of your whiskers when you kiss me.”
“What about if I kiss you here?” He was still kneeling on the floor, looking up at her as he slid a hand up her leg, slowly, slowly over her stocking-clad ankle, then her calf, coming to a halt at her knee.
And then he turned his head and kissed her on the inner side of her lower thigh, making her gasp.
Even through the fine wool of her stocking, she could feel the heat of that burning kiss.
“Or here?” Phinn’s hand traveled higher, lightly caressing the bare skin above her stocking until he paused at the top of her inner thigh.
His thumb grazed the sensitive flesh there, and Mina bit her lip in an effort to stifle a moan.
“Would … would you let me kiss you here, Mina?” he asked again.
“Or even here?” This time, his thumb brushed against the damp seam of her sex and Mina did moan.
“Even though me jaw is rough with whiskers?”
“Yes,” she whispered. She was breathless. Practically panting. All her nerves had fled and desire was rushing through her, full force. “Yes. You can kiss me anywhere.”
Phinn smiled wolfishly. Then grasping the hem of her chemise, he pulled the flimsy lawn garment up, up, up as he rose to his feet, and when she raised her arms to help, he tugged it off completely. “Darlin’, I’m going to kiss you everywhere.”
And then he fitted his mouth to hers and as he kissed her deeply, he picked her up as though she weighed nothing at all and carried her to the bed.
As he gently laid her on the green silk counterpane, he followed her, never breaking the kiss.
The silk was cool against her bare back and bottom and the tops of her legs.
Phinn drew back, and after he peeled off her stockings and tossed them onto the floor, he hovered above her, bracing himself on his strong arms. His green gaze wandered over her nudity in a leisurely sweep, enflaming her need to blazing proportions.
Her apprehension, her doubts were all burnt to cinders by the hunger in his eyes.
A hunger that was in stark contrast to the way he slowly, almost lazily smiled, then dipped his head and began feasting on one of her breasts.
He grasped the plump flesh with one hand while his soft-as-velvet tongue swirled around and around the straining peak.
And when he caught the taut bud between his lips and gently suckled …
Mina clutched at his shoulders as a whimper escaped her.
Sweet heaven. She could get addicted to this, these glorious sensations of being adored and worshipped and pleasured.
Phinn was clearly taking care of her first. He might be aflame with lust too, but it was her satisfaction that mattered to him. It made her love him all the more.
When Phinn transferred his attention to her other breast, Mina arched restlessly against him. Desire was an insistent pulse between her thighs and when her sex brushed his erect manhood, she couldn’t contain her moan.
Sensing her need, Phinn transferred his weight to one arm, and as he continued to lavish attention upon her breasts, one of his large hands stroked over her softly rounded belly until she could feel his fingers flirting with the cluster of silken curls hiding her mound.
Raising his head, he caught her gaze. “Do … do you want me here, Mina? Touching you? Kissing you?”
“Yes,” she whispered, parting her thighs for him in invitation. “You know I do.”
His smile was pure sin. “I’m not sure who’s goin’ to enjoy this more. Prepare to be pleasured, sweetheart.” And when he slid one long finger down where she was slippery and aching with want, where she needed him most, she gasped at the exquisite sensation.
Ooooh. Mina closed her eyes as Phinn stroked and caressed and teased her most intimate place.
How did he know that when he touched her sex like that, so knowingly and perfectly, delicately circling that tiny throbbing nub that she alone had explored, that her desire would build and build and soon she would be swept up in a maelstrom of swirling bliss?
But then to her frustration, he stopped, and she whimpered in protest.