Chapter Twelve #2
It was probably forward of her, but she cupped his face and delicately traced his cheekbones and the line of his powerful jaw with her fingers.
“I don’t want this moment to end.”
“I don’t either,” he said.
She realized she had spoken her thought aloud.
“Please kiss me again,” she begged.
“You don’t have to ask me twice,” he said with a low chuckle.
She’d felt clumsy at first, but now she wanted more, and she didn’t care if she was inexperienced. Her breath quickened as the tip of Lex’s tongue prodded her lips, coaxing her mouth open. His tongue plunged inside her, dancing against hers.
The taste of him, dear Lord, was a revelation, and she was sure it would never be enough. Never would she get enough of him. His muscular arms pulled her even tighter to his chest, so close that she could feel his heart pounding wildly against her breast.
“Edwina, my darling.” His murmured words disappeared inside of her.
“I beg you not to stop.” It was nearly a command, and as unladylike a sentiment as a young woman of pedigree should ever allow to pass her lips, but the excitement that coursed through her made her forget all propriety.
He ended the kiss, but before she could protest, his lips found her neck, and the feeling was sublime.
His lips brushed her collarbone down to her décolletage, and she thought that she would melt from the intensity of his passion.
Her response pooled between her thighs, a delicious, warm wetness that demanded more.
“There is nothing I want more than to continue and know every part of you, but I will not dishonor you,” he said, his voice sounding deeper and rougher.
“But what if I don’t want you to stop?” she whispered. “What if I want you to keep going?”
“Darling, you do not know what you ask. One day, I will keep going, but not here, when anyone can walk in. I do not want to compromise you.”
“Please…I need you to… I need more…”
She didn’t quite know what she was asking, but she needed him to touch her; she wanted desperately to feel his hands in places where she dared not touch herself.
“I…I need you,” she whispered again.
“Shh… Close your eyes and do not move,” he whispered, voice breaking as he gently pushed her back against the cushions.
Every breath was a gasp as she struggled to control the intensity of need that flooded her belly.
“Breathe, my sweet. I will not hurt you,” he said, chuckling.
Winnie closed her eyes and waited breathlessly for what would come next. The hand that gripped her waist relaxed its possessive hold and caressed her skin. Lightly, like a breeze rustling the leaves, he slowly lifted her dress, sliding it up, up, over her thighs.
Gently, his fingers found the most secret part of her.
One long finger reached to touch the tiny bud of her womanhood, swirling around it. She felt it swell and bloom from his touch, sending quivers reverberating through her entire being.
“Oh…” she gasped.
His other finger slid inside her, and she almost swooned with the pleasure.
“Tell me, my darling, what you are feeling,” he rasped.
His finger vibrated against her in a way that completely unhinged her, and she lifted her body, desperate for resolution.
“Don’t stop. I think I might die if you do.”
Lex chuckled again. “Relax and find your release. Give me all of your pleasure.”
He captured her lips once more as his fingers continued to work their magic.
He was relentlessly driving her to something she’d never experienced. She wanted it more than her next breath. A rising tide of feeling took hold, and her lips parted with anticipation.
Lex moved his hand up to cup her breasts, teasing her nipples inside her gown, while his thumb rubbed her nub and his middle finger stroked inside her.
Never in her life had she felt so many delicious and delirious physical sensations at once.
It felt like her entire body was riding a giant tidal wave that was taking her higher and higher.
The tide rose, but before the wave of passion carried her away, Lex’s mouth locked on to hers, absorbing her scream.
Her vision blurred, her blood pounded, and she trembled from her head to her toes as she soared into blissful release.
When at last her wits returned to her, she floated back to earth.
Lex continued to kiss her as she purred contentedly.
She felt transformed. Nothing she had ever felt before could compare.
Lex broke their kiss and searched her eyes, his lips curved in a definitively male grin.
“My darling, you are a wonder.”
“You are…” Winnie realized that Lex had given her such satisfaction, yet he had found none. She brushed aside the errant curl on his forehead to better see his eyes. “Lex, that was as close to heaven as I’m likely to get in this life. Thank you.”
“Edwina, this is nothing compared to the rapture I will bring you in the future—our future.”
“I cannot imagine, but I trust you are correct. I feel guilty that I have not brought you the same pleasure you have delivered to me.”
He shifted in his seat. “To see the magnificence of your response was more than enough for me. I had a feeling you would be a passionate woman, but I never dreamed to what extent. I could spend the rest of the evening bringing you pleasure, but Basil awaits, as does Mrs. Dove-Lyon, and we must protect your reputation.”
“Oh, confound it, I care not a fig about my reputation. What I care about is what we’ve just shared.”
“You are as fiery as a distant star, my sweet. Although I suspected as much, your passionate nature surpasses any dream I have had about you, and I will tell you they have been endless since we first met.”
Now her curiosity was truly piqued. One day, he would have to tell her in detail about these dreams—or better yet, enact them with her. You are a wicked girl, truly shameful. “Will you share your dreams with me?”
He studied her quizzically. “One day I will be delighted to, but not tonight. I beg you not to jeopardize what we’ve found. We must play by the rules, for now.” Lex stood and offered his hand, helping her rise. “How are your acting skills?”
“Why do you ask?” She smiled.
“You’ll have to be the demure young lady when we return to the dinner party.”
She laughed. Lex had no idea what an actress she was. It worried her, imagining what he would think if he knew she was the Lace Bandit. It distressed her that she had no idea how to tell him about her alter ego. “I will do my best to look like a dissatisfied woman.”
A deep laugh rumbled in his chest. “You are a woman of many surprises.”
“You have no idea,” she said with a giggle.