Chapter 23 #2
“Friends do not—” She faltered as he turned her again in time with the music, bringing their hips flush for one heartbeat.
“We are not friends here, Deena.” All traces of humor vanished from his tone. “I have to show the public that you are my wife.” His hand slid an inch lower on her back.
“There are other ways to prove that you are my wife,” he added huskily.
Deena’s steps faltered slightly, but Austin caught her effortlessly and steadied her.
“Austin,” she breathed his name, half warning, half plea.
“Yes, Dee?”
“You are impossible, as a friend and even more as a husband.” She avoided looking at him. “We should not have come—”
“You’re blushing again.” Deena glared at him when he interrupted her.
The waltz sped up with the music, couples whirled around them, but Austin was captivated by the sight of her.
She was flushed and breathing heavily. It took all his strength not to grab her, leave the ball, and head straight to her chamber.
As the music swelled towards the finale, he drew her closer until there was barely any air between them.
“After this dance,” he murmured, “we’re leaving.”
Deena’s blush deepened as if her body understood what would happen next. She opened her mouth to plead or protest; Austin was not sure because just before she could speak, the music ended.
“Well, that was an interesting night,” Austin muttered as their footsteps echoed in the quiet hallway of Windemere’s mansion.
They had meant to leave the ball early. But then Dominic and Selina found them, and they spent the rest of the night laughing over wine while the orchestra played on.
Deena left the Gala more confidently than when she entered it.
Even the memory of Haverford’s oily smile and remarks had faded to a dull bruise rather than a fresh wound.
“I am glad that it’s over, but I must admit that I did end up enjoying it closer to the end,” Deena confessed.
Austin walked close to her. Even his mere nearness sent a quiet thrill through her. When Deena heard him chuckling under his breath, she turned to him sharply.
“What is so funny?”
“You surprise me, Dee.” He shook his head and smiled. “You do not believe that you are strong, but tonight you proved that theory wrong. Now, look at you. You are glowing.”
Deena felt her cheeks heat at his compliment.
“I do not see the point of you flattering me, Austin, but thank you.” She offered him a small smile, and he returned it with a wolfish grin.
He plans to ruin the moment.
Deena braced herself when Austin opened his mouth to speak.
“Of course, I will take credit for your glow and say it is our wonderful marriage that caused it.” He stopped in his tracks and bowed.
Deena could not hold back her laughter; she let it out and felt the burden of her troubles briefly leave with it. When she recovered from the bout of laughter and wiped the tears from her eyes, she found Austin staring at her, awestruck.
“What is it now? Is there something on my face?” She wiped at her cheeks just in case.
Austin shook his head. “It’s nothing…it’s just…you have not laughed like that for a while. It was refreshing.”
Deena felt her skin prickle under his gaze. The hall was empty, and Austin and Deena stood alone, silently, facing each other.
Does he feel the sweet tension too?
She felt the ghost of his touch on her lower back and spine from their waltz, and on their way home, she imagined what he would do to her, but it was late, and they had yet to consummate their marriage.
“I shall retire to my chambers,” Deena said softly.
“I will walk you,” Austin offered.
“No, that is quite all right,” Deena said too quickly.
But Austin ignored her and offered her his arm without a word. Deena hesitated before she took it, and they climbed the grand staircase in mutual silence. The only sound was the faint tick of the long-case clock on the landing.
They stopped at the door to her bedchamber.
“Goodnight, Dee,” Austin said quietly.
He let go of her arm and turned to leave, but Deena’s fingers tightened on his sleeve. “Wait.”
He stilled, looking back at her.
She swallowed, but her mouth went suddenly dry. “I… I don’t want to wake the maid. And I need help with the laces of my dress. They’re impossible to untie alone.”
Austin’s gaze darkened a fraction. “You are sure you want me to help with that?”
She nodded. “I am.”
But she was not sure about anything anymore.
Austin pushed the door open, stepped aside for her to pass through, and hesitated before he followed her. Deena was always aware of how close he was, even without looking.
Her bed was turned down, and the smell of fresh linens permeated the air. Deena walked to the mirror slowly. Austin was unusually quiet as she presented her back to him.
“Are you sure, Dee? I can wake the maid—”
“I am sure, Austin,” she said more confidently.
He searched her eyes in the reflection of the mirror. Deena’s pulse increased when she saw the darkness in his gaze.
His fingers found the tie at her lower back. “Breathe, Deena,” he murmured.
She hadn’t realized she was holding her breath.
He untied her corset with deft fingers.
How easily he undresses me.
Cool air began to kiss her newly exposed skin, starting at the small of her back.
“Thank you,” Deena said softly.
“No need for thanks; I am quite enjoying this.” She heard no humor in his voice; he spoke gruffly, and her nipples peaked and grazed against the material as her dress loosened even more.
“I still owe you my thanks for tonight. For… standing up for me. With Haverford. With everyone.” She spoke breathlessly.
Austin’s fingers paused at the centre of her spine. “That’s what friends do.”
Deena noticed the slight smirk on his face.
“I am grateful for our friendship,” Deena replied just as wryly.
Austin chuckled darkly. “Although I must say, Dee. I do not believe that a friend would help you undress…”
Before she could retort, Austin pulled on the string of her corset, removing it entirely, and the whole dress came undone.
Deena let out a small gasp and grabbed onto the top so it would not expose her.
Austin stood behind her, admiring her reflection.
She looked at him; desire swirled in the pit of her stomach.
Deena daringly let go of the dress. The sleeves fell effortlessly off her shoulders, and the green material slid off her body and pooled at her ankles.
Austin’s breath caught. His eyes never left hers in the reflection of the mirror.
“What do you want, Dee?” His voice was rough, and his gaze remained dark with desire.
“I…I do not know anymore,” she admitted nervously.
Austin closed the gap between them; his body was hot and lean against her softness. Deena’s pulse increased, and her breathing grew shallow.
“Do you want me here?” he whispered in her ear and left a kiss on her neck.
Deena trembled. “Y…yes.”
“As a friend or as your husband?” he whispered in her other ear and kissed her neck.
“I want you here as…as…oh!”
Austin’s hands were on her breasts, squeezing and playing with her hardened peaks. Deena watched herself in the mirror as he continued to toy with her. Her skin bloomed red everywhere he touched her, and she desired more.
“Answer the question, Dee,” He growled.
“I want…the Velvet Duke,” she confessed and let out a small sigh of pleasure when he placed a nipple between his thumb and finger.
Austin growled in response. She tried to turn towards him, but he stopped her and held her hands behind her back firmly.
“I want you to see yourself.” He held both her wrists with one hand and allowed his other hand to explore her quivering body.
Deena let out a moan as she watched him and how her body reacted to his touch. She was witnessing her own destruction, and it looked beautiful.
“If it’s the Velvet Duke my wife desires, it’s the Velvet Duke she will get,” he rasped in her ear before placing his hand on the tuft of hair between her legs.
“Austin!” Deena shut her eyes and gasped as his fingers began to unravel her.
“You are dripping already, Dee.”
Deena met his eyes in the mirror. “Do not stop, please.”
Austin exhaled and bent his head. His lips pressed to the nape of her neck, soft at first, then firmer.
He nipped at her skin, and she moaned his name.
Deena’s body arched, wanting more even though she was not sure what more meant.
Austin’s fingers wandered in her folds, and she felt as though she was going mad with pleasure.
Deena’s head tipped back against his shoulder. “More…I want more!”
He chuckled and kissed the side of her throat slowly. She felt his arousal against her lower back, and she pressed against him. Austin hissed but did not give her more, causing her frustration to build.
“Austin, please!” she begged him.
His fingers travelled further down her soft mound pressing gently. “You want more?”
She nodded, breathless. “Yes, please.”
Deena yelped when he bent her over suddenly. She placed her palms against the mirror to balance herself. Her hot breath clouded the glass while Austin towered behind her and admired her exposed bottom.
“Spread your legs, Deena.” He commanded her, and she willingly obeyed.
She felt exposed and a little afraid in the position he placed her in. But her fear quickly faded when desire overtook her. Austin grabbed a handful of hair and gently lifted her head.
“Look how beautiful you are, Dee. Even during the throes of passion.”
His free hand cupped her bottom, and he slowly spread her cheeks before his hand slid back to her apex.
“Oh!” Deena groaned when Austin slid his finger inside of her.
“Does that feel good?” he growled, his fist tightened in her hair, pulling it deliciously so all she could see was herself and his hard, heated body behind her.
“It feels so good, Austin!”
He grunted satisfactorily and slowly pulled back his finger. Deena shivered, feeling the loss of him inside of her. She tried to push herself back onto him, but he held her still.
“There’s no need to rush, Dee,” he said calmly while his finger slipped back inside of her.
Deena wanted to cry out. She bit her lip to stop herself as Austin teased her relentlessly.
The sensations were too powerful. Her mind spiraled when his pace quickened, and his grip on her hair tightened.
Deena could see her body move like a wave in the ocean every time his thick, strong fingers entered her and his palm slapped against her skin.
Austin suddenly removed his grasp from her hair and grabbed her waist. Deena held herself up. Her back was arched, and her palms slid lower, but she gripped onto the edges of the mirror.
“Deena, I’m going to help you let go.” He promised her, but she was not ready to let go.
She whimpered when he continued his torture with just his fingers. He was entering her harder this time, controlling her movements with his hand on her waist. She felt the sudden build-up in the pit of her stomach.
“Austin—it’s…it’s…”
“Let it come, Dee. Let it take over you.” His movements quickened.
Deena’s back arched more, and a broken moan escaped her.
Austin groaned as she shuddered against him.
She felt heat and wetness all over her as the world shattered around them.
Pleasure coiled tighter until it snapped, and she cried out, thighs trembling, fingers struggling to hold on to the mirror, which shook violently with their movements as wave after wave crashed through her.
Austin did not stop until she was gasping and shaking violently at the knees. Before Deena could lose her balance, he pulled her upright, scooped her gently into his arms, and carried her to the bed. Austin lay beside her as she struggled to catch her breath.
I must return the favor.
With a new resolve, Deena reached for the buttons of his trousers.
“Dee, what are you—”
“Is it not my job to pleasure you, too?” She cocked her head at him as she continued to take deep, shallow breaths.
Austin laughed and caught her wrist. “Not tonight, wife.”
“But—”
He kissed her palm. “There’s no need to rush. We have time.”
She searched his face. “Is it because I am not experienced? You can talk me through it.”
Austin took a deep breath. “Trust me, Dee. There’s nothing I want more. But—”
Deena flinched as she felt the sharp pain of rejection seep into her. Austin must have realized because he grabbed her close to him and ran a hand gently down her back.
“But we still have time,” he repeated.
Deena was confused. Austin adored pleasure, especially sexual pleasure, so why did he stop her? She tried to figure out if he was jesting, but when she realized he was not, she decided not to ask further and curled into him, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
“If that is what you want,” she whispered.
Austin was silent for a minute.
“I want to take my time with you, Dee,” he confessed quietly against her damp forehead.
“The Velvet Duke would not take his time,” she mumbled, fighting the sleep that was quickly overtaking her.
Deena heard Austin laugh briefly.
“When are you going to realize that I can never be the Velvet Duke with you?”
She drifted into a dream, not sure if his question was real or not.