Chapter Three #2
Well, shit, this isn’t going to be nearly enough.
“Oh!” Miss Primrose gasped and laid a hand on his chest. He swore he was seared with each of those fingertips. “This is bad form, Lord Wolcott.”
Why didn’t she call him by his Christian name this time? “Why? Did you not enjoy it?” The need to see those lenses fogged with passion grew strong.
“No, that’s not it. In fact, I…” She pushed her spectacles back into place. “I liked the kiss. It was… interesting, but this is hardly the venue… and my maid is due in at any moment… and Mr. Barnshaw will report back to my parents…”
Was she saying, in a roundabout way, that she wanted another?
That was how he interpreted her stammers.
“Then we shouldn’t get caught this next time, hmm?
” he said with a wink. The dear woman was simply crying silently out for initiation into the carnal arts, but for now, he would settle for a proper kiss.
“What? Surely you don’t mean to…”
“I do indeed.” So saying, William urged her around the shelf, making certain the end of that piece of furniture would block the owner’s sight line, then he took her into his arms, and kissed her, gently moving over her mouth, for it was quite obvious she wasn’t all that experienced in such even at her age.
And damn it all if he didn’t want to know her history.
With a soft gasp then a barely audible sigh, she melted into his embrace, her fingers curled into his lapels, and fuck it was oddly erotic.
He bossed her lips, and those pillows of heaven fit against his as if they were made just for him.
For several languid moments, he explored every contour and nuance of those two pieces of flesh until he swore he’d memorized them.
Pulling back, he stared down into her eyes, and oddly, those blue pools threatened to pull him under.
“Shall I continue?”
“I would like that, yes,” she said in a whisper he would have missed, had he not already been pressed against her.
“Very well.” Not that he minded, of course.
Once more, he claimed her lips then dared much by tracing their seam until she opened for him.
She clutched more tightly at his lapels, which was a true testament to the fact she hadn’t been properly kissed in her life.
With her eyes closed behind the lenses of her spectacles, he teased her tongue with his, thrust and parrying, letting silk glide against satin until the poor dear gasped for breath.
This time, it was her who pulled slightly away.
“Good heavens.” She stared up at him with desire drugged eyes and her spectacles slightly askew.
It was both adorable and arousing. “I never knew an embrace could make me feel so many things.” It was a surprise when she lifted onto her toes and kissed his mouth with those slightly swollen, bright pink lips.
His arms tightened around her, for she was much like a breath of fresh air, an amusing mix of curiosity and hesitation. God, there was so much he wished to teach her, but for now, he was satisfied with this kiss.
A bit.
Not able to have enough of her, he let one of his gloved hands drift upward past her ribcage to cup one of her breasts.
Damn, but he wished he were able to wrench down her bodice and play a bit, see how she responded to further stimulation, take the pins from her hair and tangle his fingers into those tresses that were mostly hidden by the damned bonnet.
Already, he sported a hardened cockstand, but he couldn’t very well take her innocence right there against the bookshelf with the owner of the shop in residence.
More’s the pity.
He cleared his throat as he broke the embrace and set her a bit away from him. “I should go. It is far too early in this conversation to land into scandal.” Not that he wouldn’t later but that was a story for a different day.
“Ah, perhaps you’re right.” A frown tugged at the corners of her mouth. An expression of bewilderment crossed her face. “Will I see you again?”
Though he wanted to grin, for she was well and truly on the hook, he tamped down the urge. He needed to remain calm regarding this seduction, else she might prove spooked. “That depends.”
“On what?” There was no flirting or faux pouting with her, proving once more that she was truly an innocent. It was a tad refreshing.
“Are you interested in book auctions?”
Excitement danced through her eyes. “Yes, of course! Though, to be fair, I’ve not attended one, since most don’t allow women.”
“Well, there is one tomorrow, hosted by the Duke of Amherst, and it is open to all in the beau monde. Perhaps we should meet there then I can drive you through Rotten Row afterward or even Hyde Park.” It was a daring offer, of course, for everyone who was also out during the fashionable hour would see her sitting next to him in his curricle, and the rumors would fly.
Not that he cared overly much. Would it impress her enough that she’d consent to another meeting, perhaps in a more private location?
Slowly, she nodded. “That sounds lovely, but why?”
It was his turn to frown. “Why what?”
She pushed her spectacles back into place. God, but he wanted to remove them and see her beautiful face without their distraction. “Why are you showing an interest in me? I’m no one, and we certainly don’t move in the same social circles.”
What was this, then? Why did she have such low self-esteem?
It was something else to uncover while he undressed her at a later date, for he would have her in his bed and soon.
“Everyone is someone, Miss Primrose. Perhaps at the auction we’ll find a book that is mutually interesting to both of us, which will give us plenty of new opportunities to be in each other’s company. ”
For the space of a few heartbeats, she studied him. Finally, she nodded. “Be in each other’s company for what purpose? Only reading the book?”
Ah, she was a clever and curious one, wasn’t she? “I suppose we’ll find that out together, hmm?”
“I suppose so.” Another blush stained her cheeks as she raked her gaze slowly down his person to linger at the bulge near the front of his breeches.
With a soft inhalation of breath, Miss Primrose returned her gaze to his face, but there were questions in her eyes.
“I’ll need to make certain I can slip out of the house without my mother arguing with me. ”
“I’m sure you can manage it, since you’re here by yourself today.” He gave her a wink. “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow afternoon.” Hopefully, he could steal more than a kiss and a brief feel.
“Thank you, Lord Wolcott. I look forward to it as well.”
“Good.” Then he edged around the shelf, ignoring his cockstand, and wondered at his sudden interest in wishing to seduce an innocent. He hadn’t done that in quite some time.
God, my brain must be rotting. That’s what midsummer will do to a man.
He should have gone to the country after all.