Chapter Fifteen

 

 

 

 

WRAPPING HIS ARM AROUND her, Jake hauled her into him, taking her lips with his. She opened to him, tangling her tongue with his as his fingers dug into her back. She couldn’t believe this feeling, this urgency. She’d never felt its like and all she wanted was to get closer to him, to feel his skin against hers, to have his body weight down hers.

She’d worn one of her best gowns for their outing, but it still fastened up the front to negate the need for a maid. His fingers worked at the buttons, the fabric gaping as he revealed her undergarments inch by inch. She remained still under his ministration, her gaze locked on his face. His brow was furrowed, his expression determined as he worked, muttering a curse every now and then as his long fingers hit a snag, until finally she was covered to her waist only her corset and chemise. She always wore her corset loosely and he easily unhooked the busk, pushing the stiff fabric aside and loosening the ties of her chemise.

Rubbing his mouth, he stared at her bared skin. She stood just as still under his regard, her arms at her side, watching him.

Slowly, he raised his gaze.

A fierce pride filled her that she had made Jacob Wade look so, his skin pulled taut, his gaze heavy lidded, a desperate need burning his eyes. She arched her back a little and his eyes darkened, lust flaring in their depths. An aching emptiness settled low in her belly, and she made an involuntary sound.

Curling his hand around her waist, against her naked skin, he again pulled her to him. “I’m going to kiss you now, darlin’.”

His words whispered against her ear and she shivered. Turning her cheek, she lifted her face, wanting his kiss more than she wanted her next breath.

A wicked grin flashed across his face. “Not there.” His hand gently cupped her breast and, lowering his head, he kissed her there.

She gasped. His tongue delicately traced her, his lips gently worrying her nipple, his hand plumping her flesh. His other hand played up her back, warm through the cloth of her dress. A hard clench of need pulled at her core, and she rubbed her thighs, restless and wanting something, wanting more. She knotted her fingers in his hair, the strands like silk against her skin. He growled against her, his hand tightening on her breast as he rubbed her nipple over and over again.

“Do you like this?” He blew gently against the flesh he had made wet.

Pleasure streaked through her, but it was too much. Too much. “Yes,” she managed.

He stopped. “Hope?”

She closed her eyes.

“Hope?” His hand cupping her cheek.

Opening her eyes, she met his gaze. “I am…apprehensive.” She lifted her chin. “I am also determined. Please proceed.”

The corner of his mouth kicked up. “Darlin’, I have to warn you. I like those ten dollar words, and the way you say them.”

“Ten-dollar word?”

“Apprehensive.” He kissed her neck, and then hesitated. “You’re sure about this?”

“I am.” She swallowed. “And you? You wish to proceed?”

That wicked grin again. “I surely do.”

“Well then.” She licked her lips. “Shall we adjourn to the bed?”

He closed his eyes briefly. “Another ten-dollar word.”

Taking his hand, she led him to her bed. Nerves danced in her belly along with desire, and she concentrated on the feel of his hand in hers, the sureness of his step, the knowledge he watched her with desire in his dark eyes.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she folded her hands in her lap. What did she do now? Did she lie back? Should she let him lead? Should she—

Seated next to her, Jake rubbed his thumb against the furrow in her brow. “What are you thinking about so hard?”

“I don’t know what to do.”

“Well, that’s why you have me. Don’t worry, darlin’. I won’t lead you astray.”

Her heart swelled. He would lead her astray.

Gently, he cupped her shoulder. “Why don’t we start again with a kiss?”

His lips brushed against hers. He was so gentle. So sweet. So caring of her, and what she wanted. It was more than she ever thought she would have. He was more than she ever could have hoped for.

Kneeling, he stared down at her. She felt strangely unselfconscious, her breast bared and her skirts rucked up to her thighs.

“Darlin’, you’re so pretty like this,” he said, his voice a rasp. “All dishevelled, your lips red and your eyes…I could drown in those eyes, darlin’. Dark and dazed, your skirts around your thighs, and looking at me as if you want to eat me up.” The corner of his mouth kicked. “But why don’t you leave that to me?”

His hands ran up her thighs, pushing her skirts higher. She let her legs fall further apart, rising up on her elbows to watch him. His fingers picked at the tie on her drawers and she watched him, lifting her hips when he bade her, until she was bare before him.

He swallowed. “Darlin’, I’ve imagined this a lot, but I never even came close to the reality.” His gaze met hers. “What do you know about what’s to come?”

“I’ve read books.” Delicious books. Salacious books. Books that she read in the darkness of her bedchamber, books that made her ache.

A muscle in his jaw ticked. “Books.”

A blush heated her cheeks.

“You’ve read books, darlin’?

She nodded.

“Did you touch yourself when you read your books?”

“I…”

“I bet you did. I bet you touched yourself and moaned as you came. Am I right, darlin’? tell me I’m right.

“Jake…” She had. She had touched herself. She’d read those books and she’d touched her lips, caressed her breasts, had touched herself between her legs.

“How did you do it, darlin’? Like this?” His fingers feathered over her mound.

Taking his hand, she guided him between her folds, where she was wet and aching. His fingers brushed against the nub at the top, the part of her she’d discovered was called a clitoris, and lightning streaked through her. Bowing her back, she moaned, the feeling intense.

“That’s it, isn’t it? Just there,” he crooned. “Have you put your fingers inside yourself?”

She shook her head.

“Would you like me to?”

Oh god. Oh god, what would that feel like? She nodded, unable to speak.

“Jake,” she whimpered.

“I know, darlin’. It hurts, doesn’t it? Let me make it better. I’m going to come inside you now. You let me know if it hurts.”

Curling her hands around his shoulders, she nodded. She felt him against her, smooth and broad. He flexed his hips and the beginning of him slipped inside her.

Her brow creased. It felt…odd. It didn’t hurt, not really. Another gentle thrust and more of him was inside her. She felt stretched, and full.

“You okay?” he panted. His face was a mask of effort and pain, sweat dampening his hair.

Sliding her hands down his sides, she smiled.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Another push and more of him filled her. “Just a little more to go, darlin’.”

Again a push and then his hips were against hers. She sighed. He felt solid and thick and filled her completely. She lifted her knees, her thighs hugging his hips. He hung over her, his arms trembling, his head hung, his eyes closed.

“There’s more, isn’t there?” she asked.

His eyes flew open. “Christ, yes.”

“Well, then.” She shifted her hips, moaning at the feel.

His eyes darkened. “Don’t tempt me. I’m barely holding on as it is.”

What if she tightened—

He growled and pulled back. She drew in her breath at the feel of him moving inside her, as he slowly pushed back in. He cupped he back of her thigh and drew it higher, changing the angle. She threw back her head, the sensations increasing. He shifted again and he hit something that made stars exploded inside her.

“There,” he growled in triumph.

She couldn’t speak, could only feel as he hit that spot over and over again, a steady slide of his thick, hard length inside her, making climax build and build in her. Her nipples were tight to the point of pain, her skin burning, and he kept hitting her in that spot, over and over again. Then, his thumb brushed against her clitoris.

Pleasure exploded. She could hear herself moaning, screaming, as the sensation streaked through her endlessly. His thrusts became quicker, losing control, and he buried his head in her neck as he pistoned into her, his flesh slapping against hers. Suddenly, he pulled himself from her, and she felt something warm and wet against her belly as he moaned his pleasure.

Fingers drifting up and down his back, her heart calmed as she listened to it find a rhythm with his, their harsh breaths smoothing.

“Goddamnit,” he finally said, his voice muffled against her skin. “I didn’t even get my trousers off.”

Surprise stilled her, her fingers paused on his back. “What?”

“You deserved better.” In a flurry of movement, he grabbed his shirt and cleaned her belly.

“Better?” How on earth could it possibly be better?

Determination lit his dark eyes. “I can do better. Starting with taking my damn trousers off.” Pushing himself up, he started wrestling with said trousers.

Still in a daze, she watched him. Perhaps she should remove her clothing too? It was a struggle to get her elbows beneath her, and even more of one to attempt to rise.

“Don’t you move,” he ordered. “We’re going to do this again, and properly.”

“Okay.” Collapsing against the bedding, she laced her hands over her stomach. “So it can be better?”

He froze. “Why? What was wrong with it?”

“Nothing. I am merely repeating what you propounded.”

He closed his eyes, swallowed. “A ten-dollar word.” His expression changed and, bending over her, he caged her with his arms. “Are you making fun of me?” he asked dangerously.

“I would never do such a thing.” She merely wanted him to do everything with her again. And again. And then again.

“Because there are consequences to such things. Severe ones,” he growled, his lips an inch from hers.

And, for the second time, he didn’t get his trousers all the way off.