“See that these are sent out at the first opportunity, when the weather permits.” Lewis handed Darius the pile of correspondence from his desk in his private sitting room off his bedroom.
He was anxious to see Sarah.
Five days had passed since Sarah had arrived. Five days and five nights being in the company of a beautiful, brilliant woman who was passionate. In and out of bed. Five days and nights of mind-melting passion, initiating her into sexual pleasures.
They’d been the most soul-satisfying encounters he’d ever had. Though he didn’t allow himself to dwell deeper on that.
When he wasn’t in the throes of ecstasy, he was drawn into lively debates on numerous subjects she was well versed in. He’d forgotten how much he loved to debate. In his days at Cambridge, where he’d read for his Law Tripos, he and his friends would spend nights in hearty debates.
The more drink available, the more heated they’d become on philosophy, laws, and social norms. Those had been some of the best days of his life.
He’d found a woman who was more skilled and talented at formulating compelling arguments than the majority of his former classmates combined.
She was his equal match of wit and wills. And it was delightful. It was easy being in her company. It would be easy to forget that she was leaving soon.
And that was something he wouldn’t permit himself to do. He had his life in order now. It had taken a considerable amount of time. Years, in fact. He wasn’t going to change things.
“I’ll see to it.”
“Good.” He walked past Darius to the door, eager to leave and join Sarah in his library. He knew he’d likely find her there. She liked the room as much as he did, spending time reading his books. Her reading tastes were so similar to his.
“There’s one matter I’d like to bring to your attention,” Darius said, catching up to him as they moved down the long corridor.
“What is it?”
“There’ve been some odd sounds emanating from your bedroom.”
Without looking at him, he said, “Darius…”
“It’s a distinct sound. One I haven’t heard come from your bedroom here ever.”
Darius was clearly up to no good. They both knew Lewis didn’t bring women here. He had no intention of discussing Sarah or any intimacies they’d shared.
That was private.
Between him and a certain mathematical beauty who melted at his touch.
“Darius, behave yourself. What I do in the privacy of my bedroom is no one’s concern. That includes you.”
Darius jumped into his path with a swift, easy motion, halting Lewis’s advance.
“Indeed. But the sound I heard most distinctly was…” He leaned in and said, sotto voce, “your laughter.” He clasped Lewis’s shoulder. “It’s damned good to hear too.”
* * *
The moment Lewis entered the library, he spotted Sarah in front of the bookshelves. Book in hand, she turned to him and smiled. “Good afternoon, Joseph.”
His heart missed a beat. God, that smile… It lit up the room. Though he’d broken the fast with her this morning, he’d been busy with his duties and had missed the midday meal with her.
It was ridiculous, but it felt as though he hadn’t seen her in days.
Rather than a mere few hours.
She walked up and pressed her warm, sweet mouth to his, giving him a slow, luscious kiss. Wrapping his arms around her, he deepened the kiss, drawing her tongue into his mouth to give it slow strokes and a soft suck. He liked the sigh she made and the press of her body against his. She was so damned responsive to him. He couldn’t seem to get enough.
Going to sleep and waking up with her by his side, expanding her repertoire of sexual knowledge, had been nothing short of glorious.
She broke the kiss, her smile returning. “I’m glad you’re back. I know I’ve said it already, but I do love this room and your books. I’ve learned something about you.”
“Oh, what is that?”
“That you are a romantic.” She grinned.
He suddenly felt his face warm. Fuck. Was he actually blushing? Horrified, he protested, “I am not,” annoyed that his words sounded unconvincing.
She gestured at the shelves. “You have an abundance of romantic poetry that are beyond beautiful, and some of the literature too. There’s nothing to be embarrassed of. I think a man who can appreciate the depth of emotion in these books is rare and wonderful. Darius told me that you selected all these volumes yourself.”
“I simply appreciate fine writings. And most of what Darius says should be ignored. There’s a meddlesome old woman trapped inside his body somewhere that exerts herself often.”
That made her laugh. “I very much like how he cares about you.”
Lewis brushed an errant lock of dark hair from her cheek. Just an excuse to touch her skin.
Briefly, she closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. An endearing gesture that he liked more than he’d comfortably admit. Too much, in fact.
He dropped his hand away.
“I found something in this book.” Opening the volume and flipping several pages, she pulled out a photo and handed it to him.
He recognized it immediately.
“Is this your dog? The one you mentioned?” she asked.
He smiled down at the image of his collie. “Yes, this is Ivy. She was the best dog.” His little shadow, always by his side. Forever missed.
“She was very pretty, and I’m sure quite clever. Dogs are so special. They carve a deep spot into our hearts. Did she die on Christmas? Is that why you don’t care for the—”
“No” was his abrupt response. He hadn’t meant for the word to come out so harshly. He placed the image back into the pages of the book and replaced it on the shelf.
“I’m sorry, Joseph. I’ve clearly upset you, and I’ve promised not to enquire about the matter. I won’t ask again.”
He gave a nod, wanting not to dampen the moment with past pains.
Her brilliant smile returned. “I have something for you. A present. Come with me.”
* * *
Ella led Joseph to the guest bedroom.
Some of her items were still there. Not that she slept there anymore.
After their first night of intimacies, she’d left Joseph’s sleeping form to return to her room in the wee morning hours—not knowing the proper protocol between lovers— only to find an adorably disgruntled duke the next morning in the dining room informing her that she didn’t have to leave to sleep elsewhere. In fact, he wanted her to stay each night. The whole night.
She couldn’t help but smile every time she thought of it. Who could say no to such a decadent offer from this man? The only man who’d made her feel desire, and desired. Feminine. Accepted. For the first time ever.
He’d invited her to stay in his home as long as she needed. She’d decided to stay two more weeks. It had begun to weigh on her that her time with him was winding down. There was no talk of the future beyond her departure. Nor did she expect that. He was used to a sophisticated lover who enjoyed sexual dalliances. Without emotional entanglement.
And she would keep it to that.
“For you.” She handed Joseph the black velvet pouch.
He poured the contents into his palm—smooth round beads made of jade, the size of small stones, each connected by a gold chain.
His expression was one of utter surprise. Clearly, he hadn’t expected a gift.
“It’s something I purchased to, well, aid in my plan with Alfred, but I’d rather you have it. As a token of my gratitude for all you’ve done for me. It’s made of jade and gold.”
Why was he still looking so stunned?
“I don’t expect a gift in return…” she added quickly.
“Where did you purchase this?”
“L’Anonyme.”
His brow shot up. “You went inside?”
“Yes. The night we met. I spoke to Madame Giselle. I told her I wanted to seduce a man. She suggested I purchase that to aid in my quest.”
His lips twitched. He was fighting back a smile. Amusement shone in those stormy gray eyes. “Do you know what these are for?”
“No. She said the man I presented them to would know and be most pleased. I don’t want to give them to Alfred. I want you to have them.”
* * *
A foreign emotion prickled through Lewis at the thought of Alfred possessing the surprising item in his hand. He tamped the feeling down.
He preferred to focus on the jade beads, the beauty offering them to him.
This woman had wealth. This item was costly. In fact, all items sold for carnal play at L’Anonyme were embellished by luxury materials and gemstones.
It added to the decadence of the pleasure toy.
“I thank you for the gift. But this is something we both can enjoy.” His cock was already straining inside his trousers for her. Ready and eager. “The items sold at L’Anonyme are items made to enhance pleasure. These go”—he dipped his head in order to look straight into her deep, dark eyes—“inside the body. In your case, in either one of those entrances to paradise. That perfect little quim of yours. Or your gorgeous bottom.”
He waited and watched for her reaction. Her eyes widened. No horror or shrinking away. Just surprise, then…contemplation as her gaze moved to the beads in his open palm.
“I hadn’t realized…” Her cheeks turned that endearing shade of pink.
His prick jerked in hunger. He’d introduced her to oral pleasures. Receiving and giving. Taught her how to enjoy the intense sensations from that sweet little spot inside her vaginal walls.
And now the thought of enjoying this item with her made his heart race.
He grasped the large ring at the end of the beads and let them dangle before her. “Shall we play, Sarah?”
She looked at the item hanging from his fingers for a moment, then gave him a nod. Pre-come seeped from the crest of his cock.
Suddenly, she stepped back. “But first, I have a request.”