Page 113 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

But not close enough.

Lost in the kiss, he startled when she tugged on his banyan. When she broke the kiss, he chased her lips.

“Simon. Simon.”

He blinked himself back to reality, dreading to hear her tell him to leave. “What?” His voice, raw with need, scraped like gravel.

“This floor is hard. Perhaps we should”—her cheeks darkened with a blush—“move to the bed?”

Simon bounded to his feet in the blink of an eye, firmlybelieving he’d never moved as fast in his life—and for him, that was saying something.

When he extended a hand to assist her, those big brown eyes stared at him, her mouth opening in a littleO. Then she laughed, genuine and hearty, and it warmed him through to his soul.

“Eager are you, Mr. Beckham?”

Unable to help himself, he grinned. “You might say that.”

When she slipped her hand in his, energy crackled up his arm. If a simple touch of hands affected him that much, what would it be like to be inside her, to feel her writhing and moaning in pleasure beneath him?

He couldn’t wait to find out.

Charlotte’s handtrembled as she slipped it into Simon’s, but he didn’t seem to notice. Determination tempered her apprehension.I can do this.

What she didn’t like was not knowing what he expected of her. For the second time that evening, she wished her mother were alive to counsel her.

But it was too late for that. Simon pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her soundly again.

All thoughts of expectations and mothers raced from her mind.

The kiss was long and sensual. Decadent even, as if he imbued every wicked thing he intended to do with each brush of his lips.

Delicious shivers trickled up her arm and spine at the thought as he teased her with his lips and tongue. Instinctively, she palmed a path up his chest, meeting hard muscle beneath the soft silk of his banyan. She clutched his shoulders, holding on for dear life.

“That’s it,” he whispered, his hot breath brushing against heralready sensitive lips. “Don’t think. Just do. Let your body lead you.” He gave her lips a light peck, then leaned his forehead against hers. “But since it’s our first time together, tell me what you like. What pleases you and what doesn’t.”

His request gave her pause. “I don’t know what I like or don’t like. Aren’t you supposed to know those things?”

His answering chuckle sent her stomach somersaulting. Apparently, she likedthat.

“I can tell certain things from your responses, but that’s after the fact. And there are things in general women like, but not everyone is the same.” He pulled away and gazed into her eyes. “For instance, most women love being picked up and carried, but you do not.”

Why did his direct gaze seem like he peered into her soul? “I might like it.”

Narrowed eyes and the rakish tilt of his head told her he didn’t believe her. “Then why did you protest when I assisted you across the puddle? You practically took off my head.”

“Because I didn’t expect it. I don’t like to be surprised. It makes me feel . . . out of control.”

“Ah,” he said and nothing more. “In that case, may I carry you to the bed, and we can resume things there?” He winked, and even that didn’t annoy her as it typically did. “It was your suggestion after all.”

Her mouth had gone dry at the mention of the bed, and she could only nod.

“Arms around my neck, if you please. And try not to strangle me.”

Sliding her hands around his neck, she laughed, and he rewarded her with another kiss.

“There. That’s not so bad, is it?”

She shook her head.

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