Page 115 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

Confused, she frowned. “What?”

“When you’re alone at night, do you touch yourself”—his gaze drifted down between them again—“there?”

At that moment, the storm seemed a less formidable choice.

To Simon,it was a simple question. They were married and about to become intimate. However, Charlotte glared at him as if he’d asked if she’d ever murdered anyone.

“How dare you?! I’m not a doxy.”

The hellcat had returned in full measure.

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of, Charlotte.” He cursed the propriety forced upon women that discouraged self-pleasure.

“I assure you, I have not, sir.”

Frustrated, Simon blew out a breath and drew a hand down his face. He’d never had to take such care with a woman before, but he reminded himself this was about Charlotte, not him. “Very well, then allow me to help you discover what you enjoy. We’ll learn about it together. But you have the final say in how and what I do. Agreed?”

“Agreed.” She held out her hand, clearly wishing to shake as gentlemen did when reaching consensus.

But instead, when he clasped her hand, he brought it to his lips. “I seem to remember a favorable response when I did this.” As he placed a kiss on the pulse point at her wrist, allowing his tongue to stroke her silky skin, his gaze locked on hers.

“Oh.” In answer, her eyelids fluttered as the breathy sigh escaped her parted lips.

“What about this?” He trailed his lips up her forearm to the soft flesh inside her elbow and received a similar response.

“And this,” he said as he nibbled on the sweet juncture at her neck and shoulder.

She licked her lips. “Yes. That is . . . lovely.”

He wanted nothing more than to continue his exploration ofher, but he stepped back. “I’m glad you approve. But to get the most satisfaction, both partners should participate. Remember, you’re in complete control.”

Her gaze flicked to his, and at first, she appeared unsure. But then her lips quirked in the Charlotte way he’d somehow grown to love. “I can do anything?”

Blast. His body on alert, he took a step back. “Such as? I should clarify that I abhor pain of any kind. The idea is to please your partner.”

She stepped closer, her dark eyes boring into him. “Like this?” As she had before, she placed her palm against his chest, her delicate fingers raking through the sparse hair. When she rubbed a thumb across his nipple, it puckered, and he sucked in a breath.

The tease!

Desire bubbled in his veins. “You know very well that feels good. Might that be something you enjoy as well?”

“Iamenjoying this.” She delivered a wicked grin, then ran her hand downward, skimming the edge of his trousers and causing his stomach muscles to contract under her touch. She was like a drug he couldn’t get enough of.

As much as he enjoyed sex—and make no mistake, he enjoyed it very, very much—this was different.

Better.

Best.

What superlative came after best?

And was it always as exciting when you loved someone?

“I meant you might enjoy me touching you like that. But first, I want another kiss.” He leaned in and nipped at her lips. “Mmm,” he mumbled, so enraptured with the taste of her he hardly noticed when her hand dropped to the buttons on his trousers.

Only the shaking of her fingers alerted him, and he pulledback. “Are you sure you want to do that?” he asked as she chased his lips.

“As you said, I’ve seen you unclothed before.” Even so, her cheeks darkened.

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