Page 88 of Lady Scandal

“Oh, you have no idea, you tease.”

With a quick tug, she pulled the sash of his robe, then she sank toher knees, and before he had the chance to realize just what she was doing, his penis, hot, engorged, and rock hard, was in her hand, and her mouth was opening around the tip.

His groan, an agonized rumble from deep in his chest, filled her with joy. She took him as far into her mouth as she could, pulled back, then came forward again. She moved her tongue in a teasing swirl around the tip, relishing that she could now do to him what he had done to her; but her delight, sadly, was far too short-lived.

“Enough, Delia,” he ground out, his hand entangling in her hair, pulling her head back. “That’s enough.”

His hand left her hair and he pulled her to her feet. “This night isn’t going to end like that, with you on your knees.”

“No?”

“No.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her around the side of the bed, then he eased her down onto the bed and pulled off his robe.

Delia fell back with a sigh, drinking in the sight of him with unabashed admiration. His body was magnificent. No other word for it—wide shoulders tapering to powerful arms, a lean torso of rippled abdominal muscles and narrow hips. And his desire for her on full display.

“My God,” she breathed, “you’re splendid.”

He laughed. “You’re a bit of all right yourself, Countess.”

“Only a bit?” she echoed, pretending indignance, but the pretense ended as he came over her, bracing his weight on his arms, making the mattress dip, as he leaned down and kissed her.

“More than a bit. Move over.”

She complied, turning to stretch out on the bed, settling back against the pillows as he followed, easing his body on top of hers.

“Come,” she said, and spread her legs apart. “Come inside me now.”

“Your wish is my command,” he said and entered her.

The feel of him inside her was glorious, but then he went still, hisweight on his elbows, nuzzling her neck, and she stirred beneath him. Despite the powerful orgasms of a few moments ago, arousal was still pulsing through her, and his breathing, hard and labored, told her he felt the same, but he still didn’t move. “Simon, c’mon,” she urged, pushing her hips upward, desperate for completion. “Do it.”

He kissed her neck, her throat, her mouth. “Do what?” he asked.

“Simon, please.”

“Why, Delia,” he murmured, nibbling her lower lip as his arms slid beneath her shoulder blades, “are you begging?”

“Yes, you impossible man,” she cried, unashamed, laughing. “Yes. Please. Do it now. Please, please.”

Her plea ended in a groan of relief and satisfaction as he began to move, and her arousal rose higher, her desperation growing more urgent, more frantic, with each powerful thrust of his hips.

She met him thrust for thrust, relished each groan she tore from his lips, until at last, she climaxed again, her muscles clenching hard around his cock. He followed her, and she gloried even more in his climax than her own.

He thrust into her one last time and went still, his body heavy on top of hers, his face buried against her neck. She turned her head and kissed him, overcome by a tenderness she’d never felt for a man before. She lay there beneath him, caressing his broad, strong back, smiling, replete, happy.

She felt as if she’d finally come completely out of the darkness and into the light, and she was glad she had managed to endure those dark days five years ago, glad to be in love, glad to be alive. So very glad.

17

When he woke, the dim gray light of morning was peeking around the edges of the window draperies, and Delia was gone. He might have thought what had happened only a few hours ago was a dream, but the fragrance of her hair was on the pillow beside him, along with a note written on Savoy stationery.

My darling Simon, I would have loved to watch you awaken, but since we both work for the Savoy and I came to you last night in nothing but my nightgown, I thought it best to return to my own room while there would be no staff or hotel guests to see me. I may not care much what people think, but even I am not so scandalous as to go parading about the hotel in a state of undress! Perhaps we can have luncheon together?

–Delia

PS—have I told you I love you madly?

He smiled a little, his happiness at her reiteration of love dimmed only by her words about the hotel, for those words were a reminderof what would be happening today and the pain it would surely cause her. Folding the note, he kissed it, inhaling the scent of her perfume one more time, then he got out of bed.

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