Page 35 of Her Beastly Duke
His cock stirred, signaling an end to the direction of the conversation.
“The earl seems particularly interested in you.” Julius could not help himself.
“Mama seems to think that he will ask to speak with Duncan soon,” Briar said matter-of-factly.
“Isn’t that a bit premature?”
“The earl seems charming and very attentive. I am trying to find a husband, so I am making an effort to get to know him.”
Julius fought the irritation that was rising to the surface. He hoped Briar would say how unsuitable the earl was and she would not have him. It was not the earl’s fault that Julius had acted foolishly, so he should not be the butt of Julius’s frustration. He was vexed anyway. Unlike Julius, the earl was not wasting any time; he appeared decisive. Julius hoped that an offer of marriage would not be imminent since a period of courting would be expected. He needed to act. He did not want Briar to spend any more time with the earl. None whatsoever.
Julius cleared his throat. “I will call upon you.”
“I look forward to it.”
The rest of the dance passed in silence, and at the end, he left her in the care of her mother. They would only be apart for a short time. He needed to speak to her privately, and it must be tonight. He knew just how to go about it. It was a bit drastic, but he was willing to take the risk. He wondered if Briar was willing to take a risk on him.
CHAPTER 16
Briar came awake with a start. She was tired after the ball, so she had gone straight to bed. She sensed someone was in the room before she saw the familiar silhouette. She sat bold upright, and the covers fell to her waist.
“You?”
Julius arched a brow. “Don’t tell me you were expecting someone else.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. How the hell did you get in here?”
“I climbed the tree outside and came up the balcony through the window.”
Briar wondered if he knew how damned attractive he was. The strong jawline, the confident curve of his lips, and high cheekbones. A bead of sweat dripped down the side of his face, over the scar, and she imagined the salty taste. The sight of his broad shoulders bunched with tension was not helping her. She needed to focus her thoughts, and it was damned near impossible with him standing so close to her bed.
“Have you gone raving mad?”
“I'm mad with the need to speak with you. I had to … it had to be me tonight.”
Her mouth went dry. She had hoped for this moment so many times since the first time he set her on fire. Finally, they were alone and all the reasons they should not be went out the window. The implacable lust churning in her stomach made her weak and vulnerable to her desires. Her skin tingled with anticipation as she imagined his hands all over her. She should ask him to leave immediately but she did not want him to go. A bad decision? Mayhap, but just for tonight, she would push the thoughts of the consequences aside. Nothing else mattered other than this moment.
He stepped forward, his gaze never wavering, and she could see the turmoil in his eyes. Julius sat on her bed, and she froze in place, painfully aware of how wrong it was for him to be here, but she knew the truth. She was happy he was here. It was Julius and the effect he had on her—handsome and desirable, and he knew it.
“There has always been something between us and I –.”
Briar reached out and grabbed him, pulling him toward her. His eyes, hazed with desire, held hers. She cupped the back of his head, his thick hair sliding through her fingers as she pulled him down onto the pillow. If this was a dream, she did not want to awaken.
Her lips found his in a crush. It was not gentle and sweet, for all the feelings of her pent-up desire drove her to a passionate fury. Julius matched her urge and longing. His mouth knew how to devastate her. Her entire body yearned for him, but her singular focus was his mouth. Their tongues clashed and dueled until Briar was breathless. She needed everything he had to offer, and badly. Her nipples were tender and aching for his touch. She felt his thick, hard cock pressing against her sensitive flesh, and she moved her hips against him. Julius groaned as he caught her lips between his teeth. She was somewhere between pleasure and frustration, and she knew he felt the same. She feltthe urgency as he ran his hands all over the thin nightdress that was the only barrier between them.
Julius raised his head, and without a word, he gripped the flimsy fabric in two and tore it from her body. She gasped at the sound, knowing he could touch her freely and set her on fire. His hands immediately roamed over her shoulders and found her breasts. His fingers on her nipple an exquisite ache. Julius took a nipple in his mouth and sucked greedily as her fingers twisted in her hair. She almost became undone when his teeth grazed her nipple.
Oh God!
His greedy hands went straight to her thighs, slick and wet. She opened and welcomed him, pressing and gyrating against his hand when his fingers slipped inside her with a quick thrust. Briar groaned when he withdrew and immediately thrust two fingers deep inside her heat. As he sucked her nipple and increased the tempo with his fingers, she nibbled his earlobe to prevent herself from moaning aloud. His fingers held the promise of pleasure, but it would be nothing compared to his rigid manhood, hot and ready, straining against his breaches.
Julius lifted his head from her breasts and trailed kisses to her neck. Briar found the front of his shirt and rented the garment, the buttons flying all over the bed. She was rewarded with his intoxicating groan that washed over her. He stood up and quickly shed the remainder of his clothes while Briar gripped the remnants of her nightgown and threw it to the floor. Finally, they were gloriously naked. Briar drank in the sight of him, his manhood firm and proud. She wanted him back in bed, lying over her, but he denied her. Instead, he lifted her in his arms, and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist. He made a slight movement, and she felt his cock against her wet slit. Briar moaned. Her hips ground down, the head of himrubbing against her nob. She was drunk with need, but still, he did not enter her. It was sweet torture. Unbearable.
“I need you,” she pleaded.
“Where?” he whispered.
She dug her fingers into his shoulder before she reached down with one hand, and her fingers trailed his manhood. “Inside me.”
