Page 38 of The Heir's Fortune
She had thought she didn’t like when Gideon tried to control those around him, but she found in this… she didn’t entirely mind. Gideon Sutcliffe was most certainly a surprise.
But a surprise in the very best way.
CHAPTER 14
Gideon couldn’t help but grin proudly in satisfaction as he pushed himself up onto his hands and knees and stared down at Madeline lying back, hair fanned around her head, her eyes closed, her arms splayed out to the side.
“Madeline,” he whispered, trailing a finger down her cheek, “are you well?”
For a moment, she didn’t move and he wondered if she had fallen asleep. But then the corner of her lip quirked upward and her eyes opened slightly.
“I am not certain,” she said with an abashed smile. “After what you just did to me, it seems that I can barely move.”
“Then my job is done,” he said, sinking to the bed and lying beside her. He was still somewhat in awe that she had welcomed him like this, had wanted him over other men she could have had. “Thank you.”
She raised her brows, turning her head to look at him. “I am fairly certain that I should be the one thanking you.” She looked down for a moment, the oddest glimmer of shyness crossing her face. “I thought I had learned quite a bit from my books, but I wasn’t aware that…thatwas possible.”
Gideon’s chest swelled at the idea that he was the one to have taught her of such a thing.
“I do know, however… what comes next,” she continued.
Those words, in her husky voice, had his cock twitching, but he had to rein in his desires as he turned over to look at her.
“That’s not going to be happening.”
Her eyes flew to his. “Why not?”
“I told you that I wouldn’t ruin you.”
“I told you that I would only be ruined if I decided so.”
Gideon leaned over and smoothed his hand down the side of her face, hoping he could ease the tension that filled it.
“I am not saying I do not want to… be with you in that way,” he said, “for I most assuredly do. But I am not the man who will take a young woman’s innocence when he might not have the ability to marry her.”
“Who said I would marry you?”
Gideon couldn’t help but chuckle at her inability to give in, even when there was no true argument to be had. He had avoided her in the past because he was scared of what might come out of her mouth – who would ever have thought there would come a day when he couldn’t wait to hear the next thing she would say.
“That is true, you never agreed. But rest assured, Madeline, if the opportunity presents itself, then you can expect the question, and not just because of what has happened here between us tonight.”
She was silent for a moment, her expression unreadable, but instead of answering she leaned over and began to trail her hand down his bare chest, stopping at the top of his breeches. Gideon swallowed, knowing that if she pushed him too hard, he just might not be able to deny her any longer.
“Madeline,” he said, his voice gruff as he caught her hand. “What are you doing?”
“Continuing this love play,” she said flippantly. “It isn’t fair for me to have all of the fun.”
“I had fun,” he said. “Trust me in that. We have taken this as far as it can go.”
“Are you so sure about that?” she asked, untying his wrapper yet again, and he had to swallow hard.
“I do not expect anything from you,” he said, shaking his head. “That was my gift. I?—”
“I want this,” she said fiercely. “I want to do this – with you.” She paused, a little less self-assured. “I do not know entirely how, but I shall do my very best.”
“I have no concern at your prowess,” he said. “But if you do not feel comfortable, stop at any time.”
“I have a feeling that you will not be saying that again,” she said with a coy grin before she lowered herself down, and he noted with some surprise that he was completely exposed before her now.
