Page 34 of The Scandalous Love of a Duke
She did not, and once the maid had gone, he whispered, ‘I want to touch your skin.’
Was this the price of her bonnet?But she would happily allow him touch. She had always known she was base and sinful and weak, and if any man were to touch her, then let it be John.
Hetty was back in a moment with the promised parasol. Katherine accepted it and raised the canopy as they stepped outside.
John smiled and raised his forearm so she could lay her fingers on it. She felt firm muscle beneath the cloth of his morning coat. There was strength, security and support.
There was a little wilderness of wildflowers to the right of the garden. He led her there.
‘You say you wish for freedom,’ she said quietly, ‘but I still do not understand what you mean, John.’
‘Just your company, Katherine, and perhaps your kisses.’ His other hand covered hers, as it lay on his arm. ‘We will be discreet.’
Discreet? Was she agreeing to an assignation then? ‘You make it sound as though you wish for an affair.’
He stopped walking, his eyes burning with vulnerability and need. ‘An affair of sorts, an intrigue. But I shall not take your innocence. I will not hurt you.’
His eyes and his voice said,please do not deny me.
A rush of yearning swamped her heart.
He began walking again, looking ahead.
Oh, John.She remembered that day long ago when she had watched him in the lake and felt desperate to touch him. If she answered his need, she could touch him and kiss him, and the pain buried in her soul for years would have ease. How could she say no? She had always known he could never offer her marriage, but he could offer her this and she could take it. It was what she’d longed for. Why say no?
As they neared an ancient oak John’s arm slipped from beneath her hand, then his hand surrounded her upper arm. He drew her behind the broad trunk, then pressed her back against it.
Her parasol fell and tumbled across the lawn in the wind as his lips covered hers, gently at first but then the kiss became more insistent.
His body was barely an inch from hers.
One of his hands braced her cheek.
She kissed him back, her tongue dancing with his, learning from his.
His other hand pressed against her lower back. While hers gripped his morning coat, clinging to him.
The storm of emotion she could feel in him was bitter need.
His mouth left hers and he began nipping beneath her chin in soft little bites. ‘I want you, Katherine.’ His breath was hot. ‘I can show and teach you things you will enjoy, but I swear I shall not take your virginity.’
I want you too.
His hand cupped her breast, through her bodice, kneading it gently. It ached for him.
‘Say yes, Katherine,’ he whispered urgently.
His lips nipped at her neck and his hand rubbed her breast while his hips pressed against hers.
She wanted him, there, between her legs. She wanted to do the indecent things her mother had done to beget her. He was the only thing she had ever really wanted.
Her breath was shallow and his hard and rasping.
His hand left her breast and moved to the place where she wanted him to be.
John!
He pressed her through the layers of her gown and petticoats, and her arms rose to his neck as he kissed her lips again, more passionately.
