Page 19 of A Wager With A Rake
Curiosity piqued, Theodosia slowly opened the box to reveal a smooth object made of a fine wood.Rosewood, she believed.For an instant, confusion overtook her tipsy brain.But then, her cheeks heated, and she bit her bottom lip with dark excitement when she realized what it was… a phallus, exquisitely crafted to resemble the male anatomy and undeniably erotic.
A thrill shivered down her spine.Not that she would admit that to him.“When?Why?What were you thinking?”Her tone was one of intrigue and jest, not offense.
“After our last encounter, I hated the notion of you being left with only your fingers.”
The place between her thighs throbbed, and she clinched her legs tighter together.Her chest rose and fell from where she fought to calm her breathing from her wanton thoughts.Searching for anything else her muddled mind could come up with, she blurted the first thing that came to mind.“Think you’re feeling brave enough for one of our games of dares?”
Shite.Her brain was clearly working against her.A game of dare would become far too dangerous.Damn the brandy.
He eyed her curiously.“If you aim to dare me to use that on myself, count me out.That is only for you.”
The way he appeared almost scandalized caused her to burst out into a stream of giggles.“I hadn’t thought to issue such a challenge, but if you are too afraid to play…” She allowed her voice to trail off and rose from her chair.She’d make her escape after putting herself at risk of doing something that could ruin the entire wager.
“Oh, no, you don’t,” he taunted her.“I am not even slightly afraid of whatever your beautiful, devious mind might come up with.”
She fought the grin that wanted to form from how he referred to her as beautiful.No man had ever done so.Not even her husband.He arranged for a young bride and then didn’t even have the decency to make her feel even remotely good about herself for what her life had become with him.
“All right then,” Theodosia said, returning to her seat, eyes gleaming as she thought of something.“I dare you to recite a scandalous bit of poetry.The more shocking, the better.”Why was she teasing herself?At least it would give her something to think about when she tended to her own needs later.
Court quirked a brow, his gaze smoldering.“I hope you don’t offend easily.”He cleared his throat theatrically, then launched into a bawdy verse, his voice a low purr that seemed to stroke along her nerve endings.
“Oh, fair delight with heaving breast,
A temptress bold, so damnably blessed!
Yon bodice strains, the seams do fight,
To cage twin globes — so succulent and tight.
Thy thighs, like silken prison bars,
Doth trap me between thy Venus scars.
Oh, lips that pout, so lush, so lewd,
Begging to taste, and see you nude!
I’d sell my soul, I’d damn my name,
For but one night of scorching flame!
So let them whisper, let them pry,
I’d rather drown between thy sweet thighs!”
He spoke each line slowly and as if he were speaking to her rather than reciting the poem.Heat bloomed beneath Theodosia’s skin, but she maintained an air of amused composure.When he finished, she applauded lightly.“Scandalous indeed,” she said, her mouth dry.
“I believe it is my turn to issue you a dare.”
She braced herself for what he might dare her to do, and knowing she was far too stubborn to walk away from a dare, no matter what it was.
He sat back in his chair and clasped his hands behind his head.“Take your gift into your hands and suck on the head.”
Theodosia should have known that was coming, and she cast him a leveling stare.“You are a wicked man.I don’t recall this game taking such a turn in our youth.Aren’t you supposed to dare me to jump from a tree branch or something?”
“Given the late hour and the brandy we’ve consumed, I think we are both content where we are at.Besides, need I remind you that you started this?”His tone was cocky, but he certainly didn’t appear as if he minded the turn of events.
She was well aware.And in truth, she didn’t mind either.Her entire body hummed with awareness, and her solo efforts in her chamber would prove quite satisfactory.“No reminder necessary.”
