Page 22 of A Wager With A Rake
And then something else tugged at her heartstrings.An emotion for the man before her who had been like a friend, and the brother to her best friend, and the most handsome man she’d ever seen in her life.She wasn’t certain what to call it, but it ached within her.And whatever it was would leave her broken and empty when they inevitably parted ways to go about their lives.
Chapter 9
Court
Sunlightstreamedthroughthecurtains, rousing Court from a night of unsatisfactory sleep filled with visions of Theodosia writhing in ecstasy beneath him.The wooden phallus he gifted her had been an inspired idea because he wasn’t certain he’d ever tire of watching her come.He could still hear her moans and cries ringing in his ears.
Court’s cock stiffened as flashes from the night before danced through his mind—the arch of her back as she climaxed, the sheen of sweat glistening on her skin, the sweet taste of her orgasm.He ached to bury himself inside her heat and feel her clench around him as he made her come undone from his cock instead of a wooden substitute.He wasn’t certain if it was possible to feel irrational jealousy toward an inanimate object, and yet he did.If he had a mind to, he might just toss the thing in the fireplace.
Groaning, he took himself in hand and stroked.He imagined Theodosia spread out before him, her thighs parted in wanton invitation.In his fantasy, he teased her slick seam with the tip of his cock before plunging deep.Of course she would be incredibly tight, her walls gripping him like a velvet vise.
“Tess,” he whispered, his hand moving faster over his rigid length.“Fuck—”
Jerkily moving his hand, he found the rhythm that drove him closer to the edge.His release barreled down on him like a runaway carriage.Pleasure exploded through his veins as he spilled his seed, coating his fingers and belly.For a long moment after he lay there panting, his heart galloping in his chest.
When the haze of his orgasm finally lifted, Court sat up and reached for a cloth to clean himself.As he did, resolve hardened inside him.He was winning their wager.That was all there was to it.And he’d keep her locked away in his chamber for every moment of the week he’d have her.
Rising from his bed, he slipped his banyan around his shoulders before splashing cool water on his heated skin.He reached for the bellpull and then began pacing his chamber.
Besting her at cards would prove to be more difficult than he’d realized.She had proven to be quite the skilled player, and losing was not an option he was willing to accept.And not because of some damned estate.No matter how reckless he knew he was being, he needed her.And that was a troubling thought.
After he dressed, he approached the dining room to find Theodosia already seated.She glanced up from her plate, a small smile playing about her lips.“Good morning.”
“Good morning.”Court made a few selections from the sideboard and then settled into his chair at the head of the table, hoping she couldn’t detect the sudden nervousness he felt in her presence.After the intimacies they’d shared and the fevered imaginings that came that morning, so to speak, he’d been uncertain how they’d react to each other.Would things be awkward between them now?
He had exposed himself to her in a literal cock measuring contest.It was undoubtedly impressive, if he said so himself, but who does that?But also, could it be called a contest if the other cock wasn’t real?
Focus, Court.He supposed he had nothing to feel off about with her.She had not appeared scandalized by what she saw.The opposite, in fact.He supposed that fucking her with the wooden cock was more scandalous than giving her a peek at his manhood.
As he forked a bite of eggs into his mouth, Theodosia launched into a lively discourse about Rosewood.He hadn’t realized that she had invested so much time and energy into renovating the home, which made the guilt hit him harder.All he wanted was to win their bet so he could have a real taste of her.And in doing so, he would crush her dreams of owning Rosewood.
Their conversation continued with sharing various stories about other members of thetonand gossip surrounding them.He pushed his guilt aside, and Court found himself drawn to her vibrant energy, chuckling at the way her witty mind worked.After all that occurred, they fell into a comfortable ease.It was natural, even.Hadn’t that always been the case with them?
She was quite the notorious gossip with a way for weaving tales to suit her own needs, but thetonnever knew her the way he did.With him, she was different.She didn’t put the same walls around herself, and he supposed he didn’t either.
“How many of those stories are real?”he asked, eyeing her knowingly.
“Every bit of it,” she said, feigning offense.“I have always told you the true versions.But the others”—she shrugged—“they were told whatever version was most compelling to me.”
He had always wondered why she was such a viper amongst the rest of society but always witty and charming with him and Rebecca.“Why?”he finally asked.“Why make up salacious stories and delight in the ruin of others?”
The vulnerability and sadness that crossed her beautiful expression sparked something protective in him, and he wanted to pull her to him and hold her close.But, of course, he would do no such thing.He wasn’t even certain where the urge came from.He’d never felt so for anyone before.
“Jealousy,” she said matter-of-factly.“I won’t pretend to believe that it was an honorable sort of action, but I hated everything about my life.And hated others who possessed the happiness I never did.”
The air in the dining room felt far too thick, and they each continued with their meal in silence.The conversation at hand was far more intimate than him flashing his manhood at her.He wasn’t sure how to respond.Chastising her didn’t seem the best course.And he had behaved no better when he decided long ago to prove to his father just what a wastrel he could be.
“You are a strong woman for being able to admit to jealousy.”
“I’ve spent a lot of time wishing for a different life.”
His heart ached for her, that she had been treated so poorly.And he wasn’t certain what to say to her after her admission.
After several more wordless minutes, he finally broke the silence.“What do you have planned for the day?”
She looked up at him, so lost in thought that she looked at him as if she was surprised he was still sitting there.“Reading, I suppose.”
Sadness tinged her tone, and he couldn’t let her spend the day alone.Especially not when, if he was honest with himself, he wanted to spend time with her.“What would you think about going for a walk about the estate with me?”
