Page 45 of A Flaming Lady's Secret Valentine
In that darkness, he brushed the hair from her shoulders and plunged his face into her neck. His mouth was hot against the cool expanse of her skin, his stubble prickled her. Her toes curled in her slippers as he kissed her. Cecilia writhed against him, not because she wanted to but because her body dictated that shemust. It seemed to drive him wild. His hands roved her body desperately, pulling at the fabric of her garments.
Raphael pulled his mouth away and she mourned the loss of it. He turned her in his arms to face him and back her against the door.
“I will say what must not be said,” he rasped. He pressed his hands against the door, trapping her as she pleaded for more kisses. “I want you, Cecilia. I think of no one else. The thought of you settling for another man devastates me. I should be stronger, but I am not. This is bound to end in disaster for us both.”
“And yet…” she whimpered. “Raphael, I long for your kisses still.”
He pressed his forehead against hers and kissed her. Avidly, clumsily, passionately. Before she understood what was happening, Raphael sank to his knees in front of her. His hands settled on her hips as he faced her womanhood. He stared up at her for a moment, asking to discover more of her.
Cecilia was a virgin, but she was not a fool. She knew where her passion resided.
She slowly nodded her head. Raphael worked the sash of her dressing gown, revealing her sleep chemise underneath. The cool air in the room enveloped her, seeping through the thin fabric of her gown. One spot was hot, where Raphael breathed her in against the flesh of her stomach.
He bit her. Gently. His thumbs dug painfully into her hip, but Cecilia was too enamoured with him to care. Mr Raphael Travers had found himself once more at her feet. This time would be more ruinous than the last.
Her fingers slipped through his hair, encouraging him.
“Deny yourself nothing,” she ordered with a whisper.
“Good. I yearn for every part of you.”
Her head rolled back and knocked against the door as he grazed the palms of his hands under her gown, over her bare legs. His thumb travelled the length of her inner thigh, then swept over her heat.
She flinched back from the intensity of it, gnawing on her lip to stop from moaning. He brushed against her parting, and she melted.
She melted, but he stopped.
“Raphael?”
His finger came away. “This is not right.”
“I do not care whether it is right.” She cupped his face, forcing him to look up at her. “I do not want you to stop.”
“One of us must.” He pecked the palm of her hand sadly. “Cecilia, I am sorry.”
”Sorry?” She palmed for the doorknob behind her. “I see.”
Raphael’s face twisted in anguish. “Please, do not get the wrong idea. I meant everything I said before.”
“It is fine.”
“You are cross with me.”
“Not cross.” She took a sharp intake of breath. “Disappointed, embarrassed. Because I know that you are right, but I do not know whether—” She cut herself off with a whimper.
Some things are better left unsaid.
Refusing to look at him, she unlocked the door and rushed out into the hallway.
I do not know whether you stopped to protect me or to protect yourself.
Chapter 16
The next morning came despite Cecilia’s earnest prayers. She had no idea how she would face a breakfast with Raphael, so she delayed her ablutions until the last possible moment, trailing down the stairs when the clock struck ten.
To her dismay, her family were still breaking their fasts in the breakfast room. Cecilia appeared in the archway, morning light streaming lazily through the windows. Her tired eyes smarted from the sun as she took stock of the guests.
Raphael was nowhere to be seen.
