Page 50 of A Lady's Lesson in Scandal
Licking in rhythm to his fingers, he drove her higher, harder, faster. When he sucked her nub between his lips and crooked his finger in tandem, she screamed out his name as her body clamped around him, her legs gripping tight, her entire being vibrating like a cello string.
It was glorious.
Until the door burst open, and a very angry scream had him scrambling from beneath Millie’s skirts.
A pale, thin woman in a gown the colour of storm clouds rushed into the room.
‘Unhand my friend, you bastard!’ The delicate woman looked around and grabbed a hairbrush left on the side table near the door. She brandished the thing like a battle axe. ‘Step away from Millie or I shall pummel you, sir!’ The woman strode forward like an avenging angel.
Drake pulled Millie’s skirts down as she frantically attempted to shove her breasts back into her bodice.
‘Ivy!’ Millie’s husky voice was equal parts surprised, joyful, and chagrined. ‘One moment.’ She continued to right herself as Drake stood. ‘Oh, my Lord, I’ve missed you.’ Millie pushed up from the chaise, then nearly collapsed again. Drake steadied her, hoping to God Ivy didn’t notice his granite cock pressing against the cotton of his pants, straining for release.
Millie ran to her friend, wrapped her arms around the thin woman, and hugged her so tight, Drake worried his betrothed might break her friend in half.
Ivy kept her gaze focused on Drake even as she hugged Millie back.
Ivy Cavendale. Best friend to Millie. Daughter of Lord Cavendale. Sister of Alfred Cavendale. Unfortunately for Ivy, both men tried to kill Drake’s closest – some might say only – friend, Lieutenant General Robert Killian.
The house party Drake and Killian had attended at Lord Bradford’s country estate several months prior ended in three deaths. Alfred Cavendale died at the hands of his father. Lord Cavendale died at the hands of Hannah Simmons. And Killian’s state as a confirmed bachelor also died at the hands of Hannah Simmons. At the time, Drake thought his best friend was a complete idiot. Only moronic imbeciles were stupid enough to fall in love.
He shifted in his jacket as the cursed flutter worked double-time in his chest while his cock reluctantly receded.
Please! Lust and love are not the same. I survived the nightmare of love once. I won’t risk that hellfire again.
His heart pounded painfully against his ribs, flagrantly disregarding his thoughts, but he ignored the stupid organ.
‘Miss Cavendale. What a pleasure to see you again so unexpectedly.’ He let sarcasm coat every syllable as he raised his eyebrow at her, straightening to his full six foot four inches. Hopefully, his tone would quell her lethal intent. But the delicate woman didn’t even flinch.
What is wrong with these ladies?
First Hannah Simmons, then Millie. Now, this slip of a woman who looked like a strong breeze could blow her away. Yet here she stood, facing off against him with murder in her eyes and only a damned hairbrush as a weapon. Didn’t they know he was an intimidating, powerful, dangerous man? Someone with whom you did not trifle?
Ivy stepped out of Millie’s embrace, strode up to Drake, put both hands on his chest, and shoved him. Hard.
No. She doesn’t know. She’s trifling.Drake heaved out a sigh.
‘You stay away from my friend, you blackguard! How dare you take advantage of her in the safety of her own rooms?’ The woman was furious. Ivory skin blotched with crimson shades of rage. Her blue eyes, almost as pale as his, flashed with fury.
Millie came up behind her friend, putting a hand on her shoulder and turning her around. ‘Ivy, I’m fine. He wasn’t taking advantage. That is to say, er… I was quite enjoying the ravagement, though I don’t think that’s a word.’
Ivy froze, her eyes going wide. He watched the rage drain out of her like a hot air balloon deflating. ‘Oh. I see. Well. How… unfortunate. For me, I mean.’ She flapped her hand between Millie and Drake. ‘I’m sure it was quite fortunate for the two of you. I fear I’ve overstepped.’ For some bewildering reason, his rogue heart squeezed painfully at her obvious embarrassment. It wasn’t enough that Millie crawled into the cracks and crevices of his heart; now some woman he neither knew well nor cared about was making him feel things. Bad things. She was Millie’s closest friend, but why on earth would it matter to him if she was upset?
Because it matters to Millie.
First fluttering, then pounding, now this. Angina. That’s what this is. Angina pectoris.
‘Of course not!’ Millie rubbed her hand down Ivy’s arm in a reassuring gesture.
‘You were trying to protect your friend. Quite bravely, Miss Ivy. I don’t know many men with enough courage to challenge me with a hairbrush.’ Drake clamped his jaw shut. What was he doing now? Reassuring a woman who interrupted him just as he was about to let his poor cock have a desperately needed moment of release? He’d taken leave of his senses. It was the only logical answer.
Ivy’s face crumpled. As the first tear emerged, Drake began to panic. He never panicked. He faced hordes of marauders, torture, starvation, freezing cold, and sweltering heat. Not once did he panic. But one tear and he was ready to beat a hasty retreat.
‘Perhaps you should return to your room, Drake. Ivy’s had a long journey and we haven’t seen each other in weeks.’ Millie wrapped her arm around Ivy’s shoulder, shielding her friend with her body.
‘Yes. That is good. I shall just…’ Drake backed away, feeling equal parts shame and relief for wanting to escape. ‘I will see you downstairs. Later.’ He turned and made haste for their connecting door.
Dear God. Women are far more terrifying than any Afghan warriors.
