Page 38 of Dukes Are Forever
"You wouldn't," she gasped.
"All pretty and pink, just like your mouth. I wonder if it will taste as sweet?"
Malloryn tugged at his cravat, drawing it loose from his throat.
She watched every movement he made as shock gave way to sudden curiosity.
Capturing her hands, he knotted the cravat around them, and then glanced at the scrolled iron headboard. Perfect. Malloryn bound her wrists over her head and then eased back onto his knees as he surveyed her.
"What are you doing?" She arched her spine to look over her head at where she was tied.
"You're the one who wanted the barbarian. So now he is throwing you down on your bed and tying you to it."
"I never said—"
"Oh, I know." Malloryn lowered himself over her, hovering on his knuckles. "But you've mentioned it once or twice now. I think the idea isn't as appalling as you pretend it is. You were right, my sweet." He nipped at her lip as he confessed, "There is something inside me that enjoys the idea of ravishing you. But there's something inside you that wants to be ravished. I could see it in your eyes. I can hear it in the rush of your breath. And if I stroked between your thighs right now, I'm sure I would feel it." His voice grew a little rough. "You're wet, aren't you, Adele? So. Damned. Wet. I want to taste it on my tongue."
Another half-strangled squeak wheezed from her.
Malloryn smiled as he brushed the back of his fingers down her cheek. So pretty. "You wanted a kiss. Will you let me kiss youthere?"
She took command of herself with a firm hand, glaring at him boldly. "You're the one playing the ravishing barbarian. I thought he'd simply take what he wanted."
"Ah, ah, ah," he chided. "Say it. Will you let me kiss you there? And just so you are forewarned, my dear, it will be an exact reenactment of the one I bestowed upon your mouth."
Her clever little mind raced, but he could see the moment she capitulated. Or was it capitulation? For she looked at him with a boldness he'd not expected. "Never let it be said that I renege on the deals I make."
He barked a laugh. "No, never."
Under his touch, the slither of her silk skirts whispered up her thighs. The only thing she wore was her stockings, he saw immediately. White silk stockings with pretty pink garters. Ribbons and lace. Decedent and sensuous, in a place that only he would ever see.
"Were these for me?" He suddenly wanted the answer to be yes.
"Who else?"
But she swallowed and watched as he slowly, slowly slid her skirts higher. Pausing just before the apex of her thighs.
"Show me," he whispered, for the fun wasn't only in giving her pleasure, but making her concede.
Inch by inch her thighs widened, even as her breath caught in her chest. Adele closed her eyes at the last moment, the hem of her skirt hiding her from view.
"Wider," he whispered.
And, blushing prettily, she spread her thighs, revealing all.
He wanted to devour her.
He wanted to make her scream and beg, and concede this first round in the war between them.
Brushing his lips against her thigh, Malloryn breathed in her scent. A flinch went through her at the touch, but not one of denial. Instead, he heard her breathe in....
And then hold it.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered, his tongue darting out to taste her skin as he nudged her thighs wider.
He pressed a gentle, nuzzling kiss to her damp flesh.
"Malloryn." A single word. A moan.
