Page 38 of The Gentleman's Seduction
“Thank you.” She smiled at him, and his knees buckled treacherously. Why was he allowing this woman to have such an effect on him?
“Er, shall we have dinner?” He waved at the table.
“Yes, thank you.”
Martin pulled back the chair closest to his at the end of the table, and she slid gracefully into it. He’d always marveled at how ladies could move so silently and gracefully. Livvy was no exception. He brushed the tips of his fingers over the back of her neck, delighting in the little shiver he felt. Then he sat down and waved for the footman to bring the first course.
It was turtle soup, one of his favorite dishes. Livvy seemed to enjoy it as well, and by the way she was smiling a little he knew she was thinking of something.
“What is it?” he asked, leaning toward her.
“I cannot believe we are…that I said I would…” A blush tinged her cheeks. “I cannot believe I did that.”
Martin swallowed a curse. Was she trying to back out? If so, he’d be sleeping tonight with the bluest balls of any man in history. But he’d vowed to let her set the pace, and he would keep his word.
“Do you wish to change your mind? I would not demand…”
“No!” She giggled, but her face was flushed. “No. I mean, I want to, but I admit to being frighteningly nervous.”
“Oh. Yes, I see.” He cleared his throat. “Because you’ve never—”
“Yes.”
“Well, it’s much better if you’re not hungry.” He reached for his wine glass and drank deeply. His own nerves were edgy. It felt like he was also a virgin facing their first night together.
“I believe I am too nervous to eat,” she admitted quietly, and set her spoon down.
“What… What can I do?” he asked.
“Could we do it quickly?” she asked.
“Quickly?” The word tasted foul on his tongue. One did not make love quickly, especially not with a virgin.
“No, I’m sorry. That didn’t come out right. If we got started soon it might…ease my fears.” She pushed her chair back from the table and stood, holding out one hand to him. He stared at her hand for a moment, wondering if she was serious.
She was…completely serious.Good Lord.
Mystified, he took her at her word, and they both abandoned their dinner. She paused when they reached the top of the stairs.
“Your bed or mine?” she asked.
“Mine,” he replied, his voice a little gruff as he fought to control his growing arousal. He had to keep from frightening her with his lust. As they entered the room, he closed the door behind them. When he turned back to her, he saw panic flashing in her gaze.
“Livvy, you don’t have to do this,” Martin assured her. He didn’t want to force her to do anything she didn’t want to do. She leaned back against the post at the end of his bed and looked up at him through her dark lashes.
“I want to, but would you kiss me first?” she asked.
He nodded mutely and approached her. Her lovely hazel eyes glittered in the firelight, and he studied his reflection in her gaze, hoping he could make this night wonderful for her. She put a hand on his chest and slowly lowered it to his stomach. Her exploring touch made his abdomen clench. He caught her wrist gently and lifted her hands to his lips, placing a soft kiss on her palm before he used his other hand to tilt her head back.
Lust burned inside him, but he clung to his frayed control. His fingers yearned to touch her, his mouth to taste her, his body to press into hers and merge into a single breathing, sated being. Yet he knew that once he and Livvy came together, it would be infinitely better than it had been with any other woman.
Pleasure pulsed in his veins as he slowly lowered his lips to hers. Her lips were plump and all too kissable. He could have nibbled and kissed them for days. He let his mouth tell her what he couldn’t find the words to say.
I’m falling in love.He’d tried to fool himself into believing it was only infatuation, but this went far beyond that. There was no denying now what he felt.
His kiss was long and leisurely, taking every moment to enjoy exploring her. But after he felt her panting, he sensed she was ready for the rest of what tonight would bring.
He gently turned her so he could unfasten her gown and let it drop to the floor. Then he unlaced her stays, and she let her petticoats fall to the floor. When she was down to her chemise and stockings, he lifted her up so she sat on the edge of his bed. Then he raised one of her feet and reached up her thigh to loosen her stocking ribbons. He toyed with the silk ribbons, and she gasped when his fingers wandered upward. Then he rolled each stocking off and dropped them to the floor.
