Page 42 of Wicked Designs
Unfortunately, Emily didn’t want to belong to him. Why did she have to be so damned independent? If she’d only surrender herself Godric could make her the most satisfied woman in the world. He’d buy her the most expensive gowns, the richest jewels, and all the horses she could ever desire. He wanted her more than anything in his life.
He wished she wouldn’t fight him with such determination. Emily didn’t seem particularly protective of her virtue. It was her freedom she clung to. He’d caged her in his manor, and the thought irritated him. Even if it was a cage, it was only a temporary one, and a gilded, luxurious one at that. Why couldn’t she be happy?
Emily would never be satisfied unless she was the sole controller of her destiny. But as a young, unmarried woman, she stood no chance of that. A man held the reins over her fate, the only question was which one.
But if she let him take control, he’d promise to make her happy.
Godric was still thinking when Emily started to wake. Her breath quickened and her chest rose faster beneath his palm. Her legs tensed slightly as her muscles came to life. Emily rested her chin on his chest as her lashes fanned open.
“Good morning, Emily.” He brushed her loose hair back from her face, absorbed in the sight of her fluttering lashes and parted pink lips. Her sleepy expression warmed him right down to his toes as she snuggled against him.
She blushed, shutting her eyes. “I actually slept here, didn’t I?”
“Don’t be sorry. Enjoy the fact that we spent an innocent night together. It is something I have never been able to guarantee any other woman.”
One of her brows arched. “Is that because I’m no temptation or because you’ve learned some self-restraint?”
“It’s because I respect you enough to not break my promise. But now you’re awake, so all bets are off, my dear.”
“What do you mean by that?” She started to push away from him.
“I’m allowed sixteen hours of seduction in order to distract you from escaping.” Godric grasped her tightly and rolled over, covering her body with his. “Let me kiss you good morning, Emily—just one kiss?” He’d shared no moment like this with any woman before and he wanted it with Emily. He needed to thread his fingers in her sleep-mussed hair and feather kisses on her eyelids.
Eyes wide, she flushed but nodded. “One…one kiss, Godric,” she whispered.
He didn’t need any urging. His mouth found hers at the same time his hand slid inside her night rail. The delicious heat of her skin beneath his palm doubled the throbbing between his legs. He prayed he could hold himself together long enough to see to her pleasure.
Emily flinchedas Godric’s hand glided up between her thighs. His fingers touched her sensitive folds and stroked the hot wet flesh. When the pad of his thumb skimmed her swollen bud, she jerked. The sensation terrified her. It was almost too much for her.
A sweet tension built there, mirroring the rough possession of Godric’s mouth on hers.
She focused on the movement of his tongue in her mouth and tried to imitate it, learn the savage play he sought to teach her. But she was distracted by the hardened length pressing down against her right hip.
His fingers continued to gently brush over her sensitive mons.
“Do you burn for me?” Godric whispered against her mouth.
“What? No…” She tried to deny it.
His lips curved into a smile and he sank his teeth into her bottom lip.
Emily whimpered, straining against him. “Please…”
“Please what?”
She choked down a little sob as tension continued to pool between her legs. “I don’t know…”
Godric’s other hand wound into her hair and pulled her head back. He exposed her throat as his mouth moved to her neck, and his fingers rubbed on that tender bud. Emily couldn’t stop her hips from rolling in small circles against his hand. Blood pumped through her as the pressure and tingling turned to sharp pangs of physical excitement. Like gliding higher and higher on a swing, until she succumbed at last to the breathtaking drop. She cried out.
His laughter warmed her neck. His kisses returned to her startled lips when he withdrew his hand from between her legs and laid it on her bare hip. The touch was both possessive and sweet. His thumb smoothed tiny circles on her skin just below her waist and she resisted the urge to laugh at the ticklish sensation.
He rubbed his cheek against hers, his night beard scraping her skin. “How did you like your little kiss?”
Emily breathed in his scent, completely sated. “I liked it very much, but I think you cheated, Your Grace.” She gave him an advantage with such an answer, but right now, she couldn’t think clearly enough to lie.
“I cannot deny cheating was involved.” The devil had the nerve to wink at her. “Every night and every morning I will kiss you.”
Emily opened her mouth but he pressed a finger to her lips. “Now don’t protest. You will be safe each night in my arms. I have enough restraint to stop.” He sat up and released her. Emily should’ve scrambled off the bed but she couldn’t. Her legs would give out and she’d fall right back into his arms.
