Page 88 of Romancing the Rifleman
She tossed her head against the pillow.“You know I do!”
“As my lady commands,” he said in a husky voice, lowering his head between her trembling thighs.
He suckled her until she came again, then insisted on doing it once more.She was, by then, exquisitely sensitive, and it was almost too good, but he went slowly and managed to tease her into a third peak.
Dizzy and disoriented with pleasure, she remembered the final thing he had told her to do.He had said this was the most important step of all—to praise him lavishly after he had “atoned” for his misbehavior.“Good.So very good.”
His head popped up.His brown eyes were bright.“Could you possibly be referring to me?”
“Yes.You’ve more than made up for your previous transgressions.In fact…” She reached for him, opening her thighs suggestively, and made her voice husky.“I would say that you’ve earned a reward for being so very, very good.”
He made a sound of delight as he climbed on top of her.She kissed his neck as he aligned himself with her entrance.“Good,” she murmured between kisses.“So very good to me.Go ahead.Take your pleasure.”
She continued to utter words of praise as he pumped into her, a look of bliss on his face.As it had when he’d first told her about this part, her heart squeezed at the thought that this was the thing he longed for most of all—to be told that he was good, that he deserved to feel this pleasure, that he wasworthy.
He was all those things, even if he couldn’t quite bring himself to believe it.
But she was going to convince him.Someday soon.
She would make it her personal mission.
And so, she stroked his back, whispering all the while how wonderful he was, how good he had made her feel, and how much she loved him.It didn’t take long for his motions to become frantic.
“That’s it, Harrington.”She pressed a kiss against his ear.“Come inside me.I want you to feel as much pleasure as you gave me.”
He was pounding against her then.“Diana,” he gasped.“I’m… I’m almost…”
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, holding him tightly.“Come inside me.That’s an order.”
He cried out as he came, his body first going stiff and then being wracked by shudders.Diana clung to him, whispering soothing words as his crisis passed.
She stroked his back as his breathing grew less ragged.When he lifted his head, his expression was content.“Thank you,” he said, kissing her on the lips.
He climbed off her, rolling them both onto their sides and pulling her against him.
“There’s no need to thank me,” she replied, snuggling into his chest.“I enjoyed making you feel good.”
He shook his head.“I can’t believe?—”
Quick as a snake, she brought her hand up and covered his mouth.“None of that.”
Comprehension flared in his eyes, and she removed her hand.“I’m sorry.You’re right, of course.It’s probably going to take me a while.But I am going to do my darndest to get it through my thick skull that you do, in fact, want me.”His voice turned gruff.“And I promise, Diana, I will never turn away from you again.”He laughed.“You’ve done it now.You’re stuck with me for the duration.”
She hugged him tight.“Good.”
They fell into a companionable silence.After a moment, Diana yawned.“Now, we just have to figure out what to do about my brother.”
Harrington didn’t respond right away, and she wondered if he had fallen asleep.But when she glanced up, she found his eyes fixed upon the ceiling.“I have a few thoughts on that.”He looked at her, and his brown eyes contained a burgeoning resolve.“I think it’s time I faced my demons.”
Chapter45
The following morning, Harrington sent a note over to Castle Bernard asking if he might call upon the Duke of Trevissick that afternoon.He received a response not from Trevissick but from Lord Bandon, indicating that the duke was willing to speak with him.
And so, after he finished his daily drill with the King’s German Legion, Harrington headed over to the castle.Lord Bandon received him warmly and ushered him into the library, where Trevissick was waiting.The earl was extremely gracious, settling them both in leather wingchairs before the fire and pouring them each a glass of his best whiskey before clasping his hands.“I’ll leave you to it, then.”He exited the room, shutting the door behind him with a click.
Harrington had tossed and turned for most of the night, rehearsing what he was going to say.“Well.”
“Well,” the duke replied, his voice cold.
