Page 8 of The Rake and the Muse
There was another crack of lightning and then an enormous crash of thunder. Juliet jumped, and in a quick reaction, Theo pulled her into his arms. She smelled of jasmine, and he fought not to bury his nose into her neck and hair.
“I believe we are going to get drenched, Theo.”
The sound of his nickname on her tongue only heightened his desire to keep holding her against him.
Forcing himself to release her, he stepped back and looked up at the sky. “We must tie up your horse and send someone to fetch him. You shall ride with me, and I will try to get us back as quickly as possible.”
She looked up at him. “If you are certain.”
“I don’t want you to catch a cold from getting caught in the rain,” he said.
He looked back at his horse and the realization that she would ride on his lap hit him and his cock twitched in response. She was going to tempt him to distraction. It was as if the universe was testing him and his ability tomaintain his honor. But he meant what he said, and he had to get her back as quickly as possible.
A raindrop hit her cheek, and he instinctively brushed it away with his thumb. An action that was far too intimate, and he wasn’t certain why he did so.
“I think you are right,” she said, glancing up at the sky.
He tied the reins of her horse to a nearby tree, ensuring it was safely under the cover its leaves provided, then grabbed Juliet’s hand, pulling her with him to his own horse.
“I will pull you up in just a moment. You are going to need to straddle me so we can return quickly.”
She nodded and wrapped her arms around herself as the wind picked up.
He drew a steadying breath and hopped into his saddle. Once seated, he reached down for her and pulled her to him. She swung her leg over the horse and lifted her skirts so she could straddle his lap. Once she was seated, he was far too aware that her cunt was pressed against his cock. The dratted fabric from his breeches served as a barrier. He was already half erect before he had pulled her up, so he could only hope she wouldn’t notice when the bulge grew harder.
She shivered, and he pulled her close. “Wrap your arms around me and hold on.”
Juliet did as he said and her head rested on his shoulder, facing him, so his chin blocked some of the raindrops from her face. He glanced down at her, and his heart nearly leapt from his chest. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
“Are you ready?” he asked, his voice a gravelly whisper.
She nodded against him.
He flicked the reins and started his horse. Once he increased speed, he wrapped one of his arms around her to ensure she was secure against him. The scent of jasmine and the feel of her soft, voluptuous form against him drove him to distraction. With every canter, it bounced her on top of his lap, sending small waves of pleasure coursing through him. Part of him hoped she felt it, too. Part of him hoped the movement might give her a first taste of pleasure, even if an unorthodox one.
He was far too tempted to ditch the notion of returning to the stables and find one of the hunting cabins to take her to instead. Shaking off the urge and remembering his honor, he continued and resolved to return to the stables.
The rain picked up, and the droplets streamed down his face. She gripped him tighter and buried her face in his neck. He had some unspoken need to protect her. He tightened his hold on her and rested his chin on her head. The maddening rock of her hips on his being was just enough to make him acutely aware that a beautifulwoman sat on his lap and stoked every flame of desire, but was not quite enough pressure to drive him to spend.
They caught up with the rest of the riding party just as everyone reached the stables.
Part of him was annoyed that he had to remove her from his hold, but he needed to get her warm and dry. He also needed to get his cock to settle, and that wouldn’t be possible with her in his arms.
He lifted her down to her feet, hoping the others wouldn’t notice how they rode in together. He hopped down and caught a groom’s attention to let him know about the horse they had left behind. Duncan must have ditched his mission to provide any aid when the rain began.Some knight, Theo huffed to himself.
“Please allow me to escort you to your chamber to seek dry clothes. It’s the least I can do, Jules.” Where was his mind to overrule the wants of his body and his heart? No, not his heart. That would be utter madness.
Chapter 4
Juliet’s breath caught, allowing her imagination to run wild at the mention of Theo escorting her upstairs to her chamber. “Thank you, Theo,” she managed to say in response.
She had only hoped she hadn’t left his breeches damp from how aroused she had been pressed against him. She knew enough to know that she was pressed against his cock, and based on the hardness of it, he wasn’t without notice either. The realization only made her arousal even greater.
Where conversation had come so easily between them all day, she was at a loss for what to say as they ascended the grand staircase together. She was certain her skin was flushed all over from where it heated, and she pushed asideall of her wicked thoughts. He wasn’t the man for her, even if he appreciated art. She wasn’t even certain she wanted a man to begin with. It was only natural that in the situation they were put in, that there would be a bit of instinctual arousal from their bodies, right?
They reached her door, and she looked around to see if anyone was in the hallway. Before her good sense could stop her, she opened her door and pulled him in with her.
“This seemed like the most opportune time to show you my painting,” she said when he looked at her with surprise. “We might not get the chance again without someone seeing us.”
