Page 47 of Falling Into Bed with a Duke
She almost told him that she needed to be home before her parents were up, and her father was an early riser. But she would worry about working her way through that gauntlet later. After taking the goblet he offered, she sipped the wine, smiled. “Very nice.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
She glanced around. “Why this room?”
“It’s used only by the most elite, for special occasions. It doesn’t seem quite as tawdry. It’s isolated, which I thought might make you less self-conscious should you have a need to scream in pleasure.”
After last night, she suspected he could very easily make her scream. She took another sip, licked her lips, watched as his eyes darkened. “You didn’t set up your camera.”
“I’m not here for photographs tonight.”
“Did the one you take of me turn out?”
“It is without doubt my best work.”
“I hoped you might bring it, show it to me.”
He slowly shook his head. “I’ll never share it with anyone, not even you.”
“That hardly seems fair. Perhaps I’ll have you teach me how to use a camera, and I’ll take a photo of you.”
He picked up a strawberry, placed it lightly against her lips. “I’ll be happy to add that to the list of things I intend to teach you.”
Taking a bite of the strawberry, she enjoyed the succulent sweetness, watched as he finished off the fruit. Everything was going so slowly, more slowly than she’d anticipated. “I thought we’d get right toit.”
“I told you that first night that a slow seduction increases the anticipation and ultimately the pleasure.”
“The slow seduction began two visits ago, wouldn’t you say?”
The sensual smile he bestowed on her hinted at his devilish nature. “There is only one first time, V.”
Her mouth was suddenly dry. “I see you’ve decided to go informal. Should I call you A?”
“Ashe. Would you rather I call you something else? Sweetheart, perhaps?”
“I don’t want any false endearments.”
“If I utter them, trust me, they will not be false. I don’t play games. When I take a woman to my bed, I’m quite serious about it.” Setting his glass aside, he took a step nearer to her, drilled his gaze into hers. “And your mask will come off. If you want me to do naughty things with you, it will come off.” He trailed his finger along her skin, just below the lower curve of the mask. “I’m going to remove your clothing, and then I’m going to extinguish the candles, draw the curtains around the bed, so there is naught but darkness within it. You’ll slip inside, remove the mask. When you’re ready, I’ll join you.” He leaned nearer, whispered, “And when we’re both ready, I’ll slip inside you.”
She quivered with need as the images bombarded her. Slow seduction indeed. She finished off her wine, hoping it would calm her racing heart.
“But first,” he said, straightening, “I have something for you to wear so you won’t feel quite so exposed.” After reaching inside his jacket, he unfurled his hand to reveal a small chain of golden links with delicate golden tassels dangling between them.
“What a gorgeous bracelet!” She studied him. “You can’t be meaning to give it to me.”
“Not a bracelet exactly.” He knelt, patted his thigh, looked up at her. “It goes around the ankle. I purchased it during a trip to India. I wasn’t sure why I felt the need to own it, but I know it belongs with you.”
“Honestly, I can’t take a gift such as that.”
“In a very short while, I’m going to take something from you. I should give you something in return.” He patted his thigh again. “Come on. You know you want it, and it’ll be our secret. You can wear it, and no one will see it beneath your skirts.”
She remembered his saying that she should be a little bit in love with the first person she coupled with. Was he striving to ensure that she was? Because she was certainly falling for him. She placed the goblet on the table, her hand on his shoulder for balance, and her foot on his firm thigh, giving her toes the freedom to curl and uncurl at the familiar feel of him. He secured the gold around her ankle. She didn’t think it had ever looked so delicate.
“Most gentlemen would probably give a bracelet or necklace or earbobs,” she said.
“I am not most gentlemen.” He unfolded that magnificent, well-toned body of his. “And you certainly are not most ladies.” With his eyes on her, he slipped a finger from each hand beneath the straps of the loosely flowing gown and began to move them aside.
Her breathing hitched. The moment for which she’d long waited was upon her. She wondered if she should have been frightened or nervous. If she would have been on her wedding night. But she was merely overflowing with eagerness and anticipation.
