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He reveled in her obvious enjoyment as she rode him, watching her flushed face and her wide eyes, which rolled skyward in pleasure as he suckled her nipples.

It felt incredible to be engulfed in her warmth. Pleasure continued to build inside him as she quickened her pace.

Her muffled moans grew louder, and bliss shot through him as he felt her tighten around his throbbing shaft.

Frederick could tell that she was very close to her release.

He slithered his free hand under her skirt and between her thighs, his thumb finding the sensitive nub amidst her wetness.

Gemma whimpered as he rubbed firm circles upon it, her channel gripping more tightly around him.

“Yes, yes. Come undone for me, my sweet,” he whispered in her ear. His velvety words pushed Gemma over the edge. She grabbed hold of him and gasped into the crook of his neck.

Her whole body spasmed and trembled in his lap, intensifying his sensation of warmth as her muscles contracted in tight waves around his rod.

Gemma pulled back slightly, her lids half-closed as she rode the waves of her orgasm.

“Your turn now,” she breathed and gripped his shoulders tightly.

“Yes,” he said and grabbed her thighs, keeping them fast against him as he stood up and lay her on the bench.

Now on top of her, he pinned her hands over her head and she gasped, her smile widening.

“Take me, Frederick. Take me until you find your release,” she whispered to him.

And take her he did.

Frederick drove in and out of her with ever-increasing speed, overcome by his own powerful, ecstatic need. He quaked as he quickly withdrew from her and released his seed.

It took him several minutes before he was able to catch his breath again and calm his racing heart.

She smiled and giggled as he helped her to refasten the corset and adjust her dress. They gasped simultaneously as they realized they had been missing from the ball for more than half an hour and rushed back inside to find Vivian.

As they entered the crowded ballroom, Frederick made sure Gemma made her way to his grandmother first to avoid raising suspicions. After waiting five minutes, he walked over to join them.

His grandmother, who was watching the festivities with a keen eye, raised an eyebrow as they approached, her watchful eyes moving from her grandson’s slightly tousled hair to Gemma’s flushed cheeks.

“Well, there you are, my boy. Gemma has also only just returned,” she said, her voice laced with amusement. “I was beginning to wonder if you had fallen into the punch bowl.”

Frederick offered her a polished smile, although a faint blush betrayed him. “Nothing of the sort, Grandmother. Just taking some air.”

The Dowager’s eyes sparkled knowingly. “Is that so? It seems this ballroom is quite lacking in air, as Gemma dear has also just returned from the gardens,” she remarked, casting an appraising glance at Gemma’s still-reddened cheeks. “Perhaps Ishould advise the other young ladies here to similarly refresh themselves in the gardens.”

No one could fool Vivian.

Despite her burning cheeks, Gemma managed a polite smile. “It was quite… invigorating, Your Grace.”

“Ahh,” his grandmother murmured, a glint of humor in her eyes. “Well, let us hope the evening continues to invigorate both of you. I should hate for anything to…dampen your spirits.”

Frederick cleared his throat and held his grandmother’s gaze. “I assure you we are indeed in high spirits.”

“Good,” she said, patting his arm affectionately. “Then perhaps you would care to stay in the ballroom for a song or two, if only to keep an old woman company. I imagine Miss Bradford could use a rest after… all that fresh air.”

He had to bite his lip to stifle a chuckle. Gemma was not as entertained as he was, in light of the deathly glare she sent his way.

He could hardly wait to taste her again.

CHAPTER 25