Page 100 of Dukes for Dessert

He tugged gently on her neck as he kissed down her jaw, his lips and tongue finding their way to the hollow of her throat. How he wished she was wearing something that didn’t button up so high.

She began to adjust her skirts, which were bunched between them, pulling at the yards of fabric until there was less separating them—just his clothing. Then she sank down on him, her sex a delicious heat against his stiff cock.

Arching up, Dare pressed against her, simulating intercourse. How desperately he wanted to sheath himself inside her. She rose up, then ground down again. He moved with her and brought her mouth back to his, holding tightly as he tried to maintain some semblance of control.

She whimpered into his mouth, and he slipped his hand from her hip, finding the end of her skirts and the start of her flesh. Grazing his fingers along her thigh, he sought her sweet core. As she lifted up once more, he touched her there, teasing her clitoris and drawing a low moan from her throat.

“Let me,” he whispered as he worked his fingers over her flesh.

“Yes,” she breathed. Then louder, “Yes.”

He stroked her into a frenzy, her body moving against his hand. “Come for me, Juno.”

“I need you inside me. Please.”

Happy to oblige, he thrust his finger into her and pumped. She cast her head back and moaned. He felt her muscles tighten around him just before she cried out.

“Shhh,” he urged, claiming her mouth again as she rode her orgasm.

She barely stilled, her ragged breaths filling the coach, when they stopped in front of the house.

“We’re here.” He gently pulled his hand from beneath her skirts.

She looked down at him, her eyes shining with satisfaction. “Thank you. I’m sorry you didn’t get to…”

“Next time.” He held her gaze and deliberately put his finger in his mouth, sucking the taste of her from his skin.

Her eyes narrowed with renewed desire as she slid onto the seat beside him and rearranged her skirts. Just in time too, for the door opened.

Dare climbed out, then helped her to the ground. He offered his arm, and they started toward the house.

“There shouldn’t be a next time,” she said, keeping her voice low. “I’ve just accepted a position from Lady Gilpin. I’m afraid I must be on my best behavior while I’m here.”

“I’m sure we can be discreet. Ask anyone who’s conducted a liaison during a house party. It happens all the time.”

“That may be, but I can’t risk my livelihood. I do hope you understand.”

He couldn’t let that be the end of it. He stopped before they reached the door, which was being held open by a footman. “Then let’s go somewhere else.”

She was a step in front of him and looked back. Her eyes glinted with amusement. “Where?”’

“Anywhere. So long as you’re there.”

Lady Gilpin stepped from the house. “Oh! My coach is already gone. I’m afraid I left my hat inside. I had to take it off after one of the pins came loose. Ah well, I’ll have a footman fetch it.” She smiled at Juno. “Coming in?”

“Yes.” Juno gave Dare a rather enigmatic stare as she let go of his arm. Then she disappeared into the house with her new employer.

Dare frowned. That wouldn’t be the end of it. Juno had opened something inside him, and he’d be damned if he’d let it slam closed.

10

By the time the final course was removed from the table, Juno realized her cheeks hurt from smiling. That was remarkable since she was a generally pleasant person, most often with a smile on her face. This was different, however. Tonight, she’d been singularly engaged with the man beside her. The man she’d once called the rigid duke, which seemed asinine now.

Not that he’d spent the entire evening smiling. He was still far more reserved than her, especially in the company of others. She noticed he was distinctly different, more at ease, when it was just the two of them.

Thinking of that brought to mind their short carriage ride back to the house that afternoon. It was no wonder she’d spent the evening in a state of elation.

Now it was time to remove to the drawing room with the other ladies, and Juno found she didn’t want to leave. “Thank you for a delightful dinner,” she murmured to Dare.