Page 65

"Do you know what you do to me, wife?" Cecil's voice was rough as he stalked toward her. "How maddening it is to watch you all day, knowing I cannot touch you as I wish?"

Elizabeth's lips curved into that teasing smile he adored. "And how do you wish to touch me, my lord?"

"Minx," he growled, coming up behind her. His hands settled on her waist, drawing her back against him. "You know precisely what you do to me. The way you looked at me during dinner..."

"I merely glanced your way once or twice," she protested, though her breath hitched as his lips found that sensitive spot behind her ear.

"Once or twice?" His chuckle was dark and promising. "You were practically undressing me with your eyes, darling. Not that I minded, of course." His hands slid up to cup her breasts through her gown. "Though I must say, I prefer the real thing."

Elizabeth gasped as his thumbs circled her nipples through the fabric. "Cecil...someone might hear..."

"Let them," he murmured against her neck. "I want everyone to know how thoroughly I pleasure my wife. How beautifully you come apart in my arms."

"You are absolutely wicked," she breathed, but her body arched into his touch.

"Only for you, my love." His hands worked at the fastenings of her gown. "Only ever for you. Tell me what you want, Elizabeth. Tell me how to please you."

She turned in his arms, her fingers tangling in his cravat. "I want...I want you to kiss me properly. None of these teasing touches."

"As my lady commands." Cecil's smile was pure sin as he backed her toward their bed. "Though I warn you, once I start, I may not be able to stop."

"Then don't." Elizabeth's eyes held a challenge that made his blood burn. "Show me exactly what you've been thinking about all evening."

"Dangerous words, wife." He lifted her onto the bed, his hands sliding up her legs. "Are you certain you're prepared for the consequences?"

"Are you trying to frighten me, my lord?" Her smile was wicked as she began unbuttoning his waistcoat. "Because I assure you, I am quite capable of handling whatever you have planned."

"Is that so?" Cecil caught her hands, pressing them above her head as he leaned over her. "Then perhaps I should demonstrate exactly what I've been imagining. How I've dreamed of peeling away every layer of your proper facade until you're writhing beneath me, begging for my touch."

Elizabeth's breath caught at his words. "You seem very sure of yourself."

"I am." His free hand traced the neckline of her gown, fingers ghosting over her skin. "Because I know how your body responds to me. How you tremble when I touch you here..." His thumb brushed her nipple through the fabric, making her gasp. "How your breath catches when I kiss you here..." His lips found her pulse point. "How you moan when I..."

"Cecil!" She squirmed beneath him as his hand slid lower, bunching her skirts around her thighs.

"Yes, my love?" His voice was pure innocence, though his touch was anything but. "Is something troubling you?"

"You know very well what's troubling me," she managed, her voice breathy. "You're being deliberately cruel."

He laughed softly against her skin. "Cruel? I'm being thorough, darling. Savoring every moment, every sound you make." His fingers traced patterns on her inner thigh. "Would you rather I rushed? Took you hard and fast without proper appreciation?"

"I would rather you stopped talking and kissed me properly," Elizabeth demanded, making him grin.

"As my lady wishes." Cecil finally captured her mouth with his, swallowing her moan of relief.

The kiss was deep and thorough, a promise of pleasures to come. Elizabeth's hands fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer as his tongue swept into her mouth. He tasted of brandy and desire, intoxicating in ways she couldn't describe.

"Tell me what you want," he murmured between kisses. "Tell me how to please you, my love."

"I want..." She hesitated, still shy about voicing such things despite their months of marriage.

"Say it," he encouraged, nipping at her lower lip. "There's nothing to be ashamed of between husband and wife."

"I want to feel you," she whispered. "All of you. No more teasing."

Cecil's eyes darkened at her words. "As you wish, my darling. Though I warn you..." His smile turned wicked. "I intend to take my time worshiping every inch of you before I grant that particular request."

"You're still wearing far too many clothes," Elizabeth observed, her fingers working at his cravat. "How am I to properly appreciate my husband when he's so thoroughly covered?"