Page 24 of In a Rake’s Embrace (Sins & Sensibilities #3)

CHAPTER 24

T homas’s mouth crashed against Agatha’s, and she was instantly drenched with desire. His lips were firmanddemanding, and she melted into him, her body responding with an urgency that left her breathless. He stroked his tongue against hers, drawing her deeper into the kiss, igniting a fire that spread through her veins. He slanted his head to deepen the kiss, and she curled her tongue around his, savoring his taste, his heat. With desperate haste, she started pulling at his cravat with the one hand she didn’t have locked around the back of his neck to keep his mouth where it belonged.

Still kissing, he stumbled with her to the wall, breaking their kiss to spin her to face the wall. Agatha moaned, arching her neck when he buried his mouth there, sucking at the flesh covering her madly hammering pulse. His hands dragged up the thin, silken skirt, and two fingers plunged into her already wet sex.

He grunted, and then he arched her hip with one hand, and with the other, he positioned his cock at her sex and pressed inward. Whimpering at the unyielding pressure, she flexed her hips. Her lover moved his hips in a short, powerful thrust that seated him halfway into her.

“Thomas!” Pain and pleasure spread from where they joined.

“You are so hot and tight,” he murmured against her ear, his voice rough with desire.

He thrust his fingers through her hair, arching her neck even more. The kiss pressed along her throat was tender, yet his other hand trailed over her quivering belly with domineering carnality. Thomas’s hands went lower, delving through her curls to find her clitoris.

“I am too desperate for you to go slow,” he growled, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through her.

Agatha whimpered, finding it difficult to focus on anything but the stretching tightness between her thighs. He dragged three of his fingers over her aching nub, piercing the sensitive flesh with pleasure, and the honeyed heat blossomed through her.

“I do not want slow,” she gasped, her voice trembling with need.

Another drag over her clitoris made her cry out. The sweet rush of ecstasy made Agatha sharply arch her hips, her buttocks nestling more into his body, driving the impalement of his cock even deeper.

“Do you know what I like?” he asked, his voice a dark promise.

“Yes,” she whispered, her breath hitching. It had been revealed in every lesson, every shared laughter, and every wicked kiss.

“I am going to fuck your pussy, your mouth, and your arse for the night. It is going to hurt sometimes, but I promise I will make it so damn good for you.”

Agatha dropped her head weakly onto his shoulder, her arousal so strong sharp tremors wracked her body. “Yes,” she breathed, her voice barely a whisper.

Thomas lifted her against him, his hands strong and sure as he carried her to the bed. He laid her gently on her stomach, then slid his left arm under her belly and drew her onto her knees, raising her hips and positioning her for him with strong hands. He spread her thighs wide, fisted his cock, and rubbed it over her folds.

“Thomas, you have been teasing me for days! I want—”

Her cry choked off when he hammered his cock to the hilt. She collapsed onto her elbows, her derriere provocatively arched as he balanced her on the edge of pain and ecstasy. Thomas withdrew his cock, her sex clinging so tightly to his girth, she felt every inch of him as he retreated and then sank back inside her to the hilt again. He slowly pumped his hips over and over, his strokes lazy until sensations gathered and coiled tight in her belly. Thomas’s thrusts grew more urgent, each one driving deeper into her.

“Play with your clitoris,” he groaned.

Agatha moaned, her fingers whispering over her belly to find her nub. She shuddered, feeling very sensitive there, yet that heightened the pleasure. She strummed her clitoris, whimpering as the heat bloomed hotter. Thomas gripped her hips tightly, his fingers digging into her flesh as he worked his cock harder and deeper into her sex. Agatha’s body trembled under his carnal assault, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The sensations were overwhelming, a mix of erotic pain and pleasure that twisted together in a knot of raw desire.

“Thomas, please …” she whimpered, her voice breaking as she struggled to find words.

“Shh, just feel,” he murmured, his voice a low, hungry sound.

His thrusts became more rhythmic; each one timed perfectly to send waves of pleasure crashing through her. Her fingers found her clitoris again, rubbing in slow, deliberate circles that sent sparks of sensation shooting through her. Sensations gathered within, andeach stroke pushed her closer to the edge of bliss.

Thomas’s hips snapped harder as if he could sense her impending release.

“Oh!” she cried as she finally shattered.

Agatha convulsed, her inner walls clenching around his cock as wave after wave of pleasure washed over her. She moaned his name, her body shuddering with the force of her release. Thomas slowed his pace, his thrusts becoming more gentle, more tender, as he held her close, his breath hot against her ear.

“You’re amazing,” he whispered.

His voice was hoarse with arousal and tension. Agatha could only nod, her body still trembling from the intensity of her orgasm. She felt drained yet still so full of desire. Thomas pulled out of her, his cock glistening. He turned her onto her back, his eyes dark with lust as he looked down at her. He pressed his thumb against her clitoris and started to rub. Thomas smiled, a wicked, knowing smile, as he lowered his head between her legs. He buried his face into her pussy, his tongue stroking her sensitive flesh with a greed that left her breathless. He teased her clitoris with his tongue, sending sharp jolts of pleasure shooting through her. His fingers found her entrance, slipping inside her as his tongue continued its relentless assault.

Agatha’s body tensed again, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. The sensations were overwhelming, her sex aching, yet pleasure still drowned her thoughts. Thomas’s tongue and fingers worked in perfect harmony, driving her closer and closer to the edge.

“Thomas, please … I can’t …” she gasped, her voice breaking as she struggled to find words.

“Shh, just let go,” he murmured, his voice muffled against her flesh.

His fingers thrust into her with increasing urgency, his tongue flicking over her clitoris with relentless precision. Another swell of ecstasy crashed over her senses, and she twisted, trying to escape his mouth. Strong hands clasped her hips and held her under the lash of his mouth.

“ Thomas! ” she cried, thrusting her fingers through his hair.

His answering groan of pleasure reverberated through her entire body. Agatha trembled; the pleasure was too intense. Thomas rose above her, nudging her thighs wide to settle between her legs. Her heartbeat throbbed against her ears as he explored the lines of her hips, belly, and breasts. Every touch ignited a deeper flash of pleasure. He started a slow, deliberate massage of her breasts, fingers tugging and rolling her nipples.

His thumb came to rest against her softly parted lips. Thomas kissed right at the hollow of her throat, over her fiercely beating pulse, down to her nipple and sucked it into his mouth.

“That feels so good,” she said, moaning.

He released her and kissed her mouth, his eyes open and peering into hers. Agatha’s heart trembled at the lust and the tenderness in his eyes. She had the alarming thought that he could sense that he made her heart ache for impossible things with him. Thomas slid his cock inside her sex. Despite her overflowing wetness, she gasped at the almost painful stretch. She slipped her legs high around his back, arching into him. This close, she could see the beauty, lust, and tenderness in his gaze. His thick cock dragged in and out, pleasure jarring her with each thrust. Agatha never imagined coupling could be so consuming. He wrenched her cries and moans and climaxes, each one more intense than the last. Her fingers raked his sweat-slicked skin, her pussy starting to ache and her thighs trembling, yet her lover gave her little rest.

His mouth took hers, his tongue gliding against hers, a perfect mimicry of his plunging cock. Her body tensed, drawn tight as the pleasure built. The swell that slammed into her belly felt as if it broke Agatha apart, cascading heat through her. This climax wasmore intense than the previous three—or was it four? She couldn’t keep count, lost in the whirlwind of sensation.

Thomas groaned, pulling from her body to release his seed on her quivering belly. He leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear. “Our night has just started.”

Her breath hitched at his words, a shiver running down her spine. She could still feel the remnants of her climax, her body trembling with the aftershocks. Thomas’s hands roamed her body, his touch possessive, almost reverent.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured. “So perfectly responsive. I could spend hours inside you, feeling your cunt clench around me, hearing you scream my name.”

She could feel her arousal building again, her pussy throbbing with need. Thomas’s hands moved lower, his fingers tracing the curve of her hip before dipping between her thighs. Oh, the pleasure was exquisite.

“Your tight little pussy is still so wet,” he said, his voice laced with satisfaction. “Do you want more, Agatha?”

She nodded.

“Tell me,” he demanded. His cock, still hard and throbbing, pressed against her entrance. “Tell me what you want.”

“I want you,” she gasped, her voice trembling with desire. “I want you to make love to me over and over as you promised.”

“And when your pussy is too sore?”

Their gazes held.

“Then my mouth is yours … and when my throat cannot take more … my arse is yours.”

“ Fuck ,” he hissed, dropping his forehead to hers, a sharp tremor wracking his body, his cock filling her with a force that left her breathless.

“Hold me for the night, Thomas,” she whispered, her fingers curling around his nape, “and do not let me go.”

His mouth brushed hers in a tender kiss, and a lump rose in her throat. Agatha swallowed down the words of love stirring in her chest, choosing instead to surrender fully to the passion blazing wickedly between them.

Thomas stood by the bed, gazing at Agatha’s serene, sleeping face. Her lashes cast delicate shadows across her cheeks, and her lips parted in a soft sigh. The hint of a smile lingered there, and he knew it was exhausted and satisfied. She looked so beautiful and utterly at peace.

A wry smile tugged at his mouth. He moved carefully, easing out of bed without making a sound. The early dawn light filtered through the curtains, casting the room in a gentle, silvery glow. He dressed quietly, knowing this encounter was likely a final farewell. Before Thomas left, he leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. She murmured his name, her lips curving faintly as if, even in sleep, she dreamed about it. For a moment, he nearly stopped, nearly let himself settle back into that bed and pull her into his arms. But instead, he let her drift, untouched by the weight of what lingered unsaid between them. Standing by the door, he took one last look at her, committing every detail to memory. And then, with a deep breath, he turned and walked away.

Once outside, he inhaled the cool night air, tipping his head back and breathing deeply. The sadness in her gaze, which she quickly hid before curling up beside him and drifting to sleep, haunted him. He’d taken her four times throughout the night, remembering her softly whispered plea for a break. But he hadn’t paused—one night was all they had, and every second, every kiss, every release was precious. Each time he drove her toward wicked, breathless pleasure, a dark part of him wanted to punish her with ecstasy, to brand her for making him feel so damn much.

The sting of unshed tears startled him, burning hot behind his eyes. What the hell was this? He blew a harsh breath, raking his fingers through his hair and walking toward his parked carriage. Less than an hour later, Thomas climbed the steps to his bedchamber in his townhouse. Dawn was barely breaking, and he heard the stirrings of the household as he went into his room. Stripping down, he sprawled onto the bed, Agatha’s scent lingering on his skin and tongue. She was gone now, a lover who had left him with only a powerful memory. But now that it was over, he swore he’d excise it from his mind. She would not haunt him.

Thomas would not allow it.

Precisely twelve days later, Thomas realized he was a damn fool. The relentless storm inside him could no longer be ignored. He thought he could avoid his feelings andsidestep whatever emotional chaos had taken root. But the quiet nights only amplified the disarray in his heart, mirroring his inner turmoil. Agatha Woodville occupied his thoughts as persistently as the rising sun, and each attempt to bury his feelings in reports or parliamentary plans only made them grow sharperandmore demanding.

A humorless smile touched his mouth. After days of restless nights recounting every moment shared, he wrote her a simple note, asking how her brother was and requesting to call on her in Devonshire. Yet the response from his runner was far from reassuring: the cottage in Devonshire was empty, and discreet inquiries suggested Miss Woodville might still be in London—last seen at Aphrodite .

When he read the report, Thomas rose from his desk, summoning his horse. Almost an hour later, he strode into Aphrodite , headed straight to Rebecca’s office, and threw the door open.

She looked up, startled. “Radbourne!”

“Where is she?” he demanded, his voice tense. “And why is she still here?”

Madam Rebecca arched a brow, leaning back, an odd look flickering in her eyes. She sighed. “You’re a bit late, Radbourne. Agatha accepted the protection of the Duke of Merrick. She is to be his mistress.”

Her words struck like a blow to his chest, so strong he felt winded. A mistress ? His eyes slid shut as pain gripped him, so visceral he rubbed his chest. Agatha, the woman he cared for, under the protection of another man. Another fierce, clawing ache tore through his chest, so raw and visceral it nearly dragged a snarl from his throat. The thought churned, but something in him refused to believe it. His eyes snapped open, and his gaze bore into Rebecca.

“You lie to me?”

She stiffened, taken aback. “Radbourne—”

“Agatha would never agree to be any man’s mistress, not even if the king himself begged her. Do you think because she auctioned her virginity, you understand her character? Agatha has more strength, honor, and pride than you or I could ever grasp. Don’t insult her again. Whatever relationship we had will be over.”

Rebecca flinched, then, after a moment, lowered her gaze and exhaled. “I apologize,” she said softly. “I didn’t think it through or expect you would burst in here like this. My instinctive thought was to spare her further pain. Her eyes … when she left she had been crying, and I could tell that she had foolishly fallen under your charm. What is the point of you chasing her? I know you can persuade her with seductions, but she deserves …”

Madam Rebecca glanced away.

“Then tell me where she went,” he said.

Rebecca studied him as if weighing the sincerity of his anger. “Are you certain she’s no longer here or with the duke?”

“Yes. The woman I fell in lovewith, the woman I am certain holds a similar regard, would not so easily betray her feelings. She’s shown me her kindness, resilience, loyalty, andpassion … she’s shown me herself, her pride and her determination. I broke her heart when I left without a conversation or a proper farewell. I disappointed her by hiding my feelings instead of opening myself to her. Still, she would not run from my arms to another.”

Rebecca shook her head in faint disbelief. “All of my most distinguished clients have succumbed to this cursed lovesickness. First, the Duke of Basil, then the Marquess of Ambrose, Mr. Armstrong, and now you.”

Thomas’s brow furrowed. “Brandon?”

Rebecca chuckled. “He came only yesterday and asked Bea to marry him. The poor chit turned him down and ran off in tears. He’s on a ship to Boston now, presumably heartbroken. I didn’t care for her moping, so I gave her my blessing to go after him. She sailed this morning.” A small, bittersweet smile crossed Rebecca’s face.

“Where is Agatha? My man said she was here a few days ago.”

Rebecca sighed, her eyes softening. “I don’t know. She left mere hours after you did that morning. She only returned to give me an envelope to hand you.”

He frowned. “The bank draft I sent—”

“Another foolish one, Miss Woodville. After all that work, she refused to take it.” Rebecca went to her deskandopened it, looking regretfully at it. “She said she could not receive payment for spending the night in your arms. She allowed me to give her five hundred pounds and left the draft here, promising to repay my loan one day.”

Thomas took the draft, stuffed it into his pocket and walked away. He had already separated Madam Rebecca’s cut and made a draft ofseven thousand pounds to her and ten thousand pounds to Agatha. By the time he reached outside, he was smiling.

You lovely fool, Agatha .

Agatha stood in the gentle morning light, a watering can in hand, sprinkling water over the rows of herbs and small flowers she had so lovingly tended these last few weeks. The salty air mingled with the scent of lavender and rosemary from her garden. It had taken time and patience, but she had carefully cultivated each plant, drawing a modest beauty from the earth before their small seaside cottage.

Her family adored the sea. She could hear their laughter faintly as they played further down the beach, relishing the freedom and the fresh air. Moving them to the coast had been a decision both reckless and right. She had only taken a loan from Madam Rebecca, who had been more than willing to lend it, having made a fortune from the night of the bidding. With cautious planning, she knew this money could last for three years, enough time, she hoped, to come up with a longer-term solution.

But today, as she watered the delicate leaves, tears pricked her eyes and slipped down her face. She felt like a fool, remembering the ten thousand pounds she had turned down. Ten thousand that could have secured their future indefinitely. If I’d accepted it, perhaps we’d have some certainty , but her heart twisted, protesting the notion.

A harsh sob tore from her, and she pressed a trembling hand to her mouth. She had lost far more than money, far more than security. Six weeks had passed since she’d woken alone in the bed at Aphrodite , the space beside her cold and empty, and the ache in her chest had not lessened. She missed Thomas fiercelyand hated herself for falling in love with a man she could not keep, whose station and heart were worlds apart.

Wiping her tears on the corner of her apron, Agatha took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself. Her heart still beat unsteadily with longing. She’d built a life around her familyand her love for them, yet Thomas had found a place in her soul thatshe hadn’t known existed.

“Agatha.”

His voice was so unexpectedand familiar that she froze, her watering can slipping from her hand. She turned, her heart slamming in her chest, and there he stood—Thomas. He looked as impossibly handsome as ever, his gaze searing and intense as it locked onto hers. She felt rooted to the spot, her breath caught in her throat, unable to believe he was real and standing before her.

“Thomas?” Her voice was a mere whisper.

His gaze swept over her, softened by something she hadn’t seen before—a mixture of relief and regret.

“You are a hard woman to find.”

“You … you were searching?”

“Yes.It took my man of affairs and a few investigators almost a month. I’ve missed you,” he said, his voice rough.

The simple yet powerful words tore down her defenses, and fresh tears filled Agatha’s eyes. She took an unsteady step forward, her breath hitching, before she faltered, uncertain.

“Agatha …” His voice was low, edged with urgency.

She fisted her hands at her sides, a quiet tremor running through her. “ Why are you here?”

He stepped closer, his gaze steady and sincere. “I missed you, Agatha, and it took me too long to realize I don’t want to go on in this life without you. I want all of you—your honesty, fears, dreams, and hopes. I don’t say these words lightly.”

His eyes wereunwavering as they held hers. “You don’t have to tell me you’re fine if you’re not; I don’t want that. You don’t have to carry every feeling and struggle alone.”

Her heart thundered as he continued, his words cutting through her lingering doubts.

“You don’t have to hide behind a facade or give me what you think others expect. I want to understand you completely, even the parts you’d prefer to keep to yourself. I want your laughter and your tears. I want your sweet, wicked smile. I want your kindness, your generosity. I am greedy. I promise you will never want anything in this life. I promise to give you all of me.”

Her breath hitched. “May I share your pain and struggles, if you have them?”

“Yes. Always.”

An indescribable feeling rose in her heart. Agatha broke. With a soft sob, she hurtled into his arms, her shoulders trembling as she clung to him. His hand moved to her back, fingers pressing into her as if he couldn’t let her go.

“What is it?” he demanded, his voice rough. “Why are you crying?”

She sniffed, her voice breaking. “What took you so long?” She gripped his shirt, then, as if punishing him, pinched his arm with a trembling hand. “I missed you so much, Thomas. I thought I’d never see you again. I have been wretched!”

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly, his face pressed into her hair. She leaned back slightly, her gaze meeting his, her red-rimmed eyes and trembling lips revealing the depth of her heartache, yet she did not care. Taking a shaky breath, she whispered, “I won’t leave here. I … will be your lover, Thomas …,but I can’t abandon my family. I want to be with you, but I need to spend time here with them and … I don’t want to bring a child into the world like that.”

He dropped his hands from her waist, his gaze piercing.

“Thomas?”

He cupped her face, his thumb brushing a tear from her cheek. “Agatha,” he murmured, his voice raw with emotion. “Forgive me for not saying this sooner. I love you. I have never loved anyone as I love youandnever will. If you’ll have me ... I want you as more than a lover. I want you as my friend, my wife, my countess.”

Shock, joy, love, and relief flooded her heart in equal measure. “You … you want to marry me?”

“Yes.”

“I could not be a countess . What nonsense are you saying? Your countess?”

“Yes.” Good humor gleamed in his eyes. “We will be highly unconventional and disreputable together. Do not forget what Ronald told you: I can do anything. No one would dare lift their fans to whisper about you.”

She laughed, delight rushing through her. She wanted this man with a breathlessness that knew no bounds … and she would not shy or run from the awareness of it. Agatha was willing to defy anything to be with him, even wagging tongues and gossip.

He smiled, reaching into his pocket. “I have been carrying a special license, just in case. But we could have a grand wedding at Hanover if you wish—”

“No, I don’t want to wait,” Agatha laughed, wrapping her arms around his waistandpressing her face to his chest. Happiness gathered in a sweet ache in her chest. “I love you, Thomas, and I don’t want to wait.”

“Thank God,” he said gruffly, holding her close.

As Thomas lowered his lips to hers, Agatha kissed him with all the emotion and love inside her heart.

Thank you for reading In a Rake’s Embrace !