Page 24

Moreland

S he bit her bottom lip, and I wanted to groan. With any other woman, I would think it a practiced move designed to draw attention to her mouth. But with Victoria, I knew it was an indication she was unsure of how to proceed.

“Your butler informed me that dinner would be served when we’re ready.” I held out my arm, and she took it, sagging against me a little. It was unwise, but affection for this woman bloomed in my chest.

Dinner was enjoyable. I’d never had so many meals with the same woman, but Victoria was filled with amusing stories about her childhood.

She didn’t remember much about Rexford, given their ten-year age gap and the fact that he’d been away at school for much of the year.

And I thought it best not to share the stories I knew about him.

A tense silence settled over the room when a footman took away our dessert plates. I assumed she was worried about what would happen next, and I wanted to assure her that I wouldn’t force her to do anything. I would be disappointed if she changed her mind, but I would accept her decision.

I should have known she was still worried about the duke.

“Father was very upset when Rexford started his club.” She bit her lip again. “But my brother is his heir, and at some point, Rexford will be forgiven. But with me…” She looked down at the tabletop, which had been cleared. “He’ll never forgive me.”

“Victoria—”

“I don’t expect him to, and I don’t need that from him. But I’m frightened of what he’ll do when he finds me.”

I stood and circled the table to stand beside her. I held out a hand, which she took, and pulled her to her feet.

“Your father won’t find you. Rexford has done everything in his power to ensure we’re safe here. You also have me. I promise to keep you safe.”

She swallowed visibly, then nodded. “I want to believe you.”

I cupped her cheek. “You might not believe me yet, but it’s true. And for that reason, I want to let you know that if you’ve changed your mind about tonight, I will respect your wishes.”

Her eyes met mine, and I saw all manner of emotions cross her face. But the predominant one was fear. Disappointment threatened to crush me, but I released her and stepped back.

“No.” She reached for my hand again. “I haven’t changed my mind. I’m afraid that you’ll find me lacking. You have so much experience…”

I pulled her into my arms and kissed her then. I didn’t want Victoria to think about the other women I’d been with, because in that moment, no one else mattered. I only wanted her.

It wouldn’t last. It never did. But that didn’t mean we couldn’t enjoy what we had now.

Her kiss was tentative, but then she wrapped her arms around my neck and sank into me. I vowed that I wouldn’t take her maidenhead this first night, but nothing could stop me from initiating her into the world of physical delight.

I pulled back, and together we made our way upstairs to her bedroom.

No servants lurked in the hallway, but I knew they would be aware of what was happening between Victoria and me.

The servants always knew, which meant that Rexford would also know, but he wouldn’t have put his sister in my care if he didn’t trust me.

I closed the door behind us, then turned to look at Victoria, who clasped her hands at her waist.

“Tell me what you want me to do, my lord.”

Those words coming from her delectable mouth had me rock hard, which was an inconvenience.

“Turn around.”

She did, dropping her hands to her sides as I moved into place behind her and began undoing the row of buttons along the back of her dress. I dropped a kiss at the base of her neck where it met her shoulder and saw goose bumps rise on her arms.

“Don’t be afraid,” I said.

She shook her head. “I’m not afraid. I find that I’m looking forward to this.”

When I reached the last button, I pulled down her dress. I released it to fall on the floor, then set to work undoing her corset. I threw that onto her dressing table.

“Turn around for me.”

She was still in her chemise when she turned and stepped out of the pile of fabric on the floor.

A candelabra burned brightly on the night table behind her, allowing me to see the shape of her figure beneath her chemise.

She was glorious. My fingers itched as an almost desperate need to rip that flimsy fabric swept over me, but somehow, I held back.

Her hand moved to the ribbon that held her chemise together at her breasts.

If she stripped for me now, I wouldn’t be able to maintain even a modicum of restraint.

I swallowed thickly. “Leave it on.”

She let out a breath of relief and moved to lie on the bed. Her hands fisted by her sides, and she gazed up at me.

“Are you going to?—”

I shook my head. “I won’t bed you tonight, Victoria.”

She rose onto her elbows, but I placed a finger on her delightful mouth to stem her protest.

“Not tonight, but I will show you the pleasure to be had when a man touches you.”

I waited for her nod. When she lay back again, I allowed myself to touch her.

I started with her lips, tracing them with my thumb before settling onto the bed next to her and kissing her.

She made a soft, contented sound and turned into me.

I traced the line of her jaw, then her throat, following the touch with my lips.

When I cupped her breasts, her gentle moan shot through me. Never before had I devoted myself so completely to bringing pleasure to a woman with no thought of my own release. But in that moment, all I cared about was ensuring Victoria enjoyed my touch.

I swept my tongue over the peak of one nipple, through the chemise, wetting the fabric, then drew the tip of her breast into my mouth.

Her hands flew to the back of my head, holding me there as she made low, mewling sounds in the back of her throat.

Each whimper served to ratchet up my desire.

I moved to lavish attention on her other breast, then kissed my way down her belly.

I met her gaze, needing to prepare her for what was about to happen. “I’m going to touch you between your legs.”

She nodded, her plump lower lip held between her teeth. “Yes,” she breathed after releasing her lip.

I grinned. She was trying to hold back. I intended to make her scream.

I watched her face as I trailed my hands from her delicate ankles, along her calves, then up her soft thighs. I stopped just before I reached my destination.

“Have you changed your mind, Victoria?”

She shook her head. “No.”

Desire surged through me, knowing what I would find when I reached her core.

She was soaking wet. My amusement fled then as I explored her.

When I brushed a thumb over that small bundle of nerves, she whimpered.

I devoted my efforts there as I slipped one finger inside her. She was biting her lower lip again.

I wanted to bring her to release with my mouth, but that would be too much for her first time. Tonight, I would limit myself to using my hands.

“Scream for me, Victoria.”

Her breath hitched, then she did just that. As she tightened around my finger, I continued to stroke her. When the tremors were over and she sagged into the mattress, I stopped and lowered her chemise to cover her.

She was on her elbows again, staring at me, her eyes wide with amazement. “I never—” She shook her head. “No wonder men stray.”

I laughed. That was the last thing I’d expected her to say.

“I’m eager to experience what happens next.”

I was powerless to stop myself from kissing her. But I couldn’t allow myself to linger, so I pulled back. “That is enough for tonight.”

She clutched my arm to stop me.

I dropped a kiss on her forehead and smiled. “We will do this slowly or not at all.”

Her eyes locked on mine, then she nodded.

“Good.” I brushed her hair away from her face, then rose from the bed. Turning, I left the room before I gave in to the overwhelming temptation that was Victoria Wright.