Page 53 of The Duchess and the Beast
“There,” she offered a coy smile that was meant only for him as he reluctantly faced her. “Much better.”
Maybe it was the setting—the enchantment of the evening, for it had been truly wonderful and just a touch romantic. Maybe it was the wine, for now as she relaxed, she felt it in her system, coursing warmly through her veins, stirring daring thoughts. Or maybe it was just the fact that Virtue was undeniably attracted to her husband in all the ways one could be. The dark features. The rugged scar and masculine visage. The size of him, so formidable and powerful and strong. All of it!
In that moment, alone as they were, gazing deeply into one another’s eyes, there was but one thing that Virtue wanted more than anything in the world.
So, she took it.
A wicked smile danced across Virtue's lips as she leaned up and captured Sebastian's mouth with hers. His response was immediate, his lips curling into a smile as he welcomed her into his arms, perhaps thinking this tender exchange would end with just a kiss. Oh, how he would be delightfully mistaken!
With a clawing grasp, she clasped the back of his head, pressing him closer as she explored the depths of his mouth. Her lips coaxed his apart, her tongue delving passionately, claiming him with an intensity that left her breathless. He gasped, his initial instinct to retreat, but she was relentless.
“Virtue—” he protested weakly. “Not here.”
“Why not?” Her voice was a sultry whisper as she maneuvered herself forward, elegantly lifting a leg to straddle his lap. Shemelded her body to his, her movements fluid and deliberate, her legs wrapping tightly around him as she trailed kisses up his jaw and teased the shell of his ear with her tongue before descending to the tender skin of his neck.
“Because... because... we... because...” Sebastian's words faltered, lost in the soft moans that escaped him as her tongue traced a path further down his neck. Beneath her, she felt his desire, hard and undeniable against her.
“You need to stop worrying what people think,” she murmured between fervent kisses, her fingers deftly unbuttoning his coat and shirt to expose his rigid chest to the cool night air—and her warm lips. “All that matters is what we think of each other.”
He leaned back against the bench, allowing her to lavish attention on his exposed neck and chest, her womanhood rubbing against his steely thigh. Sebastian's response to her command was a fierce growl, his grip on her thighs tightening. With the moon shining above them, he might have let forth a howl if not for the very real fact that there were people right around the corner. So, with very few other options, he took her.
Virtue had grown familiar with Sebastian's touch, his way of making love that had evolved from mere passion to a deep, impassioned worship of her body. And she loved every second of it.
He lifted her in one fluid motion, a single arm wrapping around her body as he stood. Virtue acted on impulse, locking her legs around his waist in a vice grip, peppering his neck with kissesthat soon turned to playful bites. A few short strides had him setting her upon the railing of the balcony, face to face, allowing him the freedom to capture her lips fully as his fingers dug into her hips and squeezed there.
This wasnotthe time for foreplay. There was no privacy to leisurely admire and savor each other's bodies as they so often did. No. This was a moment fueled by sheer passion, demanding swift and decisive actions.
Lucky, then, that Sebastian was in perfect accord, his desires mirroring her own. Lucky also then, that when it came to said desires, he was always ready to lead them in their dance of intimacy.
Her hands made quick work of his breeches, pushing them down his legs, while his hands were equally busy, pushing her knees apart and bundling away her skirts. She gasped when his fingers found that perfect spot andexplored, ensuring she was ready, igniting her arousal to new heights. She bit down on his shoulder as his fingers rubbed at her delicate pearl, her own hand tightening around his manhood as he teased her relentlessly.
“Please… do it,” she whispered urgently into his ear, her voice thick with desire.
“You don’t tell me what to do,” he growled against her ear, his grip on her thighs tightening, promising marks she would wear like badges of their passion tomorrow.
“Is that so?” she challenged in defiance and invitation.
Sebastian’s grin was predatory, as he, still gripping her crudely by the thighs, elbowed her knees about his waist, and pulled her into him in one swift, forceful movement. She felt him, intense and overwhelming, as he filled her agonizingly slowly, each movement drawing him deeper and deeper… until she possessed him entirely. Then, moaning into the hollow beneath her ear, he began to move—his thrusts hard, fast, and unrelenting.
His large hands supported her by the small of her back while her legs stayed wrapped around his waist, beckoning her to arch deeply, her body almost suspended over the railing of the balcony like a contortionist specter. They were cloaked in shadows, yet the moon cast its gleaming light over them, almost spotlighting their union for the world—or anyone daring enough to look up—to witness. And if not see, hear, for the noises they made were animalistic, wolves in heat, predators tearing apart prey. And it was thatthrillof being caught that had her careering toward the edge.
On that balcony, with the ball raging behind them, the two lovers treated one another’s bodies with contempt as they ravaged and savaged and devoured the other, Virtue’s cries mingling with Sebastian’s deep, animalistic howls.
Virtue had always wanted to bring Sebastian out of his shell, and she knew, in that moment, she had succeeded. What was more, he was bringing her out of her own, and together as one, this marriage was becoming more than either might have ever imagined.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Sebastian and Virtue were nestled comfortably in the library when they were sent a calling card by Ralph Merchant, the butler’s son and Sebastian’s long-time acquaintance. It was the day after the ball, and seeing as they were both a little…worse for wearafter what had turned into a rather lavish night, they agreed that a quiet day was in order. A shared couch. A roaring hearth. Each lost in a book. And the pleasure of one another’s company. Maybe not the most exciting of days, but one that Sebastian was very much enjoying.
And then Ralph walked through the door, and the tranquil interlude was abruptly shattered.
“Sebastian, my boy!” Ralph’s voice boomed as he stormed through the library doors, with his father, Albion, in close tow, fretting over his son’s rash behavior, as appeared tradition by now. Ever since the war, Ralph had dispensed with the formalities ofYour Grace, an indication of how close the two men were, often opting forGreystoneinstead. So, on the rareoccasions he used Sebastian’s Christian name, it usually meant something wasverywrong. “We need to talk.”
Sebastian raised a finger, signaling for silence as he finished his passage. And not because what he was reading was particularly engaging, but rather as a pointed reminder to Ralph of the respect still owed, despite their familiarity.
Ralph came to a halt by where Sebastian and Virtue sat. He crossed his arms and tapped his foot, the urgency of his sudden arrival noted. But that just had Sebastian dragging it out a little longer than necessary... eyes shifting between the page and Virtue, who suppressed a smile, well aware of what he was doing.
“Ralph.” Sebastian exhaled and closed his book finally. “Thank you, Albion.” He nodded at his butler and sent him back to his duties. “What brings you here so unexpectedly? Could you not have sent word a day in advance? I might have been engaged.”