Page 14 of The Villain’s Vixen (Wanton Wastrels)
CHAPTER 14
D ominic knew he was playing with fire, but he kept telling himself that he intended to marry Lexie, so what was a bit of enjoyment before the vows were spoken? They were just words, right? In his heart he already knew this was the only woman for him even if he was too anxious to actually put a name to what he felt.
Smothering her with kisses until she was moving restlessly beneath him, Dominic slid his mouth to the side of her neck where he sucked gently, but not too hard where it would leave a mark. While he wanted nothing more than to show the world that she was taken, especially for Lord Lindley’s benefit, he also didn’t want to give her aunt any reason to bar her in her room.
Instead, he tugged down her bodice where he chose to offer little love bites along the tops of her breasts. As one rosy nipple popped free, and then the other, he could feel his cock swell to engorged proportions. She was so beautiful, and the way she clung to him so shamelessly proved this was a union that would never become tiresome. She was passionate and responsive to his every touch. He didn’t have to ask what she liked, because she was eager to explore it all .
He sucked each one of those tantalizing pert tips until they became hard points. Then he used his thumbs to toy with them while he tasted the line of her collarbone and the delicate shell of her ear. He found nothing lacking on her, and when he dared to reach down and lift her skirts to slide a hand up her smooth thigh to the center of her desire, he groaned when he discovered that she was hot and wet, almost pulsing for him.
He slid a finger along the seam of her sex, and she moaned in the most delightful way. He didn’t waste any time starting a tantalizing rhythm that soon had her moving restlessly on the seat. “Dominic…” she breathed.
It was the single most erotic thing he’d ever heard in his life.
He rewarded her by molding her breasts with his hand while the fingers of his other increased their pace. It wasn’t until he kissed her soundly that she abruptly stiffened and then went languid in his arms as her body shook with her release.
He watched the play of emotions on her face, her lips slightly parted, her eyes closed and her cheeks flushed from the rush of pleasure that poured through her veins.
For the first time in his life he was humbled, because he knew he was the first man to ever behold such exquisite torture, because it was nothing short of that. Knowing that he held such beauty and passion in his arms and could not take things further made him reluctant to take her back to her aunt’s house. He wanted nothing more than to whisk her across the border to Gretna Green, the banns be damned, but he knew that he couldn’t act on such selfish impulses when there was still a possible killer on the loose. He didn’t want to secure a bride only to have her ripped from his grasp by tragedy. The amount of grief he would feel would be devastating. He wasn’t sure he would be able to overcome it if harm befell Lexie.
As he removed his hand from under her skirts and reluctantly straightened her bodice, her eyes fluttered open. The pupil nearly eclipsed the brilliant blue of her gaze. “My God. That was…” Her focus turned distant and he smiled.
“I’m glad you approve.”
“Is it… always like that?”
Allowing some of his male prowess to rise to the forefront, he said, “It is when you’re with me.”
She grasped his lapels. “Then I’m glad I made that choice.”
He chuckled as she brought him to her for a kiss that was full of renewed hunger. When she released him, he couldn’t stop a slight wince.
Her eyes widened. “Did I hurt you?”
“No.” It’s just my hard cock and the yearning to spill myself inside of you. “I will be fine given enough time.”
She was more observant than he might have given her credit for as she glanced down and saw the decided bulge in his trousers. He certainly wasn’t prepared for her hand to slide down and grasp him through the material. He immediately hissed, and she quickly drew her hand away. “I know I hurt you that time.”
Through gritted teeth, he said, “No. It didn’t hurt. On the contrary, I enjoyed your touch very much.”
“Oh.” She lifted a brow and he watched her hand return to his hard cock. It was as if he was watching a moth growing closer to a flame and unable to do anything but watch it burn. Except this time, he was the moth, helpless to stop her. “Show me what to do,” she urged softly.
Dominic was close to erupting, so he knew it wouldn’t take much to send him over the edge into oblivion. And since he was selfish enough to want to feel her virginal hands on him, he undid the flap of his trousers. When his engorged manhood sprang free, her eyes widened slightly, but she did not hesitate to reach for him again.
The sight of her delicate fingers wrapped around him made the tip glisten with moisture. He placed his hand over hers and guided her in a smooth, even motion that was slowly making his head spin out of control. His body tightened, perilously close to a powerful release as she quickly caught on to the rhythm and began to stroke him in earnest.
“Ah, yes. That’s it,” he coaxed. “Just like that. Don’t stop.”
His breath was coming in great heaving pants, and he focused on the delicate curve of her face, the swell of her breasts, and the memory of how she had come apart in his arms. Within moments he was jerking his hips as white-hot jets of his orgasm began to pulse out of his cock.
When he was sated, he withdrew a handkerchief from his waistcoat and began to clean himself. Lexie moved her hand back, but he caught it before she could go far and brought her hand to his lips for a slight kiss. “Thank you.”
Her lips quirked with amusement. “Thank you .”
Laughing, Dominic realized that he didn’t want this night to end. He found Lexie to be, not only completely and utterly passionate, but she was not some shrinking violet when it came to intimacy. She approached everything with a fascinating curiosity, and he found that intoxicating. There were not many ladies of the ton who were untried and expressed the same sort of enthusiasm that she had shown tonight. He was confident that their bed would never be cold and unfeeling, and for the first time in his life, Dominic was looking forward to the wedded state.
There was still one other problem that needed to be solved.
“The first of the banns will be read this Sunday.”
She nodded. “Yes. That is the plan.”
“After that, I was hoping that you might consider leaving London and staying at the estate with my mother. I am growing weary of your aunt’s continual matchmaking schemes for the wrong man, and I would feel more at ease with you out of the city where I know you would be safe.”
She was silent for a moment, and he wondered if he hadn’t been too highhanded, but when she reached out and touched his jaw with a light hand, he knew he didn’t have to worry. “I would love nothing more than to meet your mother and see where I shall be soon calling home.” Her hand fell away. “But how can I leave and enjoy tea and cakes when I know you are still risking your life?”
“There is no need to worry over me. I have faced worse adversaries than this. Trust me when I say this is not the first time I’ve faced the barrel of a gun.”
She winced. “If that was supposed to make me feel better, you failed miserably.”
“It was supposed to convince you to leave.”
She closed her eyes, as if searching for strength. “I will go if Lord Lindley and my aunt get too much to bear after Sunday. That’s three days from now. Do I get that long?”
He smiled. “You are a tough negotiator, but one so beautiful that I can’t seem to say no to anything she asks of me.”
“Alexandra! Have you been listening to anything I’ve said?”
Lexie glanced up at her aunt with what she hoped was a look of chagrin. They were in the parlor working on their prospective embroidery hoops, but her thoughts had drifted, as they had done so often this morning.
After she’d parted ways with Dominic and made her way back in the house and up to her room without incident, she’d found it difficult to fall asleep as her body was still humming with the delight she’d experienced in his arms. All morning, as she’d performed her ablutions and taken a warm bath, she’d sighed, thinking of his arms wrapped around her, but more than that, his wicked fingers bringing her body to such heights of ecstasy that she had found it difficult to put her feelings into words. All she could say was that being with him was wonderful and she was looking forward to the life they were going to build together. He hadn’t approached her with a romantic proposal or professed his undying love, but neither did she care if there was a grand gesture attached to their union. So long as she could call herself his bride, that was all that truly mattered.
It had humbled her when he’d asked her to move to the estate, even if he had not planned to do the same just yet. She was curious about his mother, but she knew there would be plenty of time to make her acquaintance after she could be assured that Dominic would live to see another day. It unnerved her to know the assailant was still out there roaming the streets and watching from afar, waiting for the moment when he might strike again, except this time, be successful in his endeavors.
She shuddered to think that if something happened to Dominic, she would have no other choice but to wed Lord Lindley. While she hadn’t thought he was the worst choice when they’d first met, after what Dominic had revealed to her, as well as her own personal experiences, she was coming to believe that he wouldn’t be a good choice at all.
“I’m sorry, Aunt Bonnie. I fear I was woolgathering.”
The older lady harrumphed. “You’ve been doing that all morning. I daresay your head is in the clouds, and I can only guess as to the reason behind your sudden inattention.”
Lexie said nothing, deciding it was better that she remained silent or suffer another lecture about how terrible the Duke of Cuthbert was while extolling all the dramatic qualities that the earl possessed.
“I shall be out this afternoon making a few calls.”
Lexie waited to see if she would be forced to attend as well, but when she said nothing more, she inclined her head. “I am sure I can find something to entertain myself here.”
“I had no doubt of it. You are a smart gel. For the most part.”
Only her aunt could manage to add a compliment and then end on an insult. With a roll of her eyes, Lexie returned to her embroidery and decided to put her aunt’s opinions to the side of her thoughts.
Later, when Lexie was left to her own devices, she decided to pen a letter to her father. She had never had much of a chance to talk to him during his hasty visit and she had thought to thank him for his intervention on the duke’s behalf. She was grateful that he had taken her side and she intended to express her gratitude. She didn’t expect a reply, but at least she could hope that it would go further to bring their strained relationship even closer.
A footman appeared at the doorway of the parlor as she was finishing up her missive and announced the arrival of Lord Lindley.
She wasn’t thrilled to hear this, but she knew she had to be polite. If she turned him away, she knew she wouldn’t hear the end of it from her aunt even if entertaining the earl sounded completely dull in the extreme.
She waited patiently for him to enter the room and as he bowed over her hand, she greeted him coolly, so he would understand this was a social call and nothing more. Perhaps since they were alone together, she could stress the importance of his acceptance of her betrothal to another.
“I trust you have been well, Miss Givenwald?” he asked cordially as he took a seat on the settee. He was near one end, obviously expecting her to sit beside him, but she perched on a chair opposite.
“I have, thank you.” She clasped her hands together in front of her. “I’m rather glad you stopped by today. I have been meaning to talk to you about?—”
He exhaled heavily and smiled so broadly that she was momentarily taken aback by his immediate reaction to what she had yet to say. “I feel the same way.” He moved to kneel in front of her. “I knew I could not wait any longer to ask you to be my wife.” He reached into his vest pocket and withdrew a lovely emerald ring surrounded by sparkling diamonds. “This was my grandmother’s. I vowed never to give it to anyone unless I was confident in my love for her. And the truth is, I love you, Alexandra. With all of my heart. Will you not make me the happiest of men and say yes to my proposal?”
Lexie wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole, but since she didn’t have any hope of that occurring, she reached out and slowly closed the lid of the ring box. The earl looked confused at first, and when she disentangled herself from his presence and moved to the other side of the room, she turned to see that he was still crouched on the floor as if in disbelief that she hadn’t leaped with joyful glee into his arms.
“I am honored by your proposal, my lord, and had I not already been engaged, I would happily accept your offer, but you have to understand that I am spoken for. I have accepted the Duke of Cuthbert’s suit.” She paused and hoped she was letting him down gently enough. But either way it couldn’t be helped. He needed to realize where her heart stood.
He said nothing for a moment and then slowly stood. Tucking the ring back into his vest pocket, his lips tightened. “I am sorry to hear that. I think you are making a mistake. You don’t know who the duke really is.”
“I know enough,” she countered. She couldn’t very well tell him that she knew of his secret dealings in the East End, as that would not only break his confidence and trust in her, but it could be detrimental if that sort of information fell into the wrong hands. She was wont to believe the earl might just be underhanded enough to take out his frustration on the duke by revealing Avalon’s true identity to his enemies.
“I don’t think you do.” He stepped toward her, his face a mask of intensity that nearly caused her to take a step back, but she held her ground. “He is a charlatan who spins a web of lies. I have it on good authority that he masquerades about Whitechapel under a pseudonym with a gang known as the Blue Boys. He is dangerous, and you would do well to steer clear of him. ”
A sudden frisson of unease trailed up her spine. She was afraid that if Lord Lindley knew about Dominic, it would soon spread throughout the rest of London and that would be perilous in the extreme. “How did you hear about this?”
“I have my sources,” he returned cryptically. “The point is that you are choosing the wrong man to share your life. He is a confirmed libertine. He will only bring you heartbreak where I can offer you security and stability.” He reached out and grasped her hands. “Don’t discount my offer just yet. Give it some thought. You will see that I’m right.”
He released her and offered a slight bow before he turned on his heel and quit the room.
After he was gone, Lexie realized that her legs could no longer support her. Sinking down into a nearby chair, she put a hand to her stomach which was also suddenly queasy. Closing her eyes to gain some of her faltering fortitude, she wondered why the earl’s visit had disturbed her like it had. It certainly had nothing to do with the proposal, which was more of annoyance at this point. It was the fact that he knew about Avalon.
Deciding that she had to warn him of the latest threat, Lexie grabbed her cloak and headed for the front door. She encountered a footman on her way. “If my aunt returns before I do, let her know I stepped out for an errand.”
Without waiting for a reply, she rushed down the front steps and proceeded to hail down a hackney.
Since she had already been told before that most of the drivers knew more than just the streets of London, but where most of the occupants lived, she said curtly, “To the Duke of Cuthbert’s residence,” and then shut the door firmly behind her.
Dominic had been in his study for most of the morning attempting to work on some sadly neglected ledgers for his country estate when he was interrupted by his butler. “There is a lady here to see you, Your Grace. She doesn’t have a card but claims that her name is Miss Givenwald.”
He immediately got to his feet. Thus far, he’d failed to alert his staff to his upcoming nuptials, but since his focus had been on other things at the moment, he decided it was the best time to alert the servants. “Send her in at once, and alert the rest of the household that she is to be my wife and the next Duchess of Cuthbert. The first of the banns are set to be posted this Sunday.”
The butler’s eyes widened momentarily, and then he bowed respectfully. “Of course.”
As he left, Dominic couldn’t help but wonder what Lexie might have to say. Whatever it was, it surely wasn’t good news, or else she wouldn’t have risked her reputation or her aunt’s wrath by coming to his home.
However, all that concern and doubt fled when she walked in and pushed back the hood of her cloak and revealed those lovely bright curls. He could see the glimpse of a darker orange gown beneath her outerwear, and he was transfixed at once by the desire to slowly peel it from her body. He had lain awake long into the night, burning with need for her after they’d parted. He wanted nothing more than to drag her into his arms now, but the look of uncertainty on her face gave him pause.
He frowned. “What’s happened?”
“Lord Lindley just paid me a visit.”
His scowl deepened.
“He asked me to marry him?—”
A low growl of predatory possessiveness rose from within. “I’ll kill him.”
“I told him I was promised to you,” she said firmly, and some of his anger abated. “What disturbed me was that he said he knew who you really were. He knows about Avalon, the Blue Boys, everything.”
Dominic stilled. “How could he know? ”
“I asked him that, and he claimed he has his sources, whatever that means.” She moved toward him and clutched the lapels of his jacket. “I’m worried. What if he threatens to send this information to the papers? Or worse?—”
He put his hands over hers. “Don’t concern yourself. All the earl wants is you, and if he thinks he can drag me down to get to you, he will. I think it is more imperative than ever that you leave the city so that he cannot disturb you with such threats any longer.”
She lowered her gaze and exhaled slowly. “I am starting to think you might be right. I haven’t yet discussed his visit with my aunt, but I have the feeling I already know what she will say.”
“Then it seems you have your answer.”
She returned her blue gaze to him, and he could feel a pang in his chest, as if he were shot with Cupid’s own arrow. “I dread the thought of leaving you.”
“I told you this is not the first time I’ve faced a challenge and I’ve never backed down from one before. I will prevail over this one too.” He shrugged. “If things get too heated, I will petition the king for his assistance. He is my cousin. Surely a family tie should count for something. But that is a last resort and only if it means keeping you free from harm or the damage Lord Lindley could cause. Anything I might suffer would pale in comparison to an injury to you.”
She leaned toward him, until her head was just beneath his chin. He inhaled deeply of her scent, the floral perfume of her hair, and vividly recalled the smooth feel of her as his mouth had moved across her skin in the carriage. She was intoxicating and he couldn’t seem to get enough of her.
“I will tell my aunt that I am leaving her house after the first of the banns are read.”
Dominic closed his eyes in relief. He hated to wait two days for her to head for the country, but since it was likely the best he could ask of her, he murmured against her hair, “I will content myself with that.” He pulled back slightly. “I have to return to Whitechapel tonight. Amos sent an update and it’s time I joined the efforts whether anyone wants me to or not. I need this bastard off of the streets and out of my life.”
She swallowed visibly. “I understand even if I don’t like it,” she whispered.
He bent down and kissed her long and slow. It still made his body burn with unrequited need when they parted, but he couldn’t resist tasting her, no matter the cost. “Thank you for warning me about Lord Lindley. I will continue to keep watch over his movements. I hired a private investigator to delve into his past. There is something about him that bothers me but I have to discover what it might be. I will send you back in my coach so that you will have adequate transportation to the country.” He moved to his desk and penned a quick missive before folding the paper and handing it to her. “Give this to my mother. I should offer her some sort of explanation, and you will arrive before I have the chance.”
“She won’t mind that I’m descending on her without warning?”
He shook his head. “Not at all. She might not move about in society any longer, but she will be thrilled there will be a new duchess to take her place.”
She couldn’t resist embracing him once more before she moved away and walked to the door. Pausing at the frame, she turned back to say, “I know you will figure out what troubles you about the earl. After all, you found a way to change my mind about marriage and I thought that was an impossible task.”
His laughter followed her as she departed, after murmuring for his ears alone, “And I’m grateful beyond measure that I did.”