“Would you like me to kiss you again with a very different agenda in mind?”
The word yes screamed inside her mind, but she forced herself to keep up the ruse, pushing her shoulders back just a bit. “I wouldn’t want you to kiss me even if you were the last man in England.” She turned and strode from the room.
But he didn’t follow her. Had she actually hurt his feelings? She hurried back through the door. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I was only pretending.” But it wasn’t hurt she saw on his face.
“You are incredible.” His breathing was rapid as he looked into her eyes. His own were filled with admiration and a blaze of desire. “I want to teach you something else, Madelene. Would you like me to show you a new kind of pleasure?”
His seductive tone was alluring, and it made her pulse quicken. “More than anything.”
“Then undress for me.” His smile was warm and sensuous.
Her bravery deserted her. “But it’s still daylight.”
“The better for me to see you. Besides, the sun will be gone soon, and I thought we already decided there are no rules for these things.” He unbuttoned his jacket and removed it, along with his tie and waistcoat before wrapping his arms around her and leaning in close. “As always, you need only say no if you want to stop. But if you want your body to experience something exquisite”—his tongue flicked her earlobe twice, sending chills down her neck—“you’ll have to muster your courage, because the price for my services is that you must remove your clothes.” He left her and sat in the chair, leaning back and resting his hands on top of its leather arms.
“While I watch.”
Chapter
Ten
Madelene’s heart stuttered and her stomach clenched. He wanted her to undress for him? She nibbled nervously on her bottom lip as he waited, his wicked half-smile promising something divine. She wanted it, whatever it was, and would pay the price he demanded. It would surely be worth it.
The belt was easy enough, but for some reason nervousness fluttered in her stomach as she slipped open the buttons of her blouse. It was silly. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t seen her naked before, but for some reason, this felt different. Like he held all the power, sitting over in the chair, fully clothed. Just waiting.
But he didn’t. He’d just shown her the power she could possess.
Basking in that knowledge, she locked her gaze with his as she removed her bodice, before allowing it to float to the floor. She turned away from him and opened her skirt and petticoat, bending over as she pushed them down. As she stepped out, she spread her feet wide, her chemise the only thing blocking his view into her split drawers. A low groan sounded behind her.
She straightened, and his eyes were dark and hungry as she gazed into them over her shoulder. Slowly, she untied the laces of her corset and loosened them. His obvious appreciation further strengthened her resolve, encouraging her daring behavior. Desire spread through her as she removed the pins from her hair one by one. Shaking it loose, she allowed it to fall down her back before turning to face him.
Her boldness grew, and she unhooked her corset, but held it in place, watching his reaction. His eyes flicked back and forth between the swells of her breasts before coming up to meet hers. Silently, they begged her.
She dropped the corset onto the floor and quickly pulled her chemise over her head before crossing the room to stand before him. He reached for her breast, but she slapped his hand playfully.
“Uh-uh,” she tutted. “I didn’t say you could touch.”
With a groan, he adjusted the bulge in his trousers and sat back. His compliance to her command and his clear desire for her made her stomach flutter. He allowed her to be something she never thought possible. A woman, desired by a man.
“Perhaps you can help me with these.” She placed her foot on the chair between his legs.
With another groan, he untied first one shoe, and then the other, his eyes continually darting to where her split drawers undoubtedly offered him a glimpse between her thighs. The knowledge made a fresh wave of desire wash through her.
“What about the stockings?” His voice was deep and desperate. “May I help with those too?”
“I suppose.” She shrugged, trying her best to sound bored, but she was aching to feel his hands on her.
His fingertips sent a thrill through her as they tickled the skin above her stocking before rolling the first one down her leg. By the time he finished with the second, she could barely contain her urgent need for him. She turned and put some distance between them, breathing in a long breath.
His arm snaked around her body, making her jump. She hadn’t even heard him move. His warm palm claimed her breast and he leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear, the waistband of her drawers going slack.
“Get those off.” His tongue sent a chill through her body as it glided around her neck to the other side. “It’s my turn now.”
It didn’t take much for them to fall to the floor, leaving her completely bare.
“Turn around.” His voice was a low growl in her ear. “I want to taste your nipples.”
The command stole her breath. She was desperate to have him do just that, but there was something else she wanted first. “May I have one request?”
