EscapeWithMe (9 page)

“We’ve been expecting you, lieutenant.” Mrs. Hayes joined
him in the hall. “Won’t you please come this way?” She swept her hand toward
the stairs to herd him to her newest
mademoiselle
.

“I trust she remains unmolested as of my departure last
night.” He didn’t trust the bawd’s answer but needed to ask.

“She does, but it has come to my attention,” she said
quietly, “that before last night, Miss Reed was untouched.”

“You have it right, Mrs. Hayes.” Indeed, Ryder remembered
well the moment when he took her virginity, the tight grip of her hands on his
shoulders, her small whimper, and then Webb’s even more abrupt intrusion.

They reached the first floor. Staccato groans echoed from
one of the bedrooms. “I mistakenly believed she had more carnal experience, but
owing to her former state, I must acquire for Miss Reed a larger sum for the
price of her first coupling.”

“I see,” he said guardedly, “and what is the price of a
maiden’s honor, madam?”

They reached the topmost floor. “Oh, at least fifty pounds,
sir.” Ryder was unsurprised that she had chosen a price likely within his
ability to afford. “I’m sure you understand that it’s a rare commodity in our
trade. In addition, this being the second visit, I must ask for another five
pounds.” They arrived at Samantha’s door.

“You wish me to pay a total of fifty-five pounds?”

“I abided by your request and refrained from lending her to
other clients. A fresh girl like her, especially a foreigner, is always for a
time
en vogue
. She could have made at least twenty pounds already
today.”

He narrowed his eyes at the bawd. “Let us be clear with each
other, madam,” he began. “Having discovered that the young woman you deceived
was more valuable than you had estimated, you wish retroactively to increase
the fee I paid and in addition, you would charge me another fee for tonight
despite the incentive I gave—and which you accepted—to reserve her time for my
personal use.”

Mrs. Hayes only stuttered. He stepped closer to take full
advantage of his significant height.

“Your ignorance of the state of her maidenhead is no concern
of mine, and the period of time I purchased last night was cut short, leading
any person with common sense to the conclusion that tonight’s visit will
compensate. Are you a woman of common sense, Mrs. Hayes?”

The bawd’s expression was, in a word, tight. “Very well,
sir,” she said. “I shall restrain you no further from enjoying the
mademoiselle
’s
company. Should you need any additional services, Mary will oblige upon hearing
the ring of the bell pull.” Mrs. Hayes left in a huff, agitatedly grabbing at
her skirt and stomping. Once the bawd had disappeared down the stairs, Ryder
went to the bedroom door and knocked.

He heard a few soft footsteps before the door cracked open
and Samantha peeked out. She wore a plain robe over a chemise and the same red
stockings as the previous evening.

“I didn’t realize you could go BOGO on sexual services,” she
said.

Ryder laughed, though he wasn’t entirely sure why. “I am not
under the illusion that any coin given to that woman,” he said as he jabbed his
thumb behind him, “would see your lovely hands. May I come in?”

“You may.” A smile jumped to his face. “But only to hear a
proposal.”

“More negotiations?” He followed her inside where a single
candle sat on the vanity. Her robe was unfortunately opaque. “I would think the
exchange of time and money a simpler transaction than you or Mrs. Hayes makes
it out to be. Wait…” He closed the door and propped the chair beneath the door
handle. “Just in case.”

He wasted no time in tossing his coat and hat onto the
floor. Already he was eager for her. His fingers went to the buttons of his
vest.

“Whoa there, cowboy,” she said, hands out.
Cowboy?
“I
just want to talk about you and your brother.”

Ryder purposefully misunderstood. “My brother won’t please
you nearly as much as I can, nor would I consent to involving him in our
amorous congress.”

She was delightfully unaffected and jutted her chin. “Stop
trying to steer the conversation. What I’m proposing doesn’t involve
copulating, especially not a three-way.”

Ryder’s eyebrows shot up at her blunt language. Had she been
talking to the
mademoiselles
?

“I am listening, madam.” He pulled off his vest and dropped
it on his coat. Next, he went after his cravat. The damn thing was too tight
anyway.

“That man last night, Mr. Webb, intends to arrest your
brother for smuggling and murder. You don’t want Phillip to go to prison or to
be executed. Am I right so far?”

“You are,” he said after a pause. His cravat came away with
little trouble. He jerked his shirt out of the waist of his trousers, becoming
more impatient as his cock became harder. What was it about her that so
one-sidedly affected him? She resisted but he could not. What element in her
eyes was so compelling that even their current conversation despite its very
serious nature was still provocative?

Her eyes followed his movements. “And I take it you found
him last night.”

“Perhaps.”

“He has debts, and I bet you’re still going to smuggle to
pay them off.”

He sat on the bed to remove his boots, not responding.

“I can do bookkeeping and set up buyers.”

Ryder froze at that. “Truly? I would not expect a woman to
have such a background to recommend her.” Dropping his other boot to the floor,
he saw in her expression that he had offended.

“How far we have come,” she said dully.

He stood. “Well, I cannot fathom that a businessman would
employ a woman in a capacity to test such a talent.”

“Would
you
?” she asked.

He could hear the challenge in her tone and answered her
question with a question. “What experience do you possess?”

“I ran a business by myself for more than a year—an antiques
shop. Brian was the one who acquired pieces, but I took care of everything
else. Daybooks, invoices, shipping…”

“You are well acquainted with a system of record.
Impressive.” He unfastened the buckles at his knees. “Is this Brian the husband
who abandoned you?”

If her cold expression were tangible, gooseflesh would’ve
risen on his skin. “He was not my husband,” she said. She hated the man, did
she? Ryder removed his hose and then unbuttoned his breeches. Her eyes went to
his hands. “S-stop that.” Her reactions were fascinating. Her nervous
resistance in contrast to her hatred of Brian only incited him.

“I am damn curious,” he said softly. “Who is he, madam?”

“It’s none of your business.” Her hands were fisted in
stubbornness and even in the candlelight he saw the flush of anger in her
cheeks, but he would not be dissuaded.

“Is he in the colonies? Did he send you here?” He pushed his
breeches down. She seemed to brace for the sight of his nudity, but the length
of his shirt veiled his privates. Her eyes returned to his face.

“In a manner of speaking. Look, I’m just suggesting that I
help you with your venture. I-I’m not offering anything but that. I promise I
am perfectly qua—” He pulled off his shirt, successfully distracting her from
whatever else she might’ve said. Unabashed, Ryder stood there for her
inspection, which was splendidly thorough. Her breaths came faster and
shallower. Her eyes studied him with such fascination and he knew that despite
her apparent knowledge, she was a stranger to the delights of the flesh. He
would be glad to introduce her. Personally.

“Can we not also reap the benefits of intimacy?”

“Indulging vice while masterminding a criminal enterprise?
That’s how your brother got into so much trouble.”

A corner of Ryder’s mouth shot up. “I’m going to kiss you.”

“You shouldn’t.” Her gaze bounced between his face and his
loins. She was nearly panting. He closed the distance between them. “
We
shouldn’t—” He reached for her, but she hastily backed away.

“I am a considerate lover, Samantha,” he assured her. “Was I
not considerate last night?” He could tell her heart was racing. Her breasts
rose and fell with her quick breaths. She chewed her lush lower lip and he
found himself licking his own lips.

“You were,” she admitted. “At least until afterward.”

“Upon reflection, I admit more than a modicum of regret.” It
was the furthest he would go to apologize. “I cannot deny myself more of you.”
Needing the sensation, he grasped his cock and stroked himself. He imagined her
lips where his hand was and wondered how soft they would feel.

“I’m not interested in a partnership with such…addendums.”

He grinned. “What flam. Only last night you begged me to
rend your maidenhead. I rather believe we could both greatly enjoy such an
arrangement.” He followed her as she backed away. “You will be pleasured well,
madam.Pleasured
very
well,” he promised. She hit the wall and
pressed herself tightly to it.

He lifted one hand and laid it against her cheek. When she
closed her eyes, he smoothed his other hand over her hip and whispered her
name.

Her heart hammered. Her sex tingled. Ryder stepped close and
his hand slid to the back of her head. She parted her mouth and waited, but he
left her lips wanting and laid a soft kiss behind her ear.

“Yes.”
She didn’t realize she had said it until it
was done. His mouth moved gently over her neck and a shiver prickled across her
body. He took apart the knot in her belt and pushed the robe off her shoulders.
The room was chilly but Ryder was warm and she twined her arms around him. The
ponytail of his hair tickled.

He grasped her hips and pulled her to him. His cock was hard
against her stomach and its heat seeped right through her linen chemise. One of
his hands went to the back of her leg. He raised her knee and hooked it over
his elbow. A shuddering exhale was the only sound she could make when he lifted
her chemise, removing the thin barrier between their skins. He then bent his
legs, dragging his shaft down her abdomen and across the damp curls covering
her vagina.

His cock popped free of the press of their bodies and rested
against the swollen lips of her vagina, almost parting them. She heard a
high-pitched sound and realized it was coming from her. She canted her hips,
shuddering at the thought of him taking her right there, standing up.

With his next thrust, the head of his cock slid between the
lips of her vagina, though not yet penetrating. His deep groan was unreserved.
He pumped his hips, his erection riding the slick seam and almost catching,
almost plunging inside.

She was reeling at the sensation, gasping. His hand squeezed
the back of her thigh. Her arms clamped tightly around his shoulders. They
stood there against the wall, their lower bodies grinding against one another.

Her name came out on a growl. He tossed her other leg over
his arm and lifted her. The next thrust slid right in and she cried out.

Ryder stopped, half-buried in her. “Are you all right?” His
voice didn’t sound like his own.

She gained a better grip on his shoulders and also tried to
get a better grip full stop. He had fogged things up again and she was more
than a little turned-on at how quickly he had done so. As for pain, it was
minor.

“Yeah. Yes, I’m all right,” she finally got out. He adjusted
his hold on her, palming her ass, and carried her toward the vanity where the
single candle sat.

“Hold on to me,” he whispered. His cock sank home.

“
Ah
,” she moaned. His hands slowly moved her over his
cock, up and down. Jesus, he was strong. In.
Yes
, that felt good. Out.
His shoulders bunched beneath her hands. In again.

She knew why he had chosen this position and this exact
spot. He controlled the speed, where her hands were. She couldn’t easily turn
her face away or hide her expression. The candlelight let him see every jolt of
pleasure, every gasp and sigh.

Gradually, torturously, he upped the pace until she was
slapping against his hips. That dizzy sensation was so close.

“Look in the mirror.”

She didn’t recognize herself and—oh God yes—she could see
him plowing into her. His biceps were bulging. His hips pumped like well-oiled
pistons. Her vagina was hot and slick from the sight.

“You’re gonna make me come.” She squeezed his cock inside
her.

“Christ,” he growled.

Before she knew it she was on the bed. His hips were ramming
into her. The heat of orgasm burst and she keened as her sex grasped his cock.

Ryder hissed, pulling out of her and stepping back. Her feet
found the floor and her shoulders settled deeper into the mattress. The heat
spread to her arms and legs, making her languid.

The candlelight outlined just how wet and hard he was. She
thought he might finish on her, but he didn’t touch himself. She would’ve moved
to do it for him, but her limbs were like lead and she just wanted to catch her
breath. So did Ryder, it seemed, who was panting like he had run a mile.

“Pacing yourself?” she asked when she was able to form
words.

“Take that off.” He gestured to the chemise bunched up
around her waist.

She swallowed and sat up. Her head was swimming but she
lifted the chemise.

“Slowly.” His hand was at the base of his cock, though not
moving. She revealed her breasts gradually, letting her hair spill out as she
pulled the chemise free of her head.

“Lie back on the pillows.”

Sam wasn’t sure where he was going with this, but she didn’t
care. It was obvious that he wasn’t done with her and didn’t that just get her
heart jogging. She scooted back on the bed, arranged the pillows to support
her, and lay back.

“Spread your hair out.” His hand stroked his cock. His moan
was almost inaudible as she fanned her hair across the pillow.