If only he hadnt been waiting for her, such well-founded pragmatism might have prevailed.
But he was.
Lounging in all his jeunesse dorée glory against her bow window, tall and rangy in a suit of ecru linen, his dark hair shoved behind his ears as if hed combed it with his fingers, his face so starkly beautiful her breath caught in her throat.
She screamed and began running toward him.
Propriety and prudence be damned.
She didnt get far; he ran faster, and when they met, he swept her up in his arms and kissed her soundly, needing corporeal evidence that she was real and he was no longer bereft.
She finally whispered, Mfphffp, against his mouth because passersby were stopping to stare.
He raised his head politely but minimally and grinned. Forgive me, I might be a little drunk.
I dont care, she whispered, lighthearted, content, happier than shed ever been in her life. But we should get off the street.
I brought you something, he said with a smile, kissing her again without regard for their audience. Youll like it. He winked. Guaranteed.
You think so? she asked playfully, hugging him as if he were her salvation from the shipwreck of life, not
altogether
concerned with observers when she was beginning to believe in castles in the air.
I know so. Its a harem present. He didnt even watch her face as he spoke, the gift untainted by malicefor her pleasure alone.
But once they reached her apartment, he sat down on the nearest chair with her on his lap, took her purse and package, set them aside, and simply held her. Its been quite a long day, he gruffly said, leaving a trail of kisses across her forehead and down her cheek. Way too long . . .
It was amazing, she thought, how happiness filled her to overflowing when Fitz was nearspilling out in a smile she couldnt contain. Even when she should have known better than to care about a man like him. I missed you, she whispered, enraptured and smitten. There. Im like all the other adoring women in your life. And I dont care.
Youre nothing like the others. Not even close. If he hadnt drunk so much, if he hadnt found Madame Riveras intolerable for the first time in his life, if he didnt feel as though hed reached safe haven when hed never so much as thought of the phrase before, he wouldnt have added with such vehemence, Thank God you finally came home.
And you were here.
Im sorry you had to wait.
Where were you? Another firstwanting to know where a woman had been, when he normally wanted to know when they were leaving.
I went to see Dr. Swindell.
Christ, he muttered, knowing he was responsible. I knew I should have been more careful last night.
No, no, everythings fine. Id made an appointment yesterday, so I kept it, thats all.
He leaned back marginally and scanned her face. Youre sure?
Positive.
He exhaled in relief. Ill be on my best behavior; your present can wait, he added. It was probably a selfish gesture anyway.
She grinned. You, selfish?
Point taken. On the other hand, he said, smiling in return, youve been known to make a few selfish demands yourself. His smile widened.
Give me more
comes to mind.
Or how about,
Give me my present
? Curiosity overcame politesse.
No, he said, shaking his head. You were at the doctor today because of me. It can wait until youre in the pink of health again.
I am, for heavens sake. Im perfectly fine. I couldnt be better. Just show me. Please . . .
Since he was here in the first place because he couldnt resist her, he was hardly in the position to deny such an appealing plea. Its just a toy, he said in dismissal.
I
love
toys. Had some other woman spoken in that coquettish voice?
With a reluctant sigh and a grimace, he pulled a narrow shagreen box from his pocket. This is for later now. I dont want to argue.
Its jewelry
, she thought at the sight of the leather box,
a necklace perhaps from the shape
. But as she was beginning to take issue with what she perceived as his customary gift for the women in his life, he flipped open the lid.
Wherever did you get
that
? she blurted out, shockedand intrigued.
At a jewelers. Its a Renaissance piece, but dont worry, I was assured that its been thoroughly cleaned. Apparently, its a Cellini object dart.
Are you serious?
He grinned. I generally try not to be, but in this case I am.
May I touch it?
Certainly.
She ran her fingers lightly over the gold engraved dildo, then lifted it from the silk-lined box and studied the amorous images. As she turned the exquisite piece to view all the scenes, the starkly erotic content triggered an immediate and heated responsewhich was the point no doubt of the portrayals of mythical figures engaged in amorous play. Although Fitzs erection pressing into her bottom also contributed to her expeditious arousal. A charming combination in any event. Maybe we could try this, she murmured, a distinctly carnal heat warming her senses, melting inside her.
Fitz shook his head. We should wait.
This is smaller than you.
Its metal thoughnot in the least pliant.
I hardly think your erection is what youd call pliant.
It is in contrast to this. Im not arguing, darling. He took it from her hand and shoved it in his pocket. Well use it some other time.
Or you could just watch.
He looked at her from under his lashes. Now youre trying to torment me.
At least
hes
interested, she said softly, shifting in his lap, his rigid length pronounced.
Dont be difficult, he growled, steeling himself against his cravings, when Im trying to be unselfish.
I wont blame you, she replied, rubbing against his swelling erection, only the linen of his trousers and her skirt barricade to consummation. I take full responsibility.
He softly groaned.
Let me just try this little toy. Please? Shed take her pleasure where she could as per her carpe diem promise to herself. With Fitz tomorrows were uncertain.
Id rather not. Im content just to hold you. After the misery of his day, he was more than content, or maybe the contrast between Madame Riveras and Rosalinds parlor was pleasure enough. Or we could go out to dinner.
Or I could pout.
He chuckled. As you like to say to me, you cant always have what you want.
Youre cruel. I had a perfect bill of health. Come, Fitz, give me either the Cellini or you. Consider, youve awakened my feverish desires. You cant just ignore me. Please, please, be a dear . . .
There wasnt a man with a heartbeat who could have refused.
And his blood was coursing through more than his heart at the moment.
Im doing this against my better judgment, he declared, rising to his feet with her in his arms and moving toward the bedroom.
I love when you play the gallant, she purred, raining kisses on his face and neck as they moved through the parlor, his benevolence only heightening her affection and desires. I find it wildly provocative.
He shot her a disgruntled look. I find everything about you wildly provocative, he grumbled. And just for the record, I tried to say no. A record in every sense of the word.
How sweet. She shivered, anticipating the intoxicating obverse of no, her vagina liquid with longing, well ahead of her in eagerness.
Im not going to be sweet for long, he growled.
But his
long
was less precipitous than hers for once he deposited her on the bed she said, with a strong hint of her school mistress voice, Do hurry, Fitzplease!
It would have been better if his first thought wasnt
Now I know why she wrote erotica.
Or if he wasnt so personally involved, enamored, or stupid that hed overruled his instincts and habits of a lifetime to come and see her again. Or if she hadnt added in an imperious tone that set his teeth on edge, Please, dont play the dominating male right now.
He was unfamiliar with women like Mrs. St. Vincent who were completely devoid of flattery and honeyed blandishments. But perhaps that was why she appealed to him, he more sensibly decided, tamping down his temper. There was no point in being disagreeable when she was flame hot and willing.
Sorry, darling, he smoothly replied, avoiding a contretemps that had nothing to do with her. She was visibly panting; only a fool would take offense at her ready passions.
Im sorry, too, really I am, she whispered, aware of the brief flash of anger in his eyes. I can wait.
But she was shrugging out of her bodice as she spoke, her skirts were rucked up over her thighs, her drawers untied, and he decided perhaps neither of them should wait for long.
Sitting on the edge of her bed, he smiled. Youre an insatiable little puss, but far be it from me to deny you.
Thank you, she sweetly said, too close to consummation to take a chance of offending him. Dildos aside, his strong body most appealed.
Such acquiescence, darling.
I wouldnt want to put you out of humor, she said, slipping her drawers down her legs and tossing them aside.
He grinned. At this stage.
Her gaze was half-lidded, her hips gently swaying. Indeed.
Then lie down, sweetheart, spread your legs, and let me know when youve had enough of Cellini. It was at least smaller.
She immediately complied, one arm free of her blouse, the other not, and lying with her thighs open, flagrantly available, she smiled her temptress smile. Youre such a darling . . .
In a way he was for letting her have her way, when hed thought better of it. But perhaps his French governess had schooled him too wellor rather, schooled him to perfection, his many satisfied lovers would attestfor he agreed to what she wanted. Stop me if this hurts, he murmured, sliding the smooth metal over her sleek cleft.
She nodded, and took a very small breath as the cool dildo glided over her labia and entered her. How many women had felt the pleasure of this toy in the last three hundred years, she wondered. Were they, too, in illicit affairs? Were they in love or infatuated like she? Was their lover as beautiful? Did they feel this degree of infinite bliss . . . ?
He saw her smile and smiled himself at the half-undressed woman with tousled hair and pinked cheeks who had lured him into her seductive net. And when in the past he would have balked at being caught, instead, he set out to please her.
She whimpered once and he stopped.
Her eyes opened and she looked up at him with a fevered gaze.
More?
Her eyes went shut.
Understanding, he exerted a modicum more pressure, and so it wenthe carefully monitoring her response, she softly moaning, catching her breath from time to time. At which point, he always stopped until she gave him leave to continue.
But orgasms never took long with the ravenous Mrs. St. Vincent, her libido on a very short fuse, her orgasmic impetuosity charmingly predictable.
But when she camemore quietly than usualhe glimpsed tears seeping under her lashes and panicked. Christ, Im sorry, he whispered, carefully withdrawing the dildo, scrutinizing the gold surface for traces of blood, calling himself every kind of brute for not being more sensible.
Reaching up, Rosalind brushed his lips with her fingers. Tears of happiness, darling, she whispered, knowing the truth would never do. Im not hurt. She was lovesick instead, craving a man she could never have, desperately enamored after a few brief days. Foolish beyond words.
Honestly?
Cross my heart.
Dammit, thats it, he firmly said, his heart still racing, not sure he could believe her. Were done. Well have tea instead.
No we wont because I want you too much. And if you say no, Ill cry. Really, Fitz, Ill make a scene.
She wasnt smiling. God, he dreaded crying women. On the other hand, he darent do anything that might harm her. Thats what came from becoming attached to a virtuous woman, he decided with an inward sigh. They turned out to be fragile as hell. I wish you wouldnt cry, he said, testing the waters. And I also wish youd wait.
We could wait until we undress, she offered as if she were actually complying when she was in fact being bloody difficult.
He groaned. Im trying to be virtuousJesus, dont tempt me. Im not good at resisting temptation.
Nor am I. Perfect, she brightly said.
No it isnt, he grumbled. We might end up dealing with some goddamn catastrophe. Abruptly coming to his feet, he walked to the window and stared at her blighted garden.
Ill lock you in. She swung her legs over the side of the bed. I wont let you go.
He spun around.
Come back to bed, darling, she coaxed, and hold me.
He looked at the irresistible woman who drew him back against his better judgment day after day, her half undress more provocative than nudity, her heavy auburn hair framing the stunning beauty of her face. Just hold you, he replied.
Yes, yes, thats all, she lied, playing Circe without compunction for the first time in her life. Why shouldnt she seize what happiness she could, when Fitz was no more than a meteor passing through her life?
He approached her slowly, though, not quite trusting her, trusting himself less, and finally stopped, indecisive and restless, beside the bed.
Youre much too nice, Your Grace, she teased, looking up into his grave gaze.
And youre much too enticing, Mrs. St. Vincent.