The Only One (9 page)

She leaned into him. His hands automatically rose to her shoulders, clasping the flimsy material covering her upper arms. Her eyes yearned, pure and real. And trusting. His blood pooled low in his belly. His gaze latched onto her mouth . . .

Her lips puckered as his fingers grazed her cheek, traced the column of her neck.

She stood on her tiptoes with a smile luring him to his doom, while her hands slid around his neck. Twining her fingers in his hair, she tugged him closer. Without hesitation, she opened her mouth.

His tongue eased out and slid over his bottom lip. She felt soft and fragile in his arms. Giles tightened his hold. Surely he’d lost his mind. At this moment, he would gladly drown in insanity.

“Alex,” he moaned.

Moonlight streamed across broad shoulders. Naked broad shoulders. Alex caught her breath. For some time, she’d watched Giles’ silhouetted profile, wondering how to approach him. She’d unwrapped the gown from her trousseau in hopes he would not reject her again. By the look in his eyes, she’d done the right thing.

A dark dusting of curls scattered over his chest and down to a lean, narrow waist. Muscles covered his torso and arms. The sight of him standing almost nude, bathed in the moon’s glow, would be forever singed in her mind. This delectable man she’d scrutinized so carefully, far exceeded her illusions.

She’d dreamed of his kiss. She wanted him to kiss her again. And then because she simply could not help herself, she leaned into him. She studied his face—a long way up despite her own height. He edged closer and she could do nothing but stare at his lips. His smile was slow and filled with sensuous promise.

Sliding her arms around his neck, her fingers twined in the hair at his nape.

He secured one arm around her back. His lips came down with the silken touch of a butterfly’s wings. Bending her backward, he fastened his mouth over hers. At long last, she had her duke. He kissed her willingly. When his tongue teased her lips, she opened to him. He deepened the kiss boldly, thrusting his tongue inside. Sensations like nothing she’d ever known swamped her. She floated. She burned. Time and space disappeared. The only thing that existed was him. Her. And the delicious awareness swamping her body.

Their tongues meshed while her heart pumped furiously. Unable to take a breath, her head spun in a whirlwind of emotions. When he broke the kiss, she clutched him tighter for fear of falling. The hand at her waist drew her closer, the warmth of his breath fanning over her cheek.

“You occupy my thoughts. You taunt my every waking moment.” His lips brushed her temple. “At night I cannot sleep for you haunt my dreams.”

Her heart filled with joy.

“Your tempting mouth.” He eased away, enough to see her face. “Your daring eyes.” He nuzzled her cheek with his nose. “Your sweet-smelling flesh.”

His voice was rich and more seductive than the moonlight. If heaven existed on earth, it was right here in Giles’ embrace.

Arms of steel with gentle hands and mesmerizing fingers. She melted into his touch. His mouth sprinkled riveting kisses on her eyes, her cheeks, down the side of her neck. She gripped his shoulders and angled her head, relishing the delightful tingles. When he licked the flesh across her collarbone, her breasts grew heavy and her knees weakened. She swayed. His mouth captured one tight peak through her night-rail, hot and wet. Her body jolted at the raw stimulation. Quivers shot to her core. His arm, encircling her waist, held her up for her legs no longer had substance.

She moaned her pleasure. She’d never felt anything so blissfully sinful. Knowing Giles was the one who caressed her and created this agonizing need made her heart soar to tormenting heights. She loved him. She was in his arms. She’d never imagined love could be so wonderful. Or so delicious.

He took her lips once more, his tongue plundering within. His kiss swept her away with passionate abandon. All she wanted was him. Desperately she clung to him till she could no longer breathe. With a groan he tore his mouth from hers. His chest heaving, he pulled her against his pounding heart. Hers too, thumped a dashing rhythm. He cradled her, his hand pressing her head under his chin, while pliable fingers massaged her scalp.

Moments stretched into timelessness. Precious seconds of paradise she’d grasped only in her dreams.

“What have you done to me?” he whispered.

With a husky laugh, she stretched, cuddling closer, knowing he expected no answer. His hand stroked her back.

All too soon he stopped.

“You must go back inside.” He grasped her fingers and brushed his lips over her knuckles. Placing her hand on his arm, he gently urged her forward. When they reached her bedroom door, he gave her a light kiss on her temple. Without words, he held her gaze as she stepped inside. Reluctant to let her go, he squeezed her hand gently just before he allowed her fingers to slide through his, and softly closed the door.

She wrapped her arms about her waist and smiled.

The duke was hers.

Chapter 14

What the bloody hell was he thinking? At some point—soon—he needed to get his mind out of his trousers and back into the head upon his shoulders.

Did Alex look different today? Or had his perception changed after their clandestine meeting on the veranda? He’d agreed to this outing readily enough. Hell, his reaction to the chit alarmed him.

“Just drop the reins, they won’t leave us.”

“I’m not so sure about this one,” Giles muttered. Although Gent obeyed every command—so far—Giles didn’t want his horse to wander away. He had followed Alex to a clearing just beyond where he’d first seen her—when he thought she needed rescuing. Dismounting, he dropped the reins as Alex suggested, then stepped to her mount. Reaching up, he gently grasped her beneath her arms.

She gave him a teasing smile.

A groan escaped him. He’d succumbed to her coquettishness, the same as last night.

She bent, placing her hands on his shoulders. He lifted her with ease. As she slid to the ground, her breasts brushed him, causing an expedient reaction. One only had to glance down to distinguish what lodged in his mind.

Instead of moving back, she looked him in the eye and grinned, naughty and full of guile. Evidently their interlude on the balcony only encouraged her.

What did you expect?

Torture, pure torture. This prolonging the inevitable was playing havoc with his wits. Her beauty beckoned him, that pert nose, her bow-shaped lips. Golden lashes, nearly invisible, swept her tanned cheeks. A dainty piece of femininity with a woman’s curiosity.

Giles remembered her response last evening. When he pressed a kiss to the side of her throat, she’d arched her neck and welcomed him. His mind still rang with the sound of her purrs. His gaze dropped to the creamy expanse of her delicate throat. Soft skin drew him like a bee would seek the nectar of a delicate flower. He hovered, licking his lips in anticipation.

He damned near leaned in to have a taste of her, before he caught himself.

Giles shoved a frustrated hand through his hair. When had his cool nature deserted him? Why in bloody hell did his discipline over his own body disappear in the urchin’s presence?

Because she used the wiles of a woman.

God’s teeth. He was not a youth in short pants. Was he low enough to blame a child for his lunacy?

“Where are you?” Her voice drew him from the insanity of his thoughts.

He scowled.

She propped her hands on her rounded hips. “Don’t tell me I have to revisit ground I’ve already covered.”

“I beg your pardon?” His brow arched.

“I suppose I mistakenly had the wrong impression that after last night, I would not have to chase you again.”

His lips thinned as his gaze locked on hers and he stilled, as stolid as the massive oaks around them. “You’re not going to let this rest, are you?”

“Not likely.” She smiled with the confidence of a woman who’d hooked her man.

Good God.

“You know you’re spoiled, don’t you? Just because your father has handed you everything you’ve ever wanted from the day you were born, don’t think you can lead every man you meet by the crook of your little finger.” He held up his smallest digit in mock demonstration.

“I’m only interested in one.” She stepped closer, and laid a hand on his chest. The contact struck deep and sudden, firing his blood. He backed her one step at a time until he pinned her against a tall oak. One arm braced on the bark, he crowded her, sandwiching her between him and the tree. Though he knew his face wore a scowl, what started as irritation, quickly grew to magnetism. And awareness.

Her breathing grew ragged and her eyes glazed over. When her fingers tugged at the front of his shirt, he couldn’t resist.

Her tenderly-curved bosom, soft and warm, molded to his chest. Her hand crept up and curved to the back of his neck. Her eyes held a mystical power that drew him in. He pressed his lips to hers in a gentle coaxing, then sucked at her bottom lip. She tightened her hold, opening her mouth.

Sweet bliss engulfed him. His tongue, firm and daring, slipped in to tease. She attacked with gusto, the kiss now a maelstrom of parry and thrust. When breathing became a problem, he drew back for air, eliciting a whimper of loss from her throat.

“Hold on to me, imp. I won’t hurt you,” he whispered. “I only want to give you pleasure.”

Once again, Giles found himself lost in the sweetness of her kiss. Blood surged like fire through his loins. Eager to be inside her, he pulled her tighter and ground his hips into hers.

Instead of being frightened, his wonderful, brave darling gripped his hair and pulled. Following his lead, her tongue tangled with his in a mating dance. A blazing inferno burned in his gut when she sucked, mimicking his movements. His head damned near blew off.

As if she couldn’t get enough, her body writhed and squirmed, which in turn fed his raging hunger. The need to touch her consumed him, guiding his fingers. He tugged at her bodice until it opened, then pulled the ribbon free that held her chemise. His eyes lingered on her woman’s breasts as they came into full view.

His heart pounded madly. Alex was a treasure beyond words.

Creamy flesh beckoned. He took one pouting bud between his lips, his wet tongue laving her nipple. A mewing sound escaped her and instinctively she surged toward him, telling him with her body that she enjoyed what he did. He took advantage of her delicious offering and suckled, giving her what she craved. The more he tasted, the more he wanted. Need drove him. The more he caressed, the tighter she clutched him. Like throwing fuel to a burning flame, her response fed his appetite, triggering his desire to please her.

He inserted his thigh between her legs and rubbed against her feminine mound. Even wedged between him and the oak, she still managed to arch her back and ride his thigh. He wanted to heighten her senses, intensify her pleasure. Devouring her mouth in another heated kiss, he tightened his fingers on her hips, pulling her higher, showing her a rhythm while riding his thigh. Higher, nearer, to his rod of steel. He angled and pressed, and absorbed her passionate cries.

God Almighty, it felt good. So good.

In the back of his mind, something told him to slow down. He didn’t want to hurt her. But she was ferocious in her raging ardor. Alex moved as if a violent storm had been roused in her body. Their love-play dented what little control Giles had over his fevered mind. Her vigorous reaction to his caresses nearly undid him. With everything in him, he fought the urge to throw her to the ground and thrust his throbbing member in the wet warmth he knew awaited him.

This moment was for Alex.

Thank God she’d taken to dresses of late. Alex whimpered when he halted the thrusting motion. Pulling up her skirts, he quickly settled his hand where his thigh had been, applying pressure against her mound. A soft groan erupted from her throat and she pushed against him.

His fingers probed and searched. Moving the material aside, he found the slit in her drawers. He traced the crease of her inner thigh, finding her slick, swollen cove. God, she was wet and ready. He sucked air through his teeth, restraining his own urge to let the wild stallion in his trousers free. She wriggled and arched. He was sure this was virgin territory, but her female instincts had her writhing with enthusiasm.

His finger moved over the sensitive peak of flesh and slipped inside. A small cry echoed in his ears. Fire shot to his center. Blood pounded in his temple.

Bringing his thumb forward, he caressed her bud while his finger dipped, withdrew, and thrust inside her again. Her hips rocked. Her gasps fired his craving. Logic gone, he hungered for completion. As his fingers worked their magic, she became a wild woman in his arms. He kissed her deeply, the stroke of his tongue in her mouth a mirror of the way his finger delved her slick folds.

Her hands dug into his back, groaning. The sound was music to his ears as he ravaged her thoroughly, intensifying her need.

She rode his hand, her body trapped between him and the tree.

Lost in the sensation of his own making, Giles’ fingers plunged deeper, his breathing harsh, relishing her heightened desire. When he knew she was close, he broke the kiss so he could see her face.

Alex stiffened and ground her head back in the rough bark. He watched her explode as tremors shook her core. An awestruck expression swept across her face—from burning fever to conflicting bewilderment. Her body quivered, and she clutched him in a death grip.

He gentled his movement until she calmed. Her hands relaxed on his shoulders as her head fell forward against his chest, utterly spent.

Utterly beautiful.

His heart thundered in his chest. Warmth spread through his center knowing he had pleasured her beyond her control.

Minutes trickled by as their breathing slowed and their hearts returned to a normal rhythm. The sudden tilt of her head cautioned him. Shock covered her face as she quickly glanced down between them.

“Giles?”

“Hmm?” He kissed the fleshy curve of her breast.

“What . . . what just happened?”

“Ecstasy,” he breathed roughly. “I gave you pleasure.”

Her palms met her scarlet cheeks and her eyes widened with realization. “You simply lifted my . . .” Dropping her hands, Alex pushed at her skirts to restore them to some semblance of order.

Giles cupped her chin, raising her eyes to meet his. “Oh no, my dear. Don’t turn all shy on me. You wanted this.” His voice gentled. “You wanted to know passion between a man and a woman. Now you do.”

Her teeth caught her bottom lip. “But you never removed or unbuttoned any of your clothes. And, you did not . . .”

He could not miss the whirl of activity going on in her calculating mind. His vixen was not as shy as she was curious. His lips formed a satisfying smile. “This was for you, sweetheart. I received my pleasure in watching you.”

She sucked in air and released a heavy sigh. Then her eyes grew wide. “I had no idea. Uh . . .” She glanced down again, staring at his groin. Her hand strayed toward his thigh. Hard as stone, yet her glance—and the vicinity of her reaching hand—had him ready to erupt. He caught her wrist just in time.

Bringing her fingers to his mouth, he brushed his lips across her knuckles and against them cautioned, “No, sweetheart. You tread into dangerous territory.”

“I think we’ve already soared into danger.” A mischievous glint filled her dark, molasses eyes.

“As I said. This was for you.”

“Please, Giles,” she purred like a contented kitten. “I want to touch you. I want to give you pleasure, too.”

She wriggled her hips against the bulge of his maleness. A harsh gasp escaped him. God, what a bloody coil. He wanted. She was willing. His control felt ready to snap.

“Giles,” she whispered. “Show me.”