Secrets to a Gentleman's Heart (Gentlemen of Intrigue Book 1) Page 25

  She rolled her eyes, clearly thinking he was teasing.

  He tossed the clothes on the bed and came to stand before her. “I will help you undress, then I want you to put these on. We will spar, and if you best me, I will apologize for delivering the map without you.”

  Her jaw dropped. Gently, he placed his hand on her chin, closed her mouth, then turned her back to him to untie the sash around her waist.

  The sash came loose, but she held it in place with her hands covering her stomach. “You cannot be serious.”

  “Hmm, but I can.” Grasping the end of the bow holding her dress together in the back, he tugged. “Don’t you want me to admit I was wrong?”

  “Well, yes.” She tried to spin around, but he caught her shoulders to keep her facing forward and leaned his head close to hers. He closed his eyes and inhaled. Her exotic scent left him feeling slightly intoxicated.

  “Then make me apologize, madame.” He brushed a kiss across the rim of her ear. “Unless you believe you are incapable of besting me,” he whispered.

  She trembled, her body suddenly searing hot. “I will make you apologize.” Jerking away, she pulled the gown over her head then faced him with defiance flaming in her gorgeous amber green eyes. Her chest rose and fell with each rapid breath, and his gaze was drawn to her décolletage. Her ivory skin was flawless, and her corset made her modest breasts look plump and irresistible.

  “Should I help you loosen your corset?”

  “I don’t need your help.” She ripped at the corset strings. When she had them untied, she wrestled open the fastenings down the front. “Just like you don’t think you need mine.”

  With her corset lying defeated on the Aubusson, she removed her petticoats and chemise. All reserve and shyness had fled, and she stood before him bare except for her stockings and slippers. His magnificent bride brimmed with audacious courage, and damned if she didn’t look like she really wanted to bloody his nose.

  He chuckled. “I’m beginning to feel overdressed.”

  “That is not my problem.” She snagged the shirt from the bed to pull it over her head. The hem hung to her knees. She hitched her chin, challenging him. She was as provocative as hell, and it required every ounce of his willpower not to scoop her in his arms and toss her on the bed.

  He rubbed his clean-shaven jaw, studying her while she held his gaze without blinking. “Put on the pants,” he said.

  “Take off your jacket.”

  “You didn’t say please.” Not that he cared. He was already shrugging out of his jacket then reaching to untie his cravat. When he’d shed both pieces, he held his arms at his sides, inviting her inspection.

  She pointed, flicking her finger up and down from his neck to his waist. “And your waistcoat.”

  Her eyes widened when he didn’t stop with his waistcoat and tore his shirt over his head.

  He smirked. “If you can forego pants, I can do without a shirt.”

  “What you wear or don’t wear has no bearing on the outcome of our match.” Fiddling with a strand of hair that had come loose when she’d disrobed, she averted her gaze. “You do not intimidate me.”

  “Bien.” Lying was not her forte, but her lack of skill in this area made her even more desirable. “Follow me and let us clear the air.”

  He didn’t wait to see if she would argue. He returned to the sitting room and began pushing furniture to the perimeter. Once he had an area clear, he squared off with her.

  She crossed her arms, cocking a hip. “You don’t actually expect me to fight you. It is our wedding day.”

  “You are angry. Why shouldn’t we clear the air?”

  “I never said I was angry.”

  “Perhaps not with words, but your body betrayed you.” He assumed a boxing stance, teasing her. “Come on, Regina. You know you want to draw my cork, so do it.”

  She shook her head.

  He playfully took a swipe at her. She deflected the blow and scowled. “Stop.”

  “If you can manage two good hits, I’ll stop.” He danced around her, hopping on the balls of his feet.

  “Two strikes and you will admit you were wrong and offer your apology?”

  “No, that will take three.” Grinning, he grabbed for her. She grasped his wrist, pushed him off balance, and drove the heel of her palm toward his nose. She stopped short of punching him.

  He hissed. “So close. Better luck next time.”

  The spark in her eyes flamed. “That counts as a strike. Two more and you lose.”

  “I said three good hits. You never touched me. Sorry, sweetheart.”

  “You are as mad as a March hare! I’m not going to hit you.”

  He continued to hop from foot to foot, circling her. “Very well. Three good hits from me, and you must admit you are angry.”

  “I am not.”

  He shot his left hand out and lightly smacked her bottom. She gasped, frozen by what he could only surmise was shock.

  He winked. “That is one for me.”

  When he tried to whack her other bottom cheek, she leapt to the side with a cry of outrage. “Xavier Vistoire, you better stop right now.”

  “Make me.” He repeatedly attempted to grab her bum, but she kept spinning as soon as he made contact, so he tickled her sides instead.

  She squealed, wiggling to escape his eager fingers and laughing so hard she couldn’t form full sentences.

  “You better—”

  “I am going to—”

  Whatever had caused her aloofness earlier was forgotten in that moment. Her full belly laughter was infectious. She thrust her arms up between their bodies then chopped downward, breaking his hold, and dashed for the sofa. He gave chase. She leapt onto the cushions, almost tipping over until she flung her arms to her sides and regained her balance. The low table pushed against the sofa created a barrier.

  “What are you going to do now?” she taunted.

  “I will not be thwarted by a table.” He grabbed for her, and she slapped at his hands, still laughing.

  With a growl, he jumped on the sofa, too. She screamed and ran over the table to escape. Her feet hit the floor. Xavier chased her around the room, his fingertips grazing the muslin shirt, but she was too fast. When she raced into the bedchamber, however, he had her trapped. Still, Regina wasn’t ready to surrender. She barreled toward the door. Xavier snagged her around the waist, lifting her feet off the floor.

  They stumbled into the wall. Her body became wedged between his and the yellow wall covering. She stopped struggling. Her cheeks had taken on a rosy glow, and her hair was mussed. They were panting. Her luscious breasts were flattened against his chest. He was hard and hungry for her, but her smile held him entranced.

  “You are beautiful, love.” He wrapped his hand around the nape of her neck, the fine silky strands of her hair caressing his skin.

  Her hands skated over his chest, slowly and sensually exploring every muscle. She licked her lips, preparing for his kiss. And he wanted to kiss her. He wanted to bed her now, but he owed her something first.

  He brushed the hair from her forehead, unable to look away from her. “You could have struck me. You were faster, but you did not take the opportunity.”

  “I didn’t want to hurt you. I never want to hurt you.”

  “I wasn’t trying to hurt you either, Regina. I’m sorry I disregarded your wishes about meeting with Farrin, but you are my better half. Monumentally better. You are kinder, more thoughtful, smarter...”

  She shook her head.

  “Yes, you are. The last two years of my life were miserable, but at the end of the nightmare, I found you. You are a reward I’m uncertain I deserve, but I am grateful for every moment with you.” In the chaos of his existence, she was his haven. His hope. His one true love. “You are definitely too good for men like Farrin. Perhaps I am stubborn, or I am possessive, but I don’t want him to have any piece of you.”

  “He cannot have any of me, because I belong to you, Xavier. My heart and
mind. My—” Her breath hitched. “My body.”

  A need as essential as breathing flooded his veins, and he couldn’t deny himself any longer. His mouth crushed against hers. She moaned, twining her arms around his neck and drawing him closer. Their tongues swept across one another in an erotic dance, and he tasted a trace of mint from the tea she’d had at breakfast. He leaned into her, pressing her against the wall, but it still wasn’t close enough.

  Fisting the hem of her shirt, he dragged it up her body and over her breasts. He sucked in a sharp breath when her bare skin touched his, branding him with her heat.

  He pulled back just enough to admire his lovely wife. Daily exercise kept her slender and strong with a tapered waist and flat stomach, and her breasts were on the smaller size, like plump peaches. She was unlike any woman he had ever seen, and she was perfection in his eyes.

  He grazed his fingers along the swell of her breast then the underside before cupping his hand around her. His darker complexion contrasted with her ivory skin—different on the outside yet perfectly matched. Deep inside, he had known she was meant for him the moment he woke to discover her tending him.

  “I love you,” he murmured, placing a tender kiss on her lips.

  She caressed his cheek then kissed him in return. “I love you, too.”

  Her nipples were like pale pink rose buds, perky and begging to be licked.

  “Dieu, je te veux.”

  He grabbed her arse and lifted her higher, bracing her against the wall. She wrapped her legs around him. Bending his head to taste her, he circled her sweet little bud with his tongue before taking her in his mouth. She arched her back and buried her hands in his hair, her nails glancing his scalp and sending his blood pounding harder through his veins. He lavished attention on her breasts, alternating between them until she was writhing and making the most arousing noises.

  Unable to wait any longer, he carried her to the bed and set her on the edge. Slowly, he peeled the shirt over her head then removed her slippers, leaving her stockings undisturbed.

  A soft gasp reached his ears. Regina’s lips were parted. Her attention was locked on the bulge in his trousers. For a fleeting moment, he expected her to turn away and halt their love making, but she didn’t.

  He stood still, not wanting to frighten her. With eyes lit with curiosity, she allowed her gaze to travel over his body as he’d done to her. He grinned, pleased with her boldness.

  “I should have guessed you would be no shy maiden in the bedchamber.”

  “Oh!” Her eyes snapped up to meet his. They clouded over.

  He bent forward until they were forehead to forehead. “I love your curiosity and courage, Regina. I wouldn’t want you to be any other way.”

  She released her breath and smiled. “Then it is acceptable that I want to see all of you?”

  “Absolutely.” He reached to unfasten the front fall of his trousers.

  Despite his reassurance that her ogling was permissible, heat swept into Regina’s face. Wedmore House was filled with ancient artifacts depicting the male form, but the sight of her husband in living, breathing bronzed flesh was a true masterpiece. Suddenly, she was hot all over, tingling in her breasts and between her thighs. She ached for his touch, but she was not quite courageous enough to ask for it.

  He dropped beside her on the bed to tug off his boots and stood to slide his trousers over his hips and firm thighs. His green eyes smoldered then flamed as she continued to marvel at him. He stroked himself as if he was unable to resist the feel of skin against skin, yet holding back from touching her until she was ready.

  She gave a small nod. He exhaled, smiling.

  “Move higher on the bed, goddess.”

  As she scooted toward the pillows, he prowled toward her on hands and knees. Her heart trembled in her chest before slamming against her ribs. She laid her head on the pillow, and he covered her body with his own. His biceps tensed as he held his weight off her. Power and strength coursed through him, but his kiss was gentle.

  She placed her hands on his chest to explore the chiseled muscles beneath his hot skin. A sparse dusting of soft dark hair spread across his chest. Leisurely, their mouths moved together, tasting one another. The sound of their sighs mingled, filling her ears, and as he trailed kisses down her neck and along her collarbone, her sighs became low moans.

  When his lips brushed her aching nipple, she arched, her body begging for more. He didn’t deny her, taking her in his mouth and suckling until she was restless and shifting on the bed. Settling beside her, he continued his loving attention to her breasts and placed his hand on her thigh. A strong pulse fluttered between her legs, and her breath caught.

  Xavier lifted his head and slid his hand up her thigh. “I want to see you when I touch you.”

  She held his gaze as his hand moved agonizingly close, yet not close enough. Her hips lifted from the bed seeking satisfaction, and he covered her mound with his palm, rubbing in a small circular motion that wrenched another pleasurable moan from her. His eyes darkened until she couldn’t see even a hint of green any longer.

  She felt slick and hot, just as she had been the day she’d surrendered to him on the settee. He caressed her skin, coaxing the fire inside her to flame brighter, hotter. It slowly began to consume her as he stroked her, the intensity building with each loving touch. His fingers explored her body, slipping into her before sweeping across her pleasurable spot until she was panting hard. Still, she couldn’t catch her breath.

  Her release was as powerful and shattering as an explosion. She cried out repeatedly as wave after wave of pleasure shook her. As the last quiver of her body faded, she dissolved into the bedding, sated but longing for more. She reached for her husband, her hand curling around his neck to pull him to her for another kiss. A brief peck and a whispered request, “Make me your wife, Xavier.”

  Xavier’s blood roared in his ears, and he position himself above Regina. He trembled with the effort of restraining his urges. He wanted to be deep inside her, thrusting hard and holding her tight, but that would come in time. Now she needed tenderness, and he needed her forever.

  He placed his lips to hers—nipping and teasing her mouth with his tongue until he sensed the shift in her. She grasped his shoulders and pulled him toward her. He allowed the tip of his cock to slide inside her, fighting to hold back until her body relaxed beneath his. Then he forged a little deeper. He took her slowly, allowing her time to adjust to him. She hissed when he broke through her body’s resistance, but she wrapped her arms around his back, holding him when he was fully seated inside her.

  She was tight and wet, and he was dying a slow death by not being allowed to move. “Regina, I am losing control. Forgive me.”

  Her eyes widened and she loosened her grip. He withdrew and eased back into her. She gasped, closing her eyes with a pleasurable smile playing about her lips. After several moments, she tentatively began to move with him.

  “Yes.” He grabbed her arse to guide and encourage her, but she required little of either. Her responsiveness captivated him. He lost whatever loose grip he’d maintained on his control. He drove into her, coming hard with three thrusts. As he recovered, he stayed inside her. He cradled her face, kissed her, then rolled to his back to gather her to him. She laid her head on his chest and walked her fingers over his skin. He smoothed his hand over her hair.

  Now that he could think clearer, he was worried about his lack of restraint. He cleared his throat. “Did I hurt you?”

  She shifted to rest her chin on his chest and smiled with a sparkle in her eyes. Her coiffure was beyond repair, and a rosy pink stained her cheeks. “Do I look injured?”

  He grinned. “You look well-shagged.”

  “Well-shagged indeed.” Her smile widened to show a flash of white teeth. “Is it improper to wonder when we can do it again?”

  “Probably,” he teased. “Thank God I didn’t marry a proper wife”

  Thirty-two

  Regina rolled
off Xavier and collapsed on the bed to catch her breath. The sky beyond the windows had grown dark a couple of hours earlier, but she didn’t want to succumb to sleep. Even though she was tired and a little sore, she wanted to hold on to the thrill of making love a little longer. She hadn’t expected to become so lost in her husband.

  “How is it you were able to charm me into staying in bed most of the day?” she asked.

  He twined his fingers with hers on the mattress between them. “I believe this last round was your doing.”

  She laughed, turning her head to see his profile in the dark. “I liked it better when I could see you.”

  “Duly noted. I will light the lamps before you ravish me next time.”

  Her stomach growled.

  He chuckled, released her hand, and pushed up to sit on the side of the bed. “I suppose I should feed you if I expect you to keep pace with me.”

  They had fed each other bites of sandwiches and fruit at teatime, but they’d soon forgotten about their hunger and abandoned the tray to race each other back to the bedchamber.

  Xavier stood. “Wait here. I will bring a lamp.” He walked into the great room and a few moments later, the flare of a flame brightened the room. When he returned, he held the lamp high, raining golden light over his nude body. She sat up in bed and smiled, remembering the wicked acts they had engaged in earlier.

  He playfully shook his finger as he placed the lamp on a chest of drawers. “Stop looking at me like that, Regina Vistoire, or I will never leave our bed.”

  She wouldn’t be opposed, but her stomach growled again, and she was forced to admit she had grown ravenous. “Very well. You may leave it briefly, but only because I’m famished.”

  She swung her legs over the edge of the mattress to search the floor for Xavier’s shirt. In their haste earlier, it had been wadded into a ball and tossed in the direction of the bedside table but missed its target. She bent to retrieve it from under the table and pulled it over her head.