His eyes darkened when, on the upstroke, she flicked her thumb across the head. “Everything and anything.”
“Good. Because I could get used to seeing you like this.” She quickened the movement of her hand, watching his face intently. It seemed to Arabella that it was taking all his control to resist her. She liked that about him, but she would have her way tonight. He would find pleasure first. As he’d said, they had all night. She knew he could become aroused again and in a remarkably short length of time.
Keeping her eyes on him, she rose to her knees and knelt between his spread legs. She kissed him quickly and then ran her tongue over his flushed lower lip. He groaned and his eyes fluttered shut. He caught her breast in one hand and squeezed feverishly, but Arabella was not about to be distracted by how he made her feel. It did not take long for the combination of daring kisses and touches to have him gasping. Determined to win, she brought her free hand to his chest and touched his nipple.
Merrick jerked and grunted as hot seed flowed from him and landed on his chest. Some of it spread over her knuckles, and when she released him, she raised her hand to stare at it.
Merrick pushed her hand away and kissed her hard. “What will I do without you when I return to London?”
Arabella didn’t know and that bothered her. She liked Merrick touching her and she liked touching him in return. But would memories be enough for him? It might be a long time till she could come up to London again. Even when he tossed her onto her back and slithered down the bed between her parted legs, she decided it might be too long. In a month, Merrick might have moved on to someone else. Within the month, he was supposed to be married.
~ * ~
Dawn was touching the horizon with a gentle hand when Merrick woke from the doze that had finally claimed him. He glanced to his right and found Arabella awake and watching him. He turned to her and drew her against him, intending to make love to her one more time before he left.
She pushed him back, her face serious and unsmiling. “Good morning.”
“Good morning to you, too.”
Arabella jumped from the bed and collected her discarded nightgown and his banyan. Disappointed to be denied one more intimate touch before he left, he shoved the pillows behind him and sat up to watch what she did.
To his delight, she appeared comfortable scooting around the room with her tempting bottom wiggling and her breasts bouncing with each movement. He hardened even more because each one of Arabella’s curves suited him. “Aren’t you going to kiss me today?”
A frown creased her brow. “I know you have to go and like an early start.”
He quickly threw his legs over the side of the bed and stood. “Not this early.”
Arabella paused with her nightgown half on. “I thought Holland said seven.”
“How has Holland come to manage our schedules?” He shook his head. “He might have wished to depart that early, but I never agreed. Come back to me, my dear, so we might say good morning properly.”
Her lips curved into a smile as her nightgown fell from her fingers. She slowly prowled toward him, running her gaze over his skin and making him break out into a sweat. His affair with Arabella had changed her nature. When alone, there was nothing she liked better than to torment him with her beauty. If he couldn’t have her in his arms again, he might just go mad.
When she stopped before him, she set her hands on his arms and ran them up to his shoulders. He shuddered and embraced her. Never had a woman claimed his attention so thoroughly. If not for the need to protect her reputation and settle Danny in his new life, he’d never go.
He nuzzled her neck. “I love the way you touch me.” He cupped her bottom, and brought them hard against each other.
Her lips curved into a wicked smile he’d like to think was for his eyes alone. “Likewise.”
They were eye to eye. Her breasts rested against his. Their hearts beat close together. But not as one. After last night, he didn’t want her to misunderstand his interest in her. If not for her dislike of marriage, he’d already have proposed. Arabella was the one for him and he would protect her. “I will ask my grandfather for assistance should word of our affair have any harmful effect on your reputation.”
“Why would you need to do that?”
Merrick linked his fingers behind her back. “Farnsworth. He claimed he was set upon by thieves and you were abducted or ran off in terror. The story he painted is quite lurid and likely has caused much gossip because you’ve disappeared from London. However, should it become known that you were in fact alone with me, Farnsworth may have something very different to say about that night. I don’t imagine he will be very kind in his accusations.”
Arabella broke away, arms wrapping about her chest. “You saw what he did to me.”
“I did, though only I did.” Merrick followed her and wrapped his arms about her waist. “If he makes trouble for you, my grandfather might be of assistance.”
“How?”
“We need to make sure your story is the one believed.” He brushed his lips cross her shoulder, peeking at her breasts. “No one will question our story if the Duke of Rutherford is on your side. His aid usually comes with a price, though, and I will pay it if your reputation is saved in the process.”
She turned in his arms. “I’m coming with you.”
He let her go, stunned by her suggestion. He was trying to prevent further harm to her reputation, and she wanted to remain at his side, even when facing the duke. “Arabella, you are where you belong. Stay at Winslette until the dust settles.”
Her face fell. “I don’t know where I belong anymore, but I think I should be at your side when you plead for Rutherford’s support. These are my troubles.”
“Mine too, now.” He caressed her cheek with the backs of his fingers. “If not for me the truth about Farnsworth would already be known.”
“And I’d still be a virgin.” She raised one eyebrow, as if daring him to suggest their affair was a mistake.
He bit his lip briefly. Could her insistence in accompanying him mean what he hoped? “Are you sure? It will not be a social call. My grandfather will require every detail of that night spelled out it him in full, and the decisions made in the days after. You may find it an uncomfortable experience, as we all do when called to account for our actions.”
She nodded decisively. “Yes, I’m sure, Merrick. I will come with you and tell my side of the story. If I have lost society’s good opinion and Farnsworth is believed before us, then I’m sure being with you is a much more comforting place to be. You and I know the truth.”
“Have I ever mentioned how much I admire you?”
Her smile was sudden and somewhat smug. “Actually you have. Last night before you made love to me.”
“I’d like to do so again.”
She fluttered her lashes. “Make love to me or whisper sweet nothings in my ear?”
“I would gladly do both at the same time if I could keep my wits about me.”
She laughed then and his excitement grew at the sweet sound. “They say that passion can confuse a body and the mind.”
“Arabella, my dear, you were born for that.”
A blush grew as she stared at him. Such large, trusting eyes. He smoothed a hand down her back, her lush curves beckoning his hands to explore, and put off his plans for yet another day. “The trip to Newberry Park should not be put off too long.”
“A shame, but there is always tonight,” she said firmly, her hands closing over his bottom and squeezing.
He laughed at her bold touch, then kissed the tip of her nose. “I’d better dress then and leave you alone to make whatever preparations you require.”