Tempted By a Rake (Wicked Widows’ League #21)

Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

She had feared what Demetrius might think after she told him the truth but when he appeared more flummoxed than anything, the disquiet eased. Besides, it was her husband’s failing and not hers.

“It was not just passion that I believe to be a myth, but pleasure as well,” she offered. She might as well tell him everything since she’d already shared what she had once considered her deepest humiliation—a husband who had to be drunk to touch her. “When my friends suggested that I take a lover, like my sister, I was not truly thinking of passion, like Octavia, but simply pleasure because I could not understand how such could occur, and I suppose that I still do not.” She offered a shrug. “Perhaps the fault lies in me.”

“I can promise you that it does not.”

“You cannot know that for everyone,” she argued. What if there was something wrong with her?

“Did you not enjoy my kiss?”

Her face heated. “Very much so.”

He set his brandy aside then stood.

Was he leaving?

Instead, Demetrius walked to the entry of the parlor and closed the doors and then returned to her.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“I am about to show you pleasure.”

“Now?” Wasn’t a bedroom required?

“Yes.”

“You do not need to.” Why was she panicked suddenly. Wasn’t this what she was curious about? Didn’t she want to know for certain?

“Simple pleasure, Lavinia. For you. Only you.”

She frowned. “I do not understand. Does a man not need pleasure as well?”

“In time.” His eyes darkened as he prowled toward the settee, much like a cat on the hunt. She should be frightened, alarmed, but instead, a thrill of anticipation swept through her body.

Demetrius sat beside her then took the glass of brandy from her hand and placed it on the table.

“I am going to kiss you now.”

She simply nodded and fought the panic to run. She did want this and by the end of the night she would know if what Octavia and Blythe claimed was true.

He placed his palm against her cheek and the corner of his mouth tipped.

“I can leave,” he offered. “I fear that I have frightened you.”

“Yes…no…”

“Maybe one question at a time.” He chuckled. “Would you like me to leave?”

She stared into his eyes. “No.”

With that he leaned forward and placed his lips against hers and in an instant, she was relaxed. When he pulled away, Lavinia sighed. Oh, she did like kissing Demetrius. Who would have thought that the pressing of lips and more could be so nice, comforting…pleasant.

He gave her but a moment and just as she was about to open her eyes because she thought that he was done kissing, Demetrius pressed his lips against hers again and this time he delved, kissing her with desire, the same that she had experienced the night they had attended the assembly. She tried to mimic him and engage as he had done and finally gave up thinking about what she was doing and just participated. But the melding of mouths was not enough and she placed her hands on his shoulders, wanting to pull him closer. His hands were on her back, smoothing up and down as her blood heated.

When he pulled away again, she assumed this was it and he would get to trying to pleasure her. Instead, his lips trailed along her jaw, then her neck as her dress, which at one time was confining, loosened just as his lips skimmed along the top of her bodice.

As her back touched the cushions of the settee, Lavinia opened her eyes and wondered how she had gotten there. She had not remembered lying down.

Demetrius had stopped kissing her, but was over her, looking down as he slid her sleeves down her arms. If he went any further her breasts would be exposed.

Lavinia raised her hands to cover herself. “What are you doing?”

“Pleasure, for you, Lavinia.” He pulled the bodice a little lower.

“I do not understand why I must have my breasts uncovered.”

“Your husband truly failed you, Lavinia.” Demetrius shook his head. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then let me.”

She stared into his brown eyes then let her hands fall away. She did want attention on her breasts but did not understand why. They had begun to ache and grow heavy and that was part of the reason she was relieved when her bodice was loosened.

Demetrius slid the dress nearly down to her waist, exposing her completely, then ran a thumb over one nipple. “You are perfection, Lavinia.” He then bent forward and took one tip in his mouth while his hand caressed the other.

Lavinia let her head fall back, overcome with how much pleasure one could experience from breasts being kissed and caressed. She did not think it was possible for her blood to heat further but it must be boiling now, and that flame was centered in her nether regions as if there was a direct line from the tips of her breasts to the space further below.

As he continued kissing, Demetrius slowly pulled her skirts up until his warm hand was on her thigh.

He kept caressing higher and higher until he stopped as he reached the most private part of her body. She needed him to touch her because for the first time in her life she ached with desire.

Then he touched the place that throbbed the most and pleasure spread through her body. She wanted to push against his hand, his fingers, but refrained because Demetrius knew what he was doing. Instead, he took her on a journey as wave upon wave washed and retreated. It was impossible to hold back the gasps of surprise or moans, and she hoped that he did not mind. And then, without warning, the waves crested and from that center the most wonderful sensation released and exquisite pleasure rushed through her body. As Demetrius slowed his touch and she was once again lying on the settee, Lavinia closed her eyes and wondered what had just happened.

She could hardly even catch her breath.

Demetrius sat up, no longer kissing her breasts and pulled her legs onto his lap.

Lavinia opened her eyes and looked up at him.

“That, Lavinia, was pleasure. In fact, it was just the beginning.”

What she just experienced was so beyond anything she could imagine, especially when compared to her earlier experience, so what more could there be?

A widow of nine and twenty and still innocent in many ways.

As much as he wanted her, Demetrius would not take her to his bed this night. After she described the fumbling of her husband, he wanted to give her pleasure and a release, his attention only on her, and not his own needs.

“Thank you. I did not know that such was possible.”

“I gathered that from our earlier conversation.”

“What of your pleasure?”

“Tonight was for you.”

She frowned and straightened her skirt than sat up, pulling her dress back up and settling beside him. “I understand.”

“What do you understand?”

“You wanted to show me pleasure and I thank you. It is not necessary that you desire me in return.”

“Lavinia, I have desired you since we first met! Have I not already told you so?”

“It is kind of you to say, but please, let us not have any lies between us.”

She assumed that since he didn’t toss her skirts and take her, he didn’t want her any more than her husband had.

If she needed proof…Demetrius took her hand and pressed it against his hard member. “If this is not desire, what is it?”

Her eyes widened.

“Tonight was about you,” Demetrius said as he stood. “I wanted to prove to you that pleasure was possible and I hope that you found the experience enlightening if not enjoyable.”

Pink stained her cheeks. “Oh, it certainly was in very many ways.” And with that, she took another drink.

He also took a drink of his brandy and studied her. Her behavior was very odd. “Is all well, Lavinia?” he finally asked.

“Yes. Of course.” She gave a dry laugh. “I guess I truly hadn’t appreciated what others claimed to be pleasure.” Her cheeks only grew darker. “They certainly downplayed the experience.”

“It grows late. I should probably take my leave.”

She blinked at him as worry filled her eyes. “Are you upset with me?”

All Demetrius could do was chuckle. “Never that.” He then kissed her forehead.

“Thank you again for….” She smiled as her cheeks grew rosy once again.

“Trust me, Lavinia, it will not be the last time.” At least he hoped that it would not be.