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

Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

Her heart pounded with anxiety or perhaps excitement as Demetrius led her up the stairs and into a large bedchamber, much like the one she used next door. He pulled the cloak from her body then kissed her a second time. Almost immediately her nervousness vanished.

“I will get a fire started so that you do not freeze.”

She had ceased being cold when he kissed her, but if clothing might be removed, it would probably be better to have some form of heat in the room.

As he set the kindling then stacked wood into the fireplace, she wandered to the window and looked out. Cal was stretched out on the terrace and Max was chasing the water as it receded then ran back as the gentle waves came in and she couldn’t help but smile.

She continued to enjoy his antics until arms slipped around her waist and Demetrius pressed his lips against her neck.

“Are you certain?”

“More than any other decision in my life.”

He then turned her to face him, and kissed her again, this time practically devouring her and she tried to mimic him, but could not, even though she believed that she was getting better at kissing. When he molded his body against hers, all Lavinia could do was hold on.

Goodness, she was even becoming a little dizzy and had to grasp onto his shoulders to keep upright in case her knees gave out. It was only then that she noticed that he had removed his suitcoat, waistcoat and cravat and wore only his shirt and trousers. He took a step back, she followed, her foot connecting with his, only to realize he had removed his boots as well.

Demetrius was ready to seduce her and she was more than willing to let him.

When they reached the side of the bed, he turned her so that her back was to him. He then took her hair and placed it over her shoulder and as he unfastened her gown, kissed the side of her neck. A chill rushed through her, a tingling, that had nothing to do with cold.

He’d not kissed her there previously and Lavinia hadn’t realized what a sensitive area it was.

His lips trailed to the back of her neck as he slid the sleeves of her dress down her arms.

She fought the urge to cover herself as standing naked in his chamber was rather disconcerting, but Demetrius had seen her breasts before, he had touched and kissed them so there was no reason for her to be embarrassed.

He lifted one arm and then the other, freeing them from the sleeves, then pushed the dress further down until it pooled at her feet, leaving Lavinia quite naked facing his bed with Demetrius behind her. He then pressed against her backside as his hand slipped around her sides to come up to cradle her breasts. Her nipples tightened and she nearly groaned as the pleasure from his touch spread to her nether regions.

As one hand teased a nipple, the other slid down her stomach, her muscles contracting beneath his touch, until his fingers reached her curls and then the same place that had brought her pleasure before.

Lavinia gasped, not certain if she wanted to press against that hand, or push her breast into the other, but one thing was certain, she grew unsteady and reached behind to hold onto him, a hand on each thigh.

His fingers dipped then returned to her center as he weaved the magic that had sent her spiraling before.

Lavinia’s legs began to shake as she reached for her release, but it was as if he were denying her that pleasure. Teasing her.

Was that his intention?

“Do not be in such a hurry,” he whispered, as if reading her thoughts.

He then took his hands away and she nearly cried out in frustration, but Demetrius turned her so that they were facing and then backed her toward the bed.

Would he take her now? His rigid member had been pressed against her bottom, which had only heightened her desire, so she prepared herself for him to remove his trousers and take his pleasure.

Instead, he sat her on the edge of the bed then pulled his shirt over his head. She nearly grabbed it to cover herself, but he tossed it away. He then undid the placket on his trousers and though she willed herself to look away, Lavinia did not because she wanted to see what she had felt having never witnessed an aroused member before.

Demetrius pushed his trousers over his hips until it sprang free, rigid before him and larger than she imagined it would be.

Demetrius placed a finger beneath her chin and forced it up until she was looking into his eyes.

“If you have changed your mind…”

For a moment she wanted to bolt, but her body ached with desire and she needed the release he had brought her before.

“I have not.”

He smiled, then dropped to his knees, pushing hers apart and then kissed her deeply.

“Lie back,” he whispered. She did as he said and then he leaned forward and kissed her stomach, before he kissed her lower as he nudged her legs further apart and before she could comprehend what was he was about, Demetrius lifted her bottom right before he kissed her there.

Alarm rushed through Lavinia and she attempted to sit.

Demetrius merely chuckled right before his tongue touched the most sensitive spot on her body and caused the most delicious sensations and all Lavinia could do was arch and moan.

As before, waves and waves of pleasure washed over her until Lavinia could not help but cry out as the release burst from her center and washed over her body.

Slowly, he let her hips rest on the bed once again and then he was over her, scooting her back just a little and then it was his member pushing at her entrance, slow at first, but she needed more. Lavinia ached deeply within and needed him there, finally understanding what it was all about.

He reached between their bodies and once again touched her center; pleasure built quickly and before she could react he brought her to climax a second time, just as he filled her.

Lavinia gasped and he stilled as he braced himself above her.

She opened her eyes and looked into his. Only then did he move again and she moaned at the entirely different type of pleasure.

He withdrew and then filled her again, slowly at first, then quicker and she tried to match his movements, meet each of his thrusts as she once again felt the pressure build when she did not think it was possible to find a release again, but she did. He stiffened above her, his own moans echoing in her ears right before he let his head drop, his breathing harsh and then finally relaxed on the bed right by her side.

Demetrius wasn’t certain that he would ever recover.

Lavinia was not only the most beautiful woman he had ever desired, but the most passionate and responsive.

He had already been in love with her before, but now it was even deeper and he dreaded when their holiday would come to an end. He would hate to let her go and was already feeling the loss.

She shivered; no doubt her skin had now cooled following the intensity of their intimacy.

He sat up and pulled the counterpane back. “You should get under the covers before you freeze to death.”

“I am not certain I can move.”

He chuckled and lay back on his side, arm over her waist, then leaned in and kissed her. “I truly hope you are not sorry.”

“No. Never.” Her smile was relaxed and then she kissed him. “Thank you.”

“No. Thank you.”

Tonight was an experience that he would never forget.

She shivered again.

“We need to get warm. I would hate to freeze to death only to have our bodies found like this.”

Her face blossomed into red and she struggled to crawl into the bed with him before he pulled the covers nearly up to their chins.

“Could you imagine the scandal?” She laughed as she turned on her side facing him.

“Unfortunately, I can.” The fire was dying and Demetrius reluctantly got out of bed to add more wood, then pulled on his trousers.

“Should I leave?” she asked with concern.

“No. I am only going to call Max and Cal back inside and I fully intend to return to the bed.”

All she did was smile and snuggle back against the pillow.

If only that was where she’d spend her nights for the rest of her life, but they were destined to only be lovers. Even if he wanted more, which he did, her brother, the duke, would never allow such a match.

Demetrius hurried down the stairs to the open door. Cal was already curled up on the couch but Max had not come inside yet. He stepped onto the terrace and nearly hopped back inside because of the cold stones but held his ground as he called for the dog. After a moment, Max came running, his coat wet from playing in the sea.

“There will be no brushing tonight, Max. I have a lady to return to.” He then locked the door and bolted back up the stairs only to find Lavinia sound asleep.

After removing his trousers, he climbed back into bed and pulled her close.

If this were a perfect world, he would be able to keep her exactly like this, but it was not. Instead, he intended to love her at every opportunity until it was time for them to leave, starting with tomorrow, after he gathered the items for the surprise he had planned.