The Duke of Defiance (The Untouchables #5)(70)

She looked puzzled. “The netting? You won’t have it.”

He smiled. “No, my chamber. I want you to come tonight.” He was afraid she was going to refuse. She hadn’t wanted to help him with the refurbishment. Well, she had given him advice, but she’d declined coming to his room.

“All right.”

Anticipation curled through him. “I think I’m finished eating. And that I’ll retire early.” He gave her a meaningful look.

Her answering stare was full of heat as she finished her wine and rose from the table. “Good evening.”

He stood and bowed. “Good evening.”

He waited a few minutes before he practically ran upstairs. Hudson wasn’t even waiting for him yet. Bran summoned him, not necessarily because he required assistance, but so he could tell him that he didn’t wish to be disturbed.

Garbed in only a silk banyan, Bran poured two glasses of rum and set them on a table near the bed. Then he paced until he heard a soft rap. He dashed toward the sound and threw open the door. Without speaking, he curled his arm around her waist and pulled her inside. He closed the door swiftly and then pressed her back against it, his mouth covering hers.

She clasped his back, and several minutes passed before he drew away. Her lips were full and reddened from their kisses, her eyes dark with desire.

Taking her hand, he led her toward the bed. “I’ve a special treat tonight.” He let go of her and picked up the two glasses from the nightstand. “It’s rum from my plantation. I thought you might like to try it.”

She took the glass and held it up to study the rich brown color. “It’s so dark.”

“It’s aged in barrels that contribute to the color. This one was aged for a few years.” He took a sip. “Just take a very small taste to start. Actually, smell it first.”

She did just that, inhaling the brew. Her nostrils flared, and she blinked.

He smiled. “It’s a bit strong.”

“Yes. I’m not sure I’ll like it.” She held the glass to her lips and took a small sip.

He waited anxiously for her reaction. She didn’t visually flinch or otherwise reveal her opinion. “Well?”

“It’s sweeter than I imagined.” She gave him a wry half smile. “I daresay it’s more than a ‘bit’ strong.”

He laughed before taking another drink and setting his glass down. He took hers and put it next to his.

She looked around at the chamber. “It is dark in here. You should remove this wallpaper too.”

He arched a brow at her. “But where will I sleep while they’re doing that?”

She rolled her eyes. “You can’t sleep in my chamber. Would you even want to? You rarely linger…after.”

That was true. He’d done that in the beginning because it seemed as though he shouldn’t stay. And he definitely didn’t want to be seen leaving her room, or worse, caught in her bed. He realized he hadn’t ever stayed because he’d never slept with someone before, and he wasn’t sure he knew how, as stupid as that sounded. But he’d invited her here tonight. That meant he’d have to ask her to go or…leave it up to her.

He drew her into his arms next to the bed. “I’ve never slept with anyone before. Stay as long as you like.”

She kissed him, her lips molding against his. She opened his banyan and ran her hands down his chest, her nails raking over his flesh. With a groan, he deepened the kiss, tangling his fingers in the length of her hair. She lightly skimmed his stomach and found his rigid cock.

With one hand, she cupped his sac and with the other she stroked his length. He closed his eyes and buried himself in her touch. She was quite good at this, having brought him to orgasm several times. He realized, however, that she’d never taken him into her mouth.

Gripping her head, he drew her lips to his again. After kissing her thoroughly, he pulled back just enough to whisper, “Take me in your mouth.”

Her hand stopped, and he instantly recognized that something was wrong. His eyes came open. She was staring at him, her eyes stark with…fear.

Apprehension tore through him. “Jo, what’s the matter?”

“I…I can’t.”

He cupped the sides of her head and looked into her eyes. “You don’t have to. I…I’m an ass.” He’d been caught up in the moment. Maybe she didn’t know how or didn’t like it. Hell.

She touched his chest, laying her hand over his heart. “You aren’t. I’m just…a little broken, I think. I had to do that a lot. It was often the only way Matthias could reach completion. Not that he ever cared if I did.

“After I discovered that he preferred men, I concluded that it was perhaps the only way he could find pleasure with me.” She looked away from Bran. “I know it was the only way—he told me so often. Well, not the only way. Occasionally, he would make me get on my knees. He liked it that way too. He always told me I didn’t deserve to look at him.” She shuddered.

Every muscle in Bran’s body screamed with tension. “Your husband was a bastard. None of that was your fault.”

Her gaze found his once more, and in it he saw gratitude. “I know that now. Thanks to you. I own I never expected to find so much pleasure in the bedchamber. You’ve shown me things I never imagined.” She took a deep breath. “I trust you. I’d like to overcome this…problem or whatever it is.” She reached for the rum on the nightstand. Lifting the glass, she took a hearty drink. She twitched as she swallowed, then repeated the act, except for the twitching.