The Austen Playbook (London Celebrities #4)(69)

“No. I think the old rip just took any opportunity to exercise his tastes in home decorating. But you’re right. He safeguarded that secret like Cerberus protecting the gates of the underworld. Henrietta’s office was off-limits when I was small.”

“He may have kept the secret, but he didn’t destroy those drafts and he ended his affair with Henrietta. And never spoke to her or of her in public again. When all is said and done, Violet was his sister. And as you said—” she lifted her head “—making sacrifices for family seems to be a quality that runs strong in the Ford-Griffins.”

His eyes searching hers, Griff lowered his head and rested his mouth on hers. It was more of a caress than a kiss. Freddy couldn’t resist touching the tip of her tongue to his, and his palm slipped over her body to cup the curve of her shoulder. She assumed it was stage one of a campaign advancing towards her breasts.

“I can’t have penetrative sex,” she said against his mouth, and he nuzzled her cheek with his lovely, exuberant nose.

“Ever again, or just tonight?”

“Probably tonight and tomorrow. My pelvic muscles are really tight mid-cycle, and penetration is usually uncomfortable.” She put her hands on the back of his head, feeling the softness of his hair and the warmth of his body. “Sorry.”

Griff leaned back on his elbow, stroking her shoulder, tracing light circles on her chest. “You don’t have to apologise for not wanting sex, for any reason. And Jesus, if it’s going to be painful for you, tell me to fuck off.”

“Not that I’d tell you to fuck off anyway.” Freddy leaned forward and entwined her arms back around his neck. “But I said penetrative sex, and I emphasised. Acting lessons with Freddy, part two: following a cue.”

His smile met hers before he kissed her deeply, and she made a little noise of pleasure when his fingers ran up her thigh beneath her dress. She’d already kicked off her leggings to get more comfortable. Griff brushed his knuckles very lightly across the silk between her legs. While he kissed her, he kept his hand there, making gentle movements over the fabric.

An element of mutual comfort underlay the building lust, both the giving and seeking of solace after the turmoil of the past few days.

He trailed his lips over her chin, down her jaw, and found the sensitive spot beneath her ear. He really was a fast learner.

Freddy’s breath started to fracture as he slipped his hand up to her stomach and then stroked down beneath the lace band of her knickers. Her own fingers faltered on her mission to undo his buttons.

Griff kissed her neck, applying gentle suction, and then blew lightly on her; and holy crap she had a quick trigger where he was concerned. She could usually only get herself to this point so rapidly, and most of the time she needed a toy to help.

Closing her eyes, with another low sound she couldn’t suppress, she put her hand over his to adjust the pressure. Her legs were starting to shake, and she inhaled sharply through her nose when the change in touch made her hips jerk upwards, pushing towards him.

The more control she took over her own enjoyment, the sexier he seemed to find it. His cheeks were streaked with a flush of red. For an instant, though, he stilled. “Am I hurting you?” His voice was a rough rasp, and in answer, Freddy tugged on his fingers, bringing them back to where it felt really...really...

With a cry, she turned abruptly into him, dislodging his hand when the tension broke in pulsing waves. Breathing as heavily as she was, Griff drew her in against his chest, his hand wrapping around her head protectively. She lay half on top of him, panting a little, her fingers clenched on the muscles of his stomach.

It had started to rain again outside, and the sound of the water hitting the roof and the balcony tiles created the most intense feeling of intimacy. She was acutely aware of even the tiniest move he made, his hands mapping the shape of her head, the length of her arm, playing with her fingers. His legs moving just a little restlessly against the covers. In these moments, just for them, there was nothing else in the world but this room. This was the world. Her world.

Freddy stroked his skin, feeling the prickle of hair, damp with sweat. Rubbing her cheek against his flat nipple, she turned her head and caught it in her mouth, and his fingers clenched in her hair. She smiled against the taut bud, and the quiet noise she made sounded an awful lot like a purr. His chest was much more sensitive than hers. Useful to know.

She sucked a little harder, and Griff made a sound of his own, throaty and growly. It was getting very feline in here, and Freddy loved it. With a renewed burst of energy, she sat up and swung her leg over his hips to straddle him. Reaching down to cup his head between her hands, she kissed him, hot, wild, wet, while her hips rotated and rubbed against the erection that strained his trousers.

“Fuck.” Griff took hold of her waist and pulled her harder into him, guiding her movements into the rhythm he needed. The slashes of red in his cheeks had spread down his neck, and his breaths were coming out jagged and deep.

Bracing his heels, he pushed his pelvis up into her, and the intense friction started to build again. No way. She’d never, not this close together...

Her hands fisted on the mattress on either side of his head, Freddy pressed her forehead into his, their eyes locked together as she rocked harder, faster, almost desperately. Their mouths came back together in a clash of tongues and teeth and gasping air, and her thighs clamped down on his sides compulsively as the tension broke again.