A Dash of Scandal(46)
Millicent nodded as he bent his head toward hers again. She knew what she was allowing him to do was beyond the pale, but where he was concerned she discarded caution and reason. There was something decidedly rebellious, thrilling, and a little bit wicked about kissing him in the shop. She had no inclination to stop as she had no inhibitions when she was in his arms.
Her lips parted as his met hers once more. Millicent knew from the first touch that this would be no gentle, tender kiss, and her breathing quickened erratically with desire.
Lord Dunraven’s lips bruised hungrily over hers and she matched his furor. His arms wrapped tightly around her back, crushed her to him.
Instinctively she opened her mouth again and accepted his tongue and gave him hers. It pleased her when she heard him swallow soft gasps of pleasure with each probe of her tongue into his mouth.
“You taste so sweet,” he whispered against her lips.
“And you are a masterful kisser, sir,” she answered breathlessly.
His lips left hers and he kissed her cheek, her chin and her neck. “Do you like the way I make you feel?”
“Yes. I’ve never felt such intense pleasure with other kisses.”
“So you have been kissed before?”
“Of course. I’m almost one and twenty.”
“But you haven’t been thoroughly kissed, the way I kissed you just now?”
“That’s correct. All the kisses I’ve had up to now have been properly given on the cheek by gentlemen.”
“Proper gentlemen? And I am not?”
“You, sir, are not a good matrimonial candidate, and I should not have allowed you so much freedom.”
“But you did.”
“Your charm is very persuasive.”
“You have led me on a merry chase.”
“Not by design.”
“I think I like the fact that you have been brave enough to allow a kiss or two and discreet enough not to let any man take advantage of you.”
There was sudden laughter from the front of the shop and Millicent stiffened in his arms.
“It’s all right,” he whispered, looking past her through the small opening between the stacks of cloth. “Your maid is quite busy at the moment.”
Breathing hard, and needing to see for herself, Millicent leaned her head back and saw the two women opening jars and smelling the contents.
Millicent took a deep, relaxing breath.
“Keep your head back a moment,” he whispered. “That’s the perfect position for kissing your beautiful neck.”
“Necks are not beautiful, sir. They are skinny and bony.”
“Yours is lovely and it’s sensitive, too. That’s why I love to kiss it.” He showered her with more kisses.
“Yes,” she whispered giving herself over to the pleasure.
Throwing caution to the wind, and her reputation out the window, Millicent did as he asked and allowed the earl the freedom he desired to explore her neck.
Softly he kissed the area behind her ear, and her skin pebbled with delicious goose bumps even though she had never felt hotter in her life. He kissed the lobe of her ear and gently, quickly sucked it into his mouth and out again a couple of times before leaving it to explore his way down the column of her neck to where the hollow of her throat met the stiff lace of her collar.
Shivers of delight threaded tighter and tighter through Millicent, wrapping her in the web he had set for her. She was amazed at how much enjoyment she received from his touch.
“I’ve never been kissed like this before,” she murmured softly.
“Good.” He kissed her lips, her chin, then the base of her throat again. “You shouldn’t let anyone kiss you like this—but me, of course.”
His lips found hers again and he kissed her passionately. He ran his hands up her back, over her shoulders, and down her arms. His hands never stopped moving as their mouths clung together.
Millicent couldn’t let her hands be still either. She ran her open palms over the width of his strong shoulders and her fingers up into the back of his hair. She loved the way his lips moved expertly across hers. She loved the taste of his tongue in her mouth. She was eager to enjoy everything she was experiencing, including the touch of the expensive fabric of his coat beneath her hand.
“I like that you enjoy how I kiss you,” he murmured softly.
“That pleases you?”
“Very much.”
“Me too.” Some kisses were soft and warm while others were fierce and passionate. Millicent had thought she had been kissed before, but she hadn’t. This was kissing! Weak legs included. If she hadn’t been propped against the table, she would have melted to her knees.