Stranger in My Arms(75)

“George, please assist Lord Lonsdale to his carriage.”

The footman separated himself from a gaggle of staring servants, all of them clearly wondering what had occurred. Seeming to understand Lara’s unspoken wishes, Mrs. Gorst dispersed the small audience.

“On your way, now,” the housekeeper said briskly.

“There’s work aplenty to be done, and little time for gawking and gaping.”

Hunter didn’t move as the stupefied Lonsdale was removed from the hall.

Two footmen half dragged and half carried him to the waiting vehicle.

Coming to stand by her husband’s side, Lara touched his arm tentatively. “My lord,” she said gratefully. “Thank you for protecting my sister. Thank you.”

He shot her a gaze of hot black intensity. “Thank me in bed,” he said, barely audible.

Lara stared at him, startled. “Now?” she whispered, feeling her cheeks prickle with heat. Hunter didn’t reply, only continued to stare at her in that alarming way.

She didn’t dare look around them, suspecting that anyone present could discern what her husband wanted from the way he gazed at her. The thought of refusing him went through her mind. After all, she was perfectly justified in claiming that her worry over Rachel had fatigued her. It was the truth. But Hunter had never made a request in this way before.

The other times they had made love, he had been seductive, teasing, encouraging… but never desperate… as if he needed her to save his soul.

Daunted by his intensity, she lowered her lashes and turned toward the stairs. Hunter followed instantly, not allowing more than a foot of space between them. He didn’t try to rush her, only kept pace as if he were stalking her. She could hear him breathing, light and quick, not from exertion but from appetite. Lara was nearly dizzy from the rapid beat of her heart. She paused at the top of the stairs, uncertain if they should go to his bedroom or hers.

“Wh-where?” she asked softly.

“I don’t care,” he said in a low voice.

She led the way to his room, which was somewhat more secluded than her own. Hunter closed the door roughly. His hungry gaze returned to her.

He removed his waistcoat and shirt without the appearance of haste, but she knew what seethed just beneath his self-control. Unnerved, she reached behind her neck to unfasten her gown. She had only managed the first two buttons when he strode to her and took her head in both hands, as if he feared she would try to escape him. He kissed her, his mouth hard and eager, his tongue searching deeply.

She reached out for him, grasping at the heavy bunched muscles of his torso. His skin was feverishly hot beneath her hands. His long fingers tightened on her skull, and he kissed her with scorching violence, the pleasure mounting until she moaned in excitement.

Trembling with fierce desire, Hunter finally tore his mouth from hers and pushed her to the bed. Lara stumbled in confusion, but his hands were there to guide her, steadying her h*ps and bending her face down over the edge of the mattress. Her thoughts scattered as she felt him pulling her skirts up to her waist. There was a jagged sound as he tore her chemise and pushed the sides apart.

“What are you doing?” she asked, beginhing to push up from the bed.

He pinned her back down, and she felt his fingers slide between her thighs.

“Let me,” he muttered. “I won’t hurt you. Hold still for me.” He pushed past the tangle of dark curls, one finger slipping inside the swollen entrance of her body, reaching deep into the warmth and moisture.

Lara quivered and gripped the covers until they bunched in her hands.

“You’re ready for me,” he said hoarsely, reaching back to unfasten his trousers.

Realizing that he meant to take her like this, from behind, Lara closed her eyes and waited, her pulse thrumming with fear and eagerness. She felt his heavy shaft against her, searching, pressing, and he entered her with a long thrust that made her cry out.

Her flesh closed tightly around the invading hardness, gripping firmly as he slid even deeper.

Holding himself inside her, he grasped the back of her gown, ripping it apart, sending delicate buttons flying across the bed and floor. Her chemise received the same treatment, the fragile muslin giving way to his aggressive hands and falling away from her body.

She felt his warm mouth on her back, kissing the tender skin of her nape, sliding along her spine, and she writhed at the exquisite sensation.

“Now,” she begged, wanting more, and her bu**ocks pushed against him.

He answered the movement, grinding his h*ps in small circles until she moaned and clutched even larger handfuls of the counterpane.

“I want to touch you,” she gasped. “Please, let me-” “No.” He licked the edge of her ear, flicked his tongue inside it, muttered softly in the moist hollow.

Lara trembled at the maddening pleasure, feeling him inside her, all around her, but not being able to touch or see him. “Let me turn around. Hunter, please-” He used his legs to widen the spread of her thighs.

His hand slid around her front, down her taut belly and into the thatch of curls. Finding the sensitive bud where all pleasure centered, he stroked her gently.

Caught between his teasing, tickling fingers and the deep thrusts of his hips, Lara sobbed his name. Her body was helplessly stretched and pinned beneath him, his rhythm increasing in pace, driving the pleasure higher and higher until all her senses opened and the rush of release began.