Mastering The Marquess (Bound and Determined #1)(10)

She pulled his arm up, rested his palm upon her shoulder and laid her cheek against his wrist, and then his forearm. The hair here was softer than on his chest, although the skin was less like velvet. Not in a bad way. It was merely a little rougher, had seen the elements of a few more days. She liked the feel of it.

She turned her face into his arm, rubbing her lips against him. She moved upward, stopping at the inner fold of elbow. The skin was slightly damp, salty. She let her tongue slip out. Tasted. Nipped.

He jerked back. “God, woman.”

“Did I do something wrong? I thought … I am sorry.” Her chin dropped, just when she’d thought she understood.

He reached out, and after missing once by inches, laid his palm upon her cheek. “No, I should be sorry. You did nothing wrong. In fact you did things very right. I was just not expecting … Let us leave it at that I was not expecting you to do that. But it was all right. In fact, it was very all right. I liked it. It brought me pleasure. It was merely unexpected.”

“Oh.” She looked at the slight mark her teeth had left upon his skin, barely visible. With care she reached out and touched his skin, running her fingers over the slight redness. “Then can I kiss it better? Taste you again?”

“Be careful or you will unman me. I fear Ruby knew me better than I know myself.”

“I don’t know what you mean, but is that a yes?”

He held his arm out to her, waiting for her to bring her lips to it again.

She complied, tasting, licking, rubbing her cheek, her lips against him, delighting in how different this was from anything that she had ever experienced.

Madame had been so right about the mask. With nobody watching it meant she was free. She could do whatever she liked and nobody would ever know. Well, he would—but somehow it was different without his eyes upon her.

And that brought a thought to her mind. “Can I see your …”

“You can see whatever you desire, my sweet.” His arms dropped, his thumbs hooking over the low waistband of his loose trousers.

She found her courage. “Can I see your—your back?”

“My back. Of course—she wants to see my back.” A long, deep laugh filled the room.





Chapter Four





The woman wanted to see his back. God, this was torture. How slowly did she expect him to go? He wanted her hands on him—on all of him. And her lips. When she’d nipped his inner elbow he’d almost lost his composure. And she’d had no idea, no idea what thoughts lips on flesh put in a man’s mind. And the nip. The feel of her teeth. A single bite and he’d been ready to let go.

And she hadn’t understood at all, thought she’d displeased him.

When the truth was so different.

He had to watch every word he said, every action he took, or she’d slide away into fear and confusion. He could feel her reach out in exploration and wonder—was it possible to feel another person’s wonder?—and then if he expressed any doubt or question she’d shrink off.

He hadn’t believed Ruby about the woman’s innocence, but it was even greater than Ruby had described.

The woman didn’t know if it was normal to have sex with your shoes on. He grew harder just thinking about it, about her—and given the rocklike stature of his cock, that was a natural wonder.

The woman.

Grace. He should think of her as Grace.

It suited her, suited his thoughts.

He could not wait to reverse their situation, to put her at his mercy, to show her what he wanted, but …

Ruby had explained the importance of this first phase and he’d agreed, if not quite willingly.

The woman must have the chance to explore—before he had his.

He had to grant her freedom in return for his own.

Swanston had never been blindfolded before. He had blindfolded many women, but he’d never dreamed of covering his own eyes, of allowing himself this vulnerability. He’d refused at first when Ruby had suggested he wear a mask that would render him blind. He’d even proposed one that would leave him able to see, but leave the woman, leave Grace, with the impression that his vision was obscured.

Ruby had been adamant.

It would only work if he were willing to give his all.

He’d considered and had accepted that she had a valid point. Having asked others to trust, he had to live up to his own standards.

Ruby was correct—he could not ask Grace to trust him if he was lying to her.

And so the mask. This stupid heavy thing that left him unable to breathe—or to see. And God he wanted to see her. He’d never experienced anything like it. He could feel her move, and then withdraw. She was so tentative, but so willing to take him on.

And her voice. Her soft, whispery voice was driving him crazy. Her words wrapped about him, painting a picture that could not possibly be true. He almost wished that he would never see her so that she could stay a perfect mystery in his thoughts. No reality could match this.

And her touch. Small soft hands, soft hands that stopped to examine every inch, to savor, to enjoy. It was almost too much. She’d barely touched him and yet he felt he knew her, knew what she wanted, what she needed. And he was all too ready to show her, to teach her.

God he wanted to teach her.

Even as she taught him. He’d never imagined how much pleasure he could find in his arm.