Mastering The Marquess (Bound and Determined #1)(29)

She placed her hand back upon his chest, felt the heartbeat beneath his skin, speeding along.

He was not as bored with her as he might pretend.

Her fingers trailed down his body, enjoying the feel of hard muscle and smooth skin. He had a scar just above one hip. She traced it with her fingers, outlining the raised ridge.

“The same riding accident in which I broke my arm. I was fourteen and did not have permission to be riding Foxtail,” his voice spoke in the dark.

“Was your father angry?”

A long sigh. “I would have been happier if he was. No, he told me not to do it again, but that he was proud I’d showed some spirit. He took it as a sign that I was not completely dull.”

“I cannot imagine anyone thinking you dull.”

“You should talk to my family.”

“I’d like to.”

She felt him pull away again. Clearly, her words were allowed to cross only so many boundaries, so she’d let her fingers trespass instead. They ran down his hip, circling forward. His hair was coarser than her own, more springy. Grabbing a few strands, she tugged lightly, then enjoyed his playful swat at her hand.

“I think it’s my turn to call the shots,” she said, laughing, glad that the moment of dark had been swept away.

“And what do you think ‘calling the shots’ means, my sweet?”

“It definitely involves that tasting we keep speaking of, but never getting to, and perhaps some …” She drew a blank, could not think of a single thing. What else did one do as part of bed play? “Perhaps some kissing. I’ve become rather fond of kissing.”

“Does kissing come before or after tasting?”

Which would be better? “I think both.” She raised herself on her elbows, moving up his body until she neared his face. Lifting a hand, she brushed a thumb through the air and found his cheek, and then his lips. She teased across the lower one, pulling it down slightly. His lips were thinner than hers, less full, but still soft.

Charles placed a kiss upon her thumb, sucking on it lightly.

The low throb began again, deep in her belly.

Lifting herself farther, she brought her face closer to his, but the angle was awkward. With sudden inspiration, she sat up and then swung a leg across his chest, straddling him like a man did a horse.

“Taking up riding, are we?” he asked, and she could feel his smile beneath her thumb.

“I was just thinking you were like a horse.”

“Far better than a sheep.”

“You are not going to let me forget that, not ever, are you?”

“Not tonight.”

And tonight was all the “ever” they had. “Then I will have to punish you for not acting like a gentleman.”

“Punish me?” The growl was back in his voice.

She shifted her hips back along his torso and felt him, his cock pressing against the cleft in her behind. “You would like to be punished, would you?”

“Normally, I prefer to do the punishing, but tonight I am yours.”

Moving her hips even farther back, she sat up straight, removing her hands from his face. “And how do you normally punish?”

“I’ve always been in favor of a good spanking. It does let one know who is in charge.”

She considered—and rejected. “No.”

“A crop? A slight thrashing?”

That did not sound fun at all. “I don’t have one and even if I did, I do not see the appeal.”

“You might be surprised.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think so. Next.”

“You could tie me to the bed.”

That had possibilities, but … “No, I think I would want to see you then.”

“You are a most demanding customer.”

“My friends have always told me I am most undemanding. I imagine the same is not said about you.”

“No, it is not.”

“Aah, I know what. I will punish you by not allowing you to say no to me. For the rest of the night you must do as I say. No more making me wait. No more not letting me move.”

“That truly will be a punishment. And if I do not comply?”

“Then I may just spank you—and I will not be gentle.”

Did his cock jerk at her words? It was hard to be sure, positioned as she was, but she rather thought it had. “Now, I want you to stay still while I kiss you properly. Kissing is one thing I do know how to do.”

“You’ve kissed a lot of men, have you?”

“No, only John—not counting my father and brother—but when we were young we did practice quite a bit.”

“Not later on?”

“Marriage is for other things.”

He did not answer, and she wondered what he was thinking. She did not like not knowing.

“I think you should put your hands on my breasts. I did rather enjoy it and it will put me in the mood for kissing.”

“Your wish is my command.” His arms reached out and found her waist, worked their way up to the lower curves of her breasts. “Is this what you want?”

“It is rather nice, but I liked it better when you played with my nipples, pulled at them.”

“And do I get to taste them? I like the feel of them in my mouth. Suckling you brought me great pleasure.”