Page 65 of The Captain Claims His Temptress

Instead of explaining that there were no American princesses, Maddie hugged the woman, and then closed the door, leaving it unlocked.

She devoured her first biscuit in three bites. Savoring the chocolate and almonds, she nibbled on the second. Thereupon, she settled on the velvet counterpane and stretched her legs long. She aimed for a seductive curve in her waist as she pushed her bosom forward.

Then, she waited….

So much for her seductive pose. The second Stephen entered the room, she was overcome by excitement and leaped from the bed.

“Madalene.” His eyes widened as his gaze raked her over from head to toe. Focusing on her nipples poking through the thin fabric, his eyelids drooped, giving him a rather appealing drunk look, and his tongue slid across his upper lip.

The darkness threw half his face into secretive shadow. The firelight illuminated the other side, making him resemble a god in a heavenly beam. Meanwhile, the unshaven hair overtaking his cheeks and chin was that of a rugged rogue. As usual, the man was a walking contradiction.

When he rubbed his jaw, the veins in his knuckle appeared iridescent in the lighting. Oh, to have those large hands caressing her breasts, trailing down her torso, then over her hips. His long fingers parting her folds… exploring. The anticipation sent pleasurable prickles skittering over her skin, and she gasped.

He stepped closer. “You look beautiful.” His low gravelly voice landed between her thighs and squeezed. He languidly took another step, his gaze traveling back and forth between her eyes and lips. Meanwhile, his trembling hand continued to scrape through the tantalizing scruff.

“Why are you shaking?” she asked, fearful that her bold nature terrified him.

“Because….” Closing his eyes for a moment, he exhaled. “’Tis your hair.”

He crossed the room to stand before her. “’Tis spectacular.” He wrapped a strand around his finger. “And silky.” His tone softened with each utterance. “And shiny.”

As truly delicious as his chaste ministrations were, she needed more. Dare she think such a scandalous word? But she ached to see hiscock.She also desired to smell it. Taste it. Feel it on the back of her throat, and deep inside her. However, the man might wither away to nothingness from need before he planted himself inside her. Therefore, she’d take matters into her own hands.

Stepping back, she closed her eyes and pulled her nightdress over her head. Dropping the fabric to the floor, she palmed one breast, then the other.

Silence. Not even a hiss or an intake of breath. She sighed and was about to open her eyes when a tornado-like force crashed into her. As she stumbled backward, strong arms steadied her, then lifted her off her feet, and tossed her onto the bed.

Lawks, yes!

He stood over her, staring down, his pupils dark with desire, his nostrils flaring with his heavy breaths. She undulated as his heated gaze left a scorching trail in its wake.

A raw, primal sound started low in his belly, vibrating out of him in a growl.

She reached between her thighs. Not so much to tempt him since he’d finally come undone. It was more to assuage her curiosity since her desire soaked the sheets.

“Damn.” He moaned. “I want to watch you touch yourself.”

Who was she to deny him anything? Besides she understood the appeal of watching. Her thighs fell open, and she slid two fingers into her cleft. His lips parted, and his pupils glazed over while she writhed in time to his shallow breathing.

His need enveloped her, heightening her own.

“Please,” she panted.

“Please what?” He grinned as he batted his golden lashes.

What a mischievous devil. All of this longing, and he was taunting them both? However, she’d play along.

What did she want first? Stephen naked? Kisses? For him to shove himself deep inside her with no more pretense? All of it! But her chief inducement was clear.

“Please, come with me this time.”

In one agile move, he was out of his waistcoat. Gasping, he ripped off his cravat as if it were strangling him. He deftly undid the line of buttons, then flung his shirt to the floor.

Needing to touch the sculpted muscles of his torso, she reached for him. He lowered himself until he knelt over her.

“Madalene,” he whispered, his rough voice suddenly vulnerable.

She stopped combing her nails through his chest hair to gaze into lust-filled eyes. Even now, after his light-hearted flirting, something weighed on him.