Page 55 of Cocky August Rake

That was the problem.

Rose forced herself to look down at him.

“Do not be overly gentle. I want to feel you.” And then she added: “Please.”

His eyes darkened.

For one suspended moment, he did not move. Then his hand tightened at the back of her thigh, and his fingers returned to her with more certainty.

Rose gasped.

“There,” she said. “Yes. Like that.”

His mouth followed.

He learned quickly. Too quickly.

Rose leaned back against the edge of a small table, her legs threatening collapse. He moved with her at once, one arm around her hips, holding her steady as his mouth worked between her thighs.

His fingers thrust deeper, and the pleasure that had been building inside her gathered suddenly, sharply, until she could not pretend she was in command of anything at all.

“Reginald.”

His name broke from her lips.

His hands tightened, and then⁠—

The room vanished. Everything vanished.

For several bright, shaking seconds there was only his mouth, his hands, and the terrible sweetness of being held while pleasure swept through her.

May the stars help her.

She couldn't say how long it went on, but when Rose finally returned to that room, she was weaker than a kitten.

Trembling.

Lord Reginald remained on his knees, his forehead resting against her hip. His breaths ragged.

Only when she felt his gaze lift to hers did she gather the strength to open her eyes.

A mistake.

There was wonder in his expression. Satisfaction too. But beneath both was something softer—and softness made her chest ache.

He rose slowly, and she saw at once how much he still wanted her. His trousers strained with it, even as his hands flexed helplessly at his sides.

Normally, she would have taken care of him.

Normally, she would have dropped to her knees and made certain he left the room believing there was no pleasure in the world like the pleasure she could give him.

Not yet.

Instead, Rose reached for a silk robe. She didn’t bother trying to hide that her hands were shaking.

Lord Reginald watched her.

“Rose,” he said, his voice rough.