Page 31 of His Scandalous Viscountess
Wolf suddenly heard the rustling of skirts, and then Jules appeared in the doorway. She looked stunning in a vibrant purple gown that could never have been mistaken for mourning garb. The off-the-shoulder dress bared far more of her shoulders and bosom than he would have preferred, though he could not deny she looked stunning. Her dress nipped in at her waist before belling out into full skirts. It was simple, with few adornments, but it fit her perfectly.
“You look ravishing this evening.”
She smiled brightly. “Do save the sweet words for when everyone is here. They are wasted without an audience.”
“The truth is never wasted, and I couldn’t care less if anyone is here or not.”
He stalked toward her, drawn to her by the need that constantly thrummed in his veins. She took a step backwards toward the door, but he caught her around the waist before she could escape.
Jules pressed her hands against his chest. “Wolf, what are you doing?”
“Kissing you. I should think it were obvious.”
“But my dress—”
He cut off her objections by sealing his lips over hers. Desperate to taste her unique blend of sweet and spicy, he drove his tongue past her lips and teeth to explore her mouth. A soft little moan escaped her as she pressed closer to him, as though seeking his warmth. His cock lengthened and grew hard while they continued to feast on each other. Finally, on the verge of doing something unthinkable, he tried to pull back.
But she clung to him and whispered, “I need you. I need your hands on me.”
With a groan, he sank deeper into the kiss, and reached down to hitch her skirts up. Pawing at her petticoats and crinolines, he finally found her pantalets. With her skirts crushed between them, he delved through the opening and found her wet center. She moaned as he stroked along her slit, rubbed over her clit, and then pushed a finger inside her.
With a soft gasp, she clenched around him as he slipped his finger in and out. Lost in the throes of pleasure, she broke off the kiss as he circled her clit. And then she cried out as she came, dousing his fingers.
He captured her lips once more to smother her cries of pleasure. Trembling in his arms, she slowly regained awareness. Her eyes were wide as she regained control over her body and straightened up. With her cheeks flushed—either from her climax, or from embarrassment, he couldn’t be sure—she ducked away from him. Giving him her back, she proceeded to shake out her skirts.
He took a moment to gather together the threads of his control. He needed to tamp down his own lust. The woman pushed him to the edge of sanity, it seemed, but he couldn’t remember feeling that way about her a decade ago. Without a doubt, he’d loved her then, but it had been—even for him—a young, naïve emotion. An experience fraught with stolen kisses, gentle touches, and restrained desire. Maybe curiosity more than anything.
It wasn’t that he had been inexperienced then, but conceivably he’d seen Jules in a different light?
He’d been raised to see a gentlewoman and act accordingly.
But now?
After the auction at The Market, sharing her with Linc, and their night together alone, his perspective had changed. Jules was no less a lady now than she’d been before, but his understanding of women and their innate desires had greatly expanded. His awareness of her needs had also changed. She was a woman who embraced her own natural instincts and needs.
How could he not feel differently? Not embrace her willingness to indulge in sexual pleasure? After all, he was merely a man. Whether his heart was engaged or not, his libido certainly was.
A sharp knock at the door drew his attention back to the moment. He turned, and his gaze locked with hers.
Dear God, the woman absolutely simmered with passion.
“We will discuss this interlude later, Jules.”
Chapter 13
Julia’s heart still raced, and she was positive her cheeks were flushed. They still felt warm after that unexpected moment in Wolf’s arms. As his friends walked in, she tried to smooth the creases in her skirts that his amorous attentions had caused. Not that she regretted either.
“Lady Wallthorpe, may I introduce Lord and Lady Stonemere?”
Wolf’s rumble sent shivers along her overstimulated frame.
The imposing man and his vivacious wife—she fairly sparkled with life—seemed an unlikely match. But then the man smiled indulgently as she tossed all formality out the window and hugged Julia. Shocked by the intimate gesture, Julia hugged her back.
“I’d apologize, but since we are going to be great friends, I figured we should dispense with all the pomp and circumstance up front. And please, call me Theo.” Then the slightly shorter woman stepped back. “Stone, say hello, and stop looming.”
He rolled his eyes at his wife and took Julia’s hand, bowing over it. “Lady Wallthorpe, a pleasure to meet you.”
She smiled at the couple. “Please, call me Julia. Both of you.”
