A Duke in Time (The Widow Rules #1) - Janna MacGregor Page 0,75

in his arms and carried her to a slipper chair that sat in front of the fire. With her gown bunched around her hips, she should have felt like a harlot; instead, she had never felt more beautiful.

The look on his face confirmed it. He dropped to his knees between her legs. His hands gently traced the curve of her calves. When he reached the top of her knees, he stopped. “What are your intentions toward me?”

“I’m not certain I understand.” She wiggled, wanting him to continue touching her.

“I don’t think we should do anything the other is not comfortable with. I must be honest, I’ve imagined all sorts of wonderful things between us.” He swept his fingers across her cheek, the touch tender and caring. “But I don’t think we’re ready for that yet, do you?”

She chewed her lip. His gaze darted to her mouth. He was right. She wasn’t ready to make love with him, no matter what her fantasies were. “You’re right, but I’d like to explore this attraction between us.”

“I would also, but I want you to be comfortable with me.” With his thumb, he traced her bottom lip. “May I touch you?”

She nodded.

He took her mouth with his in the gentlest of kisses as his hands skated across her thighs. She widened her legs. Katherine gasped at the heavenly sensation. But Christian didn’t stop either his kisses or his seduction. His lips trailed down her throat, and Katherine was helpless to do anything but tilt her neck for his ease. He tongued the indentation at the base of her neck, then kissed the top of her cleavage.

Her breathing became even more erratic. She closed her eyes when he slipped his tongue between her breasts. But he made no moves to strip away her gown. She moaned again, thinking of him touching and kissing her bare breasts and nipples.

But he turned his attention elsewhere. With infinite slowness, he pushed her skirts even higher. His rapid inhalation at the sight of her clocked stockings pulled all sorts of feminine strings that made her heart jangle in her chest. His hands against her thighs was a study in contrasts. While her stockings were ivory, his hands were colored by the sun, and the hair on his wrists was jet black. She laid her hands on his, bringing them to her most intimate place, encouraging him to continue his caresses.

Soon, he parted her cleft, then stroked her with two fingers, his touch sure but gentle at the same time. The languid rhythm of his movement kept time with his kisses.

His lips trailed to the tender spot below her ear. One finger circled the nub where all sensation seemed to have settled. “What would you think if I put my mouth here and tasted you?”

Christian didn’t move as he waited for her answer.

She tongued the same sensitive spot below his ear, then whispered, “I’d like that.”

With a wicked smile, he bent down, then kissed her there. A soft growl erupted from his throat and vibrated through her. The sound was so masculine and primeval, she trembled in response. His tongue wove itself back and forth across the sensitive peak, drawing a need within her for more. With another groan, he lapped at her wetness. She shamelessly tilted her hips, demanding more.

His concentration centered on the nub, where her pleasure was the greatest. He changed the pressure of his tongue against her slickness every so often, making her body clench and tighten in preparation for something. He entwined his fingers with hers, the touch incredibly tender. She had a hard time concentrating as the tension increased. He extracted the most delicate tingles, each one building on the other. She didn’t know if she was going to fly to the heavens or break apart into a million pieces.

Any of it was fine as long as Christian was there with her.

“Tell me if I’m pleasing you,” he whispered, looking at her.

She nodded.

“Are you ready to come?”

“Are you?” In fairness, she pulled him forward and pressed a kiss against his lips. The taste of her was still on his mouth. She’d never done anything this forbidden in her life.

And she wanted more.

“Hmm,” he moaned in response. “I think you should find your pleasure first.”

Katherine shook her head, then coaxed him to stand before her, putting his falls at her eye level. “I want to play some more.” She tilted her head and captured his gaze. “I’d like to touch you now, but only if