Page 50 of Redemption

“I said I wouldn’t take advantage of you,” he said hoarsely. “But God help me, I’m finding it damn difficult not to do so.”

A small thrill sped down her spine at his confession. He desired her, and it filled her with a sense of joy. With a harsh growl, Percy moved to shift her off his lap, but before he could do so, Rhea wrapped her hand around his neck and pulled his head downward. As she kissed him, a groan rumbled in his chest. The sound reverberated against her lips as Percy took command of the kiss. With a gentle force he slid his tongue past her lips to explore the inside of her mouth.

Pleasure and excitement spiraled through her as her tongue danced with his. The heat of his kiss warmed her, and she answered the increasing intensity of his passionate caress. Every inch of her was alive with a wild, exhilarating sensation that spiraled through her at a blinding speed. There was nothing shameful, sordid, or repulsive about this moment. It felt right.

Delight threaded its way through every fiber of her being as her tongue swirled around his. He tasted of cinnamon and coffee. The scent of bergamot wafted beneath her nose. Never in her life had she ever thought a man could smell or taste so wonderful. Her hand cupped the side of his face as his mouth left hers to blaze a trail to her ear. As he nibbled on her earlobe she spiked her fingers through his dark brown hair and released a soft sigh of pleasure.

Heat singed her skin as his mouth blazed a trail of fire down the side of her neck. The moment his fingers pushed aside the silk scarf that covered her throat, she gasped in surprise. Immediately, his mouth captured hers again. A warm lethargy took hold of her body, and she responded to his heated kiss with passionate abandon. Hands pressed against his chest, his muscles were hard and solid beneath her palms.

The warm summer air brushed across her skin, and a moment later the tips of his fingers caressed the base of her throat. She quivered at the touch. It was arousing, and her reaction startled her. For years she’d only felt degradation and shame when a man touched her. But this was something completely different. It was heavenly. There was nothing degrading, repugnant, or revolting about this moment. It felt more than wonderful. It felt right.

Fire skimmed its way through her limbs as he lowered his head and traced the edge of her bodice with his mouth. One small caress after another whispered across her skin. The sweetness of it made her long for more. A second later she jerked with surprise as his tongue plunged into the valley between her breasts. The hedonistic caress sent a shudder through her, and she moaned as her nipples hardened. The soft linen of her chemise rubbed across the stiff peaks creating an exquisite tension that spread its way through her body like wildfire.

The intensity of it was pleasurable and painful at the same time. An unexpected wave of arousal pushed its way through her until the spot between her legs throbbed in a manner she’d never experienced before. Instinctively, she knew only his touch would ease the keen ache throbbing at her core.

“Touch me,” she rasped. “Please.”

The moment she made the plea, his body jerked and he lifted his head to stare down at her. Passion blazed in his eyes, and it heightened the need pulsing its way through her body. Without saying a word, his head swooped down and his mouth captured hers in a kiss that made her heart race. As if from a distance, she heard the soft rustle of silk and cotton before a warm breeze danced across her thighs. His fingers trailed lazily over her stocking then across her garter to reach the skin of her upper thigh.

A delicious anticipation of something unknown to her made her blood flow fast and furious. Beneath her fingers, his heart pounded at a rapid fire pace. As his tongue continued to dance with hers, his palm gently rubbed its way to the inside of her leg. Desire sped through her limbs, and she arched her hips upward in a silent plea for his touch. A brief second later, his fingers parted her slick heat. At his touch she bucked against his hand and bit back a cry of pleasure. It became a quiet moan as his thumb found a spot at the top of her sex that he rubbed gently, but firmly.

The intimate caress sent first one and then another ripple of pleasure sliding through her. The delight building inside her pulled a moan out of her, and she bucked once more against his hand as he slipped two fingers inside her. Instantly her body exploded with sensations. Clinging to him she writhed in his arms for several moments. The waves of pleasure slowly ebbed away until she grew still.

Embarrassment streaked through her as she turned her face into his chest. Dear God, what he must think of her. She’d behaved in a manner one might expect of a whore. Rhea’s stomach lurched at the thought. The skirt of her gown fell back over her legs as he adjusted her clothing. The warmth of his lips on her temple made her start, and she lifted her head to look at him. There was still a smoldering fire burning in his gaze.

Her shame intensified, and she quickly wiggled into an upright position. As she did so, she saw him wince. For the first time she felt the hardness of his erection pressing into her thigh. Not only had she behaved like a harlot, she’d failed to give him satisfaction. Rhea bit down on her lower lip as she glanced up at him then looked away.

“I… I’m sorry. I should have—”

“Don’t,” Percy said hoarsely.

He caught her chin in his fingers and held her head steady as he kissed her roughly. Just as quickly as he’d kissed her, he released her and set her back on the seat opposite him. Even in the dim light, she could see the desire holding him rigid against the seat cushions.

Shakily she adjusted her scarf around her neck. Percy’s gaze was like a branding iron as she fumbled with the blue silk. Her heart skipped a beat as she looked up at him. Color warmed her cheeks as she reached out to raise the window blind. The awkwardness of the situation made her uncomfortable as she met his gaze then looked away again. The moment she leaned back in her seat, Percy reached out and caught her hand in his.

“There’s no shame in enjoying pleasure, Rhea.”

“I felt no shame,” she replied softly. It was the truth. Nothing of what had just transpired between them had made her feel soiled or unclean. It only made her feel alive.

“Good, because I have enough guilt to bear,” he said tersely. “I gave my word and I broke it.”

“If I recall correctly, I…I kissed you.” At her words Percy shook his head as a wry grimace touched his mouth.

“It doesn’t eliminate my culpability. I ignored my promise to you.”

“I’m glad you did,” she said as she met his gaze steadily. A muscle tugged in his cheek at her response.

“I won’t let it happen again,” he growled and looked away from her to stare out the window. Heart in her mouth, Rhea swallowed hard.

“Why?” The quiet query made him jerk his head back to her. With a shake of his head he frowned.

“Because I’m beginning to realize I want something more than a stolen kiss or touch from you.”

“Oh,” she breathed as something warm cracked the layer of ice around her heart. “I see.”

“Do you? I’m not so certain of that.” His forbidding expression sent a tidal wave of disappointment rolling over her. Without hesitation, she shielded her thoughts and emotions to retreat behind a familiar wall of stone and ice she’d developed years ago. A wall that guarded her heart from pain and allowed her to survive the horrors of her existence.

“I cannot change my sordid reputation or offensive past.”