Page 48 of The Not So Perfect Duke

She followed him upstairs, and he took her to his room. Already she liked it with its dark wood panels and gold accents, and it fit him perfectly.

“I have never brought anyone here to my home or my bedroom. Until you,” he murmured as he kicked the door shut with his boot.

“Oh?” Her voice shook, and Althea was far more excited than she thought she would be. And curious. She had a general idea of how this was done, for Eleanora had two very brief encounters before meeting Christian and had told her and Sybil all the details.

“As tempted as I am to fall on you like a wild beast, I will curb my animal instincts. For tonight. You see,” he came to stand before her and slowly unhooked her cape, tossing it aside. “I’ve never been with a woman such as you before.”

“A virgin, you mean?”

“Right to the point. Yes. We are going to take this slow. Investigate, as I said.” Damon started to remove her small jacket.

“I don’t know,” Althea crooned. “The wild beast thing sounds intriguing.”

He laughed as he tossed her jacket to the floor. Then he started in on the buttons on her starched blouse. “Are you nervous?”

“Surprisingly, no.”

“That’s my bold Thea.” He had her blouse off and tossed it on the pile on the floor. Damon trailed his fingers across the top of her breasts. “Lovely.”

His hands moved down over her hip until his fingers found the buttons of her skirt. Everywhere he touched, a heated flame ignited, settling between her thighs, where she had grown decidedly wet already.

Her wool skirt pooled at her feet, and Althea stepped out, kicking it aside. She stood before him in her chemise, corset, and stockings.

Damon’s hand settled between her legs. “Naughty. No drawers.”

Althea was not wearing any, knowing she was coming here for an assignation. Why burden herself with unnecessary layers?

She hadn’t put on petticoats either.

With his deft fingers, he explored, caressing the most private part of her. She moaned at his touch. Then he picked her up, carrying her across the room and setting her on the table.

Damon dropped to his knees in front of her. Slowly, he unbuttoned her boots and set them aside. “I am going to taste you. Kiss you.” He parted her legs. “There.”

How deliciously wicked.

Before she could even form words, his head disappeared between her legs, his tongue lapping, causing intense sensations to move through her. Already her breathing was ragged when he parted her folds with his fingers. Using his other hand, he rubbed her sensitive nub, and the combined stimulations had her rocketing toward her peak.

“Oh, God,” she gasped. “More.”

Her husky demand prompted Damon onward. His tongue was like magic, tasting, caressing, and licking every part of her.

Without thinking, Althea grasped a handful of his thick hair and moaned rather loudly with her head thrown back. Then, without any warning, the climax slammed her. More breathtaking and forceful than any time she had touched herself.

Damon gazed up at her, his eyes alive with desire. “Yes. Passionate. I knew it.” Then he stood. “When you catch your breath, undress me, as much or as little as you wish.”

“Yes,” she said with bated breath. “Give me a minute. Oh, that was astonishing.”

“Why, thank you.”

“Do you wish me to do the same to you? It is called oral pleasure, correct?”

“Oh, I want that above all things,” Damon whispered huskily. “But not tonight. This is about you. Your pleasure. Your desire. Your needs.”

Exhaling, Althea jumped off the table and came to stand before him, despite her shaking legs. “You are quite a specimen, but you are well aware of that, aren’t you?”

“I am. If my looks and build bring you pleasure, heighten your desire, then I am glad of it.”

Althea laughed as she removed his coat and added it to the growing mound of garments. She did the same with his waistcoat, then attacked the silk-covered buttons of his shirt. No going slow for her. She wanted to see him.