Free Stroke of Midnight by Vivian Bliss Page B

rush. His coat, waistcoat and cravat were missing, his feet were bare. She glanced at his face again in surprise. He was always conscious of maintaining appearances except inside their bedroom. He never wanted anyone to suspect him of not being a proper gentleman at all hours of the day. But tonight he appeared as if he had recently stumbled out of bed, even though he’d been down here for the last three hours.
     Henrietta moved toward him, uncertain for the first time since the night of their marriage. Alexander may look like an angel, but his dark side was the dominant force in his life. He, whom every debutant had dreamed of marrying in the year of her come out, could be utterly overwhelming when he chose to let down his guard. Had the devil come out to play once and for all?
    “Stop.”
    Henrietta froze and lowered her gaze respectfully.
    “Turn and face the hearth,” he growled.
    Body tingling at the force behind his words, Henrietta slowly turned toward the blaze and focused on the dancing flames. He was on edge tonight. The dark devil she'd married had truly come to life. Henrietta squeezed her thighs together as a surge of anticipation shot through her sex. What did he have planned?
    When he came closer, she stove to keep her breathing even. But her nipples scraped across the fabric of her gown with every breath, adding to her anxiety. They stood out stark in the firelight, twin beacons that she was aroused. Alexander didn’t like it when she got too far ahead of him with her desires and she fought not to show how much she wanted him.
     The urge to lean toward him and connect skin to skin grew. His breath whispered over her shoulder, but he did not touch her anywhere. “You are exquisite tonight.”
    “Thank you.”
    She kept her words clipped. He did not like rambling conversation prior to having sex. Compliments could be accepted. Conversation was not wanted. He circled her and their gazes collided. A jolt of pure lust flooded her. He was so excited tonight. His blue eyes had brightened with anticipation.
    Alexander leaned forward and their lips connected in a soft kiss. She opened her mouth eagerly, ready to fulfill his every wish, demand, and desire. His tongue teased hers as he crowded her beneath his mouth, forcing her to lift her chin high to keep kissing. But he did it without pulling her in his arms. Henrietta whimpered, hoping he would take pity and touch her skin.
    Instead of that, he pulled away, and looked over her shoulder. “Exquisite, isn't she?”

    “You are correct,” a deep voice rumbled from the far corner of the room. “I have always thought Lady Gage was worth the wait.”

Chapter 2
     
    Building trust with Lady Gage quickly was paramount. Lucien stared at the woman before him noting the hot flush to her cheeks, the rise and fall of her full, aroused breasts barely concealed beneath the gown he’d provided, and the confusion in her gaze as their eyes connected. He knew everything about her. Everything except what she tasted like, and what she sounded like when she came.
     Alexander had willingly and enthusiastically shared every small detail about his wife. Lucien’s boy, liked to please; he grew excited when relating his wife’s proclivities in and out of bed. Lord and Lady Gage could have had the same dull society marriage everyone anticipated when they chose to marry, except that Lucien had interfered with Alexander’s decision.
     At Lucien's insistence, Alexander had courted the lovely Henrietta and married her as quickly as it could be arranged. They were the perfect couple. Henrietta was happy with her life, her husband and social position, and Alex brought out Lady Gage's desires as far as he was able. She had been teased, spanked, fucked hard and long until she begged for release.
     Unfortunately, Alexander was submissive, preferring to act under instruction in matters of pleasure more than taking a leading hand. His retiring nature prevented further exploration of