Free To Please A Lady (The Seduction Series) by Lori Brighton

black trousers, white shirtsleeves, and brown waistcoat fit his trim body to perfection. He could have been a lord; he could have been a country gent. He was neither, but for this moment, this next hour, he was hers. She studied the faded bruises that marred his otherwise perfect face, hoping to see some sort of happiness. His gaze remained stubbornly guarded.
    “I see,” was his only response.
    How she wished she knew what he was thinking. “Are you well?”
    He gave her a brief smile. “I’m fine.”
    For a long moment neither of them spoke. He was waiting for her explanation; she was waiting for the nerve to speak. “There are conditions… that is, if we are to further this relationship.”
    He took a step closer. “Yes?”
    She licked her suddenly dry lips and paced in front of the fireplace. He made her nervous. For years, she’d wished only for the truth, honesty. Now she had it with James. There was no pretensebetween them, only mutual understanding, mutual need. She craved his honesty, yet it frightened her. “I wish to go slow.”
    “Courtly love? Candlelight? Chocolates?”
    She frowned, wondering briefly if he mocked her but deciding she didn’t care. Before she could continue with her list of demands, he stepped in front of her, blocking her path. She drew up short, staring first at the fine linen of his waistcoat, and then farther to his square jaw. The dark scruff that covered his lower face was most likely there to hide the bruises, but it only added to his appeal. No longer did he look the lad. Her gaze fluttered to his lips, up farther to his green eyes. No, he was no lad. He was a man, a beautiful, healthy male who knew how to please her in more ways than most.
    He held out his hand. “Come with me.”
    It was a command. She hesitated only a moment, then slid her fingers around his. It did not matter that she wore gloves, she could feel the heat of his skin even through the leather. With a gentle tug, he started toward the door, leading her slowly into the foyer. She didn’t bother to lower the netting on her bonnet.
    Her heart thumped heavily against her ribs. Her knees practically buckled when her foot hit the first step. Would the guilt keep her up at night? Come morning, would she regret her decision? Up the stairs he led her, to where she knew her life would change forever. The entire world seemed to stand still; even her breath paused. She could hear the soft murmur of words and moans from behind closed doors, almost like an erotic dream. Instead of being embarrassed, the heated flush that swept through her body was something entirely different.
    Desire.
    She pressed her hand to her lower belly, attempting to calm the flutter of nerves. As if sensing her unease, James slid his arm around her waist, drawing her closer. Did he keep her there for support or to prevent her from fleeing as she had last time? Side byside, they fit perfectly together. She could know the same passion that was being experienced in those rooms. She
would
.
    He paused outside a door and glanced down at her. “You’re sure?”
    “Yes.”
    He opened the door, revealing a room of rich green hues that matched his eyes. A pleasant room. The sort of bedchamber that a titled gent might own. But she knew what that perfectly elegant room represented… a den of sin, lust, carnal need. James watched her with an intensity that frightened her as much as it stirred her longing. He wanted her, but he was waiting for her to proceed.
    Sinful.
    The word whispered through her mind over and over, with each step into his room she took. She tore her gaze from James. She ignored the voice, ignored the feelings of guilt that swirled low, churning within her gut. Done. She was done being the scorned wife. Done watching her husband entertain mistress after mistress while she stood helplessly by.
    She tilted her chin and moved elegantly around the room, surveying what would be her quarters for the next hour. “ ’Tis lovely.”
    A warm