Free A Gentleman's Wager by Madelynne Ellis Page B

her bottom, which he unashamedly started to massage. She could feel his gloves even through her dress. They rasped against the satin: determined, sensual and forceful.
    ‘Certainly not.’
    ‘Perhaps you should be.’ He swayed his hips against her. The sudden forwardness was surprising, but she wasn’t about to discourage him. There was a firm bulge in the front of his breeches, which sent showers of sparks flickering between her pubis and her breasts. Her nipples leaped to attention and stood like two cherries waiting to be plucked. She wanted to feel his lips around them, sucking and playfully nipping. Instead, he kissed the crown of her head and began to tease out the pins holding her hazel locks in place. ‘You smell nice, like roses,’ he said.
    ‘Lord Marlinscar … Lucerne.’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Are you trying to seduce me?’
    ‘No.’ He brushed his covered fingers across her lips. ‘I’m flirting, and so are you. Believe me, if I was attempting a seduction I’d choose somewhere a little warmer, with less company and more wine.’
    Bella sucked the end of one of his fingers tantalisingly, tickling the soft leather with the tip of her tongue in the way she hoped to flick it over a rather more sensitive organ. The leather itself tasted a little musky, and she wondered what he’d been doing in those gloves to make them taste that way. Had he touched himself while wearing them? The thought turned her on. She’d enjoyed watching him masturbate.
    ‘Freddy seems keen to avoid you.’
    Bella let his finger fall from her lips.
    ‘As if somehow he fears you might embarrass him.’
    She stiffened against him and turned her head away, blushing furiously. Although she felt no guilt about what had happened, she felt some regret for Louisa. The captain was the man her best friend loved; she should have restrained herself. Apprehensively, Lucerne’s other hand left her bottom and veered upwards to her cheek. He forced her to turn, to meet his eyes again and reveal her secrets.
    ‘Ah! I did wonder.’ Lucerne released her, allowing her to turn away. ‘Well, I am glad that you enjoyed the party.’
    ‘I’ll leave now, shall I?’
    He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. ‘Why? Only if you want to.’
    Bella’s heart fluttered. She didn’t know whether it was with promise or grief, but his calm acceptance of the truth was unnerving. She felt like crying. If he’d shouted at her or called her a harlot, she’d have found it easier. At least then she’d have had something to react against.
    ‘Life is too short to fill it with regrets, Bella. I’m not the jealous type, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’m not interested in your guilt, but Frederick is probably keen on your discretion. I know he won’t breathe a word to anyone, and I trust you won’t either. Funny, I’ve shared girls with Vaughan but never with Freddy.’
    She considered this, and Lucerne suddenly seemed to realise that he’d been ungallant.
    ‘I mean, I still want you. If you’re interested.’
    He circled her waist and pulled her back against his warm body. The hard bulge in his breeches was still there, a little softer perhaps, but still warm and urgent. He kissed her by the ear, and then on the cheek. Bella arched against him, lifting her chin so he could reach her. lips. He paused an inch from her mouth and a breath passed between them, mingling the potency of their desire, before he descended to kiss her with an aggressive, demanding ferocity.
    ‘You talk too much,’ she hissed into his mouth, before their tongues met with equal ardour.
    The church door opened with a loud groan.
    ‘How quaint, and in church as well.’ Vaughan mocked them from the doorway, bringing their brief moment of passion to an abrupt end. ‘Really, Lucerne, I thought you had more finesse.’
    Oh, hateful man, thought Bella, as the carriage jogged slowly homewards. Why did he have to spoil everything? Why, when she finally had Lucerne where she wanted