Free The Rake's Unveiling of Lady Belle by Raven McAllan Page A

her head. ‘No matter. It would be social suicide for you. You must think of your position. The ton would blackball you.’
    â€˜That is one way of making sure I persist with my quest. Now do you want to stay in London and continue with “Dressed by Belle” or will you hand it over to someone, say Tippen, when we marry?’
    â€˜Argh.’ Belle punched him lightly in the stomach, just hard enough to make him start, and loosen his hold. She ducked out of his arms, and took a step away from him. ‘You couldn’t stay faithful, and I don’t believe in a marriage without trust and fidelity. You are crazy.’
    Phillip gave into temptation, grabbed her hands, and pulled her back so swiftly her breasts bumped into his chest, and her quim pressed against his body. ‘Not at all.’ He put her hands around his waist, and after three long seconds she gripped his coat. It was a start, although he wished he’d thought to remove the garment earlier, so she would perforce have to grasp his fine lawn shirt, or even his skin. That idea encouraged his pego to press hard against his once immaculate pantaloons. Now he was sure they would be creased.
    â€˜I come from a line of faithful husbands. I will be the next. Now, you want crazy? This is crazy.’ Phillip kissed her. ‘Needed, perfect, but undoubtedly crazy.’
    â€˜Whtft…’
    He kissed her into silence, and let his hands roam over the soft mound of her bottom. His fingers ached to touch in a more intimate manner, to stroke the skin as he listened to the soft mewls and sounds of arousal he was convinced Belle was almost ready to make.
    Slowly.
    Not an easy thing to do when his body ached for release. Phillip counted to ten and thought of ice-cold water as he willed himself to retreat a little.
    To his delight, after one moment when Belle stiffened and struggled, she sighed and leaned onto him.
    â€˜Open your mouth,’ he said softly, but with a hint of command in his tone. ‘Let me in.’
    Damn, slowly, I need this.
    Belle’s mouth dropped open in a gasp.
    Phillip was certain it wasn’t to let his tongue enter, but he wasn’t going to pay any attention to
that.
He slid his tongue between her lips and let it swirl and tangle with hers.
    She groaned, and Phillip felt her fingers touch his back over his jacket and make hesitant circles there.
    Hell, he wanted them on his flesh, to be able to feel the softness of her digits as they stroked him. To whisper words of encouragement to her and teach her how to please him. He wanted
his
hands on
her
skin. In her, to show her… Phillip caught his breath as his fingers tightened convulsively on her bottom.
    Belle gasped.
    A shocked, wondering noise, which luckily—or not—brought him to his senses.
    Every response she’d made showed her as an innocent. Here in her sitting room was not the place to change her status. That deserved seduction and time. Lots of time. He was certain once they came together, it would be no short-lived coupling.
    However, for now?
    Phillip reined in his ardour, gentled the kiss and released his death hold on her arse. Careful not to let her think he did it from disdain or disgust, he lifted his mouth from hers and kissed the top of her head. He noticed they were both breathing heavily.
    â€˜You, ma belle, are enough to make any gentleman forget his manners, let alone a rake like me.’ Phillip waited for a second. ‘I overstepped the mark. I’m sorry if I frightened you, but not sorry I tasted your sweetness.’
    Belle looked up at him, dazedly. ‘If I wanted to I would have stopped you. I…’ She ran her tongue around her lips, and he forced himself not to say to hang with overstepping the mark and show her the next step instead.
    â€˜You?’ Phillip prompted.
    â€˜I wanted to know what it was like. To be kissed by, well…’
    â€˜A rake?’
    She seemed to grab at his