Free Out Of Her League, An Erotic Romance by Ava Archer Payne Page A

“Yes,” she said. “Just like that. Touching her. Kissing her. Then he brought his hand between her legs and I saw her tremble. I heard her sigh so softly, then moan with pleasure. Her face changed. She looked helpless at first, then overcome...rapturous. She shook and cried out as though she were in pain, though I could tell she was not.”
    James traced his hands over her thighs. A ragged hoarseness filled his voice as he said, “When you watched them, what did you feel?”
    “Heat. Longing. Envy.”
    “Envy?”
    “I wanted that. I wanted to feel what she was feeling. I wanted to take that wicked pleasure and have it all for myself.”
    “You will. I promise you that.”
    He grasped her hips and pressed her down against him. The tight nub of pleasure at the entrance to her sex began to swell and throb as she rocked against him. She arched her back, straining toward a faraway goal she could instinctively feel but couldn't identify, when James slowly drew back, then went still.
    “But now here, love. Not now.” He tilted her head against the wall of his chest, his arm a steel band around her ribs, gently supporting her.
    “Is it over?” she managed, feeling suddenly bereft. She was panting as though she’d been running, heading blindly toward a beautiful abyss, when she’d been rudely pulled back.
    “Over?” he echoed with a harsh whisper of a laugh. “No, sweetheart. It isn’t over. Not even close.” He took a breath, then let it out slowly. “But this is where we stop today.”

Chapter Six
     
    James shifted Kate slightly, relieving himself of the exquisite torture of her lovely ass grinding into his erection. He positioned her so she was no longer riding astride his thigh, but resumed her position side-saddle, as it were, with her head tucked beneath his chin and her legs draped over his knee. He stroked her hair, allowing them both a moment to compose themselves and slow their rocketing pulses.
    He listened to the sound of retreating footsteps in the outer corridor. He felt Kate tense against him and knew she was listening as well. The sound had finally penetrated the hazy fog of her passion.
    Although he’d heard the good doctor amble down the hallway moments earlier, Kate obviously hadn’t. She jerked upright like a sleepwalker who suddenly found herself standing outside in the rain, rather than comfortably snuggled in bed.
    Her panicked gaze flew to his. “Dr. Michaelson—”
    “Went the other direction,” he murmured softly. “We have a minute.”
    Moving with deliberate care, he re-tied the ribbons on her corset, helped her into her gown, and collected the scattered pins he’d pulled from her hair. He watched as she twisted the glorious blond mass into a tight knot, then affixed her ugly white cap to the top of her head.
    He longed to pull her back into his arms and undress her all over again, but she had already removed herself from him, both physically and emotionally. The glorious harlot he had caressed disappeared entirely as Kate once again assumed the role of dutiful nurse, stepping back into character like an actress on a stage.
    She gave him a nod and then slipped out of the room. He heard her join the doctor in the hall. They spoke for a moment, Kate’s tone at once cool and perfunctory, then their footsteps echoed away. In the distance he heard the sound of his footman bidding them good afternoon, followed by the door opening and closing.
    Stillness rang throughout his home.
    James heaved a sigh and sank back onto the settee. It was barely necessary to put his hand to his throbbing member to find his release. Two quick strokes and he came with an explosive force, akin to letting the steam escape a pipe before it erupted. The subtle pressure of his trousers rubbing against his erection had nearly been enough to set him off.
    He lifted his discarded shirt from the floor and cleaned himself. Then, like a guilty schoolboy, he looked around for a way to dispose of the garment—it