Dark Fancy Read online

  Tighter yet when she stiffened around him.

  Buried deep inside her, he forced himself to hold still—though he desperately wanted, needed, to wrench himself out and pound into her again and again and again. He set his teeth and buried his face in the mass of her hair.

  “Are you…all right?” He could barely force the words out. “Does it hurt?”

  “It stings a bit. But I like it.” She ran tentative palms over his back, slid them lower, exploring his bunched muscles. He lifted his head and met her gaze. God, she was lovely. She swallowed and he tracked the motion. “Is it…is it over?”

  He barked a laugh and she gasped as his cock bobbled inside her. “It’s not nearly over.”

  “Oh,” she sighed. “Good.” And then, heaven help him, she clenched her muscles around his rigid staff, testing.

  He wheezed a groan. “Jesus.”

  “Do you like that?” she whispered. And before he could answer, she did it again.

  “Jesus.”

  Enough. Enough playing the gentleman.

  He reared up over her and pulled his cock out of her slick, clasping cavern. She opened her mouth to complain. He didn’t give her time. He immediately reversed direction and forced his way back in.

  Her response was a hellish shiver. And a moan. She planted her feet on the bed and arched toward him. Fuck. If he didn’t know for a fact she’d been a virgin, if he hadn’t just felt the give of her hymen, he would have thought her a practiced courtesan. She was so responsive—every squeeze, every quake, every quiver was perfectly timed, superbly delivered.

  She was, in short, driving him mad.

  But she was far too tight for him to fuck, to ravage the way he desperately needed to ravage her. He fumbled for the hard button of her clitoris, sucking her engorged nipple into his mouth. He alternately laved and thumbed her most sensitive flesh, easing his cock slowly in and out and in again. As she tightened, trembled, he increased the intensity of his thrusts. The new tension in her already full cunt was excruciating but James knew, if he was to have what he needed without hurting her, she had to come first.

  He was nearing the point of desperation—cock aching, balls burning—when she finally broke. The intensity of her orgasm around him nearly did him in. She bucked and growled and—God help him—gnawed on his neck as sensation rained through her, as the delirium took her.

  As she came, her body relaxed, opened to him. And James took immediate advantage.

  Bracing himself on his elbows, he raised his knees, forcing hers wider, and thrust home. With this plunge, he went all the way in, kissed her womb, and she wailed. He did not pause. In a blinding miasma of need, he pulled out and pounded into her again and again, harder, tighter, shorter as his agony mounted. She came around him again and he increased the pace, moving at a blinding speed, sluicing in and out of her with mindless, ravenous lunges.

  His crisis loomed. His balls pulled up tight into his scrotum, semen snarled for release. His cock, engorged and full, jerked inside her, warning of the impending explosion.

  The beast inside him clawed to get out, howled for release. He yanked it back but then lost control of the reins. Like an animal, he hunched over her, snarled and thrust harder, ruthlessly filling her cunt. He pinched both her nipples, hard, and then bit them, one by one.

  She seized.

  And he came.

  Glorious, excruciating release flooded him. He barely had the presence of mind to yank himself out as his cock began to spurt, and it almost killed him to do so but he pulled out and emptied himself on her belly.

  Though he was mindless and feral and definitely not feeling like a gentleman, in the back of his mind he didn’t want to be one of those lords who paid no mind to consequences. He didn’t want to be one of those lords she deplored.

  Because somewhere in the past hour, James had made a momentous decision.

  He was going to keep her.

  Chapter Five

  Helena lay on her side and stared at her lover collapsed beside her on the bed, his arm draped over his face, panting. Her heart gave an unsteady thump. Heavens. What had he done to her? She had never known the like. She’d never imagined lovemaking could be like that.

  She replayed their tryst in her mind, paying most attention to the last part where, rather than tormenting her with languorous determination, he had shoved himself inside her, growling and snarling like a wild creature flown with lust. Just before the end, he’d pinched her nipples, nipped them. Pain had flooded her body, followed by the most exquisite pleasure.

  It was quite beyond her ken that the two sensations could be so entwined.

  And down there, deep within her womb, she ached to feel that way again.

  He lifted his elbow, looked at her. “Are you all right?”

  She nodded. Smiled. “That was very nice.”

  “Nice?” He seemed offended. His nostrils got a pinched look about them.

  “Very nice.”

  “Just very nice?”

  She threaded her fingers through his hair. She would have never considered doing such a thing an hour ago. Now it seemed natural. “Shall I say it was the best thing I’ve ever experienced?”

  “That would be a start.”

  “I haven’t much to compare it to.”

  The dark glint in his eyes thrilled her. “We shall have to remedy that.”

  She flopped down on the pillow so they were nose to nose. “Thank you for that lovely lesson, James.”

  He pulled her close. The drag of his chest hair against her nipples thrilled her. They were still quite tender.

  And then he kissed her and all thoughts flew from her head. She was aware only of the warmth of his mouth, the tang of his breath, the rise of her pulse. He drew gentle circles and lines over the sensitive flesh of her back. His hand drifted lower, cradled the cheeks of her bottom. Squeezed.

  His harsh grasp tightened the skin down there, the aching nub he had awakened. She gasped and thrust her hips at him. Something stirred against her thigh.

  “Would you like another lesson, my sweet?” His voice was low, throbbing, replete with meanings she did not understand. But it made her go boneless and weak.

  She’d thought herself sated, but now a new hunger arose. “Yes, please.”

  He continued to caress her but his voice took on a scholarly tone. “There are many ways to make love. Many different…fancies. Nothing is wrong, unless your partner does not experience pleasure.”

  “Nothing?”

  “Nothing.” He traced a line along the crease of her bottom. It was pleasant but it tickled. She tried very hard not to jerk away. When he made contact with a particularly naughty place, she was shocked. Shocked at where his attention had wandered but even more shocked that his touch there sent a flame sizzling through her. “Do you like this?”

  “I-I think so.”

  “Many people enjoy this kind of stimulation.”

  “Wicked.”

  “Indeed. A bit too soon for us though.”

  That he saw her in his future sent a warm thrill to her heart. A provoking thought flitted through her mind. Dare she? “James?”

  “Mmm?” His attention had moved on. He was now sketching tantalizing circles over the fleshy globes of bottom.

  “May I ask you anything about lovemaking?”

  “Anything.”

  “You won’t think less of me? Think me wanton?”

  He chuckled, nibbled on her neck. “I may think you wanton. But I won’t think less of you. How could I? I adore an adventurous woman.” He continued to feast. She shook at the sensation his mouth created, all logical thought scuttled. He lifted his head. “What did you want to ask me?”

  “Mmm? I forgot. Ah. Yes.” She found she couldn’t meet his gaze.

  He tipped her chin up until she did. “Tell me, Eloise. And look at me. I want to see your face.”

  She licked her lips, as though that would help the question slip out. He tracked every move. “What you did to me, when
you kissed me…down there?”

  His hold tightened on her chin. “Yes?”

  “Do women ever…do that to men?”

  His reaction to her question was immediate. Feral. His arms became constricting bonds, a muscle bunched in his cheek, his rod surged to life and impudently prodded her belly.

  “Do they?”

  “Yes.” This, he breathed. “They do.”

  “I enjoyed that. James, I should like to please you that way sometime.”

  He tangled his fingers in her hair, gently guiding her down the length of his body. “My dear,” he rasped as she approached his rising ardor, “I am at your service.”

  * * * * *

  Oh, he was keeping her. He was definitely keeping her.

  James stared at his diminutive dove. She was languid and lambent in the dying light of the fire. Her hair was like spun honey, her heart-shaped face a cameo, her luscious curves a temptation. Even now, drained absolutely fucking dry, he wanted her.

  And she was his. He wasn’t going to let her go. Whoever the hell her guardian had planned to wed her to could rot.

  He could have her in London on the morrow, set up in a charming town house, draped in silks and jewels. She would never want for anything.

  He would need to explain to her he wasn’t a simple gardener. Despite her dislike for the lords of the land, he was certain he could put her mind at ease. He wasn’t one of them.

  He would cherish her, pamper her and, when the time was right, lead her toward his true passion, the dark fancy that dominated his desires.

  At the thought, his cock stirred again, but he willed it to be quiet. She was exhausted, poor thing. And she’d come so far—in just one evening. He couldn’t expect to foist it all upon her in one night.

  She muttered and rolled over in her sleep, thrusting her beautiful ass cheeks up in the air. The sight made his mouth water. He fisted the sheets as need raged through him. Holy hell. Even after two magnificent orgasms—the last of which ended with him buried in her throat—fiendish hunger goaded him with sharp claws.

  He succumbed to temptation, to a bit of it at least, and skated his palm over the curve of her bottom. She quivered at his touch. Longing roiled in his gut.

  Would she enjoy what he ached to do? God, he hoped so.

  But the last thing he wanted was to frighten her off.

  She was an adventurous lass, a perfect lover. He would need to initiate her carefully. Slowly. One step at a time. He had to rein in this rampant fever for now. Chain the beast.

  It was far too soon.

  She snuggled into the covers and her bottom wiggled. The beast howled.

  Patience. Patience. It was far too soon.

  Perhaps tomorrow.

  * * * * *

  Helena awoke the next morning feeling lazy and dreamy and utterly replete. She nestled deeper in the warm sheets and murmured her pleasure. It took a moment to remember where she was, what had happened last night.

  As memory flooded her, her body heated.

  She could hardly believe she’d had the courage to seduce such a handsome man. Could hardly believe he had wanted her. She replayed every stroke, every caress of their tryst, in her mind and her body thrummed.

  So that was pleasure. That was bliss.

  It was worth the risk of which Lady Satterlee had warned.

  But her schoolmistress had never mentioned how addictive such pleasure could be. The sharp bite of desire was already rising within her again.

  She was vaguely aware of small domesticated noises echoing through the cottage. The clink of a pan, she trickle of water. The sizzle of—

  Was that bacon? Her nostrils quivered as the most amazing smell drifted toward her.

  She creaked open an eye. And sighed.

  James was crouched before the fire, tending a large skillet. His golden hair picked up the wayward strands of sunlight through the window, surrounding him with a halo. A curl flopped onto his forehead. He brushed it back with a frown.

  He wore his trousers and battered shirt, but the shirt was unbuttoned. The sleeves were rolled up, exposing his muscular forearms. She knew his body now, knew it well enough to imagine what lay beneath the fabric.

  Still, she longed to rip it off.

  She leaned up on an elbow and watched him cook. It was a charming sight.

  He realized she was awake and shot her a dazzling smile. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning.” Why she was suddenly shy, she didn’t know. After everything they’d shared, she should have been bolder. Heavens, she’d tasted him. She dropped her gaze.

  But James, darling James, would not allow her to retreat into her embarrassment. He put the pan aside and came to sit beside her on the bed. He tipped up her chin until their gazes met. And then he kissed her.

  To be more precise, he consumed her. He put his mouth over hers and nibbled, sucked, licked. He worked at her until she couldn’t help but respond.

  When he pulled back, they were both panting.

  “And how are you doing this fine morning, my Eloise?”

  “F-fine.”

  He pulled the sheet away to expose her naked form. “You are so lovely.” He captured a nipple. As he sucked, his hand eased up her thigh and found her center. He touched her lightly. She shivered. Then he touched her again, stroked, rubbed. He played with her until she became restless and weak.

  When he stopped, she whimpered. She clasped at him and tried to pull him back, but he chuckled. “Breakfast is burning.”

  She sat up and glared at his back as he returned to the fire. “James, it’s hardly polite for you to start something and not finish it.”

  He glanced over his shoulder. His grin was wicked. “I have every intention of finishing it, my dear. But I shall make you suffer first.”

  Why those ominous words sent a thrill through her body, she had no clue. She arose from the bed and hunted for her dress. She was about to pull it over her head when he stopped her.

  “You don’t need to dress for breakfast, darling.”

  Helena gaped at him. “I beg your pardon?”

  “You don’t need to dress. In fact, I think I would enjoy my meal all the more with your beauty as counterpoint.” He filled two plates and placed them on the table. Arched a brow.

  “You want me to eat naked?”

  “If you please.”

  A shudder rippled through her. She had never eaten a meal naked. Definitely not with a big, handsome man looking on. Dare she?

  She stepped toward the table, with her dress clenched in her fist. She studied the rough-hewn bench. Frowned.

  “The food is getting cold, Eloise.”

  She did not like the mocking thread in his voice. It was as though he didn’t believe she had the courage to accept his challenge. “If I’m going to be naked, shouldn’t you as well?”

  He dropped his trousers with shocking insouciance. His shirt followed, fluttering to the ground. Her attention snagged on his manhood. She had studied it at length last night, but the cottage had been dark and the study had been done with her tongue. Now, in the light of day, it fascinated her. It was heavy and long, nestled between two tight sacs and gilded in golden curls. She remembered how he had felt in her mouth, tasted on her tongue, and couldn’t help but lick her lips.

  His member twitched. Arose.

  He chuckled. “None of that, now, darling. We must eat.” She glanced up at his face. He shot her a crooked grin. “Keep up our strength and all that.”

  He led her to the bench and steadied her as she sat. She flinched as the cool wood kissed her most tender spots. He took the chair across from her. “Bon appétit,” he murmured, and he dug in. Though his attention was fixed on her.

  It took everything within her to behave normally, as though she weren’t sitting naked on a coarse bench with an equally naked man eating bacon, eggs and honey cakes. In a surreal fog, she lifted her fork. A silver fork.

  His new larceny barely registered on her brain, for when she took a b
ite of a honey cake and it melted on her tongue, all other thoughts evaporated. She was famished. She tore into her plate.

  He laughed. “For such a tiny thing, you certainly can eat.”

  She tipped up her nose and sniffed her reproach. “It is quite rude to comment on a lady’s consumption.”

  “I do beg your pardon.” He proffered a mocking bow.

  “Besides, as you said, I’m only trying to keep up my strength. For some reason, I’m exhausted this morning.” She meant it as a joke, a playful jab in reference to his insatiable appetites of the night before, but he paled. Dropped his fork. Gulped.

  He set his palms on the table top and stared at his plate. “Eloise…”

  “Yes, James?”

  “I hope I didn’t—” He swallowed again. Then, after a long pause, “I hope I wasn’t too demanding of you.”

  “Demanding?”

  “It was your first time.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “What was I thinking?”

  “James, what are you—”

  “Seeing you sitting there in the light of day, so tiny—”

  She bristled. “I’m not—”

  “So delicate. I can’t believe that I…that we… Jesus.” He blew out a breath. “I’m sorry if I—”

  “James!” She didn’t mean to bark but she didn’t like where this conversation was going. She really disliked his withdrawal.

  “Yes, Eloise?”

  She captured his restless hand across the table. “I loved last night. It was perfect.”

  He swallowed. “All of it?”

  “Yes.”

  “All of it?”

  She couldn’t imagine what put that glint in his eye but it sent a thrill down her spine. She shifted on the bench, aware of every ripple in the wood. “Yes. And I would like very much to continue this…instruction.” She smiled at him, encouragingly. To prod him further, she fluttered her lashes and added, “If you please.”

  The sound he made was rather like a growl but gentle and low and deep in his chest. “Finish your breakfast.” He picked up his fork and shoveled some eggs into his mouth. His gaze, hard and hungry, did not stray from her.

  She was disappointed when, after breakfast, he didn’t take her directly back to bed. They were both already naked and she was uncomfortably aroused by the time the meal ended, what with his sweltering glances and the teasing play of his toes beneath the table.