it into her mouth, released it slowly then smiled. Nicholas groaned. She knew what she was doing to him and was taking complete pleasure in his rising need.
Whether or not he won, he was going to bed her before he left American soil. "Well, Wildcat, you have yourself a deal."
He grabbed her hand before she could retract far from his reach. Keeping his eyes locked in her startled ones he lifted her wrist to his lips and pressed a long kiss on the pulse. She drew in a sharp breath the same moment her pulse jumped against his lips.
He pulled in a breath as his eyes roamed her person again. A shade of red moved up from the top of her breasts to her neck and finally her cheeks. He chuckled then released her. "You will enjoy me more than you do your protector."
Her eyes widened, with what he was sure was shock at his boldness. Her protector on the other hand turned red for a different reason, but Nicholas could care less.
*****
It only took two hours for Lydia to beat the Englishman. She knew it was silly to admit it but she was sad the sexual banter had come to an end. It would have taken less than two hours to beat him if she wished it, but she wanted to prolong it. So, she let him win two games and they played one more as the tie breaker.
Sadly, she lain the cards down, "Well, my lord, it seems you'll have to find pleasure in another's arms."
The Englishman leaned back in his chair. He settled a knowing gaze on Lydia which made her uncomfortable. His eyes suggested he knew a secret about her, which she as well as everyone else on the table was not privy to.
"It seems I'm not the only one who's disappointed by the outcome," he said casually.
Yes, that was the secret but she would have preferred that no one else found out. She pulled her lips into a forced smile. "You mistake my exhaustion for disappointment, my lord."
He leaned forward. "Then allow me to escort you home."
Lydia laughed then stood up from her chair. She'd vacated Mr. Kingston's lap before they began the game. His possessiveness was beginning to infuriate her. "Nice try, my lord."
The Englishman stood with her, his laugh reaching his eyes. "I'll admit I've been caught. But you must accept my offer to see you safely to your carriage."
Lydia gave him a look from his leather boots, up his taut legs, powerful thighs, narrow mid, broad torso with equally broad shoulders and thick muscular arms she lusted to have wrapped around her.
Mr. Kingston cleared his throat, interrupting her thoughts. "That will not be necessary," he said as he stood up. "My man Tom is at her disposal."
Lydia's mood quickly changed to irritation. "My lord, I wouldn't mind an escort to the door. Tom must be waiting on me in the carriage."
The Englishman chuckled. "Well then, it's decided. Shall we?" he held his hand out to her.
Her heart skipped. She was suddenly not so sure about being alone with him. His lips spread in a deep grin. He bit on his lower lip like he was attempting to keep from laughing, but the movements of his chest betrayed him. He was laughing at her!
She lifted the cloak and draped it over her shoulders. Ignoring his hand, she turned to the table. "Gentlemen, until next time."
Mr. Kingston grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. "Wildcat..." his voice echoed the doubt and worry she saw on his face. His doubt in her irked her, but it was understandable. The Englishman was a temptation, enough to get a weak minded woman to grant his every wish.
She wasn't a weak minded woman.
She placed her hand over his and squeezed. "I would never betray you," she said sternly but she could still see the struggle in his eyes. It was a big mistake that he depended on her so much. She wasn't the dependable type, but she was loyal.
She leaned closer to him and kissed his cheek. "Next time, wait for me to arrive before you lay your fortune on the table again."
He laughed and she could clearly see the tension leave him. "I give you my word."
He released her and the Englishman quickly claimed her arm, making her body sing from the contact. Fearfully, she looked at his grip on her arm and with much effort, avoided looking at his face as he led her out.
"You care very much for him, don't you?" She heard his voice close to her ear. His warm breath caressing her throat.
She was glad the hallway was dark, or her obvious reaction to him would be visible. "I do what I can to help."
He chuckled. "You do more than that."
Then suddenly she was pulled, turned and pinned against the wall. She hadn't the chance to catch her breath when she felt his body press flush against hers, pinning her harder against the wall. She felt his breathe on her neck as his hands traced a path of fire from her hips to the sides of her breasts. She knew she should push him away, but she could barely breathe. When he began planting feathery kisses from her shoulder to her jaw, her knees buckled.
She grew lightheaded, her breaths coming short and heavy. She felt herself slide down the wall. Then something thick and massive tucked between her thighs and pushed her back up and higher off her feet to the tip of her toes. She gasped when her sensitive knob came into contact with his solid thigh. Her hands shot up to his back. She sighed loudly at the feel of his hard back muscles flexing under her touch.
I should let go, push him away! But her body wouldn't cooperate. Instead her fingers dug into him and she pushed him against her as he sucked hard on one arousing spot on her neck. She moaned, wishing she knew his name.
I don't even know his name! But shit, what he's doing to me! She moaned again, the fire in the pit of her stomach burning fiercely.
She'd been assaulted before but never had she wanted to cheer her attacker on. She never reacted so wantonly to a man's touch. It was wonderful!
He placed his hands on her ass and squeezed hard. Lydia gasped, pulling her hands from his back and locking them around his neck. His groan vibrated deliciously on her neck and right to her toes but she wanted her lips to enjoy what her neck was receiving.
She buried her hands in his hair and pulled his head away from her neck, then down to crush her lips against his in a fiery kiss. She got lost, his tongue seducing hers. She needed more, she demanded more and he eagerly gave it to her.
He slipped his hands into her drawers and she felt his warm palms cup and caress her bare derriere. Then he quickly lifted her up, forcing her to wrap her thighs around his waist. With a harsher groan, he ground his pulsing member against her aching core making her gasp loudly in his mouth.
He pulled his lips away and she whined her disapproval. He chuckled and kissed her deeply before he pulled away again. "I bet no man has ever made you feel the way I do?"
She shook her head and whispered, "No," then tagged his lower lip back into her mouth.
He ground himself against her again then thrust hard against her making her cry out in both pain and pleasure.
"I want you," he whispered in a raspy voice against her lips.
She wanted him too but she couldn't find her voice to say it.
