Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 72146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
When they’re out of sight, I race back along a different route so I can enter that darkened sitting room through another doorway. Hopeful he’ll still be there.
“I know you’re here,” I say into the dim light. It seems even dimmer than it did when he was watching me during dinner. “Why didn’t you come to the table?”
No answer.
“Is this what you intend to do, then? Watch me from a distance until I am married? Or do you intend to have a conversation with me?”
Nothing.
“This isn’t the kind of conversation I expect of a gentleman.”
He does not say anything, and I feel as if he is teasing me, now. Taunting me. Leaving the silence so that I will be forced to speak.
It works.
“It would please me if you would just speak,” I nearly snap. The euphoria I felt after I got out of the tub was quick to fade. That was the only time I would be alone like that for the rest of the day, and now I cannot stand the wait until I can feel true pleasure again. Yet the desire will not leave me alone. It has followed me every minute, and suddenly I can see that my life is designed to ensure that I am never by myself, so I can never do such naughty things as give myself an orgasm. “It would please me if you came to my rooms and…and did as you wished. I keep my balcony doors open to let the fresh breeze in. During the summer, the air smells of jasmine, and it helps me rest. But of course, I only mean this if you are brave enough.”
Nothing. My invitation is met with no words, but I swear I feel his eyes again, and the shadow moves behind me.
He heard. It’s only then my recklessness truly brings me to reality.
I lay in my bed in my nightgown, terrified.
What was I thinking, offering that to a stranger? A stranger who has been at court, yes, but one who I have not seen. I haven’t ever seen his face! I do not know his name. I know nothing of him.
Worst of all, why do I find it so…arousing?
I shut my eyes and try not to think of him. He will not be so bold as to come here, I’m sure of it. He will know better. I am a princess, and my father is the king, and—
The door to my balcony creaks. My heart freezes and I hold my breath as heat consumes me.
It is such a soft sound, but I know it cannot be the wind. I keep my eyes closed, breathing shallowly, though I know he will be able to tell I am awake. If it is not my imagination.
Quiet but heavy footsteps come closer to the bed, and then silk fabric graces the side of my cheek. It’s a shocking sensation at first. Adrenaline rages through my veins, and it takes everything in me to keep my eyes shut tight. I’m not supposed to see. None of this is real so long as I don’t see it.
I let out a long breath.
He touches my shoulder, next. It is only a slight pressure. I follow it and turn over onto my back.
Then the silk is at my eyes—a blindfold.
Another touch guides me to sit up. He ties the blindfold behind my head, then checks to be sure it is secure.
The next sensation is of his hands on my face. If I had not smelled the spicy scent of him, I would know it was a man by the size and strength of his hands.
He kisses my lips, then drops his head to my neck and kisses me there, as well. I tip my head back and let him suck gently at the side of my neck and lick at the neckline of my nightgown.
His touch is everything. Heated and electric. My head is dizzy with desire, and I swallow thickly to control the need to moan at the slightest attention he gives me.
I hardly notice him laying me down on the pillows, still kissing me. I only become aware of it when he guides me to turn onto my stomach. I do, wrapping my arms around the nearest pillow.
My heart pounds and heat pulses between my thighs. I need him. I ache for him.
Make me feel what I never have before.
It’s a sinful secret and one that I know could destroy me. And yet, it’s everything I crave.
He shifts behind me and then lifts my nightgown up until my thighs, bottom, waist, and more are exposed. The cool air whispers along my skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake. He pushes my garment so high that my naked breasts are pressed against the sheets.
I’m exposed to him. A man I do not know and have never seen. A man who I should not entertain and yet he has all my attention. He’s all I want. Foolishly…all I want is this. Because at least this is in my control. He strokes his fingers behind my legs, and my face heats against the pillow. I am much, much wetter than I was even after several minutes alone, and he seems to relish the sensation of it, stroking again and again and gathering my arousal.