Dare to Love (22 page)

“Oh Dare, what a wonderful idea!”

“I then threatened him again, saying if I found out he had used it for drink or other personal vices, I would hear of it and convince the constable he had shot me and stolen my purse.”

He grinned at the memory of Dugan’s face at that proclamation.

Nivea sat back in her chair, a look of astonished joy on her face. “Oh, Dare, you will be their hero. I am so proud you were able to overcome your anger.”

As he had hoped, she leaned over to kiss him on the cheek.

“Surely, such noble behavior deserves more reward than that,” he teased and turned his head, catching her lips with his. Oh, she tasted so sweet. Then he caught her scent, that subtle, entrancing essence of vanilla. He couldn’t resist gliding his tongue into her mouth.

“Ohh,” she breathed.

At her reaction, he deepened the kiss, teasing her tongue with his. Dipping in and out of her lips, he tasted her essence, sensed her passion. His desire spiked with surprising alacrity.

Grabbing her shoulders, he trailed kisses down to her neck. His gaze strayed to her bosom, overflowing her gown as she leaned forward. Her skin was so impossibly white and soft. He remembered how her skin had tasted in the cabin, how responsive she’d been, and he needed more. Sliding the tray off his lap, he pulled her down to sit next to him and wrapped his arms around her waist.

When she let out a breathy moan, his unreliable conscience resurfaced. He pushed her back and took a deep steadying breath.

And then another, damn her.

“That is enough. We shouldn’t be doing this. You need to leave, now, before I dishonor you once again.”

But she didn’t. She settled next to him and leaned over to nibble his earlobe. “But I like doing this. I know it’s wicked, but I don’t care.” Her voice was low and husky. With a sinful smile, she let her fingers creep across his chest to skim his nipple.

He yelped and grabbed her hand. “God in heaven, Nivea, don’t do that!”

Taking no pity on him or his noble efforts, she pulled her hand free and repeated the motion, rubbing the right nipple and then the left, while nibbling on the taut cords of his neck.

That did it. There was no turning back. All rational thought vanished into the ether. Ignoring his wound, he rolled her beneath him and plundered her mouth. His hands roamed over her body, pushing fabric out of the way to knead the soft flesh. The heat between them flared to a fiery pitch.

“Oh, Dare, this feels so wonderful,” Nivea groaned. Her soft, warm hands caressed his shoulders before moving around to his back and touching the raised flesh.

“Don’t!” Dare bellowed.

Nivea’s fingers had barely encountered the smoothed ridges of a scar below his shoulder when she was shoved backward.

Her heart clenched. She hadn’t meant to touch his scar. Hadn’t meant to upset him. She had been lulled into a haze of desire and hadn’t even realized what she was doing; she was simply trying to pull him closer.

At the haunted pain lurking in his eyes, she stuttered, “I’m so sorry, Dare. I didn’t mean to upset you. Here, let me…” She reached out to place a soothing hand on his arm.

He jerked away and hissed through clenched teeth, “Don’t touch me. I don’t need your pity. Just leave me alone.”

That stopped her. “Pity?” she cried. “Is that what you think?” Then she froze as a horrible thought struck her. “Is that what your other women felt? Pity?”

“No!” he shouted, his eyes blazing. “Haven’t I made myself clear? No one else knows about this.”

Now she was truly bewildered. How was that possible? She sat there trying to puzzle through such an amazing revelation. “But surely, after all those women, how did you hide it?”

“I’d hidden it from you, hadn’t I?” he jeered.

Still stunned by the implications, she managed to respond with only a slight edge, “Well, yes, but I was an innocent, as you well know. Not all your women were.”

He sat there, arms crossed rigidly, his expression fierce.

Curiosity overcame desire. Sitting up, she tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear and pondered this paradox. How was it possible that he’d bedded dozens of women without them discovering his secret?

“I don’t recall asking you to make yourself comfortable,” he growled.

She couldn’t help but smile, “Yes, I know. You want me to leave. But please, you have to tell me. How did you keep it a secret?”

Digging the heel of his palms into his eyes, he sighed. “Please, don’t ask. You would not think well of me.”

At that, she laughed. “After all I’ve heard about the infamous Lord Landis, I dare say I won’t be shocked.”

Clenching his jaw, he looked at her steadily, as though taking her measure. Then narrowing his eyes, his demeanor changed and the unrepentant rake appeared.

“I had a few tricks,” he drawled. “You would not appreciate them, I’m certain, but others did. Many, many others.”

She knew he was trying to drive her away, but she couldn’t help but be fascinated by this side of Dare—the sensuous, dangerous, Lord Landis. He’d definitely peaked her interest now. “Tricks? What kind of tricks?”

Given his exasperated expression, he did not want to tell her. But she had to know. Feeling reckless, she pressed her advantage. Placing a hand to his chest, she leaned over and cooed as she’d seen other ladies do. “I would like to know your tricks.”

He huffed angrily and glared at the ceiling.

She leaned closer and paused, her face only inches from his. “Please?” she breathed, surprised at the silky, sexy tone she was able to affect. He returned her gaze, but still did not move, except for that compulsive tightening of his jaw.

Silently, patiently, she waited until he finally relented.

“All right, if you must know,” he growled, shoving himself into a seated position. “In most cases, I would simply keep my shirt on, my waistcoat too, if circumstances allowed. It seemed more like uncontrollable passion than an unwillingness to disrobe.”

Nivea felt herself blush. That was how he had taken her, not once but twice.

Warming to the subject, his voice turned silky as he continued, “Sometimes I preferred to take my time, savoring the moment. In that case, with a less experienced woman, I may blindfold them, keeping their hands pinned down, so they couldn’t see or feel the scars. They usually found the suggestion titillating and never questioned me.”

She should be horrified, disgusted even, but instead she was more aroused. “And the more experienced ones? What of them?” she breathed.

Dare’s deep hooded eyes bored into hers, and she knew he could sense her longing. An odd, calculating expression crossed his face, only to be replaced by the gleam of a perilous predator. “If you must know, I will show you.”

Pulling her into a hard embrace, he drove his tongue into her mouth. Eagerly, she kissed him back. He was so delicious, tasting of brandy and spices and Dare. His soft, full lips nipping and sucking, his tongue probing and tickling.

She could feel the heat of his skin and wanted more. She ran her hand through his silky, dark hair before inching toward his shoulders. He suddenly rolled over her, locking her in place with a long leg. Then he grabbed her wrists and stretched them above her head. Now trapped, she could do no more than moan as he trailed kisses down her neck, collarbone, and into the expanse of skin above her bodice. As she sighed with delight, he straddled her, and rubbed his hardened member against her skirts.

His eyes were black, hypnotic when he purred, “Darling, you drive me to distraction. If you wouldn’t mind, I would love to treat you to a little excitement.”

He leaned forward to press a warm, lingering kiss on her lips. “It’s a little daring, but I think you would like it. In fact, I
know
you will like it.”

Thoroughly intrigued, she managed to nod her head in agreement.

“Good. Now, close your eyes and don’t move,” he crooned. His hand trailed across her breast before she felt his weight shift away from her. In an instant, he settled back on the bed.

Once again, he grabbed her hands resting above her head before wrapping fabric around her wrists. Alarmed, she tried to tug them free.

She felt his laugh rumble against her. “Now, now darling. I won’t hurt you. Just lay still and I promise you will not be disappointed.”

She opened her eyes and watched him loop the end of a cravat around his bedpost, restraining her. Confident she was secured, Dare nibbled her ear and ran a possessive hand down her breast. Rolling over, he extinguished the candles beside the bed. Now the room was bathed in shadows. The beautiful planes of his face were barely visible from the lone candle located near the dressing area.

His hands roamed over her gown, growling as it prevented him from reaching her skin. “Usually,” he confessed, “I would have my partner disrobed before this point. I admit this order poses as bit of an impediment.”

Divining a solution, he flipped her over onto her stomach. Straddling her once again, he rubbed rhythmically against her bottom, cupping it in his hands. Then he brushed away the hair at her neck and slowly, methodically, began popping open the buttons of her gown. After each button, he would place a kiss on her exposed skin, first her neck, then shoulders, then down her spine.

She shivered with delight. “Oh Dare, this is exquisite.”

“Yes, it is,” he groaned. He licked and nipped his way down her back, now fully exposed. While it was a trifle unnerving to be at his mercy, she found the prickle of uneasiness heightened her senses. As desire swirled through her, she pressed deeper into the mattress, aching for friction.

He slipped the sleeves of the gown off her shoulders and murmured, “We won’t be able to remove it entirely, but I think I can manage to work around it.” Proving his point, he rolled her onto her back and nudged the loosened neckline down, exposing her torso. Lowering his head, he took a nipple into his mouth.

Fire shot through her veins and she bucked wildly in response.
God in heaven that felt good.

“Easy, darling, this is only the beginning,” he cooed. Picking up the flowers that had fallen out of her bodice, he raised them to his face and inhaled. “Ah yes. A delicate scent, but not as enticing as yours, my dear.” He began to trace the flowers over her skin. Starting with her cheek, he trailed them down her neck and across her chest. It was tender yet erotic, especially when he followed their trail with his lips.

She sucked in a breath as though it were her last on earth. Desperate to touch him, Nivea tugged at the bonds.

“That feeling of helplessness is quite erotic, is it not? No matter what I do, you are completely at my mercy.” To prove his point, he reached his hand down and dragged the hem of her skirt up, over her ankle, knee, and thigh, his hand leaving a fiery imprint in its wake. Releasing the fabric, he untied the ribbon on her undergarment. Flashing her a devilish smile, he eased them down.

Torn between desire and embarrassment, Nivea tried to squirm away, but the bindings on her wrists held firm.

“Don’t be shy, darling. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman opened to her man.”

Squeezing her eyes shut, Nivea braced herself.

Nuzzling her ear, he whispered, “No need to be afraid. The best part is just beginning.” He kissed her deeply and placed his large, warm hand on the juncture of her legs. She shivered. Pressing up toward his palm, she could not help when a moan escaped.

“That’s it, my dear, tell me if you like it.” He moved his hand, slowly gliding his fingers inside her, rubbing her sensitive skin until little sparks of pleasure jolted gasps from her.

Just when she thought she could take no more, he lowered his head to her nipple, suckling the tip as he drove his fingers inside of her. She forced down a scream, trembling with anticipation. Eager for what was to come.

Then he lightened the pressure, barely touching her throbbing skin. When she whimpered, he chuckled. “Not yet, my impatient lamb. You wanted to know my tricks, remember?”

He sat up. “First, let’s get this clothing out of the way. I want to see you. All of you.” Sliding her stockings and undergarment down her legs, Dare stroked the newly exposed skin. Then, crawling over her, he tugged her gown over her hips, torso, and arms before flipping it inside out over the headboard. “That’s better.”

His gaze was so hot and appreciative, Nivea felt her embarrassment abate, replaced by burning desire.

Settling next to her, Dare nuzzled her throat while his hand skimmed over her ribs and the underside of her breasts. She could do more than lay there quivering with need, shifting her hips, rubbing her thighs together in a desperate effort to gain release. Twisting to her side, so his hand rested on her breast, she wiggled against his fingers. When he chuckled and palmed her flesh, she let out a sigh of relief.

It didn’t last long when he squeezed her rosy tip, causing even greater torment.

“Oh, yes, Dare. Don’t stop,” she cried, barely recognizing her own voice.

He shifted to take her other breast in his mouth as his hand continued to roll and pinch her sensitive peak. She was unable to breathe. Her eyes were shut tight, closing out the world to everything except the feel of his lips and fingers against her skin.

“Please, Dare, I need…I need more,” she whimpered.

Thankfully, he began to slide his hand down, over her stomach, through the curls and into the hot, wet center of her being. He stilled for a moment, pressing his palm against her aching skin. A long, agonizing moment.

“I think you’re ready now,” he crooned and flicked his thumb against her nub of pleasure. She exploded in ecstasy. Lights flashed behind her eyes, and her body jerked and quaked. Still tied to the bed, her arms yanked at the restraints.

Sweet lord in heaven, she would never survive this.

He continued to stroke her through the ripples of pleasure, until the final tingle subsided.

Unable to open her eyes, she felt Dare roll to the side of the bed and remove his breeches. “Now, my dear, perhaps you won’t mind if I take some pleasure as well.” His voice was so low and rough, she barely recognized it. It didn’t matter. Still incapable of speech, she gave a tired nod.