One Night Scandal (2 page)
Was he the reason she’d felt propelled to Venice? She had to know.
She closed her eyes for a long moment and focused on love just as she had for the past few months.
Her love.
A hazy image of a man came to her. Finally! She could see an image of the man she was supposed to love. He looked like . . . she blinked her eyes open.
Her love.
A hazy image of a man came to her. Finally! She could see an image of the man she was supposed to love. He looked like . . . she blinked her eyes open.
“You,” she whispered in Italian. The man in her vision was
him
. He was the reason she traveled here. Her intuition hadn’t steered her wrong as she’d wondered. She had to find out more about him before he sent her on her way back to her rented rooms.
him
. He was the reason she traveled here. Her intuition hadn’t steered her wrong as she’d wondered. She had to find out more about him before he sent her on her way back to her rented rooms.
“Me?” he asked in reply.
“The man from the gondola,” she said, trying to make up an excuse. “I’m sorry. I fell asleep in your bed.”
“I truly do not mind.” His smile widened revealing two deep dimples.
Her heart fluttered. This was the man she was supposed to fall in love with, she was certain of it. She had absolute trust in her visions. “I was dreadfully cold even after the bath and the maid hadn’t returned with any dry clothes.”
“I never mind having a beautiful woman in my bed.”
Heat crossed her cheeks with his implied meaning. She seemed unable to look away from the handsome man. “Thank you,” she said quietly.
“For what?”
“Saving my life.”
He smiled down at her. “You practically fell onto my lap.”
“Still, you didn’t have to jump into the canal to save me.” But she was so grateful he had. Was it just gratitude warming her insides? She really didn’t think so. She had met many handsome men in London and yet, not one of them ever set her heart beating as swiftly as this man had.
“I couldn’t let you drown,” he replied. “It would have been ungentlemanly of me.”
She’d been waiting for years for a man to fire her passion. The ladies she had matched with husbands had told her how they knew the man was the right one with just a single kiss. She desperately wanted him to kiss her, touch her . . . make love to her.
Make love? Could she really want to do such a thing with him? She’d only just met him.
Her gaze slid down from his eyes to his lips. Experiencing passion with this handsome man would be a lovely end to a long trip. She couldn’t take her gaze off his lips. Full and beautifully molded lips. She had to kiss him.
“What is your name?” she finally asked.
His dark brow furrowed, and he paused a bit before answering, “Nico. And you?”
Instinctively, she knew he was lying. But why? What was he trying to hide from her? Could he be married? A libertine? Glancing around the room, she doubted either was the case. The high ceiling was painted with cherubs and angels, a large crystal chandelier dominated the ceiling. But the rest of the room was remarkably stark and functional. Not the sort of room a wife would like, also not the sort to impress a woman as a libertine might prefer.
She reached out and clasped his hand in hers. Closing her eyes, she attempted to read something from him. He was difficult to read. She’d had other people who were hard to read, but he was the most challenging. The only thing she felt was he wasn’t a rake. He loved and respected women.
With a small smile, she opened her eyes to see him staring down at her with a look of confusion. “Your name?” he asked again.
“My name is Sophia,” she said, giving the Italian version of her name.
“Sophia,” he whispered.
Watching his lips move as he said her name brought her mind back to kissing him. But would he want more than a kiss? Could she give him more? The more she stared at him, the warmer her body felt. If this man was important in her life, and he must be in some way, then giving herself to him would be either a wonderful thing or the biggest mistake ever.
She didn’t think he could be a blunder. Taking him to bed might be the thing that would break her free, allowing her to see her own future clearly for once instead of the strange hazy image she had received tonight. Once she’d been with him, maybe her personal insight would be stronger.
“Sophia, are you married?” he asked softly, breaking the silence that had enveloped them.
“No. Are you?”
He smiled down at her. “No.”
She wondered why he hadn’t commented on her Italian. Her grasp of the language was excellent but still, he should have noticed her accent. Yet, he never asked her about it, or from where she originated.
She wondered what would happen if she let him seduce her tonight. Would he discover that she was the woman for him? Would he prevent her from leaving Venice in three days as she’d planned?
She rather thought he would.
If he was the man for her, as she believed, then making love with him was perfectly acceptable. All of her friends had been with their husbands before marriage. None of them would condemn her for making the same decision.
She skimmed her finger up his strong arm. He tensed under her whispered touch, but she sensed his desire. One thing was for certain, if and when she returned to England, she would not be a virgin.
His eyes widened as she trailed her fingers up to his neck and slowly brought him closer. As he leaned over, she said, “I am still quite cold. Do you think you could warm me?”
Chapter 2
Nicholas stared at her for a long moment. He had no idea what made him pause. Here was a beautiful woman who wanted him to make love to her, and he hesitated. What the bloody hell was wrong with him?
Perhaps Sophia would be the woman to break the spell the other woman he loved had on him. He wasn’t looking for love with Sophia, just the ability to forget for a while. His erection throbbed, wanting him to make the right choice. With his mouth only inches from her full lips, he made his decision.
“I believe I can warm you thoroughly.”
He leaned forward and gently kissed her lips. Desire rushed through him as she responded to him. He deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue into her mouth. Hearing her soft moan of pleasure sent him over the edge. He had to have her tonight. Nothing would stop him now.
He shifted his weight until he lay on top of her. Her soft body molded to his, her breasts pressed against his chest. As her tongue played with his, he could think of nothing but spreading her legs and plunging into her depths.
He trailed his lips to her ear. Gently bringing her earlobe into his mouth, he smiled as she moaned again. Her hips instinctively rose up against his hard cock. God, she was so sweet.
Nicholas burned a path down her neck. Sliding the coverlet as he went, he finally found his target. He stared down at her erect pink nipple. Watching her reaction, he gently rolled her taut nipple between his thumb and finger.
“Oh,” she whispered, as her eyes grew large with desire.
“Do you like that?”
“Yes,” she mumbled.
He slipped it into his mouth, suckling her until she squirmed under him. Passion thrummed through him, urging him on as he attempted to slow down and thoroughly enjoy her glorious body.
He couldn’t remember the last time he felt such driving passion as he did with Sophia. After being with too many women, the excitement had waned in the last year. He had become bored with women and life. It was part of what had made him decide to travel. But he felt no boredom with Sophia. Her moans of pleasure were driving him mad with desire.
Skimming his hand downward through her downy hair, he split her folds and gently rubbed her sweet little nub. He smiled against her breast as she bucked under his hand.
“Oh, my,” she whispered.
“Sophia, I want you so desperately,” he said, moving his attention to her other breast.
“Yes, Nico.”
He didn’t need to hear more. He slid his finger lower until he reached her moist depths. His control slipped further as he stroked her. Feeling her tightness, he gently brought another finger inside her.
“Nico,” she moaned.
Hearing her moan his name sent him over the edge. He shifted until his erection waited at her opening. Slowly, he entered her. His body screamed at him to plunge in deeper but she was small and tight and needed time to adjust to his size.
Finally, he tried to go further but couldn’t. His eyes widened when he realized the cause.
“Sophia?”
“Don’t stop, Nico,” she whispered. “I want you.”
With desire ripping his restraint, her words only made things worse. She suddenly brought her legs around his hips and pressed him fully into her. Nicholas closed his eyes against the passion overwhelming him. Knowing this was her first time changed everything. He had to wait until she was ready to continue.
If he had only known before, he could have made this so much better for her.
Sophie gasped as he broke through her maidenhead. Having him deep inside her stung, and part of her wanted to push him away. She’d known it would hurt but no one had told her how strange it would feel to have him inside her.
As he showered her neck with kisses, she started to adjust to having him in her. Her breathing settled and the sensations of his kisses on her neck sent shivers down her back. He moved his lips to her breast and teased her nipple until he finally brought it into his warm mouth.
Skimming his hand down her belly, he slipped it between them until he found her clitoris. He rubbed his thumb there, making her forget the stinging sensation he had caused. Moisture pooled in her, surrounding his cock and she realized the pain had lessened. She moved her hips slightly and released a sigh. The minor movement felt odd but in a very interesting manner.
Feeling his smile against her breast, she lifted her legs higher on his hips. This time they moaned in unison.
“Are you ready to proceed?” he whispered.
“Yes.”
He lifted off her until he could stare down at her. Sophie couldn’t take her gaze off his warm brown eyes. He moved slowly out of her and she groaned in disappointment. Her mother had explained everything that happened between a man and a woman. This couldn’t be all there was to it.
Just before he slipped out of her completely, he slid himself back inside. She moaned from the fullness of him. She had never felt anything as incredible as Nico deep inside of her. He quickly increased the tempo. He moved her hips with each thrust of his hard cock. She met his lunges and found the ancient rhythm. Her passion increased, higher she went until she thought she could go no farther. His thumb returned to her nub, rubbing harder this time. Closing her eyes, she felt as if she was breaking into a million pieces.
“Sophia,” he muttered as he thrust in her two more times before stilling his body over her and groaning.
She smiled as she watched the absolute pleasure on his face. She had done that to him. Her body had brought him such satisfaction. Closing her eyes, she relished the moment.
He rested on top of her, breathing hard. As his breathing slowed, he nipped her shoulder with his teeth. She smiled at the sensation of his teeth on her skin. While enjoying the time with him, she knew if he were like most gentlemen, she must account for her actions.
“Sophia,” he said, then kissed her neck again.
“Hmm?”
“Why?”
“I wanted you, Nico.”
He lifted his head and stared down at her. “We only just met this evening.”
She smiled at him slowly, seductively. “And you have never wanted a woman you just met?”
“That is completely different.”
“Why? Because you are a man?” She arched a brow at him. “Women can’t feel the same desire a man does?”
He rolled off her and lay back on the bed. “It is different for a woman. Especially a virgin.”
“Is it? And you would know this how?”
“Women want emotions involved in the act. Not just a quick rutting like a man.”
She laughed softly and rolled on her side. “Then why after just looking at you, did I want you? I certainly do not love you. Nonetheless, I still wanted you tonight.”
He turned on his side so they were face to face. “Can you honestly tell me that this meant nothing to you?”
“Of course, it did.” She skimmed her hand down his strong jaw. “You were my first, Nico.”
Grabbing her hand, he brought her palm to his lips. Little shivers raced down her arms at the contact.
“What if I want more?” he asked.
She stilled and slowly smiled. She had made the right choice. He was supposed to be her perfect match. “We would need to discuss that.”
“What are you hiding, Sophia?” His brown eyes gazed at her.
“Nothing,” she lied. She couldn’t tell him much of anything about her yet. First she needed to see how things proceeded.
He released a resigned sigh. “Can you stay the night?”
“No, but I can stay a few more hours,” she replied, then caressed his cheek with her hand.
“Then we had better make the best use of our time together.”
“Oh?”
“Oh, yes,” he whispered and pulled her on top of him.
Nicholas breathed in deeply, attempting to gain some measure of control over his senses again. He had never experienced a woman like Sophia. He hadn’t known such an exquisite creature existed. After making love with her twice, he wanted her again.
Pulling her close to him, she rested her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her. Perhaps he could change her mind about leaving. He tugged the coverlet back over their naked sated bodies.
There were so many questions he wanted to ask her, but he wondered if she would even answer them. For whatever reason, she’d wanted to experience a man. He supposed the fact that he saved her life might have played into the decision. But he hoped that wasn’t the only reason.
She lifted her head and looked down at him. A slow smile lifted her lips upward. His heart increased its speed again.
“What time is it?” she asked softly.
He frowned believing she must be thinking about leaving him already. He didn’t want her to leave just yet. Glancing over at the small clock on his night-stand, he answered, “A little before midnight.”
Her smile fell. “I need to leave.”
“Why?”
“My aunt was out for the evening but will return soon. I must be there when she arrives.”
“Very well.” He wrapped his arms around her again. “But first, how did you end up in the canal?”
She giggled softly. “I was staring at the water.”
“Well, yes you were,” he said with a deep chuckle. “But why and how did that cause you to end up in the water?”
“Some boys ran by and knocked into me. I was leaning over so far that I lost my balance and fell in.”
He frowned. “But why were you staring at the water so far over the balustrade?”
“Sometimes staring at the water helps me focus.”
“Focus on what?”
She sighed. “Me. My future.”
“And what did you see for yourself?”
She went silent for a long moment. “Nothing,” she finally answered quietly. “I saw nothing. There is nothing for me.”
And that answer revealed more than she probably wanted him to discover. He wondered why such a vibrant woman would feel as if there was nothing in life for her. “So was that why you decided I was the man to lose your virginity with?”
“And if it was?” she whispered as her fingers splayed across his chest.
“Do you think it was the right reason?”
“I think you are too concerned with what I gave you.”
“It should have been your husband’s gift, not mine.” He felt her eyelashes blink rapidly on his chest. A tear fell, damping him.
“I wonder if I shall ever marry,” she said so quietly he almost did not hear.
“Why?”
“I am twenty-six, twenty-seven in a few months. Far too old for most men.”
“Is that so?” He laughed. “I happen to know of three women who married about the age of twenty-six and one at twenty-eight. All married well.”
“Not where I am from,” she commented and then glanced away from him with a frown.
“And where would that be?” he asked softly, praying she would give him real information about herself.
“Nowhere important,” she replied.
Unfortunately, she was right. Learning more about her would only drive him mad when he had to leave. The woman was Italian and probably Catholic. His father would have an apoplexy if he brought home a Catholic from his travels. Nicholas understood his father’s expectation. As a marquess and future duke, the right wife was vital. She had to be someone in Society who would give him heirs and have her charity work to keep her busy while he attended Parliament.
Sophia was not that type of woman.
With Sophia, he would never want to leave their bed. Even after making love with her twice this evening, he desired her again. No woman had ever done that to him. He rolled her over onto her back and stared down at her gray eyes.
She smiled seductively at him. “Again?”
“Are you too sore?”
“There is only one way to find out.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him closer.
Sophie dozed for a while before she awoke. She had never felt so wicked in her life. Sleeping with a man she had just met, laying naked next to him and feeling no shame. Never had she imagined anything could be so wonderful.
But it was over now.
She glanced over at his clock. It was already after one and she had to arrive home before her mother returned from her assignation. Her mother, the actress who pretended to be Sophie’s aunt to give her the slightest sense of respectability. Sophie had always prided herself on not being like her mother. Now, after bedding a man she’d just met, she wondered. Perhaps she was far more like her mother than she might want to admit.
Easing her body off the bed, she stood and stared down at the man who had been her first lover. She prayed her vision about him was correct. If so, he would find her tomorrow. He would court her until they knew each other a little better. Then they would marry. While she wished she didn’t have to leave yet, prolonging her departure would only make this process harder.
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