Chapter 8

Eight

N icolas’s breath ghosted over her lips as he paused, searching her gaze. “Are you sure, Emily?”

She nodded, her pulse hammering in her throat. “Yes. I have never been more certain.”

With a low groan, Nicolas pulled her close, capturing her lips in a kiss so searing it stole the very breath from her. Emily wrapped her arms around his neck, her body melding against his, feeling every ridge of muscle beneath his skin.

His powerful hands roamed over her back, igniting trails of fire even through the thin fabric of her nightgown. She arched into his touch, a breathy moan escaping her as his lips trailed scorching kisses along the column of her throat.

Tangling her fingers in his dark hair, she tilted her head to grant him better access, reveling in the rasp of his evening stubble against her sensitive skin. Each brush of his mouth stoked the flames of her desire higher.

“Nicolas,” she gasped as he nipped at her racing pulse. “Please...”

He gentled his attentions, breath hot against her ear as he asked, “Are you certain? Another taste of you and there will be no turning back. I am a rogue, after all.”

She drew back enough to frame his face between her palms, her gaze locking with his. “I have never been more certain of anything in my life. I want you. All of you.”

Something fierce and primitive flashed in his gaze, as if her declaration had unleashed the passion he’d been holding back. “Then you shall have me. In every way a man can worship a woman.”

Lowering his head, Nicolas claimed her lips in a kiss that seared her to her very soul. Emily matched him with equal hunger, bold now in her need. She nipped at his bottom lip, swallowing his answering groan.

Large hands smoothed down her sides to her hips, spanning her waist. He gathered the fabric of her nightgown, inching it higher as he walked her backwards toward the large four-poster bed dominating the room. The backs of her thighs hit the mattress, and she tumbled down onto the counterpane, Nicolas following her without breaking their kiss.

Her pulse thrummed as his solid weight settled over her, the hard ridge of his manhood an insistent press against her belly. Liquid heat pooled low in her abdomen, anticipation burning through her veins. She yearned for his touch on her bare skin, to feel him against her with no barriers between them...

She reached between their bodies, fingers fumbling with the tie of her nightgown. Nicolas drew back just enough to watch, his eyes blazing with passion as the delicate fabric parted. With a shaky exhale, she slipped first one creamy shoulder free, then the other.

His gaze tracked the slow descent of silk, his lips parting on a sharp inhale as she bared her breasts to him. “Beautiful,” he breathed, reverence and raw need mingling in that single word.

Unabashedly, she arched up to shimmy the nightgown over her hips and down her legs. The cool air kissed her flushed skin as she lay back against the pillows, clad only in the firelight and Nicolas’s heated approval.

“Touch me,” she whispered, emboldened by the stark desire etched across his handsome face. “Everywhere.”

He extended one hand, trailing a single finger along her collarbone and down between the valley of her breasts. Goosebumps followed his touch, her nipples hardening as he circled first one, then the other.

“Like this?” he teased, rolling the tight bud between his fingers. Sparks of pleasure streaked straight to her core.

“Yes,” she gasped, clutching at his shoulders. He palmed the soft weight of her breast, kneading the flesh as he lowered his head to lave attention on its neglected twin. She keened as his tongue flicked across the sensitized tip, pleasure bordering on pain. “Oh God, Nicolas...”

He pulled the aching point into his mouth and suckled gently, the wet heat shredding the last of her inhibitions. She threaded her fingers through his hair to hold him to her, reveling in each draw of his lips, each scrape of his teeth.

When he switched to her other breast, she was lost, reduced to wordless cries and breathy pleas. Her nails scored his scalp as he tormented first one nipple, then the other, until her hips were rocking frantically against him, seeking fulfillment only he could provide...

Nicolas released her breast with a soft pop, his eyes dark with desire as he lifted his head to capture her lips in a searing kiss. Emily moaned into his mouth, the taste of him mingling with the scent of their arousal. His tongue swept inside to dance with hers, stoking the flames that burned within her core.

Large hands skimmed down her sides to grip her hips, pulling her flush against the hard planes of his body. She could feel the evidence of his want pressing insistently against her, and a thrill raced through her at the knowledge that she affected him so profoundly.

“I want you,” Nicolas rasped against her lips, his voice rough with need. “I have wanted you for so long, Emily. From the first moment I saw you.”

“Then take me,” she breathed. “Take all of me.”

With a growl, he claimed her mouth once more, the kiss fierce and demanding. His hands roamed her body, mapping every curve and hollow, each touch branding her very soul. She surrendered to the sensations, lost in a haze of desire as he stoked and kissed her burning flesh.

Nicolas’s lips blazed a trail of fire down her neck, across her collarbone, lower still, to the peaked tips of her breasts. He paused there, licking and suckling until she was writhing beneath him.

“More,” Emily keened, arching her back in a silent plea. “I need more.”

He answered with a flick of his tongue against the sensitive bud, wringing a cry from her lips. Lower he trailed, painting a path down her quivering abdomen with openmouthed kisses. When he reached the thatch of curls at the apex of her thighs, Emily went still, hardly daring to breathe.

Slowly, reverently, Nicolas parted her folds, baring her most intimate flesh to his heated gaze. She threw her head back in anticipation of his touch. Her fingers twisted in the sheets as he brought his tongue to her most intimate place.

Her world narrowed to the exquisite sensations he was drawing from her body. His clever tongue danced over her sensitive flesh, teasing and tasting with expert precision. She clutched at the bedsheets, her back arching as waves of pleasure coursed through her.

“Nicolas,” she gasped, her voice barely recognizable to her own ears. “Oh, Nic…”

He groaned against her flesh, the vibrations sending shockwaves of bliss through her core. His hands gripped her thighs, holding her open to his ministrations as he laved and suckled at her sensitive bud. Her breath came in short, sharp pants, her chest heaving as she climbed higher and higher.

“Nicolas,” she moaned, one hand leaving the sheets to tangle in his dark hair. “Oh, God... please...”

He hummed against her, the vibrations sending shockwaves of bliss straight to her core. One large hand splayed across her stomach, holding her in place as he continued his sensual assault. The other crept up to cup her breast, fingers plucking at the taut peak.

Emily felt herself climbing higher and higher, chasing a peak she’d nearly forgotten existed. It had been so long since she had felt anything close to this level of passion. Her hips rolled against his mouth of their own accord, seeking more of the delicious friction.

Just as she teetered on the brink, he slipped a finger inside her, curling it in a motion that had her seeing stars. The dual stimulation proved too much. With a husky cry, Emily shattered, waves of ecstasy washing over her in relentless waves.

As she came down from her high, Nicolas placed gentle kisses on her inner thighs, soothing her quivering flesh. He crawled back up her body, capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. The taste of herself on his lips sent a renewed spark of arousal through her still-trembling body and she pressed her hips against him, greedy for more.

“You are exquisite,” Nicolas murmured.

“That was...” she breathed against his mouth.

“Only the beginning,” he promised, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine.

Her hands roamed over Nicolas’s broad shoulders, relishing the feel of taut muscle beneath her fingertips. A surge of boldness overcame her as she tugged at his shirt, eager to feel his bare skin against hers.

“Off.” She tugged at his shirt, breathlessly. “I want to see you.”

He chuckled, a low, sensual sound that sent heat pooling low in her belly. “As my lady commands.” He sat back on his heels and pulled the garment over his head.

Her breath caught in her throat as she drank in the sight of his bare torso. Lean muscle rippled beneath bronzed skin, a dusting of dark hair trailing tantalizingly down his abdomen. Her fingers itched to trace every dip and plane, to learn the textures of his body as intimately as he had learned hers.

“Do I meet with your approval?” He asked, a hint of teasing in his voice.

In answer, she reached out, running her hands over his chest and down his stomach. She delighted in the way his muscles jumped beneath her touch, in the sharp intake of breath as her fingers dipped below the waistband of his breeches.

“Very much,” she whispered, meeting his gaze. The hunger she saw there made her breath catch.

Nicolas caught her wrist, bringing her hand to his lips. He pressed a kiss to her palm, then each fingertip in turn. “You are playing with fire, my dear.”

“I do hope to get incinerated.” She pulling him down, her mouth finding his in a demanding kiss.

Nicolas growled low in his throat as he claimed her mouth, his kiss fierce and demanding. She matched his passion, her hands roaming over the planes of his back, nails scraping lightly against his skin. She reveled in the way he shuddered against her, in the evidence of his desire pressing insistently against her.

With fumbling fingers, she reached between them to unfasten his breeches. Nicolas broke the kiss, his breath coming in harsh pants as he helped her push the garment down and off. When he settled back over her, she gasped at the feel of his bare skin against hers, the heat of him searing her to her very soul.

“Emily,” he said, his voice rough with need. “Are you certain?”

She met his gaze, seeing the mix of desire and concern reflecting back at her. “More certain than I have ever been,” she breathed. “I want you inside of me, Nicolas. I crave you.”

A groan tore from his throat as he captured her lips once more. His hand slid down her body, fingers dancing over her heated flesh until he reached the apex of her thighs. Her hips bucked as he stroked her, finding her still slick and ready from his earlier attentions.

“Fill me,” she gasped against his mouth as she pressed her hips toward him.

Nicolas positioned himself at her entrance, his manhood pressing against her core. Slowly, exquisitely, he eased inside her, his gaze locked with hers. Emily’s lips parted on a soft gasp as he entered her, stretching and completing her in ways she had nearly forgotten existed.

She rocked her hips greedily, desperate to feel him move.

He groaned, his forehead pressed against hers as he fought for control. “Easy, love. Let me savor you.”

She whimpered, her body ablaze with need. Every nerve ending singing with pleasure. When Nicolas finally moved, she thought she might combust from the sheer ecstasy of it.

He set a languid pace at first, each deep thrust stoking the fire within her. Emily met him movement for movement, her legs wrapping around his waist to draw him closer. Her hands roamed over the planes of his back, feeling the flex and play of muscle beneath her fingertips.

“Oh,” she gasped, arching into him. “Nicolas…Please.”

He answered her plea by increasing his tempo, driving into her with passionate intensity. The room filled with the sounds of their lovemaking—skin against skin, breathless moans, and whispered endearments.

Emily felt her desire build higher and higher as she chased that elusive peak. He slipped a hand between their bodies, his clever fingers finding that sensitive bundle of nerves. She cried out at the added stimulation, her body trembling on the precipice.

“Let go,” he urged, his voice rough with passion. “Come apart for me.”

His words were her undoing. With his name on her lips, Emily came apart, her release slamming into her. He followed her over the edge moments later, her name a reverent prayer on his lips.

The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting a warm glow over their entwined limbs as she traced idle patterns on his chest, marveling at the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips.

“That was...” she began, trailing off as words failed her.

He chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “Indeed, it was.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “You are full of surprises, my lady.”

She lifted her head to meet his gaze. “I will have you know, sir, that proper ladies can be quite scandalous when the mood strikes.”

“Oh?” His eyebrow arched in amusement. “And does the mood strike you often?”

“Perhaps more often than I care to admit when there is a handsome rake beneath my roof,” she replied, her cheeks flushing at her own boldness.

Nicolas’s arms tightened around her, drawing her closer. “Then I count myself fortunate to be the recipient of your scandalous attentions.”

Her heart swelled at his words, even as a flicker of uncertainty crept in. What would happen when morning came? When he was gone and reality intruded on their passionate interlude?

As if sensing her thoughts, Nicolas tilted her chin up, his gaze searching hers. “What troubles you?”

She bit her lip and shook her head. “Nothing,” she lied, not wanting to ruin the time she had with him. Emily settled her head against his chest, allowing herself to soak in the afterglow of what they had shared.

As the night wore on, Emily and Nicolas lay entwined in each other’s arms, their breaths mingled in the dimly lit bedroom. Contented smiles danced on their lips as they exchanged soft, lingering kisses and lighthearted banter.

Nicolas rubbed soothing circles on Emily’s back, his own gaze glowing with intensity in the firelight. “My darling Emily,” he said, his voice husky with emotion. “You have bewitched me entirely.”

She traced her fingers along the contours of his face, memorizing every detail. “And you have awakened something in me I thought long dead.”

Their bodies moved in perfect synchronicity, each touch igniting new sparks of pleasure. Emily marveled at how Nicolas anticipated her every desire, his hands and lips finding all the right places to make her gasp and shiver.

And as the heat between them built, she lost all sense of time and place. There was only Nicolas, only this night of pure, unbridled passion.

They made love again. Their movements a perfect blend of gentle caresses and passionate embraces. Emily felt herself being swept away by the tide of emotions, each wave bringing her closer to Nicolas in ways she had never believed possible.

As they reached the pinnacle of their pleasure, she clung to him, her body trembling with ecstasy. She gazed into his passion-filled eyes, finding herself lost in their depths.

“Nicolas,” she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.

He held her close, his lean, athletic body pressed against hers. “Emily,” he breathed, his usual playful tone replaced by one of reverence.

For a moment, they remained frozen, savoring the intense wave of bliss that washed over them. Her heart raced, and she could feel his beating just as rapidly against her chest as their breaths filled the room.

Emily soon found herself nestled in Nicolas’s arms. The warmth of the fire caressing her skin, casting a soft glow across the room as they settled into a peaceful slumber.

As the first rays of dawn peeked through the curtains, Emily stirred, a contented smile playing on her lips as the memories of the previous night flooded her senses. She stretched languidly, reaching for the warmth beside her, but the space was cold. Empty. She sat up, the memory of their shared passion crashing down on her as she scanned the room, finding no trace of him.

“Nicolas?” She called out, her heart racing as she sat up, clutching the blanket to her chest. The room remained silent, save for the faint crackling of the dying embers in the fireplace.

As reality settled in, her gaze fell upon a folded piece of paper on the nightstand. With trembling fingers, she reached for it, her mind a whirl of emotions.

Dearest Emily,

Forgive me for leaving so suddenly, but I believe it was for the best—for both of us.

Yours, Nicolas

Her heart sunk as she read and reread the words he had written. “Best for who?” she seethed, running her fingers over the ink. He was a rogue after all, to leave without a word. But a coward, too? That was harder to swallow—and after what they had shared.

She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply as she tried to make sense of her conflicting emotions. The joy of their intimate encounter still lingered, yet it was now tinged with heartache. Had she been too forward? Too eager? Or was this simply another of his impulsive acts? She crumbled the letter in her hand.

As she rose from the bed, wrapping herself in her discarded nightgown, she could not help but feel a mix of heartache and anger. Nicolas had stirred feelings in her she thought long buried, and while he had not declared his love for her, his hasty departure stung.

She had given him her heart—her body, and now he was gone. Was she just another conquest to him, another fleeting moment in a rogue’s life?

Had she meant nothing to him?

Emily’s thoughts whirled as she fled the room, desperate to leave the memories of the prior night behind.