Chapter 14

A small part of Jo questioned the choice she'd made downstairs, but the vast majority of her wanted this. She wanted Sheff—in a way she'd never wanted anyone before.

He was going to leave, and when he returned, their fake betrothal would be over. Now was the time to give in to their mutual attraction and put it behind them. One night to satisfy their hunger and move on.

As he prowled up the bed toward her, she quivered with desire, her breasts tingling and her sex pulsing. She'd pulled the covers back, but hadn't slid between them.

His blue eyes were dark, riddled with storms. She saw passion and need, even stark lust as he unabashedly raked her with his gaze.

He clasped her ankle and skimmed his hand up her leg, his thumb sliding along her inner calf, her knee, and then moving beneath her chemise to stroke her thigh. He gripped her, squeezing her flesh, as he came over her, his body looming above hers.

Sheff braced his other hand beside her head. "I will pull out before I come."

She nodded, grateful someone was thinking clearly. She usually inserted a sponge, but things had progressed quickly. This hadn't been at all planned—at least not for her.

"Were you hoping this would happen tonight when you came to the club?" As soon as she uttered the question, she wished she hadn't. She didn't want to know if this was a premeditated seduction, probably one of dozens in his experience.

He shook his head, surprising her but also pleasing her more than she cared to acknowledge. "No, I came to tell you I was leaving. Everything else is…unexpected. But desperately wanted." He bent his head and kissed her, gently at first. She clasped his head and held him to her, allowing the joy of the moment to wrap around her.

His tongue dipped into her mouth, and she met him with her own. When his hand moved farther up her thigh, she parted her legs and arched her hips slightly, seeking his touch. He stroked her folds, stoking her desire.

Lifting his head, he looked down at her with such vulnerability that she couldn't draw a breath for a moment. "May I remove this?" He lifted his hand from the bed and touched the sleeve of her chemise.

"Please."

His hand left her sex as he pushed the garment up over her hips. She lifted from the bed and wriggled as he drew the chemise up her body and over her head. Her arms were up, her hands against the headboard, and he clasped her wrists in his hand, holding her there.

"Let me look at you," he breathed, his gaze moving down to her breasts. With his free hand, he caressed each one, settling on the left. He cupped her, massaged her, rolled her nipple between his fingers.

Jo arched up with a whimper as he toyed with her. If her hands were free, she would have put his head to her breast and urged him to suckle her. But she could not. "Sheff, please. I want your mouth."

"Here?" he asked, pinching her nipple hard enough to send a shaft of pleasure straight to her core, but not so much that it hurt.

"Yes."

He pulled on her nipple, teasing her relentlessly. "You're so beautiful. And so aroused. I could stare at you all night. Perhaps I will."

"Please, Sheff." She writhed beneath him and pulled against his grip on her wrists.

"I am enjoying your torment," he said rather wickedly. "I think you are too." But then he lowered his head and drew her nipple into his mouth, sucking on her flesh so she cried out. Pleasure built in her core, making her desperate for his touch.

He released her wrists and brought his hands to her breasts, cupping and caressing her as he feasted on her nipples. Eyes closed, Jo arched her neck and clasped his head, holding him tightly and tangling her fingers in his thick hair.

One of his hands trailed down to her sex, where he teased her clitoris before sliding his fingers into her sheath. Jo bucked up, moaning with ecstasy.

"Give me your cock," she demanded.

"In due time," he murmured at her breast as he used his teeth to gently score her nipple.

" Now. " She bent her legs and tugged at his shoulder. Then she reached down between them and searched for his cock. She would bloody well do this herself if she had to.

Sheff laughed as he moved up her body. He caught her hand and put it around his shaft. "You want this? Where?"

"In my pussy. With due haste ." She arched her brow at him.

"Jo, I adore you," he said with a laugh before kissing her soundly.

Their hands worked together to position him at her sheath, then he thrust into her, one long, smooth glide that filled her to perfection. Jo curled her legs around him and sighed, her eyes closing in bliss.

"Yes, this," she whispered.

"Should I move, or is this enough?"

She opened one eye. "Moving would be nice, don't you think?" She rotated her hips against his, and he groaned loudly, his eyes shuttering briefly.

"God, Jo. I couldn't hold still if you begged me." He began to move, pumping into her with deep thrusts.

Jo muttered nonsensical things as they moved together, creating a delicious friction that sent her careening toward release. She worked to hold it back, to revel in this act with him. Digging her heels into his backside, she caressed his back, then brought his head down for a long, lingering kiss, their tongues mimicking the roll of their bodies.

He brushed her hair back from her face, and she opened her eyes to see him staring down at her. He thrust hard and deep. She cried out.

"Faster now," she said softly, pressing her feet into him, urging him.

He brushed his lips against hers and braced his hand on the bed as he drove hard and fast into her. Her orgasm was imminent, the darkness curling around her, pulling her inexorably into ecstasy.

She exploded with light and joy, her body going stiff as waves of pleasure held her aloft. A few more strokes, and then he was gone. His warm seed sprinkled over her abdomen, but she was mindless, not that she would have cared. It was necessary.

Somehow, she managed to find his cock with her hand, joining his to finish him as he cried out her name. It was several minutes before their bodies calmed. He slid to the side and pulled the covers over them both before cradling her in his arms. He kissed her forehead, her cheek, then her lips.

Jo stroked his cheek as they kissed, her body thrumming with a bone-deep satisfaction. That was, without question, the best sexual experience of her life. It was both wondrous and terrifying.

Because it would never happen again.

A dark, hollow sensation formed in her chest, as if a hole were opening. She didn't want that. She didn't want what it meant either, that she felt strongly about this man in her arms. Too strongly.

Their lips broke apart, and they were slightly breathless. He caressed her shoulder, and she burrowed her face against his warm neck, inhaling his spice and sandalwood scent.

What had he said just before he'd come into her?

Jo, I adore you.

He'd laughed as he said it, proving it didn't mean love or anything close to that. He was just in love with what she was saying and doing, with this particular moment in time.

Yes, she was in love with it too. That was acceptable. That was safe. Anything else was not.

Except she feared that "anything else" was already happening, that she'd grown too attached. She would miss him horribly, she realized. And she would miss their ruse.

But she would not miss certain Society events, she reminded herself. Or the people in Society. Namely, his mother. Yes, she would do well to keep all that at the forefront of her mind if she grew maudlin in his absence.

"Can I stay for a while?" he asked.

"I said you could stay the night." Perhaps there would be one more chance for intimacy before he left. But she wouldn't ask for it. She'd already demanded too much.

Neither of them wanted more than this. She needed to remember that.

S heff somehow woke while it was still dark despite enjoying the best sleep of his life. He never slept with his sexual partners. But nothing had ever felt as right as surrendering to slumber while he held Jo in his arms.

He listened to her even breathing as he inhaled her citrus-and-floral scent. Her hair smelled particularly wonderful. And it was soft against his cheek. He smiled to himself.

Was this heaven? It had to be. At least as close to heaven as he would likely ever be. His chest swelled with unbridled joy. He would carry this moment with him forever.

"I love you," he whispered, not quite believing he had the courage to think it to himself, let alone say it.

Not that she could hear him as she slept. Which was the point. He would not tell her how he felt, for it wouldn't matter. She could not love him, nor did he expect his love to last.

So, he would savor this time they had. That meant not leaving until he said a proper goodbye.

Sheff skimmed his hand along her thigh and down her backside, over the soft curve of one cheek. Then back up, to the small of her back, where he explored the alluring hollow at the base of her spine. He dragged his fingertip up her back, swirling it over her soft flesh as he went.

She stirred and wiggled her backside against him. He was already aroused, but her movement made him hard as stone.

He brushed her hair from her neck and pressed his lips to the sensitive spot behind her ear. She sighed softly. But was she awake yet?

Caressing her shoulder, he kissed along her collarbone. He moved his hand down to her breast and gently cupped her. She felt so good in his hand, and she'd been so responsive last night. He rolled her nipple between his fingers.

"Sheff," she murmured.

"Jo," he whispered near her ear before he licked along the outer edge. She shivered against him. "Do you want me to stop?"

She shook her head, her body arching to encourage his hand on her breast.

He tugged her nipple, then squeezed the globe. She pushed her backside more firmly against his rigid cock.

"I'm afraid I couldn't resist," he said softly, nipping her earlobe, then laving it with his tongue. "I hope you don't mind."

"More." She sounded awake now, her voice still sultry but crisper as she roused from sleep.

He played with her breast a while longer, then moved his palm down her side, stroking her hip before he slid inward to her mound. She rolled to her back, and he massaged her clitoris, driving her to lift her pelvis. He teased her folds. She was already so wet. He groaned with need.

She turned toward him and pushed him back against the mattress. Putting her leg over his hips, she climbed on top of him. Her sable hair cascaded over her shoulders and breasts, the ends grazing her nipples. She gazed down at him, her lids heavy.

"You want to ride?" he asked as she ground her pelvis against his, igniting a fierce desire. Sheff clasped her hips.

"Mmm. I want to be in control." She wrapped her hand around his cock and stroked him several times.

Sheff cast his head back and closed his eyes, his attention entirely focused on her touch. He was desperate to drive into her, but he didn't. He would give her total control.

The heat of her sex engulfed the tip of his cock as she guided him into her. He opened his eyes just enough to watch her take him completely, her body settling against his. She was warm and tight around him. He closed his eyes again, reveling in her control.

She began to move slowly, her hips rocking gently over his. Sheff followed her lead, his body flooding with pleasure.

Her hands pressed down on his chest. He opened his eyes to see that hers were now closed. She increased her speed, rising and falling over him, lifting and grinding. He watched where their bodies were joined and felt a fresh rush of need.

Lifting his gaze, he became enchanted by the sway of her breasts. He reached up to cup them. She sucked in a breath, her eyes opening to slits as she leaned over him so he could take her nipple into his mouth.

She ground down hard against him, then quickened her pace, riding him hard and fast. He felt her stiffen, her muscles tightening. She was close.

Then she cried his name and put his hand between them to stroke her clitoris. She came apart, her body moving in a frenzy over his.

Sheff's orgasm raced to claim him. He threw his head back and shouted. Then he swore as he lifted her and turned their bodies.

He'd already started to come before he was able to break free of her. But had his seed yet escaped him and found her? He gripped his cock to finish, lights dancing behind his eyes as he fell back onto the mattress.

A few moments later, he heard her breathing begin to slow. "That was nearly a disaster," she said.

"I'm so sorry," Sheff said. "I wasn't thinking."

"Nor was I. Last night, I should have inserted a sponge."

"That's what you typically do?" he asked. "I often use a French letter."

"I've used those too, but the sponge is my preference. What a lovely conversation to have with a gentleman." She sounded as though she were smiling.

"I do not wish to sire any children out of wedlock. I think I've been successful so far."

"You think ?"

"I am not aware of any children. I'd hope that their mother would have told me."

"What would you do if that happened?" She'd turned to her side to face him, her hand bracing her head as her elbow rested on the bed.

Sheff rolled to his side and met her gaze. "Panic?"

She rolled her eyes, her mouth curving into a smile. "Really. What would you do?"

He propped himself on his elbow, mirroring her position. "Care for the child the best I could."

"Not marry the mother?"

He coughed. "In most cases, that wouldn't be appropriate."

"Because they could not be a duchess someday. I fall into that category, don't I?"

"I don't think so." He imagined marrying her. The idea made his heart speed again. He took a deep breath. "I am very careful. I am sorry I wasn't just now. I highly doubt anything will come of it. I was outside your body before my seed released." He was almost completely certain.

"I'm not concerned. Besides, it's not as if I don't know how to…manage things if necessary."

He knew what she meant. The courtesans at the Rogue's Den used a number of preventions. "Have you had to do that before?" he asked.

"No, and I hope I never do." She tucked her hair behind her ear with her free hand. "When will you leave?"

"Here or London?"

She smiled briefly. "Both, I suppose."

Though he was loath to depart her bed, he knew he must—and soon. "I should return home shortly. I need to pack. I don't imagine I'll be on my way until afternoon. Spears will be in a dither."

"Your valet?"

He nodded. "How will you manage things while I'm gone? Will you attend any Society events? You don't need to."

"I think I will—a few here and there. I can go with Min or Gwen. Or Tamsin. That will hopefully keep your mother at bay."

He narrowed his eyes slightly. "She is not to trouble you. If she does, you must write to me at once."

"And where will you be?"

"I'm going to visit Bane north of York, but then I'll travel to Weston. I don't know how long I'll be in the north. I suppose it depends on Bane." He locked his gaze with hers. "Min will help if you need it."

"I know." Her expression softened. "It's nice that you're visiting your friend while he's grieving." Her brow creased. "It must be a terrible time for him."

"I can't really imagine what he's feeling. I didn't even know he was going to marry Lady Isabel until he already had. It was all very strange." Sheff reached over and caressed her arm from shoulder to wrist. Her hand lay flat on the bed in front of her chest. "You're sure you want to attend events while I'm gone? You really don't have to."

"Just certain invitations—things like Sir Alfred's rout. I need to assure people that all is well between us, that we are madly in love." She fluttered her lashes at him and gave him a sultry smile.

Sheff's pulse sped once more as his heart flipped over in his chest. He was madly in love.

But it wouldn't last.

"Will you come to Weston in August?" He held his breath, hoping she would. But why? So they could continue what they'd started tonight? It wasn't a start. It was a fleeting moment. And by August, he would likely be back to his roguish ways.

"No. I need to be here in London. You cause your scandal however you like, and make sure I hear about it. Then I'll cry off as we planned."

Though that was what he'd intended, discussing it now filled him with an icy desolation. "I won't return to London until the new year. That will allow plenty of time for everything to fade away."

"I know this hasn't gone entirely as you'd hoped. I do hope it was worth your time. And money." Little pleats formed between her brows.

"I don't want you to worry about any of that. Every moment of this scheme has been a delight—for me. I have always enjoyed your company, and it's been my pleasure to know you better." That barely communicated how he felt, but it was enough.

"I'd say you've come to know me quite well," she said with a seductive smile, her brow smoothing. "Would you like to know me one more time before you go?" She put her hand to his chest and traced her finger around his nipple.

"God, yes." He growled as he leapt on her, pressing her back into the mattress.

She giggled as he claimed her mouth. Then he lost himself in her once more.

This time, he did not forget to leave her body. And it was the hardest thing he'd ever done—right up until he walked out of her lodging onto the street.

He didn't say goodbye, nor did she. They simply waved. Then he turned and strode into the dawn light.