Chapter 18

The Bedchamber

B riana was once again in Victor's opulent bedchamber, except this time she had permission to be there. She waited quietly, wondering what she was supposed to do as she paced back and forth. Apparently, Victor had given instructions for his staff to see to all her needs.

She had been given use of the amenities and washroom when she arrived so she could freshen up. She was even offered a hot bath and a change of clothes to more casual dress. Briana took advantage of both offers, seeing as she was not certain how long she would have to wait before Victor returned, and she loathed having to sit for several hours in her extremely risqué masquerade costume. An hour later, she felt clean and far more comfortable in a sensible half dress and slippers. She tried not to think which mistress might have owned the garments before her, but they were far more comfortable. She was too anxious to eat anything, so eventually she sat in Victor's comfortable armchair and curled up watching the blazing fire. It was not long before her eyes drooped with exhaustion. It had been an extremely tiresome fortnight. She dared not lie on Victor's bed, but she decided she would just rest her eyes a moment in the chair and think about how she was to leave after he returned. No harm in getting a little bit of rest, she thought.

VICTOR ARRIVED HOME a couple of hours later. He was relieved that Sebastian was in a stable condition, thanks to Dr. Barry's care. Now he could attend to Briana. When he opened the door to his bedchamber, he panicked for a moment thinking she was not there, until he saw her curled up in his large armchair, fast asleep by the fire.

Instantly, worry and concern left him and instead were replaced with an overwhelming urge to see her comfortable. She would wake with a crooked neck come morning.

Without thinking on it, he gently lifted her into his arms and was surprised that she was dead to the world—she did not even rouse. He then gently laid her on his bed and stood back just watching her sleep. She smelt divine, having bathed and changed into different clothes—the spares he kept in the adjoining room belonging to his future wife. Victor felt an odd sensation in the vicinity of his chest cavity. He inhaled a deep breath, wondering what it was; it was a feeling of being full to bursting just watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest. It seemed right that she was lying in his bed surrounded by his things. She belonged there, with him.

Her exquisite face, which he had thought plain, now mesmerized him. He frowned at the dark smudges under her eyes. The woman was exhausted. He wondered why she had so many secrets, but he determined he would find every single one of them out in good time.

Victor covered her with a duvet and sought out his washroom, where he was pleased to find his staff had prepared a steaming hot bath. It was a habit of his to have a hot bath waiting at the end of a long day. Victor scrubbed himself clean and relieved the tension of the evening. Then he dried and changed into his nightwear. He kept his short pants on but remained shirtless.

Then Victor did something he had never done before in his life: he shared his bed with a woman and intended to sleep beside her the entire night. As he slid under the duvet and wrapped his arms around Briana, he inhaled her citrus scent and closed his eyes. Within moments he was fast asleep, his body wrapped around the most troublesome woman of his acquaintance—and it felt so right.

brIANA FELT INCREDIBLY snug and warm in a most comfortable bed. In her half-sleeping state, she fancied she could smell Victor's delicious bergamot scent. She opened her eyes and felt a strong arm wrapped around her waist and a masculine thigh entwined with hers. "Victor?" Briana roused, realizing Victor was indeed sleeping beside her, partly unclothed and pressed against her back. She turned slightly and whispered, "Victor? Are you awake?"

"No," he grumbled in return and tightened his grip about her.

Briana turned to face him and said, "Victor! We cannot share a bed. I must return home at once."

Before she could gather her wits, Victor was hovering above her, and she found herself on her back. "I shall take you home in good time. We have several hours yet before dawn. Do not fret, my love."

They gazed at one another with intensity, and Briana found herself struggling to maintain her composure. "Very well," she whispered. "But tell me of Lord Sebastian. Is he well? What transpired? And how do you fare?"

Victor paused and gazed upon her. Her hair lay loose about her shoulders, and in the lamplight's glow of his bedchamber, he saw her eyes soften with concern. For him. Simply Victor. She saw only him, and when he looked at Briana, he felt something tweak in his chest cavity. It was as if that cold, empty, gnawing feeling began to transform as he felt it fill to overflowing with something he could not name. He did not wish to, for the feeling was alien to him, yet not altogether unwelcome.

"Sebastian shall make a full recovery. He was shot by an unknown assailant in the park. We shall investigate further tomorrow."

Relief. Victor saw genuine relief in her eyes at the news. "That is good news indeed." She paused for a moment, noting the way he was looking at her. His gaze was intense, and Briana suddenly felt warm and discomfited by it.

Victor knew at that moment that Briana Walsh would not leave his bed untouched, nor would she ever leave his side. He had already determined to marry her and would apply for a special license first thing in the morning.

"Now, cease your fretting and kiss me," he said before bending down to claim her lips.

Briana gloried in the kiss, then pulled away and gasped, "Victor, you must cease at once."

"For what reason?"

"Because I am not that sort of woman."

"Indeed, you are wearing far too many garments."

Briana struck his arm. "Do not be a barbarian!"

Victor could not help but chuckle. Then he leaned in and kissed her again. Before she could protest, he deepened the kiss, and Briana responded in kind with a soft moan of pleasure.

VICTOR KNEW HE WAS losing all semblance of control. He could scarce keep his hands from Briana's body. Though she was indeed innocent, her passionate kisses and eager response more than compensated for her lack of experience. As he positioned himself above her, supporting his weight upon his forearms, his desire mounted with each passing moment.

Having thoroughly savored her sweet lips, he yearned to taste more of her delicate flesh. Victor trailed his kisses along the graceful column of her neck, descending to the swell of her bosom. Briana clutched him close, her fingers threading through his hair while her other hand explored the bare expanse of his chest, soft sighs of pleasure escaping her lips. Her back arched toward him, and he was utterly undone.

Victor's need to taste her grew desperate, yet too much fabric impeded his path. He tore her garment in two, releasing her ample breasts to his gaze. Her nipples beckoned to him to take succor, so he did. Lowering his head, he captured one hardened bud, lashing his tongue against the tip repeatedly. Briana whimpered and gasped in exquisite pleasure.

Victor decided he wanted to give her everything, ensure she knew nothing but rapture at his hands. As he lavished her breast with attention, his hand moved lower, tearing the flimsy material away until he had full access to the juncture between her thighs.

"Part for me, my love," he whispered hoarsely.

Briana complied without hesitation, now bare beneath him as her half dress lay in tatters. His skilled fingers sought her most sensitive pearl, and with his thumb, he began a gentle circular motion until she was writhing beneath his touch from the pressure.

"Yes, my beauty, find your pleasure."

He returned his attention to her other breast, providing equal devotion.

"Victor!" Briana cried out; her body overwhelmed with passion. Her head fell back as Victor continued his sweet torment. His hot mouth lavished attention on her sensitive peaks while his thumb maintained its skilled movements against her most intimate place.

Briana gripped Victor's shoulders as he released a bud with a final caress and continued his descent down her bare figure.

When he positioned his head between her thighs, she stilled, uncertain of his intentions.

Rising slightly on her elbows, Briana gazed down at him with curiosity, her cheeks aflame. "What are you doing?"

"Trust me, sweetheart."

Before she could gather her thoughts, she felt his clever tongue stroking her pearl before he lapped at her centre. Briana collapsed back upon the bed, clutching the linens as Victor pleasured her with his mouth. Never had she experienced anything so wickedly decadent. His strong hands held her steady as she felt an overwhelming sensation building within. She was going to peak.

To Victor, Briana tasted like nectar from the gods. He savored her thoroughly, feeling her body quiver with each swirl of his tongue, knowing she approached her climax.

He pulled away then moving back up her body, he captured a nipple in his mouth and laved it with his tongue while his hand continued its sensual onslaught between her thighs.

"Victor, I require... I need..."

"Then you shall have it, my love."

With those words, he furiously rubbed her pearl and suckled harder against her breast until he felt her stiffen and then moan with pleasure. Her body bucked, and she shuddered against his hand several times. When her eyes opened, it was with wide-eyed wonder.

Her hands continued their gentle exploration of his chest, marveling at his form. "Is it always like this?" Briana asked.

"Nay, there is more still, but that is for another time."

Briana felt his hardened length resting against her thigh.

She frowned. "Victor, you did not... that is to say, you found no pleasure yourself?"

"No, my love. Tonight was for you alone."

"That hardly seems fair. Might I... offer something in return?"

Victor chuckled softly. "Oh, my dearest, Miss Walsh, there is much you might do, but not this night."

Briana's brow furrowed. "But I wish to touch you, to explore you as well... pray, allow me. Please."

"I see I have indeed opened Pandora's box."

brIANA ASKED, “IS THERE a way I might do to you what you just did to me? Perhaps if I touched you here." Her hand found its way to Victor’s hardened length concealed within his pants. She stroked him gently through the material. "Indeed, 'tis hardly fair that you have seen me unclothed twice, while I have not glimpsed anything of interest."

Victor raised his brow. "Oh? Nothing interests you, does it?"

"Not particularly," Briana replied with feigned indifference. She burst out laughing when Victor growled and flipped onto his back, pulling her across so she straddled him.

"Have at it, Briana. Take your fill. I shall not interfere."

Briana removed the remainder of her tattered garment, then, bare as Eve, rose above him. Though tentative at first, she smiled and kissed his lips. Slowly, she placed soft kisses along his body as she moved lower. When she reached his chest, she lavished attention upon his nipple with her tongue. Victor hissed and grasped her hips.

"Gentle, love, or I shall spend too soon."

Briana gave him a mischievous grin then continued downward, kissing a trail down his taut stomach, then lower still toward his pants. With exquisite slowness, she lowered them to reveal his hardened length. She gasped at his impressive size as it sprang forth to rest against his belly.

"May I?"

"By all means, do," Victor rasped through gritted teeth.

Briana studied him for a moment before gently taking his length into the palm of her hand before stroking him gently. She felt him harden further beneath her touch, emboldening her to proceed. Though not entirely innocent—having witnessed several passionate encounters during her jewel-thieving ventures in various bedchambers—she had often wondered about the pleasure ladies bestowed upon their lovers. Now she understood. The power was intoxicating.

Something about Victor's presence put her wholly at ease. Despite her inexperience, he made her feel as though her every touch brought him boundless pleasure.

Without overthinking, Briana knew she wished to pleasure him thoroughly, to make him yearn for her touch alone. She instinctively leaned forward and tasted his tip with her tongue.

Victor stiffened and groaned, clutching the bedlinens to avoid marking her delicate skin with his fingers.

Briana then took him into her mouth, sweetly tormenting him and swirling her tongue about the tip as she suckled him with fervour. Victor stiffened and swore. He beseeched her to cease, warning of his impending release. Yet she persisted, feeling every thick, throbbing vein against her lips. As Briana quickened her pace, she found herself suddenly lifted and flipped onto her back, with Victor hovering above.

"Have mercy, love," he rasped, resting his forehead against hers as he struggled to steady his breathing.

"But you remain... hard."

"I wish us to share this moment together."

"You mean to make love to me?"

"Nay, I wish us to reach our peak as one, but I'll not breach you. Not this night, at least. That pleasure I shall save for another evening."

Briana relaxed slightly. As a virgin, she knew well how swiftly one's reputation could be ruined in the ton's eyes should they lie with a man outside the sanctity of marriage. "But how?" she inquired.

"Allow me to demonstrate."

Victor slowly lowered himself atop her, placing his hands beside her shoulders to bear his weight. He urged her thighs apart, creating space enough for his hips. Then he pressed his hardened length between her feminine folds ensuring the tip of him bumped against her pearl with each movement. Briana gasped at the intimate contact.

Victor captured her lips and returned his attention to her breasts, feasting upon them as he began to thrust his hips. Briana caught her breath and soon matched his rhythm. He did not enter her, instead creating extreme pleasure through friction.

VICTOR GAZED DOWN AT the most beautiful woman he had ever beheld, knowing he was falling. His entire body thrummed with life, and though he could not fully claim her as his own just yet, he knew this would be an experience beyond compare.

He watched Briana move in perfect rhythm with him, unable to cease his devoted attention to her skin—kissing, caressing, and worshipping every inch. Briana's passionate sighs told him she felt the same ardor. Her delicate hands traveled down his back until she grasped his hips, her fingers pressing into him as he maintained his steady pace.

Skin to skin, they moved as one in perfect harmony as she cried out in pleasure. Though they did not complete the ultimate act, their passion knew no bounds. Victor found himself unable to maintain his restraint much longer—her moist, feminine folds cradled his length exquisitely, and each time his sensitive crown brushed against her pearl, he shuddered with pleasure. Briana, in turn, began to whimper and moan with every stroke against her heated flesh. At last, he felt the moment she reached her peak, and it drove him to his own release. He swiftly adjusted his position, spilling himself upon her belly. Briana watched in awe as she slowly descended from the heights of pleasure they had shared.

Victor collapsed against her, burying his face in her neck to catch his breath. Never had he experienced such intense satisfaction without full coupling. If this left him breathless, he could scarce imagine their wedding night and what it would feel like to be deep inside her. Yet he remained mindful of having taken considerable liberties with an innocent.

Several moments later, after they had both recovered their composure, Victor fetched a dampened cloth. He tenderly cleaned his essence from her belly before they sank into bed, exhausted yet fulfilled. What followed were gentle caresses and sweet kisses, whispered endearments and intimate moments of the sort he had never shared with another. Briana traced the knife scars on his back gently with her fingers. He had sustained them on one of his missions for the Crown. He told her most of the truth without divulging his role as a spy. He felt touched when she kissed his scars and urged him to take better care. Twice more they explored one another's pleasure and climaxed together before finally succumbing to exhausted slumber. But not before he whispered, "No woman has ever stirred my heart, body and soul. I shall never let you go."

Briana smiled and pressed a kiss to his chest before nestling against him as sleep claimed them both.