Part 14 (1/2)

”What do you mean, following me this way, Marcus?”

”I am merely escorting you to your room.”

”I am entirely capable of finding my room on my own.”

”Of course you are, sweeting, but I want a moment of privacy with you.”

When he took her hand and drew her along the deserted corridor toward her door, Arabella tried nervously to pull back. ”Our allotted time was more than fulfilled today.”

”I will borrow from tomorrow's allotment.”

”You cannot enter my bedchamber, Marcus!”

”I don't intend to.”

Although hardly rea.s.sured, Arabella ceased resisting, knowing it would do little good.

Guiding her into the adjacent music room, Marcus shut the door behind them and turned to face her.

”This should prove adequate.”

”Adequate for what?” she asked, her voice suddenly breathless.

”For your next lesson. We won't be interrupted here.”

”But I don't need another lesson.”

Those midnight blue eyes glinted down from beneath heavy brows. She had only to look into those compelling eyes, gleaming with wicked knowledge, to feel aroused.

”Yes, you do.”

Arabella felt her heart quicken alarmingly at the sensual smile that curved Marcus's mouth as he advanced toward her. She retreated a step, holding up her hand to ward him off. ”Aren't you aware that when a lady says she doesn't want a gentleman's attentions, it is rude to disbelieve her?”

”Since I never attended your academy, I never learned that particular rule.” He caught her hand and halted her retreat. ”I mean to educate your senses, sweet Arabella.” Raising her hand to his mouth, he pressed his lips to the tender middle of her palm. A soft gasp escaped her at the erotic feel.

”You did this yesterday,” she pointed out even more breathlessly.

”No. Yesterday I taught you about the power of touch. Today we'll focus on the power of taste.”

”Taste?”

”Kissing, love.” His tongue flicked out to lightly dampen her palm, making her gasp again. ”I won't use my hands this time. I intend to teach you about kissing using just my mouth, to let you learn the taste of me.”

Her heart leapt with excitement. And even though she parted her lips to issue a protest, she couldn't find her voice. The deplorable truth was, she wanted this lesson. She had no doubt that the tame pecks her betrothed had once given her would be nothing compared to Marcus's devastating kisses.

When she didn't reply, he offered her another enchanting smile. Still keeping hold of her hand, he turned Arabella and guided her until her back was pressed again to the wall. Then releasing his grasp, he bent his head.

His warm breath eddied and caressed her lips before he kissed her lightly. His mouth brushed sparks across the surface of hers, jolting her pulse into a wild rhythm, yet Arabella held herself still, fighting the overwhelming temptation to kiss him back.

Marcus lifted his head to study her. ”No response? I see I will have to do better.”

His dark lashes lowering over his vivid eyes, he bent again, his mouth warm and vibrant as it settled on hers with slow, sure pressure. This time Arabella couldn't keep still, not with all the incredible sensations spiraling through her.

”Open for me, Arabella,” Marcus murmured against her lips as she s.h.i.+vered.

His mouth coaxed and beguiled until she did as he bid. Immediately his tongue delved inside, exploring in a sensual invasion that dazed her with pleasure and completely stole her breath away.

It was a long, long moment before she realized he had broken off to ask her a question. ”How does that taste?”

Delicious, was Arabella's unspoken reply. The taste of him was exquisite and filled her with a hungry yearning. Her senses dazed, she gazed back at him mutely, grateful to have the wall supporting her back, since her limbs had grown so weak. When finally she licked her lips in response, she saw Marcus's eyes flare.

He took his time, however, when his kiss resumed. This caress was languid and intimate, his mouth mating with hers while his tongue played in a leisurely, erotic dance. Arabella closed her eyes at the surge of desire sweeping through her, oblivious to everything but the movement of his enchanting mouth, his beguiling penetration.

She wanted to whimper in disappointment when at length he ended the kiss, but thankfully, he didn't leave her entirely. Instead, his lips traveled upward, feathering across her cheek to her temple.

”You have the most erotic mouth I have ever tasted,” he murmured.

”So do you,” Arabella replied honestly.

His soft laugh was a warm burst of breath against her skin. The intoxicating sensation sent a s.h.i.+ver of pleasure rippling down her spine, but when he touched his lips to her ear, drawing the lobe into his mouth, she gave a helpless moan.

”I want to taste your b.r.e.a.s.t.s,” Marcus added.

His whispered words, so provocative and tantalizing, made her b.r.e.a.s.t.s tingle shamefully.

She should pull away, Arabella told herself when she felt his hands moving at her back, working loose the hooks of her gown, but all she could do was stand there quivering, her heart pounding. She watched, spellbound as he drew down her bodice to reveal the rounded swells of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s above her chemise and corset. Then he tugged down the edge of her chemise to expose the rose-hued crests.

His eyes flashed at the sight.

”Marcus...”

”Hush, you'll like this.”

His husky murmur silenced her. Another tremor shook Arabella when she realized he meant to kiss her bare b.r.e.a.s.t.s, but she did nothing to stop him.

His gaze burned her as he bent lower, and then so did his breath as it fanned against her tender skin. At the delicate flicker of his tongue against her sensitive flesh, Arabella inhaled a sharp gasp. But when he grazed the tip of her nipple with his tongue, her breath fled altogether.

His teasing, velvet-rough tongue stroked her for a long moment, making her shudder with pleasure. Then with expert skill he drew the soft, swollen bud into his mouth, suckling the aching aureole. A whimper escaped her lips, while her hands rose to tangle in his raven hair. The brazen heat that coiled inside her was almost too intense to bear; it spiraled downward to the pulsing core of her body, weakening her further.

Eventually, though, Marcus s.h.i.+fted his arousing ministrations to her other breast, sucking more powerfully and sending another shaft of fire down to her loins. Stunned, Arabella arched toward him while the muscles of her inner thighs tightened almost painfully.