She told the footman her answer: that she would indeed be there bright and early to assist Lady Gwen however she was needed. Then she paused, hoping that there was something else, like a message from Robert. But the man simply bowed and turned around while Helaine’s heart plummeted.
Had he tired of her already? And if so, she told herself, then lucky for him. Because she was so angry at that moment that if he showed up at her door she would slam it in his face.
But he didn’t show up. Not until she had drawn his face and started putting spot marks all over it to make him look ugly. It was childish of her and really didn’t make her feel any better, especially since she erased the spots, added shading, and drew him as handsome as she remembered him. Only then did the horrid man show up, knocking at the workroom door and pleading with her to open up.
“Helaine! Are you in there? Oh, God, please, it’s Robert. Helaine?”
She meant to be reserved, perhaps even icy to him. But all her intentions flew away at the desperation in his tone. She flung open the back door and was immediately engulfed in his arms. It felt as marvelous as she remembered, wrapped in his full embrace, the scent of him filling her lungs.
“Robert,” she breathed, “I’m very cross with you.”
“And well you should be,” he answered as he pressed tiny kisses into her hair. “But first let me kiss you. I have been dying—”
She didn’t wait. She stretched up to his mouth and soon he was doing all the things to her that she’d longed for these last two weeks. He plundered her mouth, and she all but wrapped herself around him so that he could do more. He was the one to break it off so that they could both breathe. And while they stood there, their foreheads touching and their ragged breath heating the air between them, he stroked her arms and entwined their fingers.
“Where is everyone?” he asked as he backhanded the door closed.
“Bed. Upstairs asleep. Wendy’s at her home. She’s exhaust—”
He kissed her again and this time when she stretched up to meet him, his hands were in the way. He was stroking her breasts, lifting them and rubbing his thumbs across her nipples. The movement was quick and a little rough, but, oh, she liked it. How she had dreamed of having his hands on her.
She arched her back, thrusting her breasts deeper into his hands. And while he pleasured her, she reached behind her and undid what buttons she could on her gown. She hadn’t realized how desperate she was for his touch until his kisses set her aflame. Never had she responded so quickly, so completely to a man.
“I have been trying to get here all damn day,” he said as he began pressing kisses down her neck. “But you cannot imagine everything that had to be done to set up a single damn school! And then to come home only to be besieged by relatives. They were everywhere! I tried to hand them off on Jack, but the boy can’t be everywhere. And that’s where those people are—everywhere!”
She paused, abandoning her buttons to lift her eyes to his. “School? You are setting up a school?”
He nodded as he reached behind her to finish undoing her buttons. “For Edward’s mother and aunt to run. Even the little sister can help them until she’s of age. It’ll give them all something to do—”
“And a place to live far away from Gwen.”
He grinned. “Exactly.”
“Oh, Robert, that is a marvelous idea.”
“Edward thought so, too. Wonderful boy. Levelheaded and practical. Thank God Gwen’s marrying him, because we need him in the family. If she cries off, I think I’d have to blood bond with him or something.”
Helaine laughed. “Blood bond?”
He shook his head. “Never mind. It is something I read as a boy.”
“Oh. But she’s not changing her mind at this late date, is she?”
“Better not!” he said in a mock growl as he stroked the skin of her neck and shoulders. Her gown was drooping, but it hadn’t fallen yet.
“Take me,” she said against his lips. “Right here. Right now.”
He paused, but she saw the wicked gleam in his eye. “In the workroom?”
“No one is here.”
His eyes seemed to glitter in the lamplight as he scanned the room. Then he angled his chin toward the full mirror. “Ever wanted to watch, Helaine? I swear you are the most beautiful sight when you peak.”
Her eyebrows shot up. It had never occurred to her to look in a mirror as they…when they…“Will I be able to see your bum, then?” she asked as she boldly leaned down to grip him.
“You can see whatever you want, my lady.” Then he scooped her up and carried her the six steps to the bench set before the mirror. He set her down carefully on her feet, then slipped behind her, pushing the gown off her shoulders as he moved. The dress and inset shift fell easily, needing only the slightest shimmy to have it pool at her feet. He took in a deep breath as he looked at her reflection. He stood behind her, fully clothed, a stark contrast to her.
“You are even more beautiful than I remember. All pink skin and full body. Your lips alone could drive me insane.”
“You promised I would see all of you,” she said as she turned around and began tugging at his cravat. He helped her, stripping off everything in record time. And when his organ was at last set free, she was able to stroke it and listen to his breath hiss in pleasure.
“Now—,” she began, but he pressed a finger to her mouth. Then, while she watched, he sat down on the bench facing the mirror.
“Come here,” he said.
She moved forward, but he stopped her, slowly turning her around. A moment later, he had set her on his lap, slowly coaxing her legs apart such that they draped over his knees.
Her face flamed in embarrassment, but also with excitement. She had never looked at herself all plump and open. It was scandalous for sure, but she was a mistress now. Scandalous was supposed to be her stock-in- trade.
“It’s not very pretty,” she said.
He chuckled. “No, it’s gorgeous. Now watch what happens when I do this.” So saying, he cupped her breasts, lifting them in the mirror and tweaking her nipples. She gasped at the sensation and her bottom tightened. His organ was thick and tall between them, and she realized that with a slight shift of her hips, her movements would torture him as well.
“Minx,” he whispered, but he didn’t stop her.
Her head was resting on his shoulder as he began to slide down on the bench. He didn’t go far, just enough to lift her center higher, into better view, and one of his hands abandoned her breast to slide between her legs.
Her skin was afire with flashes of heat, but it didn’t stop her from watching the slow progress of his hand down her belly. Large tan fingers against her white skin, slipping down until he slid into her curls. It was the most incredible sight, and to feel it as it was happening was beyond erotic.
“This is where I want to be,” he said as he thrust a finger deep inside her. She gasped in reaction as he filled her, instinctively tightening around him. “But this is what you like,” he said as he pulled his hand back and began to stroke her higher up.
Her thighs tightened, but she was draped across the outside of his knees. He was so much stronger than her, so he kept her open for view. And he continued to stroke her while she writhed on his lap.
She was close, so close. But this was not what she wanted. Not his fingers. And so she gripped his hand and pulled it away.
“I want to watch you enter me.”
He looked at her. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I want to see it. Slowly.”
He grinned. “As you wish.”
She directed things this time, adjusting the bench for the best angle. She sat down, making sure to position them in the mirror. And then she leaned back, trying as coy a look as she could manage.
“What are you waiting for?” she asked.
His eyes darkened in hunger as he grabbed her legs and placed them on his shoulders. “You wanted to watch? How is this?”
