Taming The Viscountess Read online

  “You let me bring you pleasure. It’s only fair that I let you return the favor.”

  Her attention went back to his face, and she noted the twinkle in his eye. She couldn’t recall a time when she’d met anyone with such a strong sense of humor. Oh, people laughed and told jokes, but she suspected he was one of the rare people in London who didn’t take himself seriously.

  He leaned toward her and kissed her, an action which sent a thrilling sensation through her entire body. For most of the day, she’d been anticipating his kiss. She had wondered if it’d leave her feeling as weak as simply being near him had. And it did. She found herself melting against him. So this was what it was like to kiss a captain. It felt just as wickedly wonderful as his touch had been while she was in the tub. She didn’t think she’d ever come across anyone so absolutely exciting.

  His hand traced her breast then the length of her arm before he took her hand in his. After holding it for a moment, he wrapped it around his penis.

  Ending the kiss, he brought his mouth to her ear and whispered, “Do you want me to guide you?”

  She didn’t know if it was the fact that she was now touching him intimately or the way his breath felt on her skin, but she shivered in pleasure. “Yes,” she replied, her voice soft.

  He shifted until he was settled on his back. Keeping his hand around hers, he showed her how to move her hand up and down his shaft. He started slow in his ministrations, probably to allow her time to get used to the feel of him. And she enjoyed it. He was fascinating. Absolutely fascinating.

  She supposed she shouldn’t be so bold in exploring him so soon. She’d overheard enough from conversations to know that she was supposed to be shy and timid, that she wasn’t even supposed to touch him their first time together. But she had never seen the logic in that kind of thinking. If she wanted something, there was no harm in going after it. And besides, he had welcomed her to his bed and brought her hand to his erection. He wouldn’t have done all of that if he expected her to play the part of the shy, young virgin.

  In this respect, he probably made a better match for her than Corin. She would never have ventured to go to Corin’s bed. He’d think it was highly unladylike. Getting undressed enough to enact a scandal was one thing, but coming to his bed and stroking his penis right away would probably have made him wonder about her. With Sebastian, however, there was no need to put on a pretense of being someone she wasn’t.

  Which meant she had complete freedom to satisfy her curiosity. And she found it an exciting experience to be able to take her time in doing so. When he let go of her hand, she slowed her movements. She didn’t want him to release his seed right away. She wanted to trace him from the base of his penis to the tip. Upon seeing the moist bead at the tip, she rubbed her thumb over it, and he rewarded her with a contented sigh.

  She glanced at his face. He had his eyes closed. It was nice that he trusted her to touch him so intimately. He was willing to let her do anything she wanted. He even brought his hand up to her back and rubbed it in circular motions, a simple action which caused the ache between her legs to get more insistent. Well, there would be time to take care of that later.

  For now, she turned her attention back to his erection. The male body was so intriguing. It was different from hers, and yet it complimented her perfectly. Noting another bead of moisture at his tip, she leaned forward and tasted it. He groaned in pleasure. Encouraged, she proceeded to explore him further with her tongue, and since he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it, she took him into her mouth. She’d only read of doing this. She’d found it very interesting in theory, and it was far more so when she was actually doing it.

  “Celia, I’m about to release my seed,” he whispered. “You should sit up if you want to see it happen.”

  She straightened up, and wrapping her hand around him, she went back to stroking him in earnest. Before long, he grew tense and his seed spilled out of his tip and over her hand. She stopped her ministrations but continued to hold him until he was done.

  After a moment, she released him. That was one of the most fascinating things she’d ever witnessed. She looked at him and noted his eyes were closed and he had a slight smile on his face. She’d never seen a gentleman more at peace than Sebastian was at this moment.

  “Can I see that again?” she asked.

  He opened his eyes, and his smile grew wider. “Yes, but not right away. It’s going to take me some time before I’m able to do that again. Besides,” he added as he sat up, “the next time I do it, I’ll be inside you.”

  Her heart raced in anticipation. Oh, but he was thrilling! Telling her he was going to release his seed inside her instead of asking if he could. She wasn’t sure what it was about the statement that excited her as much as it did, except that it had something to do with him taking the lead. But then, why wouldn’t he? He was a captain. He was used to telling others how things were to be done.

  He used the edge of his blanket to wipe her hand clean. “We’re going to make love often. You’re a lady of great passion, and I have no intention of wasting it. We have plenty of time for you to do whatever you want.”

  “Does that mean you want me to stay in bed with you?” she asked, thinking—hoping—he might insist on it.

  To her satisfaction, he said, “I didn’t let you into my bed so you could leave. I fully intend to bring us both more pleasure before the night is over.”

  Then he leaned toward her and kissed her in a way that made her feel wonderfully weak all over. Who knew this kind of sensation was even possible? Yes, she’d experienced the flurry of butterflies in her stomach whenever Corin was around, but with Sebastian, it seemed like a fire was sweeping through her. Captains certainly had a way about them!

  He proceeded to bring her pleasure, much as he had earlier that day in the tub. His fingers stroked her core in the familiar rhythm that helped ease the ache building up inside her, but it wasn’t until she climaxed that the ache finally gave way to relief.

  Afterwards, he cupped her breasts in his hands, exploring them at his leisure, once in a while letting his tongue brush against her nipples, which hardened in response. She thoroughly enjoyed the way he caressed them, and there was no doubt he found them pleasing as well since his erection pressed up against her.

  “When are you going to make me your wife?” she asked.

  Looking up from her breasts, he shot her a smile that made him appear devastatingly handsome. “I assumed you already were my wife.”

  “Some people say a couple are not truly husband and wife until he penetrates her.” She reached down and touched his erection. “Do you think you can release your seed inside me now? Has enough time passed?”

  His smile grew wider, and he shifted so that he was settled between her legs. He didn’t enter her right away. Instead, he took her hands in his and clasped them over her head. “Yes, enough time has passed, and it will be my pleasure to make you my wife in every way.”

  He lowered his head and kissed her, his tongue tracing her lower lip. She parted her lips for him and accepted him into her mouth. Once more, a thrilling sensation shot straight through her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and drew him closer to her until she felt the tip of his penis press up against her entrance. With a moan, she lifted her hips and was pleased to note the way his tip dipped into her.

  He ended their kiss and peered down at her, a smug grin on his face. “Are you eager for me?”

  She probably shouldn’t encourage the conceited part of him, but he slid further into her and she sighed in pleasure. “Make me your wife, Sebastian,” she opted to reply.

  It wasn’t an outright admission of how eager she was, but it was enough to let him know she wasn’t about to deny either one of them the satisfaction of consummating their marriage. And he accepted it readily enough since he slid further into her. She squeezed his hands and lifted her hips to accept all of him.

  So this was how it felt to have a penis inside her. She had heard it cou
ld hurt the first time, which was why she’d taken measures to stretch herself in advance. She wasn’t particularly fond of pain, and if she could avoid it, she did what she could to do so. Her efforts, in this case, had paid off, for there was nothing but pleasure at taking him into her.

  He groaned. “You feel good.”

  “You do, too,” she murmured.

  He gave her another kiss and then began his slow, purposeful thrusting. Gradually, he built up the rhythm to a more urgent pace that would bring him closer to releasing his seed. All of it felt good. She wasn’t going to have another orgasm. Not this time. But she was still receiving pleasure out of the activity, and she had no trouble letting him know how much she was enjoying this. Lovemaking just might become one of her favorite pastimes, and she didn’t think anything could be better than shopping.

  After some time, he grew taut and cried out. In her core, she felt the throbbing of his penis, letting her know he was releasing his seed into her. She looked at his face and studied him. He really was a good-looking gentleman. She didn’t know why she hadn’t noticed that before this evening, but he was strikingly handsome.

  When he relaxed, he collapsed in her arms, and she held him for a short time before he pulled out of her and settled next to her. He brought her into his arms and gave her a lingering kiss.

  “I don’t want you to go back to your bed,” he told her.

  “I was planning to stay here,” she replied.

  He kissed her again. “I want you here tomorrow night, too. And the night after that and the night after—”

  “You mean, you want me with you every night,” she interrupted.

  “Yes. Do you mind?”

  “No, I don’t mind.”

  “Good.” Then he closed his eyes.

  Soon, his breathing grew slow and steady, and he fell asleep. This was nice. Everything they’d done had been thoroughly exciting, and being able to rest with him when everything was over seemed to have a certain sweetness to it that surprised her. And better yet, he wanted to keep making love to her. She didn’t know why that seemed so important, but it did.

  Content, she closed her eyes, and before long, she drifted off to sleep, too.

  Chapter Ten

  Sebastian woke up before Celia did the next morning. He was sure the previous evening hadn’t meant anything to her. She’d only come to his bed because he’d stirred her passions the day before when he’d found her in the tub. That, of course, had been his plan. He’d known she’d been opposed to the idea of being in bed with him, so he figured if he showed her that she would get enjoyment from it, she would be more receptive to it.

  He hadn’t expected her to be receptive so soon. He thought it’d be a week or two before she finally let him consummate the marriage. The fact that she came to him last evening had excited him. He was glad she wasn’t one of those timid ladies who couldn’t look at an erection lest their sensibilities were affected. He hadn’t thought she was one of those, but just because she’d been bold with her clothes on, it hadn’t guaranteed she’d be that way in bed. So he’d been prepared to play the role of the patient husband while his wife got used to the idea of being with him.

  She had shown great enthusiasm with him the previous evening, and for that, he was especially happy. He had known that being with her would be enjoyable. What he hadn’t expected was that making love to her would make him feel vulnerable. He wasn’t used to feeling that way.

  Granted, he had a tendency to feel insecure about his leg, because he caught someone offering him a pitying glance from time to time. Thankfully, Celia wasn’t like those people. He honestly didn’t think he could continue living in the same townhouse with her if she was. It was one thing to tolerate it from others. He didn’t have to live with them. When he was home, he was still the person he’d always been. Losing half of his leg hadn’t changed who he was, which was something some people couldn’t seem to understand.

  Celia, however, did understand it, and knowing that excited him as much as it scared him. He wasn’t used to feeling so exposed to another person. It wasn’t until morning that he realized he hadn’t just let her into his bed. He’d also let her into his heart.

  It hadn’t been something he’d planned, but there was something about being intimate with her physically that had opened him up to her emotionally. He didn’t know how to explain why such a thing was even possible. Up until last night, he had assumed the act of making love was only going to relieve the sexual tension that had been building up within him all day yesterday. But there was definitely more to it than that. At least, that was how it was for him.

  He didn’t know if the same thing had happened to her. And there was no way he was going to ask. She’d wanted to marry Corin. Maybe, given enough time, she might not mind it so much that she had ended up with him instead. He honestly didn’t think someone of her passion would have been happy with a weakling like Corin, but who knew if she’d ever come around to that conclusion?

  From next to him in the bed, Celia stirred from her sleep. Unable to stop himself from extending a token of affection to her, he brushed her cheek and then kissed it. She let out a contented sigh and opened her eyes.

  Before she could speak, he brought his mouth to hers, deciding it was best they didn’t start today with words. Last evening, after all, had been wonderful. He didn’t want to ruin what he hoped to be an equally wonderful morning. They should both be enjoying the fact that they had shared something special together.

  She wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled him closer to her. Accepting her invitation, he deepened the kiss, and before long, he was making love to her again. Afterwards, they remained in each other’s arms for several minutes. Then he decided they might as well get ready for the day. But first, he slipped on the robe and sent for a bath.

  “Want to join me?” he asked Celia, who was still lying in his bed.

  “There’s not enough room in the tub for both of us. I can take a bath in my own bedchamber.”

  “You could,” he relented as she stood up. “But if you do, then I can’t wash your back. I didn’t say we both had to be in the tub at the same time.”

  He suspected she only pretended to think about it since he caught the sparkle in her eye as she hesitated. “All right,” she finally said, “but I want to go first. I like the water when it’s hot.”

  “I’ve taken plenty of lukewarm baths in my day, so that suits me just fine.” Then, as an afterthought, he added, “Of course, that was when I had the luxury of taking a full bath. Most of the time, I didn’t have much more than a cup full of water to wash up with.”

  “So gentlemen really do get filthy while on a ship?”

  “That only depends on your definition of filthy. Not everyone in London bathes all the time.”

  “Yes, that is true, but everything I’ve heard about captains and their crew led me to believe you never bathed while on the ship at all. It sounded like you wouldn’t wash up for months at a time.”

  “It can be months, but we find time to dock once in a while, and when we do, we manage to take baths.”

  “But even so, doesn’t that get uncomfortable? Surely with all the sea air and the sun beating down on you day after day, you must feel filthy.”

  “What do you think we do while at sea? Put dirt on the decks and roll around in it?”

  Her lips curled up in amusement. “No, but I know how uncomfortable I am if I go without a bath for a week. I like to keep clean.”

  “Which is why I’m having a bath brought up here. Given last night’s activities, I thought it’d be a good idea.” His gaze traced the length of her body. No doubt she had remained naked for his benefit. While he appreciated the view, he had no intention of sharing it with anyone else. “You should put on a robe before the servants catch you without any clothes on. They’ll be bringing the tub and water in here any moment.”

  She picked up her chemise and went to her bedchamber. Soon after, the tub was brought up and filled with
hot water. Being a gentleman of his word, he let her bathe first, and he washed her back, along with other—more interesting—parts of her.

  “What will you do today?” he asked at one point.

  “Today, I start recruiting members into my elite lady’s group that will rival Lady Eloise’s,” she said. “I’ve been debating a good name for it. A group is only as good as its name. I need something better than Ladies of Grace. Do you have any ideas?”

  Surprised she should ask his opinion on the matter, he stopped washing the area between her legs and made eye contact with her. “You want me to try to come up with a name for a ladies’ group? If you asked me to come up with something for a ship, you’d be in luck, but my expertise doesn’t extend to things like groups that are vying for social approval.”

  “Social approval is very important.”

  With a shrug, he continued washing her. “It all seems like a waste of time to me.”

  She gasped and leaned toward him. “You must never let anyone of influence hear you say such a thing. It could very well ruin my chances of being successful in this venture.”

  “Isn’t the fact that you’re married to a captain going to ruin your chances?”

  “Not if I inform them of your notable attributes. Besides, you’re a viscount. You have a title.”

  “Anyone can have a title if they’re born into the right family. It doesn’t take any great accomplishment to do that. But,” he began washing her again, careful as he traced the folds of her flesh since it was a sensitive area on her body, “you mentioned notable attributes. What notable attributes do I possess?”

  She leaned back and spread her legs further to give him better access to her body. “Well, you’re a leader. You commanded a ship. Gentlemen took orders from you.”

  She made a good point there. He certainly couldn’t argue that. “And they did it willingly. I had their respect.”

  “I imagine they did respect you since you have a bold and courageous spirit.”

  Now this was something he liked more than the leadership comment. “Tell me more about how bold and courageous I am.”