“—whatever they thought would convince your cousin that they took a duke’s charge very seriously.” One of her fingernails etched a line up his phallus. “I see that did not take long at all.”

“I have sworn not to impose on you while you recover. Much as I would like—stop that!” An unexpected tweak on the tip of his phallus sent lightning through his blood.

“Didn’t you like that? I’m sorry.”

“I liked it. Very much. However, we cannot—”

“You cannot, seeing as you were so foolish as to swear not to. I swore nothing. You will not be doing any imposing. I will not need your help, so just lie there and be true to your word. No embraces. No caresses.” She rose up on her knees and drew her nightdress off. “Only, don’t fall asleep.”

As if that were likely. A stronger man would leave the chamber at once. He didn’t.

Still on her knees, she gazed down with hunger, as if deciding where to feast first. His cock swelled more at the very thought of her feasting anywhere at all.

* * *

He looked perfect. Strong and hard and handsome. Not only his appearance made her stir so deeply. The ways he took care of her, and talked to her, and treated her moved her profoundly. She lowered herself to her hands and knees and kissed him to release the fullness in her heart. Then she moved her lips to his shoulder and his neck, to his arm and his chest, praising him, thanking him with her passion.

He accepted it, as if he knew she meant it when she said she did not want his participation. She wanted to express her own emotions this way. She needed him to just accept them. He did, not embracing her, not taking over. Just skimming his body with her breasts aroused her. She needed no direct caresses. Inhaling his scent made her heady. Licking his skin began driving her mad. She could tell he liked it all. His body showed her that, and his gaze, and finally his low sounds of pleasure.

She sat back on his thighs and caressed him fully, all along his chest, wondering in the feel of him, admiring his beauty. Lower then, following the taper of his body to the hardness of his hips. She circled her finger around his phallus, then caressed it more purposefully. He closed his eyes then. His hard jaw and tense expression made her feel wicked and powerful and seductive.

He looked down his body at her with a hooded gaze. “Are you feeling brave?”

“Invincible. Like a warrior.”

“Then move up here, so I can use my mouth on you.”