His finger forged a slow trail along her inner thigh until she was squirming in anticipation.
“Be still or I’ll have to start over.” His smile widened to show he was teasing, but serious or not, she pressed against the wall and tried not to move as the exquisite torture continued. When his fingers brushed her curls then cupped her, she sucked in a sharp breath, but she held her position.
“Good girl.” He kissed her again, then knelt at her feet. “Hold your skirts.”
She did as ordered, eager for whatever reward he would give her in return. His finger traveled to the apex between her legs and lightly circled the bud there before slipping inside her.
She softly moaned when his wet finger returned to that sweet spot and swept over it again. He nudged her legs farther apart, then placed a kiss on her inner thigh, just above her knee, as his finger slid back inside her. He repeated the pattern as his lips kissed a path up her leg and his other hand kneaded her bottom. The sensations flowed through her, disorienting and heavenly.
His hand slid down the back of her thigh to her knee and lifted it over his shoulder. With the wall behind her and his body bracing her, she felt secure. He lifted his face and grinned. “Now, don’t forget to hold still, sweetheart.”
A retort rose in her throat but came out in a strangled cry when his mouth touched her. His fingers opened her to his tongue, which stroked over her moist flesh. With each slow sweep, her body responded. Soft moans escaped on every breath and her hips began to undulate. She no longer cared about being compliant or good. She wanted the pleasure his touch promised. His strong hand clasped her bottom and encouraged her movement. His mouth worked in unison as his fingers stoked a fire inside her. A fire that was burning her from the inside out.
When his tongue flicked over her bud, the intensity made her arch her back. Sebastian held her tighter and did it again and again until flames licked her belly, spreading to her breasts and up her chest. The fire climbed her neck and roared in her ears until she had no more room for it. It escaped on loud cries that echoed off the walls of the courtyard.
Slowly withdrawing his finger from her, he licked it, his wicked grin making her heart skip. He rose and kissed her, his smile never fading. “I told you to be still, Lady Prestwick. Now you’ve mussed your hair.”
“Oh?” She released her skirts and absently patted her hair.
He wrapped her in his arms and for one moment, she allowed herself to lean against him. Allowed him to support her when she was determined to be strong enough to stand on her own. “Don’t let any scoundrels waylay you on the way to the retiring room this time, or you will miss the entire first act.”
Good Lord, the opera. She’d forgotten all about it. “How long have we been gone?” she asked.
He released her with a sigh and backed away. “Long enough that you cannot afford to spend more time with me.”
The wall at her back felt cold without his heat surrounding her. She reached for his perfect white cravat, pretending it needed straightening to create an excuse to touch him again.
“Helena.” His voice was strained, pleading. She slid her hands over his arms as his mouth skimmed across hers. Desire coursed through him, his muscles straining beneath her touch. It seemed unfair to leave him in such a state.
She didn’t want to go. Now or later.
The truth was like being doused with a bucket of cold water. Her hands dropped to her sides. She couldn’t allow her good sense to be overcome by a handsome face. What had occurred tonight could not alter her plans. Scotland was the only place her sisters had a chance for a new start.
Sebastian embraced her once more before she could step away and lightly kissed her forehead. “You are frowning. Have I made you unhappy?”
“No.” She sank against him, closing her eyes and savoring the feel of his body pressed against hers once more. “You’ve made me feel…”
Alive. Marvelous. Weak-minded. Unsettled.
She eased from his arms with a shy smile. “This was all very agreeable, my lord.”
“Very agreeable.” His chuckle was forced. “Next time I will aim for splendid indeed.”