The Baron and the Mistress Page 7

  He lowered his head and suckled her breast; laving and licking until she writhed on the bed. Chastity held his head in place, whispering hot demands he suck her harder. Biting down gently on her nipple and hearing her soft moans made him nearly climax then and there. With great reluctance he let go of her breast and stood, tearing off his clothes and sending them careening about the room. Waistcoat, shirt, trousers, smallclothes, shoes and socks—gone in an instant. If anything ripped in the process, so be it. Naked and hard, he savored the desirous vision laid out before him.

  Chastity smiled, giving him a wanton look that made his cock twitch in happy anticipation. With one knee braced on the bed, he grasped the remains of her gown and ripped it to her ankles. She gasped, and then smiled as he tossed the ruined garment to the floor. His hands trembled as he separated the remaining hooks on her corset while she lifted her hips so he could remove it. All that remained were the gauzy, already-torn chemise and her stockings. With careful deliberation, he untied the hose and slowly rolled each one to her shapely ankles and then pulled them off, letting them flutter to the floor. The well-worn chemise fell apart in his hands as she laughed. The joyous cadence of her amusement made his heart thump double-time.

  The temptation to fall on her as a rutting beast became too much to bear. So beautiful, her skin seemed to shimmer in the firelight. Her gaze never wavered from him, nor did she hide the passion and sexual playfulness dancing in the depths of her hazel eyes. No, he would do as she asked and help her to forget. Savor and love her as she deserved to be loved. Cherish and protect her. Ash took a few steps toward the sideboard and reached for the decanter of Madeira. No time like the present to act out his fantasy. He removed the stopper as he kneeled on the bed. Giving her a teasing smile, he tipped the crystal decanter enough to allow a slow trickle to land on her chest.

  Chastity squealed and jumped from the impact of the liquid. “Ash, the bedding!”

  “Let it be ruined. I can afford to purchase new sheets and blankets. I want to lick every inch of your skin, drink and delight in you.” Pouring a little more, he watched in fascination as the beverage ran in rivulets over her hard, beaded nipples and down her shapely torso. He followed the sweet, sticky trail with his tongue, drinking and licking as he pursued the path to her mid-section. Chastity moaned and rolled her hips while spreading her legs further apart. Ash curled his tongue and darted it in her navel causing her to chuckle as he caught beads of wine in his mouth.

  “That tickles!”

  Positioning himself between her legs, he tilted the decanter until another slow stream splashed on her flat stomach. More of the Madeira collected in her navel while the rest disappeared into her curls, wetting her. Damn and blast she was beautiful, her cunny already moist and swollen and not from the wine. Pouring some more, he leaned in and caught a few of the drops as they dripped over her thighs. He licked and sucked, drinking her very essence, exploring every inch of her.

  “Oh, Ash,” Chastity groaned, her voice husky. She tunneled her fingers through his hair, holding his head steady while he gloried in the taste of her. He bit down gently on her swollen nub and then flicked it with his tongue until she cried out with her release. Chastity’s hips bucked on the bed, wine sloshed on the sheets. Sitting back on his knees, Ash watched her climax play out and it was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. His cock ached to be buried deep inside her.

  When her breathing slowed an idea took root in his fevered brain. “Lift your hips, Chas. Keep your legs spread...yes. That’s it.” He spread her folds wide, lifted the decanter, and poured a little of the Madeira inside her.

  Chastity gasped, and then gave him a sensuous look. “You, my lord, are entirely wicked.”

  “Yes, I am that. It is best you know it now.”

  He sat the near empty decanter on the bed. The heady mixture of Chastity and the wine made his head swim, his blood thundered through his veins. Next, he lay flat on the bed, the top of his head brushed against her thigh. “Lean over me, love. Let me drink you.”

  ***

  A potent mix of embarrassment and lust overtook her. Chastity loved the feeling of the wine inside her. Clenching her inner muscles she did as he bade; pushing upward into a crouching position above Ash’s head. The man was deliciously sinful. She lowered herself until her quim lay directly above his mouth. “Then, drink me.”

  Ash fastened his mouth on her opening and swallowed, his throat moving sexily with each gulp. How fascinating. He wrapped his arms around her inner thighs and pulled her down closer until his face was buried in her feminine core. Oh, so sinful.

  After he lapped up every last drop, his tongue stroked from her quivering nub to the sensitive skin near her rear end. He licked all around, causing her to exclaim in shock. She was tempted to pull away, but fascinated at the same time.

  “One day very soon I will put my cock right here. If done right it can be pleasurable. But we will not rush as there is so much else for us to explore. Does the prospect horrify you?”

  It did and it didn’t. How to explain? “Not the way you describe it.”

  Ash laughed and sat upright.

  “Where did you learn such—erotic methods?” she questioned.

  “At nineteen, I had a very brief dalliance with the owner of a brothel. She schooled me in the erotic arts and showed me how to please a woman in bed. But before she did, she made me take a vow. I would not share my new-found knowledge unless it was with a woman of worth, a woman I cared for deeply. Thing is—I kept that vow. Most of my encounters with women were brief, meaningless, and—empty. Until you, Chas.”

  Oh my, he did care. Very much. Her heart banged against her ribcage in delight. What could she say in response?

  “You are a woman of worth. Don’t ever think different. It is my fondest wish to be worthy of you.” He lay flat on the bed.

  She leaned down to kiss him. The position awkward as she was turned around and upside-down from his mouth, but the angle made for an interesting kiss. Stroking his cheeks, she murmured his name affectionately.

  When the kiss ended he said, “Now, lay flat on top of me in the direction you are facing now. Slide down until your lips are inches from my cock.”

  What? “But then I will be above your face...No. It’s too...too....”

  “Wicked?”

  “Intimate. Messy. And yes, wicked,” she replied.

  “It is called ‘soixante-neuf’. Oral sex in the sixty-nine position. Making love is very intimate and messy, but very gratifying. Do you trust me?”

  She frowned and weighed the question. There was heft behind the words. It appeared her trusting him was very important as he mentioned it more than once. “It’s hard for me to trust these last couple of years. I do so want to trust you.”

  “Then, trust me.”

  A leap of faith would be required. Ash had been nothing but unfailingly honest and upfront with her from the moment they’d met. Alone here in his room removed all pretenses of proper behavior. She was his mistress. What was wrong with giving each other mutual physical pleasure? Nothing. Nothing at all. Chastity crawled down his long, muscular torso. Ash spread his legs and bent them at the knee to give her greater access. She placed her knees on either side of his head. He blew on her swollen folds, his warm breath causing her to shudder. Fascinated, she trailed a finger around the many veins that encircled his cock.

  “Oh, God. Take me in your mouth. Suck and lick me, make a feast of me for I will be making a feast of you.” With those words, Ash buried his face between her legs causing her back to arch in desire. Because of their height difference she had to stretch to reach him, but grasped his rod and placed it in her mouth, matching his rhythm. How could it be sinful to enjoy the taste of a man? The musky, salty flavor mixed with the faint fragrance of his sandalwood soap appealed to her. The air was filled with the wet sounds of their oral ministrations and passionate moans. It took no time at all. She came first with a climax that nearly seized the breath from her body. As she
cried out his cock popped out of her mouth briefly, but even dizzy from her release she continued on until moments later Ash called out her name over and over.

  Chastity, her body still trembling, turned about and crawled to Ash. She curled up next to him, laying her head on his shoulder. They were covered in perspiration, both breathing hard. He took her hand and laced his fingers through hers, placing them on his heart which pounded hard and fast matching her own heartbeat. How greedy of her to want more. They hadn’t even joined as yet.

  Ash kissed her forehead. “Rest. We have the rest of the night. I have so much more to savor. And so do you.”

  Chastity stifled a yawn as she was rather worn out. Ash reached for the sheet. The sweet smell of the Madeira surrounded them, the bedding decidedly damp from the wine and their sexual exertions. Smiling, she drifted into slumber. She’d become a wanton and happily so. But beyond all that, she ached for a connection beyond the physical. A stab of pain burrowed into her heart. Ash would never be hers. Only here, in bed. However, she wanted all of him, his body, his regard, and his heart and soul. But I will never have it, will I? Chastity exhaled sadly and then fell to sleep.

  Chapter Ten

  Ash opened an eye and peered about the darkened room. No idea of the time as the fire died down to sizzling embers. The only illumination came from the gas lamp in the corner. Chastity slept in the crook of his arm. How innocent and at peace she looked. Her virtuousness despite her circumstances is one of the things that attracted him to her. Thanks to him, Chastity was far from innocent now. When he told her about the vow he gave Christina, the madam, he spoke the truth. Every assignation that followed the affair had been brief, devoid of emotion, and to be truthful unsatisfying.

  There was sadness in Christina’s eyes when she made him promise to share his erotic knowledge with a woman of worth. One he cared for. One he loved.

  “The sexual act is just that—an act. But when you share deeply physical and intimate lovemaking with a person who has captured your heart and the very air you breathe, then anything is possible. The world is bright, your soul sings, loneliness slips away, for your heart is full. Even if it is of a brief duration.”

  At the time he thought Christina spoke of a past love, but he knew now she spoke of him. She was in love with him and Ash had no earthly idea. In fact, it was her that broke their dalliance claiming she tired of him. After all, what would a woman of thirty-eight want with a mere boy of nineteen except a short-term affair? Her rejection was not callous in nature, but affectionate. His younger self accepted her gentle rebuff with hardly a flicker of his eye or a stutter of his heart.

  “Go, and find the woman of your heart. You will know her. As soon as you lay eyes on her, you will know. In here.” She laid a hand on his chest. “Do not let her get away. Grasp life and love with both hands, Asher. Never look back.”

  By the time he’d dressed and stepped out into the hall to leave he could have sworn he heard someone crying, but shrugged it off. Christina. How could he have been so callous and unfeeling? Granted, he acted as a callow youth who had no clue of such deeper emotions. Now he understood what Christina spoke of. A deep sadness overcame him as he did not mean to break the woman’s heart. In fact, he was grateful for their brief assignation. He’d kept the vow all these years and damned glad he did. Christina deserved his promise and respect and he silently hoped these last years had been kind to her.

  The clock on the mantel chimed, interrupting his thoughts. Midnight. Chastity stirred, yawning and stretching as cat would lying by the fire. The smile she gave him made his insides dip and roll.

  “Such a wonderful nap. I feel so…safe.” Chastity ran her fingers through his chest hair. “I cannot begin to tell you how relieved I am you came to our rescue. The situation was quite dismal. Hannah has been ill so often the past two years, her cough becoming worse each time.”

  Ash sat upright. “Why did you not tell me this sooner? I did notice a cough. Tomorrow we will call for the doctor. I should have done so when you all first arrived. It is not healthy for you all to be locked up in this townhouse. I would like so much to take you all for a ride in the carriage or an outing to the British Museum. But we cannot chance it.”

  Chastity sat up next to him, the sheet wrapped around her. “What do you suggest?”

  Yes, what was he suggesting? Outings? He was getting in deep here, is that what he wanted? Her beautiful hazel eyes regarded him closely. He needed more time to reflect on what he wanted. Yes, love no doubt was at the core of it, but he must be absolutely sure. “I’ll come up with something, never fear.”

  She clasped his hand tight. “I do trust you will come up with a plan for us all. I do worry for Jon and Hannah, though for Jon it is not of a physical nature. I think something happened. He alluded to it the first morning we arrived here. It chilled my blood. He said, ‘It’s my fault we had to leave! If I had only done what he wanted.’ He told me never to ask him. My poor brother and sister.”

  She swiped a couple of tears from her cheeks and his heart tumbled in his chest in sympathy. How unselfish of her to be concerned about her siblings. Everything she did, she did to keep them safe. At that moment, he fell a little more in love with her. “Tell me about the night you fled. I swear the request is not for my own twisted amusement. I truly wish to know. Tell me what you endured so I can gain an understanding of the plight of those with nowhere to turn. I take up many causes in Parliament and the more I know, the better prepared I will be to make a persuasive argument.”

  He read the hesitation in her eyes, but she sighed and nodded. “After I rendered Sir Nigel unconscious, we changed clothes. We had to get out of there before he awoke. If I had been thinking more clearly I could have snatched items worth bartering or even food from the kitchen, but I had no other thought but to flee. I did stuff things from my room in a small carpet bag. A blanket, my comb and brush, matches, a book of all things. I should have checked his pockets as he no doubt had a few pounds on him.” She sighed deeply. “But, what did I know of surviving on the streets? Thank God we did bring our coats and boots. That first night, we slept behind the building my father had his law office in. After that, we headed to the East End where the cheapest lodgings could be found. I sold the silver brush for a couple of pounds and bought bread and cheese for our travels as well as the occasional bed at a dosshouse.”

  “My God. It is a wonder you were not attacked.”

  “We very nearly were and more than once. I soon learned that our clean coats would draw attention. I sold them and bought us second-hand ones. As the days passed, we blended in with the ‘great unwashed’ as Sir Nigel called those living in the East End. I couldn’t allow him to track us down. After several weeks, I realized he did not care a toss for us and probably never initiated a search. Though relieved, I remained vigilant.”

  Ash could not believe this. He could not wrap his mind around this horrid tale. “How did you live?”

  “We managed to earn a shilling here and there. I sold the book, some items of clothing, and I had a gold cross with a small diamond around my neck, a birthday gift from my parents. It broke my heart to sell it.” Her voice shook, but she continued. “We all did what tasks we could to earn a crust. Sold every possession. Have you ever gone to bed hungry?”

  Ash shook his head. “No. Never.”

  “The cramps become so severe even tears will not come. Did Jon resort to thievery? Yes, I didn’t ask where he happened to find a wayward apple or chunk of cheese. We did what we had to do to survive. For a time, I scrubbed floors in a pub. You haven’t lived until you mopped up vomit, tobacco spittle, spilled beer, and worse. The sticky substance men expel from their...”

  Ash pulled her into his lap and held her close. “Enough. My poor, dear girl.”

  She trembled. “When things became dire and we had no other recourse, I would go to Shag Alley. I lost my virtue to a drunken, smelly man who was rough and foul. Thankfully, it ended quickly. No woman should endure such humil
iation or lose so much just to live. To eat. But for Jon and Hannah, I would have done much more.”

  Ash stroked her cheek gently with his fingers. “Like take up an arrogant baron’s insulting request to become his mistress?”

  Chastity gazed up at him, her eyes full of tears. Something seized in his chest. Such a look of longing she gave him, he must be mistaken. She stroked his chin, her touch reigniting the flame within him. “Yes, even that.” She smiled shakily.

  How right she felt in his arms. Soft curves complimented his hard angles. Something else grew harder. He wanted her. “Leave it with me. No more worries tonight. You said you want to feel, so do I. Pass me the envelope by the bed.”

  She did. He reached between them and fisted his cock, giving it a couple of strokes. He removed the sheath from the envelope and rolled it on. Chastity watched, fascinated.

  “Now, sit here facing me. Rub yourself against my cock until you are wet. Then, raise yourself above me and spear your luscious cunny. Then, ride me. Fuck me. Make love to me. Forget the horrors. Remember...me.”

  ***

  Chastity cupped his face, his cheeks were flushed, his eyes sparkling and animated. The compassion she read in his expression caught her breath. And the passion. But she couldn’t be sure as all she had ever seen in a man’s eyes was naked lust and a desire to control. To claim. Perhaps she should be reading all this in Ash’s hauntingly beautiful eyes, but all she could see was a warm regard and a deep affection. Not possible. Yes, for tonight she would forget everything but the two of them alone in this room. Nothing else existed.