Bridal Favors - Engaged in Wickedness by Jade Lee Read Free Book Online Page B

as her legs slipped open. Her musk was strong enough to cloud every thought but one: that he must possess her now.
    Fortunately, he was a man of reason. He knew that there were more ways to possess a woman than through her body. And this woman was more complex than most. So he lifted up, still holding her hips captive with his torso, his hands still brushing across her nipples because he could not stop himself. But his gaze held hers as he spoke.
    "I will give you what you want, Gwen. Right now, I will give you an experience you have not even imagined, and I will not take your virginity." He had to say that aloud and make it a solemn vow if he had any prayer of keeping his word. "But after it is done, you must tell me all. You must tell me what demon haunts you, what drives you to such madness."
    Her eyes widened, showing him that she understood what he wanted. She licked her lips and swallowed, the movement anxious rather than seductive. "I—I don't know," she whispered. "I truly don't."
    It was an honest response, and so he nodded. "Then you must swear to answer my questions honestly so we can figure it out together. Do you understand? I want nothing hidden from me. You must tell me whatever I want to know."
    She nodded. The motion was slow and very hesitant.
    "Swear it, Gwen. Out loud."
    "I swear," she said. "I will tell you whatever you want to know."
    He exhaled in relief, stunned by how important this was to him. In this way, she had just committed to baring her heart to him. And that meant far more to him than her body.
    He dropped a kiss to her belly, feeling it quiver in response. "Close your eyes, Gwen. Close your eyes and put a pillow over your face."
    "What?"
    "It will muffle your scream."
    She lifted up, her expression intrigued. "I am going to scream?"
    "Most definitely," he said. Then he waited as she did as he had bid. And when she was set, he dropped to his knees between her spread thighs. He caressed her slowly, opening her wide like a playground set before him. Then he lowered his mouth and began to play.
    She screamed then, a brief start of surprise. But by the time he was done, she had screamed a dozen or more times, over and over.
    He did not leave until dawn touched the sky.

 
     
     
    Chapter 6

     
    He didn't call the next day. Or was that really "called the same day" given that he'd left just before dawn? Gwen didn't know the exact grammar to use in this type of situation, but she did know what she called it: vexing. Downright, terribly vexing.
    Yes, she knew exactly what he was doing. Hadn't she played the same game with other gentlemen? Pay a man special attention one evening only to completely ignore him the next. It never failed to pique the man's interest while telling him that she would not be taken for granted. Well, that's what she'd thought. Turns out she was wrong. The person ignored didn't feel intrigued or schooled. The ignoree felt hurt and unsettled. And extremely vexed!
    Of course, what she'd done with Edward wasn't exactly the same as spending a dinner and two dances with a gentleman. What they'd done together was vastly more special, more amazing, and a thousand times more scandalous. Really, what was she thinking to be acting like this? And when could she do it again?
    These were the thoughts that kept her scatterbrained and restless all day. It wasn't that she woke so very late—although she did. But even after she was out of bed, she could not keep her mind on the tasks at hand. While she was consulting with the doctor about her mother's medicines, she wondered if Mama had heard anything last night. While she was cajoling her mother out of bed and into a gown, she looked in the mirror and wondered if he'd noticed her flaws, those horrible places where she tended to sag or was too plump. The worst, of course, was as she was sorting through the family's social mail. She had no idea what balls he would go to, how long he was in town, or any sort of information about his schedule.