Improper Seduction by Mary Wine Page B

tipped her head back to keep their gazes locked. Something dark in his eyes beckoned to her, hinting of that final lesson Marie had promised her.
    “I promise you, as my wife, I intend to make sure you experience as much delight as possible.”
    Her mouth was suddenly dry, but she wanted to know what he meant, if it was that same thing Marie had promised to teach her but never got the opportunity.
    “She said it would be better if I allowed myself to enjoy your touch …”
    Her words trailed off into a whisper because her lungs werehaving trouble keeping up with the racing of her heart. Bridget looked away in order to sort her thoughts, but a large hand cupped her chin and brought her eyes back to his. Her cheeks burned at the probing intensity of his gaze, his dark eyes seeming to sear right into her thoughts.
    “But she didn’t demonstrate any of those touches?”
    Alarm raced through Bridget, and she jerked her head out of his grasp. “You mean upon me, with her own hands?” Revulsion flooded her, and she shook her head.
    His arm captured her once more, sliding across her back to secure her against him.
    “I am pleased to see that look on your face.”
    Confusion needled her, and she spoke before thinking about how unwise her words might be. “Do you mean to say that she might have touched me?”
    “Exactly as I have done, madam.” His arm held her steady when she would have jerked away. “Some women enjoy it. Even prefer it to a man’s touch.” His eyes flickered with hard resolve. “I wonder if you do.”
    “She did not touch me. Save for a hand beneath my chin once. I did not enjoy it as I do your—”
    She shut her jaw so fast her teeth clicked together. Embarrassment heated her cheeks, but what made her belly tighten was the flicker of heat in Curan’s dark eyes.
    “Stop toying with me.” She was ashamed of how close her tone was to begging but could do nothing to change it. Her entire body was twisting and tightening with needs she was losing the ability to control. His eyebrows lowered.
    “I do not mean to be unkind, Bridget. Yet I am as drawn to you as you are to me.”
    He lifted her and moved her back until she felt the thick trunk of a tree pressing into her back. His huge frame held her against it while one of his knees boldly pressed between herthighs. His free hand smoothed down her body, over the curve of her hip and onto her thigh to grip it and pull it up.
    “I find myself battling the urge to bind you to me.” He spoke through his teeth, his control clearly stretched thin. He pulled her thigh up until it rested against his hip, allowing his leg to press firmly against her sex. The fabric of her dress was no shield. At least not one up to the task of protecting her from the rush of pleasure that assaulted her.
    You could couple in more positions than just on your back …
    The position he held her in was enough to allow him to penetrate her right now, and she felt the night air brush her ankle as he began to tug her skirt up.
    “Curan …”
    “Yes, Bridget?” Her skirt rose higher, that cool air teasing her knee. She clamped down on the panic trying to flood her. It would be better to know what he intended; then she would not shiver while she waited to discover his will. Yet that did not mean she would simply bow to his command. She flattened her hands on his chest and listened to the soft snort that passed his lips in response to her touch.
    “What do you want of me?” Her voice was firmer, and that gave her satisfaction. “Is it your intention to shame me in front of your men by lifting my skirts like a doxy?”
    His hand fisted in the fabric of her gown. She could feel how tightly he gripped it, and her chin rose with defiance.
    His face was becoming harder to see as night wrapped around them. In a way, the darkness deepened the mood gripping her, making it even harder to ignore the need pulsing through her. Though the night made it much simpler to surrender, her pride