Taming Saffina Read online

I obeyed in a trance, mesmerized by his kiss. Nothing in all my life had prepared me for sensuality like this. It felt like all my girlish wishes were coming true, all at once.

  With his dark gaze burning into mine, I eased back over the heavy, folded length of satin. The embroidered flowers and dragons rough along my spine, I massaged my breasts to raise my nipples. The gleam in his eyes spurred me on. As desire mounted, I grew bold. Shyness slipped away. I fondled my breasts in great handfuls, feeling and pinching them, relishing their stiffness. As arousal pounded, I daringly slid my fingers deep into my wide-open gap.

  As I did it, he pushed my thighs wider. “Keep your eyes on mine.”

  His stern command made me shiver. The urgent throb in my wide-splayed slit pulsed faster as I found my hard, throbbing little bud with my slippery fingertip. I circled it, slowly to start with.

  As he flared his nostrils, I moved my fingertip faster. Soon I was poised on the very peak of pleasure. I felt my eyelids lower, my lips part in a sigh…

  “Stop.” His sharp command made me gasp.

  How did he know?

  With a cruel flick of his wrist, he pried my eager fingers away from my throbbing, swollen little center. He leaned over me, hauled both my wrists over my head and took command of my mouth. At last he pulled away, his breathing almost as ragged as mine.

  “Stay in position.”

  He stood up and towered over me, his trouser flap at about the level of my face. He started to unfasten his buttons. “Now let’s see you suck. Take it in your mouth.”

  His cockstand sprang before me, thick and purplish, glossy and long.

  If I’d thought Isaac’s member was big, I was sadly mistaken. This was truly impressive. All I’d hoped and more.

  As I took a trial lick, he pushed a little way into my mouth, his expression amused. I received him as far as I dared, sheathing my teeth as best I could.

  After a few thrusts he pushed in deeper. I worked him with my tongue, unsure how far or how fast he wanted me to take him in. He seemed in no hurry to come.

  “Your mouth is all eager velvet.”

  His low, appreciative murmur sent a tremor through me, making me long for more. He touched my face with warm, provocative fingers and pulled away with a sigh.

  I gazed up, bereft. “You were not pleased, sir? The angle was too sharp. I could not swallow.”

  In truth, I’d never swallowed. I’d never even tasted cock before. All I knew of this was from scraps of the maids’ chatter. I simply wanted to impress him. He might be an expert in pleasure. I might have much to learn.

  But I had strong ideas of my own. And needs…

  His expression softened. “You please very well. I have a more urgent need. I simply wanted it wet.”

  He moved behind me and reached for the whip. I gazed upward, still lying face up across the arms of the heavy chair, feeling moisture pool on the costly satin below me.

  “Just a few taps to set you off. Keep very still or this will hurt. Put your arms back over your head and clasp your hands together.”

  To my horror I saw the whip poised, quivering over my arched, straining body. As I watched, it landed with a snap on my pulsing, aching little bud. The tiny flap at its end landed flat on my swollen cunny lips. Its touch lingered on my wet, oozing flesh.

  He tapped again and again, the strokes light but distinct. Each one stung me closer to my swelling climax. And just as I thought I should have to cry out in terror or frustration—or both—it landed with a crash. I exploded with it, sobbing aloud with the force of my release. I gnashed my teeth from sheer pleasure as my lower belly convulsed.

  With a grin he stepped between my legs and leaned over me, his powerful body curving over my twitching limbs like a protective blanket.

  “Easy now. This will be less trouble for you if you relax. You are very wet. The whip pleased you? Or the taste of my cock? Which?”

  “Both, sir. And your cock is…exceptional, I think. I am no expert,” I blurted, feeling my cheeks flare scarlet. “But I am eager to learn.”

  Without warning, his fingers pushed deep into my swollen, exposed folds, making me groan with new arousal. Pulsing need leaped at his touch, rippling through my belly in little shimmers of excitement.

  He laughed softly as he prodded me with his hot, silky member on the soft inner flesh of my thigh. “You improve by the minute, child. You wish to learn? And so you shall.”

  He teased my hard, pulsing little bud, smearing my rich juices over it and circling mercilessly. As my excitement built, he plunged into me. The sudden shaft of pain made me shriek.

  At the same moment, his fingers tensed on my hip and another climax exploded inside me like thunder. I was laughing and crying, both at once—partly from shock, partly from ecstasy—as I convulsed around him. Now he pounded into me, the sting fading in the slickness of my juices as pleasure crashed over me in a great wave.

  At last I started to breathe again. Just as I thought he must want to spend, he pulled out with a groan. All at once I felt cool, creamy spurts from his cock spill over my thighs. With a light laugh he curled his arms round me and buried his face in my neck with a sigh.

  Now I was curious—and a little indignant. Why did he withdraw? “You spent outside me, sir? Did I not…please?”

  “No sense in taking a risk. I’ll leave that to your unlucky husband.”

  I bridled. “Unluckier still, since you’ve just stolen his wedding night.”

  He breathed in my ear, his lips sensual and disturbing where they brushed my skin. “You were eager enough to bestow it on your brute of a groom. Why not me? I’ll wager any man who marries you will have misery aplenty. A lost maidenhead will be the least of his trials. The man who makes you his mistress, on the other hand…”

  His comment ended in a deep, stirring chuckle.

  Chapter Four

  His grave’s just a fresh-dug patch of earth. The little bunch of violets I put there will need more than my tears to stay fresh. A shadow falls over them.

  Two men stare down at me. “How old are you? Fourteen? You must come with us…”

  My guardian might be used to pleasure, but to me this much of it, all at once, was new and upsetting. I began to tremble all over.

  As he laughed gently, still curved over my arched body I felt a sob rise in my throat.

  Instantly his grin faded. “Saffina?” All at once he scooped me up, limp and streaming, my linens stained and sticky. My rapture quickly turned to hot, emotional tears.

  He carried me all the way to my room. To my surprise I saw a steaming hipbath already prepared.

  “Thank you, sir.” I sniffed. “My maid can see to the rest. A gentleman should not have to—” More tears welled up, cutting me off mid-flow.

  “Hush now.” His low murmur surprised me. Still holding me in his arms, he sat on my bed, gathered me onto his lap and started to unlace my gown. I clung to him, relishing his aroma and the feel of his strong limbs wound around me, his hard, muscular thighs below mine. When he’d peeled away my gown and shift, he scooped me up again and lowered me gently into the water.

  “I told the maids to add plenty of salt. It will help you heal.” He leaned over and started to wash me all over, dipping the sponge into the foaming water and letting it trickle over my skin.

  At this sudden tenderness, my tears welled up again.

  He lifted my chin and searched my face. “Easy. This was a big moment in your life. Such times take their toll.”

  He scanned me for a long moment then brushed his lips to mine, just the faintest touch of skin-to-skin. Like he’d lit a flare, our mouths fused once more. His tongue searched deep in my mouth, his taste and his passion even more intense than before.

  His lips lingered on mine while he found my breasts, his thumb grazing my wet nipples and making them tense and stiffen. As his tongue searched my mouth, his hand slipped down below the water and found my bud. His fingers caressed it in the warm water, teasing it back to life.

 
He pulled away with a gleam. “Deuce, child, your mouth is a path to perdition all by itself.” He stood up, straddling the bath as he unbuttoned his flap.

  His cock sprang free before me, large, dark and purplish, still glossy with my juices and smeared with my virgin blood, softened but plump.

  Newly rampant.

  “Wash me.” His brief command sent a shiver through me.

  I arched an eyebrow, rallying a little. “I’m to be your maid? You forget, sir. I’m a maid no longer, thanks to you.”

  “As you please.” His mouth twitched at the corner. “The choice is yours, but washing may improve the taste.”

  I swallowed. He wants me to pleasure him so soon? “You are insatiable, my lord.” I looked up through my lashes, thrilling to his game—and the gleam in his eyes.

  My strict, all-powerful guardian wanted more?

  And now, pinned as I was by his powerful thighs, my trembling mouth barely inches away from his twitching tool, I felt a new sense of power. The power to please.

  Eagerly, fully aware that I pleased myself as much as him, I washed him gently. I dabbed the sponge with care to avoid wetting his clothes then took over with my mouth. I licked lovingly around his root, where the tight little curls nestled at its base. Gently I teased my tongue-tip into his crevices. His column quickly stiffened, glossy now and fully erect, swelling to full pride.

  Now I could explore it. I teased and nipped, surged and sucked, relishing the feel of its silky skin and the sturdy, muscular column beneath.

  As I did it, I thought again of his kiss, the soft touch of his lips and the taste and tenderness of his tongue. He had powers too, I knew now, not just over my fate and my future but also over my feelings and my soul. And I wanted to tell him with my mouth—not in words, but in soft, eager touches of my lips and my tongue—just how glad I was that he was my guardian and not the moth-eaten old loon I’d been expecting.

  This was someone dashing, handsome and far beyond anything I could have hoped.

  I want to please.

  It made everything easier. This time I knelt up in the water so I could choose the angle. I leaned over and lined up my mouth and throat to match his jutting cock. With a deep breath I lunged forward, like the true woman he’d just made me.

  As I thrust downward, faster and faster, I eased back a few times to savor the feel of him in my mouth. Did he like my caresses, my touches?

  Curious now, I pushed my wet, scented hand deep into his clothes to fondle his balls. Surprised, I found them hard again and cool now. I felt them gently. I stroked behind them to find his root. I thrilled to the jagged note in his breathing as I teased and fondled him.

  “You undo me, ma’am. You are too good at this.”

  He groaned as I thrust forward and began to swallow, my lips reaching all the way to the dark, matted curls nestling at his base. Now my busy throat, choking a little on his length, did much of the work. I let it settle around his crown before pulling back to snatch a breath then surged forward once more. Again and again…

  As I plunged, he took my head in his hands. My heart sank. Am I doing it wrong? I felt him shudder in my mouth. All at once a flood of creamy fluid coursed over my tongue. He held me in place for long moments while I gazed up at him, surprised at the dark glow in his eyes.

  At last his face grew stern. He pulled away and buttoned himself. “I’ll send in your maid.” He turned abruptly and strode out of the room.

  I sank back into the cooling water, puzzled. Was he pleased? Or had I earned another punishment?

  Moments later my maid hurried in, breathless. She announced his lordship had invited me to dine with him in his apartments as soon as I was dressed.

  I soon recovered my usual temper. But mindful of my guardian’s harsh warning, for once, I reined it in.

  Now Madame reappeared to supervise my toilette.

  To my fury, she’d done this since the day she’d arrived. In vain I’d protested that English governesses had other duties. She took charge regardless, terrifying the maids.

  I gave in with bad grace but quickly reaped one small benefit—her Parisian sense of style. She chose a gown or angled a bonnet to perfection.

  Soon she waved the maid away and, as usual, put the finishing touches to my appearance. She tweaked a curl as she fastened my gown. With an effort, I controlled the urge to hit her with the hairbrush.

  The panicky maid splashed scent on my heeled slipper. I bit back an oath.

  Becoming a lady would be harder than I thought.

  In my guardian’s rooms I gazed about me with interest. His apartments were sparse and clean and full of light—the drapes all elegant silks, the furniture lean and stylish.

  I felt stylish too, in my newest gown. With what I hoped was a courtly air, I took my place at our intimate, but lavish, table.

  Footmen lining the walls silently served our meal. Lord Endale had brought his French chef with him. For the first time I tasted partridge roti and mousse de canard. To mark the occasion, we drank Rhenish wine from tall Venetian glasses. My guardian even made a special toast to my loss, taking care not to spell it out in front of the footmen.

  I blushed as I caught his meaning and made him laugh.

  But soon his dark, sultry gaze made me nervous. The more silent he grew, the more I chattered. “You are here for a short stay, my lord?”

  As the footmen removed our plates and presented us with a silver plate of tiny meringues, he eyed me thoughtfully. “That depends on you. My aim is to find you a suitable match, or at least prevent an unsuitable one. Do you have any strong feelings on the subject?”

  So that is all. “Oh yes,” I said airily. “I’m to marry my neighbor, Sir Nigel Somers. He’s a baronet. His family is very respectable. We discussed it when we were younger.” To me that sealed the matter.

  “So he’s made you an offer?” Lord Endale leaned back in his chair and toyed with the stem of his wineglass.

  I gave him a breezy smile. “Not as such, but I’m sure he feels the same way. He’s very good-looking,” I added eagerly, keen to impress upon this stern grandee the soundness of my choice. “Tall, and fair. And a good shot, I hear…” I trailed off, uneasy.

  Something in my guardian’s look was doing strange things to me. Or was I still shaky from our encounter?

  “And do you pleasure him as eagerly and as often as you do your groom?” His smile was gone. He sounded gruff.

  “I do not pleasure the groom.” Indignation coursed through me. “He—”

  “He pleasures you? Which?”

  The wineglass snapped, flooding the table with wine. Lord Endale ignored the stain seeping into the damask. His tone grew harsh. “And when you finish with the groom, you start on the other servants? Madame Junot tells me you need a firm hand.”

  I sprang from my chair. “She’s a snake. She—”

  “Enough.” His icy expression cut me off. “I’ll thank you to refer to her with respect. She has wide experience with young women. She understands their needs. In her opinion, you could do better than your neighbor. His looks are not at issue. His estate is poorly managed and he has relatives to support. You should look further afield.”

  “But I like him.” His sudden disapproval made me uneasy. This change of mood was downright alarming. We’d been so passionate. Now all blew cold. Why?

  All at once he rose to his feet and held out his hand. “Very well. Since he takes your fancy, I’ll look him over tomorrow. We’re invited to his garden party. You may lure him in your newest gown and try your hand at seducing all the bucks of the local ton.”

  “What a treat, sir. Will you come too?” I put my hand in his with a careless smile.

  To my surprise he dropped a light kiss on my fingers then kept firm hold of my hand. He pulled me close, his other hand moving softly at my back.

  “I shall enjoy meeting your neighbors and seeing you shine. But we’ll leave early. We must be back here by nightfall. You have an appointment in the Jade Room tomo
rrow night.”

  I felt the blood drain from my face. “The Jade Room, sir? Why?”

  He kissed me lightly on the cheek, his eyes dark, his expression hooded. “Why do you think? To review your behavior. And to adjust any lapse with a suitable…correction.”

  His low tone made me shiver. I was to have a day of fun and pleasure—and something very different at the end of it. I glared at him. “That is unfair, sir. After our encounter today, I thought…”

  His eyes hardened. “You thought what, Saffina?”

  I thought we were lovers. I swallowed, unwilling to say so. Determined to hide just how disturbing I found him.

  Mention of the Jade Room reminded me this man was dangerous—possibly mad—and I was legally in his power already. It would be sheer lunacy to reveal the true extent of my feelings.

  “I thought we were friends, at least, sir.” I lifted my chin. “And I supposed a gentleman would understand how a young woman in his care might feel if he took advantage of her as you have done and might make allowances. Clearly I was mistaken.”

  His eyes flashed. “What happened between us today should never have happened. Please, make no further mention of it. You are under my protection until you inherit or you marry, when all passes to your husband. That happy day is still some years away. Nothing else changes between us. Your wild behavior still needs discipline and I mean to apply it. By day you party. At night you submit.”

  I swallowed.

  As he watched my face, his expression softened. “And when we’re alone, you may call me Jacquard.”

  It was a telling moment. I half expected he’d bid me goodnight, but his dark look warned me something still hung between us. He seemed unwilling to part.

  I grew edgy, wondering what ailed him. Had he devised some new torment? There seemed no end to his caprice. “There is something else, my lord?”

  His dark glance warned me there was but he said nothing. He brought out claret for me and brandy for him. My alarm grew.

  Now what? Was there no end to my faults? Full of good things and rich flavors, I started to feel sleepy. For me it had been a long, full day.