Hellion by Bertrice Small Page B

force the girl, she would be terrified, and never forgive him. He would have to be very patient. He did not think he had ever been called upon to contain his lust before. Tentatively he reached out, cupping one of her breasts in his hand. “Ahhh, chérie ,” he sighed.
    She trembled, but said nothing.
    It was a sweet breast. Very much like a ripe, round little apple. He fondled it, brushing his thumb across the silken nipple, which hardened almost immediately beneath his touch. He caressed her other breast in a similar fashion, then said to her, “Your little tits are by far the prettiest I have ever seen, ma Belle. I would kiss them.”
    “ Not yet! ” she managed to gasp, squirming just slightly in his lap as his hand slipped down her torso, pushing her chemise ahead of it. His fingers smoothed around her flat belly, then slipped lower to entangle themselves in her silken bush. Isabelle could not draw a breath. Then he was sitting her up again. His eyes seemed glazed, but his voice was commanding when he spoke to her.
    “Now, chérie , I want you to undo my chemise as I have undone yours. I want to feel your hands on me, ma Belle.” His look was intense.
    She was curious, however, and very aware that the only garment he was wearing was his chemise. Unlike her garment, which extended to her ankles, his went only to his knees, and was slit up on either side of his leg and hip. She unlaced him with clumsy fingers, finally pushing the garment from him. It fell to his waist. His chest was very broad and very smooth, his flat nipples prominent and rosy. Timidly, she touched him, surprised to find his skin as soft as her own.
    “That is nice,” he said, encouraging her with a little smile.
    Isabelle blushed shyly, embarrassed at being unable to control her hands. They didn’t want to stop caressing his broad chest. Her fingers made small circles across his skin, stroking, smoothing his flesh. She could feel the warmth of him through her very fingertips. He took one of those hands now. Raising it to his lips, he slowly kissed first the inside of her wrist, and then her palm. His silvery-blue eyes never left her green-gold ones. Her breath was caught somewhere in mid-throat, and yet she was breathing. He held her hand against his cheek for a long moment before letting it go. Belle buried her head in his shoulder diffidently. It was all so new, and not just a little frightening, although she would have rather died than admitted such a thing to him.
    He cradled her gently, caressing her hair, undoing the ribbon that held her braid so neatly, his digits skillfully unplaiting her red-gold tresses, fluffing it out so that it was spread about her white shoulders. He sniffed audibly, appreciatively. “What is that fragrance, chérie ? It is absolutely delicious!” He nuzzled her hair near her neck.
    “Lavender.” She practically whispered the word.
    He took her chin between his thumb and his forefinger, turning her toward him, forcing her head up with a firm but smooth motion. He had never really looked closely at her until this moment. She had an oval-shaped face with a faintly squared chin that housed a little dimple. Her eyes were oval-shaped, too. A quick, startled look at him and they lowered, dark, thick lashes brushing her pale cheeks. The nose was long,narrow, and typically arrogant Norman; but it was her mouth that mesmerized him. It was full and lush, and simply made for kissing. He had been unable to resist it last night. He was unable to resist it now.
    Wrapping her in his embrace, he bent his head to match her lips with his. The sweet, subtle fragrance enfolding her body surrounded them, engulfing his senses. For a moment he wasn’t even certain of who was seducing whom, so strong was his desire.
    Isabelle shivered, but it was neither from cold nor from fear. His bare chest had suddenly become crushed against her naked breasts. She could have never imagined such a sensation in her wildest dreams. The effect of