I knew by the mischievous gleam in my husband's eye that he had special plans for me this evening. Although he sat placidly in his chair by the fire, sipping his after dinner port, his demeanor communicated to me that he would reveal his intentions before long.
As for me, I sat across from him on the settee, quietly attending to my needlework, my own calm exterior belying the sensual pulsing that had already sprang up in my loins. The firelight glinted on my husband's raven hair, offsetting the strong planes of his cheeks and jaw. I had only to think of the raw male power coiled beneath his white shirt and black dinner jacket and trousers, to experience a frisson of pure raw lust. The erotic sensation radiated upward, into my belly, stirring the deep, wild longing that Lucius Bramwell had stirred in me from the moment we'd met two years ago on his clipper ship.
"Samuel," Lucius addressed our dinner companion and my husband's long time friend from Oxford, "I'm so sorry to be losing you to the New World. You are my oldest and dearest friend."
Samuel Worthing, a handsome man in his own right, bowed his head of chestnut hair. "I feel the same, Lucius, but there are railroads to be built and civilizations to raise from the dust."
"When does your ship leave, Mr. Worthing?" I asked, making an effort to engage in polite conversation. Meanwhile my nipples tingled and pushed against my corset. I sensed Lucius' mind churning, thinking up the next erotic task he would have me perform for him. He had made it one of his life's works to unleash the full power of my sexuality and knew the exact ways to do so. His dedication fueled the already burning passion between us.
Mr. Worthing sighed. "In two days' time, I'm afraid."
I nodded, not looking up from my stitchery. "That is quite soon, I agree."
"Which leads me to something I've been considering, my dear." Lucius' voice held meaning and conveyed to me his disreputable intentions without words. Once again, I sensed that my beloved husband had considered my deepest needs and fantasies and was preparing to draw them out of me.
I looked up at him, captured by the devilish gleam the firelight cast in his chocolate-hued eyes. "Yes, my lord?" I asked softly, setting down my needlework. My heart pumped madly in my chest, waiting for his next words.
A grin curved his sculpted lips and he leaned forward in his chair, casually holding his port glass. "I have thought up a going away gift for our friend, one that will send him off to the New World in a most memorable way."
The tenor of his voice sent a thrill shooting right up the slit of my sex and I immediately felt the dew of arousal collect and seep into my drawers. I cast a quick glance at Mr. Worthing who had sat up straight in his chair, intrigue deepening the azure hue of his eyes. "And what is that, husband?"
Lucius looked right at me, his dark eyes glinting like I imagined the fires of hell would glint. "You, dearest."
My cheeks infused with heat and my breasts surged as if Lucius held an invisible chain to them, which he yanked to send shards of heat through them. My nipples hardened without even needing his touch.
"Lucius, you can't be serious." Disbelief mired Samuel's voice.
Lucius looked at him, his grin widening. "Ah, but I am completely serious. My dear Evangeline would love to bring you to the heights of pleasure before you take your leave of us forever." He turned to me. "Wouldn't you?"
I nodded. "Yes, my lord," I breathed in a voice thickened by desire.
Lucius set down his glass, rose from his chair and stood over me, winding his fingers into my hair. "That's a good girl. My Evangeline will do anything I ask of her." His large fingers worked the pins out of my hair, letting the tresses tumble about my shoulders. He proceeded to trail his touch across my cheek and over my lips. Whenever he did this, my reflex was to take one of his fingers into my mouth and suckle it madly. In spite of Samuel's astonished presence, I did precisely this, unable to contain my arousal. I murmured in satisfaction as Lucius' finger pulsed against my tongue, rousing my hunger for his erect shaft to do the same between my legs.
"Isn't she beautiful, Samuel?" Lucius crooned like Satan tempting an angel.
I felt Samuel staring at me and cut my eyes at him sensuously. Once again, Lucius had unleashed the wild, lustful bitch lurking in my soul.
"Yes, Lucius, she is." Samuel's voice had fallen to a husky tenor, trembling with desire.
"And she will do anything for you, even on her hands and knees."
Samuel's breath caught loudly and I saw him go visibly weak.
Lucius pulled his finger from my mouth and bid me to stand. "Undress for us, darling," he said, his voice silky with promise, yet firm, in control.