Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 84

Her gaze remained on his face when she took the last step to close the distance. Matthew wore nothing beneath his banyan and she appeared to know it. Without the slightest bit of hesitation, she reached under the silk.

"No, don't..."
Soft, cool fingers wrapped gently around his length and his words ended in a moan. He wanted to pull away, but his strength seemed to desert him. In an instant, his already half-hardened sex swelled between her fingers as they gave him a firm yet gentle stroke.
In no time, a drop of his manly essence was pearled on his tip. With her thumb, she smeared the thick substance over his crown, then she brought her finger to her mouth to taste it. Matthew watched transfixed when her tongue darted out to lick her thumb, and the last shred of his resistance crumbled to dust. A groan of surrender ripped from his throat and he succumbed to temptation. He took her by the hips and lifted her tight against him, his tongue plunging deep into her mouth. Clinging onto him, Arabella wrapped her legs around his waist and rubbed her wetness against his iron flesh. She moaned his name when he rocked her hard against him. His warm hands roamed over her beneath her camisole, squeezing her breasts and rolling her aching nipple while her slick heat slid up and down, coating his shaft with her moisture. She gasped as the intimate friction sent her pleasure spiraling. She needed him to complete this, more than she ever needed it before.

"Matthew, please. I need you now."

When he moved to the nearest possible surface, Matthew was slightly surprised to find himself naked. He had no idea when he'd shed his clothes, or if Arabella had stripped him bare. His gaze locked with hers when he lowered her down onto the plush sofa across from them. He let Arabella pull him down to capture his mouth in another scorching kiss, groaning in pure delight when her hand returned to his cock and squeezed him gently, but when she guided his engorged flesh to her dripping core, all of a sudden Marguerite's face swam into his mind.

The unexpected image pierced the drunken haze and he tore his mouth from hers. With a startling jerk, he stumbled away, staggering when he encountered the low table behind him.

"Matthew, what's the matter?"
Arabella pushed herself upon her elbow. She looked so irresistible in her disheveled, undressed state and every cell in his body screamed, begging for release. Forcing himself to turn around from the tempting sight, he fled into the bathroom and locked the door, afraid that he wouldn't have enough strength to resist her if he let her near him. When he leaned against the doorframe to compose himself, his gaze fell on her discarded night robe, draped over a chair that had been placed near the tub to place a jar of soap. He grabbed it and brought it to his face, his whole body quivering as he inhaled the sweet scent of her, as if it could quench the hunger that had been eating away at him since they had parted ways. Like a mad man, he breathed her in again and again, basking on her imprint. Yes, he would only allow himself that, to keep himself sane without having to hurt or betray Maggie. Because try as he might, he would never be able to deny his desire for Arabella. Nor that he would be able to replace her with Maggie, or any other woman. And when eventually the raging torrent within him ebbed away, Matthew resigned to a fate he couldn't escape. All his life he was doomed to live with an unquenchable obsession with a woman whom he couldn't have.

*****

One couldn't ask for a more perfect morning, and it was a good idea to have a stroll in the park at this glorious hour. The morning sun shone gently upon the meandering paths, the crisp, soft breeze carrying the fresh scent of the brand new earth, the birds chirping in the distance. It was calming and blissful, but Marguerite couldn't find any joy in her heart. The sunshine left her feeling cold and the birdsong made her feel even more lonely. Lonely and miserable.

It had been several days and Matthew hadn't returned home. He'd sent a short message to her, telling her that it would take longer than he'd expected to handle the errand. She tried her best not to overthink it, but she had a lurking suspicion that he was keeping something from her. She was so occupied with her thoughts that she was unaware that someone was approaching her from the opposite direction.

"Maggie, what a pleasant surprise."
Startled, Marguerite stopped abruptly and looked up, and her breath caught as her gaze fell on the man in front of her.

"Jake." It took her a few moments to find her voice as his striking features momentarily stole her breath. She'd forgotten how dashing he was. Those piercing green eyes, combined with a smile that summoned a pair of rather charming dimples, charming enough to throw any woman off balance for the rest of the day. Unconsciously she took a step back when he stopped a scant foot away from her.

"Out looking for a breath of fresh air?" He asked.

"Yes, it's a beautiful day."
Her skin tingled with awareness and she felt a snag of guilt for her inappropriate response to him while she'd been betrothed to another man. His intense gaze ran over her face, found her eyes, and she made a concerted effort not to drop her gaze.

"Indeed. Where's Matthew? I didn't see him around."

"Oh, I came alone. Matthew is out of town on an urgent errand."

"I heard you're getting married in a couple of months."

"Yes. We've been busy preparing for everything."

He let his gaze dwell on her for a few disconcerting moments before asking,
"So, are you happy, Maggie?"

She managed to summon up a firm, confident smile.
"Sure. I can't ask for more."

A twitch of concern flickered across his brow.
"That doesn't sound very convincing to me."

"Pardon me?" She gasped, clearly shocked by the uncalled-for remarks. Seemingly unperturbed by her reaction, he continued to say,
"For a woman who will soon be a bride, you don't look happy. Not the slightest bit."

Marguerite gawked at his presumption.
"You... you're being very rude!"

"I'm just being honest, Maggie. A real friend doesn't tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to hear, and I'm your friend."

"No, you are not! We have no more than a passing acquaintance, and don't pretend you know about how I'm feeling, because you don't know a thing about me!"

To be continued