CHOCOLATE, TEA AND THE DUCHESS (20 page)

him just about anything.

"Full and excited. The stroking makes me delirious with want."

"What is it you want, dear?"

Knowing this situation should be awkward, she should at least feel shy, but

feeling none of it, she said, "I want you, Alex, inside me."

She'd thought of this moment, how she'd feel, what she'd say. Now that the

moment was imminent, it felt natural, right. This is what Phillip wanted for her, for

them.

He removed the phallus and positioned himself to take her from behind. "Is this

how you want it, Felicity?"

"No, I want to see you."

He helped her to roll once again to her back, then raised her knees and entered

her with controlled slowness. She was no virgin, but he treated her with commensurate

consideration. She savored every inch of his progression, watching him struggle with

his own arousal. She felt his body tense and saw his eyes close when he stopped for a

moment. When he was fully seated, he became forceful, commanding. His strokes were

long and deep, hungry and needy. Once his rhythm was established, he leaned over

her, resting his weight on his forearms, his hands cupping her face.

He smiled at her as he made love to her, for that is what it was. He was taking

her for the first time, within the bounds of their arrangement, and she relished each

shattering thrust. He was different than Phillip, but she realized no less wanted. In this

moment, there was only the two of them. Odd as the situation might be to others, lying

with Alex seemed as normal to her as was her time with Phillip.

Alex was a part of them, because they wanted him to be. She wanted him inside

her, now, thrusting himself home within her warmth. She closed her eyes to better feel,

but he insisted upon seeing her as he brought her to her release. "I want to see your

release in your eyes, at the very moment you fall into the abyss."

It didn't take long. He kissed her as the fire overtook her, her body melding into

his. In that moment, they were one, as surely as if they were married. A part of her

heart was lost to him then, and she feared should he ever walk away from Thornhill

House, that part of her would go with him. She then understood why he was so

important to Phillip. She finally understood everything.

* * * * *

Alex had left her for his own quarters, which was conveniently situated in the

same wing as the family chambers. She lay alone, contemplating her time with Alex and

reveling in the gloriously sated body that was her own.

With a sudden urge to see her husband, she threw her nightrail over her head

and slipped into his room. He was sitting in bed, reading, but looked up when she

tiptoed across his floor.

"Did you enjoy your evening?" he asked, winking at her.

"I did. Tell me how you feel about it now that it has happened."

He removed his spectacles, which she had never seen him wear, and set his book

aside. He motioned for her to come into his arms, which she did with fervor. He kissed

her forehead and spoke as softly as one might to a small child.

"I have wanted it to happen, because as with anything, the anticipation is always

worse than the reality. I feared you would feel an obligation to me and resist Alex. I

want him to be equal in your affection, much as I feel a deep affection for both of you."

"Are you not angry that someone else has had your wife?"

"I will ask
you
, are
you
not angry that someone else has had your husband?"

Examining her feelings honestly, she found no anger at all. "No, I'm not."

He looked at her and smiled, his eyes lighting up. "I'm not, either. I think of us as

a family, albeit different from the typical structure. I wish you to be comfortable with

Alex. This is important to me, my love, very important."

"You seem so happy since Alex came into our lives."

"I'm not like other men. God only knows, I wish I was. I have something inside of

me that needs you but I also need Alex. I feel things make sense now. I'm more alive,

not just muddling through."

Felicity had never doubted Phillip's concern for her, though love seemed out of

the realm of possibility. Her next question stuck in her throat.

"Do you think you will come to love Alex?"

"I don't know, but I am in strong lust with him and you." He laughed,

successfully deflecting the seriousness of her question.

He hugged her close, making her feel that anything was possible. "It is like I have

two husbands, is it not?"

"I would say it is more like you have two lovers, but only one husband. I fear I

know many women who would envy you considerably."

His jest was lost on her. "Will you never be jealous of my time spent with him?"

"Are you jealous of
my
time spent with him?"

"I suppose I am a bit envious, because I wish to spend all my time with you, but

I'm not jealous. Is there a difference?"

"I don't see it differently, so I am not sure what that says about me. Sometimes

you have a craving for chocolate in the morning more than tea. You haven't changed

your affinity for tea, nor does it mean you will never have tea again. You simply have,

on that particular morning, a wish for a nice cup of chocolate. Then again, there might

be mornings or nights, when you have deep wish for both."

Her heart thrummed, her body aware of all manner of glorious sensations. "For

both? Hmm, the possibilities."

"Have you thought about that, my heart?"

"I admit the thought occurred, but having never been with anyone but you, I

hadn't dared dream of it."

"Well, what about now? Is it something you might consider?"

"I believe so."

Phillip kissed her and she melted. "Stay with me tonight," he said as he kissed

her nose.

"I'd like that."

He flipped the covers back so she could settle in next to him and then tucked

them around her. He extinguished the candle, and they settled into their slumber,

dreaming of chocolate, tea, and all the possible combinations.

* * * * *

By the time the duke and duchess found their way to the morning room, Alex

had already had his breakfast. He'd settled into the household nicely, charming the staff

with his easy smile and flirtatious manner.

He rose from the table as Felicity entered, on the arm of her husband. Alex had

the urge to kiss them both, but two footmen lurked nearby, rendering the intimacy out

of the question.

The servants went about preparing plates while the three made small talk about

weather and a possible drive in the park. When they were served, Phillip dismissed the

servants, leaving the three to a conversation of a more intimate nature.

"I understand from my wife that your little surprise was well received last night,

Alex."

Alex smiled at Felicity and winked. "I would say it was well received by us both."

"I am glad that it finally happened."

"As I am," said Felicity, smiling sweetly at both of them.

Alex sat back, sipping his morning coffee, a habit he'd acquired when he spent

several years in the colonies. He looked intently at Phillip, admiring the older man's

sculpted face. He'd been attracted to him the moment he'd entered the room at the

Sapphire Club. Phillip's mastery over him was complete the first time they'd made love,

the remembered feelings, ones he wished to hold dear always.

Phillip seemed to sense his gaze, for he turned his head away from his plate and

smiled. Warmth and lust charged through Alex's body, fueling a need he'd long since

given up trying to understand. He sensed Phillip's feelings as well, the sparkle in his

eyes told the story, the ever so slight lift of his eyebrow, which always seemed to

indicate a need.

Then he looked at the lovely Felicity, almost able to feel her body still in his

hands. Her response to his ministrations had been extraordinary.

He'd had the feeling she thought he was Phillip, which would have been

perfectly normal under the circumstances of her being blindfolded. It was when he

removed the scarf from her eyes that the evening began for Alex, when she knew it was

him and still wanted his attentions. Her acceptance had been longed for, and he did fear

it would never come to fruition.

Her dramatic auburn hair and expressive, violet-blue eyes made his heart flutter.

He'd always loved freckles and her ready smile always showed in her eyes.

Like Phillip had said of himself, Alex needed something more and hadn't

realized how abundant life could be until he'd met Phillip and Felicity.

Could they live the life of which Phillip assured him? He had no real idea. All he

knew was he wished to share life with these two extraordinary people for as long as

they would have him.

Phillip broke into his contemplation. "I wish for you to join me at the club this

afternoon, Alex."

"Your wish is my command. It has been a great many days since we have

attended to your
other
need, has it not?"

"Yes, it has."

"Is there any reason you can't attend to it here, darling?" Felicity said.

"You know there is, dear, the servants. As loyal as they are, we mustn't depend

upon their discretion in all matters."

"I suppose you are right. May I accompany you and possibly I could visit with

Serenity
or
I could watch if you wouldn't mind."

"Indeed I wouldn't mind. I might even have a little task for you."

"Oh, tell me, Phillip, what is it?"

"No, I believe I shall keep it a secret until the proper time."

"When did you become such a tease?"

"Since you became so inquisitive." He waggled an eyebrow.

They laughed together, the three of them. Alex's heart was warmed by the

familial tenor of the household. He'd not had much of that growing up in Hampshire.

He'd struck out for London at five and twenty, establishing himself as part of society,

while always feeling as though he lived on the very fringe.

His desire for men
and
women had created a need to seclude himself, but for the

infrequent forays to some of the more discreet brothels in town, the ones that catered to

men with as diverse needs as his own.

The discovery of the Sapphire Club had created a new life for him, and meeting

the Duke of Thornhill and his beautiful wife had indeed changed his life, hopefully

forever.

Chapter Twenty

Phillip had sent word ahead to the club, so that certain preparations could be

made for their arrival. He anticipated this day would forever change the lives of those

closest to him, as well as his own. It would solidify the bond between them.

Upon their arrival, they were greeted as usual, then made their way to the

second floor room. When Phillip opened the door, the room was as he had asked it to

be. A massive bed had replaced the smaller one and there were flowers everywhere, his

attempt to make it welcoming for Felicity.

He watched as she sniffed seemingly every flower and commented on the

wonderful scent. He chuckled at how such a simple thing seemed to please her so

much.

Alex went to the pier table and poured each of them a glass of wine. Phillip had

informed him of what he had in mind, then set down plans for how it was to be

accomplished. They chatted as they drank their wine, the sexual tension in the room

palpable.

Phillip was anxious to move along. He'd looked forward to the thrashing,

something he knew he would always need. His body craved the pleasurable pain as

surely as sexual release. As elusive as an explanation might be, for him the lash was a

part of his life.

Phillip waited for Alex's command and it came with roughness of voice. The

sound gave Phillip a thrill like no other he'd ever heard.

"Strip out of those clothes," Alex said authoritatively.

Felicity started to help Phillip, when Alex stopped her. "What are you doing,

love, I said, strip out of those clothes."

"You meant Phillip, did you not?"

"I meant both of you."

Phillip looked at her precious face as confusion suffused it. "You'd best do as the

man says, or I fear the retribution will be severe."

Phillip saw the moment when Felicity realized what was happening. He bit back

a smile, and his heart flooded with emotion.

"I fear I will require help," she said to Alex. While Phillip removed his clothing,

Alex aided Felicity, fumbling with the ties and buttons, but making a seductive game of

it.

Unabashed, Alex palmed a breast and licked the nipple, then cupped Phillip's

ballocks and gave them a tight squeeze. Phillip realized this had to be heaven. He felt

more at home in this room, with these two wonderful people, than he'd ever felt in his

forty long years.

"Felicity, restrain Phillip at the ladder and then sit in the chair underneath." As

Felicity went about her assigned chore, Alex retrieved a strap and a paddle from the

armoire.

"Pick your poison," he said cavalierly to Phillip.

"The strap." There was something about the sound it made as the leather struck

his skin.

"Fine." He put the paddle aside.

The first strike came suddenly, as was Phillip's preference. Alex caught him off

guard, unbraced and his buttocks relaxed. The crack resounded in the room, the snap