Patience (16 page)

Patience sucked in her breath and moaned. She’d been yearning for this all day—yearning for
him
all day. She reached for his broad shoulders, gripping them for support. His fingers moved in tighter and tighter circles. Her blood rushed. He looked up at her and she shivered with desire at the dark ferocity in his eyes. Faster and faster he stroked her. She tensed and her thighs trembled.
At last. At last!
His eyes narrowed. Her hips jerked.
A moment more!

And then he snatched his hand away.

Patience gasped and choked back a cry. She didn’t even realize she’d moved her hands between her legs until he grabbed them and held them against her sides. She looked down at him through suddenly blurry eyes as her desperate clitoris throbbed with excruciating tenacity.

Why did she feel no ire? Her body was clamoring for fulfillment, yet she felt only ardor as she looked at him—he, who was preventing her pleasure.

No, not preventing her pleasure—preventing the culmination of her pleasure.

His gaze softened as he got to his feet. Vetiver floated in the air. Patience leaned close, and his hands moved again to hers, holding them against her. Undeterred, she pressed her hips against the hard ridge of his erection as she lifted her trembling mouth to his. He would give her release—surely he would.

Clasping her wrists, he wrapped his arms around her and held her hands captive against the small of her back as he kissed her gently. Patience leaned into him. His soft kisses only fanned her fire. If only he would kiss her more deeply. Gasping, she continued to rub against the thick strength of his cock.

He lifted his mouth just above hers. “There,” he breathed. “Now, the next time I tell you to send your maid away—the next time I tell you to do anything—I shall expect your immediate obedience.”

Yes, of course.
Patience sighed as he brushed his lips lightly against hers.

“Yes, Matthew,” he prompted her, as he released her hands. “Say,
yes Matthew
.”

Patience reached her arms around his neck and lifted onto her toes. “Yes, Matthew,” she said against his lips.

His arms crushed her against him and his tongue thrust deeply into her open mouth. Patience arched against him and her own embrace tightened. She felt his hand slip over her bottom and squeeze her firmly. Then his hips tilted toward her and he ground his prick against her as he swept his tongue over her teeth. Moaning with desire, she lifted against him—almost climbing his body as she curved one of her legs around his hip.

She felt him tremble and then she felt his warm hand on the under-curve of her thigh. But just when she thought he might finally be beyond restraint, his hand fell away and, pulling back, he set her firmly apart from him.

His eyes were dark with passion, but as she stared at him she watched the rest of his features shift into calm, composed lines. His breathing slowed, and when he released a deep breath even the heat of his gaze had lessened. Another moment and he regarded her with a serene control.

“Come along now,” he said casually. “It’s time to dress for dinner.”

She looked at him in wordless disbelief. But he just stepped near and, placing his hand against the small of her back, pushed her toward her dressing table.

With every step she took, her clitoris pulsed. It tortured her and yet . . . the sensation was sweet. She glanced at Matthew. His expression looked even more relaxed, and she marveled at his control.

Once at her dressing table, Matthew stroked his hand over her bottom before turning her to face him. Looking directly into his eyes she could see that a fire still smoldered there, it was just contained. His voice was low but firm. “Now, be good and keep your hands at your sides. For if you don’t, I shall have to punish you again.”

Patience’s heartbeat quickened. She thought of touching herself just to see what he would do—but she was already aching so much between her legs that she thought better of it. Besides, she was curious what her obedience would get her. “Yes, Matthew.”

He nodded his approval.

She watched him cross to her bed where all her garments were already laid out. As he looked over her things, she admired his formidable erection. It tented his trousers, but he seemed content to disregard it. Did it torment him as much as her swollen clitoris tormented her? She swallowed as she remembered the feel of the smooth head in her mouth. How she longed to touch it and taste it again.

Patience let her eye wander over him as he picked up her silk stockings and garters. Her chest tightened and her womb grew heavy as she studied his profile. He was so handsome—his features beautiful in tenderness, and fierce in lust. And, always, there was the dark intensity of his regard, as if he were trying to perceive her every thought and desire.

Tossing her garters and one of her stockings over his shoulder, he gathered up the other stocking with his fingers as he returned to her. “Sit,” he said gently as he knelt before her.

Patience briefly paused. She was accustomed to doing most everything for herself. Even her maid she only utilized for tightening her laces and straightening the room.

But she couldn’t resist him. So, perching on her dressing table stool, she lifted her foot. With an ease that suggested practice, he slid her stocking up her leg, smoothing it with his hands afterward.

Patience frowned as he gathered up the second one. How many times had he knelt at a woman’s feet assisting her to dress? Had he done so with Rosalind?

A tiny rivulet of jealousy trickled down her back. What did it matter? It shouldn’t matter.

Yet it did.

“Matthew?”

“Yes?” He slipped her stocking over her toes.

“How many . . . ? I mean how often have you . . . ?” She didn’t know how to put it.

He raised his eyes to hers and they were soft.

Patience felt herself blushing. “Well, I mean how many ladies have you—”

“It doesn’t matter,” he interrupted her gently. “Anyone before you was simply an overture to you—a necessary preparation for the magnificence that is you.” His beautiful eyes held her. “Never question that I value you above all others, Patience.” He patted her calf. “Now stand.”

Patience stared down at him for a moment before she slowly stood on her trembling legs. He had a way of saying the most astounding things when she least expected them. Her stomach fluttered. She usually didn’t appreciate compliments, but this was different. Such words, so easily spoken, made her feel something soft and indescribable. Pride and—perhaps, happiness?

She slipped one hand through his thick hair as he tied her garters. His eyes closed for a moment as she traced the curve of his ear, then he turned his mouth into her palm and kissed it before rising.

He pressed her arms gently back against her sides. Lord, but she wanted to touch him—everywhere. Standing before her, his eyes moved over her features and then dropped to her breasts. Patience drew in her breath and her nipples tightened. Without thinking, she drew back her shoulders and lifted her chest. In the next moment, she realized what she’d done, and she flushed with embarrassment. But despite her discomfort, she craved his touch so much that she held her lifted posture.

Matthew’s eyes darkened and a small smile turned his mouth. “Ah, that’s lovely. That is just the response I want from you, Patience.” He brushed the backs of his fingers over her stiff nipples and she gasped as he pinched them firmly. “You may always demonstrate your desires to me in such a way, and if it pleases me, I shall accommodate you.”

Patience bit her lip as he rolled her nipples between his fingers. It felt so good that she drew her shoulders back farther, begging more. In the next moment she sucked in her breath as he landed three light slaps upon her right nipple and three more upon the left. A hot sensation that was equal parts pleasure and pain washed through her and made her cunt water. But then he turned away, and she expelled her breath in a disappointed gasp.

Matthew spoke as he crossed to her bed. “Just as you reacted a moment ago, so will you be taught to react at all times and for any pleasure I require.” He held up her pantalets. “And no more of these. Your quim and your bottom are to be accessible to me at all times.” He tossed the garment aside and picked up her chemise and corset. “You will learn to live in a state of sensual readiness that is only for me.” He held her with his powerful gaze as he returned to her and set her things on the stool. “This takes training and tending. But have no fear, for I am completely devoted to your education.”

Why did this notion thrill her and comfort her? “But why must I learn this?”

His eyes moved slowly over her features. “Because it will please me.” He fingered one of her long curls. “But, equally as important, because it will please you. It’s essential to your happiness and fulfillment, Patience. There is a strong part of you that longs to submit and obey. A part of you that wishes everything weren’t so easy—so attainable by your own will. A part of you that craves a shoulder stronger than your own to lean upon.”

Patience’s throat tightened and tears suddenly stung her eyes. “Yes,” she whispered.

He held her with a soft and steady stare. “Oh, Patience, you crave a kind of rapture that most people will never understand, let alone achieve—a kind of rapture that can only be accomplished by complete submission of the self to one who is completely dedicated to your fulfillment.” He touched her cheek and his gaze flickered over her features. “And your greatest fulfillment comes through struggle. You respect nothing that’s effortless. So you see, it is not only I who adore the sweat of your submission, it is you as well.” His eyes darkened. “And I
shall
make you sweat—sweat, writhe, and weep, and beg me on bended knee for release or respite. And as I pleasure you and punish you, it shall be my greatest joy, for I shall know that it is yours as well.”

Patience trembled as her tears escaped her eyes. Tears of . . . joy? She swiped them away but then her thoughts tumbled upon each other as Matthew reached between her legs and stroked her budding clitoris. Her hips tilted, and in three strokes she was undulating against him.

“You see,” he breathed by her temple, “one of the ways you will learn is through stimulation—regular and rigorous stimulation.”

She gasped and her eyelids shuttered closed at the pulsing intensity his touch aroused.

But after just a brief moment, he stopped and kissed the moist corner near her eye. “Unconsummated stimulation.”

Patience let out her breath on a rush, but then drew it in again as he gave her distended nipples a firm pinch and then a light slap. A shudder wracked her body. Her legs shook, and it felt as if all her blood were rushing to her breasts and to the beating heart between her legs. And all the while, he watched her.

His mouth turned in a soft smile as he picked up her chemise and slipped it over her head. “It will seem unrelenting at first—but so it must be if you are to attain more than superficial surrender.”

Patience shivered as the batiste fabric brushed her swollen nipples. His words fascinated and delighted her. She strove for perfection in all things. This would be no different.

He tied the bow beneath her breasts. “I expect exceptional submission from you. Therefore, the more accomplished you become, the more I shall demand of you.”

“So it is best you become accustomed to a strong hand from the start.”

Patience moaned and grit her teeth as he brushed his fingers firmly over her thinly veiled nipples. Her chest jutted out and then he was squeezing them, depressing and pulling the thick, agitated nubs as he spoke. “Ah, Patience, your sensual distress is beautiful to behold. It pleases me well and makes me eager for all the delightful trials and rewards that shall be yours.”

Her skin tingled and her mind raced. How much more acute could her pleasure be? Let him try her and reward her now. She couldn’t wait!

Patience gasped as he pinched hard upon her thickened flesh before finally releasing her. She glanced down at her distended nipples. Her breasts felt heavy and full and her cunt ached as if every vessel there were engorged. She hovered at some lush pinnacle of sensation. It was like balancing on a precipice—both terrible and wonderful at the same time.

Matthew picked up her corset. “Lift your arms, my beauty.”

Patience did as he asked, and enjoyed a rush of pleasure at his endearment.

Wrapping her corset around her waist, he set to securing the hooks and eyes down the front panel. As he did, she couldn’t help staring at his erection, which now tented his trousers to an extreme degree. Just looking at it made her mouth water and her quim weep. If only she could feel its meaty thickness against her tongue. She quivered as her clitoris throbbed at the thought.

“Go to the bedpost,” he ordered gently.

Patience went, luxuriating in the pulsing pleasure that came with each step. She could feel the slick moisture that wet her thighs. Setting her legs a little apart, she gripped the bedpost and felt Matthew’s hands taking up her laces. In a few strong pulls, her stays were hugging her torso with a comfortable snugness.

When he stepped close, she felt the warmth of his body and the nudge of his erection behind her. “Good?” he murmured by her ear. His breath sent a shiver over her skin.

“Yes.”

He stroked her bottom through her chemise and then took a moment to massage it firmly. Leaning her cheek against the bedpost, Patience arched her back at the wonderful feel of his firm grip.

But, again, he quickly stopped and moved to fetch her corset cover.

Patience sighed luxuriantly. Her bottom tingled, her breasts felt hot and full, her cunt ached, and her clitoris maintained a steady pulse.

“Come, my beauty,” Matthew said low.

Patience moved to him and put her arms through the delicately embroidered garment. Before closing it completely, he bent close and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth as he slid his fingers inside the top of her corset. Patience moaned and kissed him back as he nibbled her lip and pinched her swollen nipples.