Benjamin still couldn't believe the situation he was in. Here he was, desperately wanting Miranda, probably even loving her, and she admitted she wanted him…to suckle her breast. While he was pondering what it would feel like, or even taste like, she was flirting with the man he called cousin. Of course Eliot wouldn't deign to call him cousin in return, refusing to acknowledge the connection by marriage.
The more he considered Miranda, the more baffled he became. Understanding why she would go to such lengths to ensure being the perfect wife, in bed, was beyond Benjamin. Although, her entreaties that women deserved to enjoy their sexual side just as men did, explained some of the behavior. But witnessing her and Eliot's mutual infatuation left him feeling nauseous.
At least Cassandra was there, reliably there, to provide some distraction. The years since he had last seen her had turned the shy, awkward child into a beautiful, graceful lady. And she seemed so interested in him: his travels, college stories, hobbies, everything.
They had been sharing many of these conversations the last two days and were in the midst of yet another discussion about Benjamin's favorite class. "You know, Cassandra, I believe you're asking all of these questions just so you don't have to talk about yourself," he teased with twinkling eyes.
Blushing deeply, she quietly replied, "You live such an interesting life, that's all, I'm curious. Besides, my life doesn't lend much to discussion."
"I find that hard to believe. Why, Lady Constance was speaking of your many fine accomplishments only this morning,"
Her eyes widened and the blush increased, which Benjamin would not have thought possible. It didn't take much to embarrass her, he noted. Still, he found her innocence and modesty very charming. "Every lady undergoes the same tedious training, I'm afraid. There's nothing special or interesting about it," she said dismissively.
"Oh, I disagree. Not everyone excels in each area. No two ladies paint quite the same picture or sing with the same sweet voice as you did last night. Tell me, what's your favorite song?" he asked curiously.
Taking a moment to compose herself, Cassandra answered, "The Bells of Aberdovey."
"That's a beautiful song, perhaps you'll sing it tonight?" he requested.
"I'm sure everyone would much rather hear Miss Bailey sing, she has a lovely voice. I only sing because Lady Constance insists. Having an audience only makes it more difficult," was her timid response.
"Not that I wish you discomfort, but I'm happy we have the pleasure of hearing you sing," he warmly shared. Looking about, he realized the distance from the rest of the party. "It seems we need to catch up, shall we?" he asked, holding his elbow out.
Miranda was so engrossed in her conversation with Eliot she had tuned everyone else out. They were all strolling through the lane. Francesca and Sir Warren had managed to convince Lady Constance to join in, but Miranda was only dimly aware of them. Eliot's presence, or sheer manliness, fully captivated her attention.
"Lady Francesca tells me that you're an avid reader. Tell me, what types of books do you most enjoy?" Eliot asked, with an improper gleam in his eyes. It seemed to Miranda like everything he said or asked had double-meaning and surprisingly, this left her uncomfortable. Perhaps it was only that she knew him such a short time.
Thinking of her true genre of choice, she stifled a laugh. "All kinds of books. Poetry, adventure, history, education things I'm sure you'd find exceptionally boring."
"Come now Miss Bailey, you don't expect me to believe that, especially when you looked so amused a moment ago. Surely, you're drawn to torrid romances most popular with the ladies: where the irresistible hero seems so unattainable to the exceptionally plain heroine. They have encounters where the slightest attention or touch sends her into a frenzy. Just when she can no longer continue this insufferable existence, the godly hero, realizing she's his true love, asks her hand in marriage, despite all manner of barriers. Now that is a subject I could find interesting," he smirks.
Disconcerted by how close he's come to the truth, she shakes her head in denial, slowly realizing Benjamin and Cassandra have just joined them.
"What are you two in deep discussion about?" Cassandra questioned.
Eliot quickly answered before Miranda can get a word in, "Oh, we're speaking of the many merits of romance novels. Miranda, however, is being difficult. She denies she reads any."
She shoots Benjamin a quick glance to find his eyes already on her. As so often happens between them, they have a silent exchange and she knows he'll come to her rescue.
To support her claim, he says, "I'm sorry to say cousin, I've caught her reading many a time, and it's never been a romance."
Hoping to catch her in a lie, Eliot promptly asks, "What, then, so attracts our dear Miss Bailey?" with yet another double entendre.
"Most often history. Sorry to burst your theory," Benjamin answers, not looking the least bit remorseful.
"Honestly Eliot, Miss Bailey is going to lock herself in her room if you carry on like that," Cassandra softly reprimands.
With a smug look, Eliot says for her ears only, "I highly doubt that."
Tonight, she was going to seduce him, thought Miranda. Ever since her taunt this morning, her breasts were aching to feel Benjamin's mouth lick, nibble and tease her senseless. With her body achingly aware of her next door neighbor, however, Miranda decided to take some edge off herself. Sitting in the tub, she watched the suds race down her body. She knew she was fortunate, because it was an exceptional body, so the many male stares she received confirmed. Although no man had ever seen her naked, she still felt sure they would appreciate her fine curves, supple limbs, and large firm breasts. She felt sure Benjamin too, would enjoy her many physical gifts.
Thinking of him, she cupped her breasts and squeezed enough to feel arousal below. As she imagined his hands on her touching all over and drinking her in with his eyes, a loud moan escaped her. She saw her hands as his, as they flicked her nipples and ravished her breasts. She wanted him, badly, and continued to pretend it was his hand making its way down to her nether regions, sighing and calling out all the while. Despite being in the bath, she could feel her own sticky wetness all along her folds as she stroked, squeezed and tugged in alternating speeds with her cries escalating in volume.
Benjamin wanted to avoid Miranda tonight. After her enticing threats this morning and then seeing her fawn all over Eliot, he wanted no contact. If he were honest with himself, however, he'd concede that he wanted nothing but contact, full naked bodied contact. Although, this was not meant to be.
As if his thoughts conjured her up, he heard her calling out. It sounded like indecipherable cries getting louder, but then he clearly heard his name. Thinking she was in trouble, he rushed through the hidden passage to help.
Acting purely on instinct, Benjamin hadn't considered what he might be encountering, however, if he had, it certainly wouldn't be the reality he faced. In the midst of bathing, he saw Miranda with her face contorted in pure rapture. The top swells of her breasts were visible above the bathwater and as she moved to the throes of passion, he saw a hint of the red among all that smooth ebony skin.
One of her hands was touching first one breast, then the other. Following the path of her arm, he quickly comprehended it was her other hand creating the pleasure as it must be touching… Shaking himself he became conscious that his presence was not required, nor belonged to such an intimate moment. Trying to rip his fascinated gaze away, he saw Miranda had already spied him.
Looking down at his arousal, he realized what else her eyes absorbed. Blushing furiously, he stammered, "I…I'm sorry. I heard your cries and thought you needed assistance."
"Don't go. Watch me, it'll make it better," she said demurely. Then shyly she added, "I was thinking of you anyway."
Benjamin stood rooted to the spot as she continued where she left off. "You know you can touch yourself too," she said through lowered lids. Unable to resist, he slowly brought his hand to the front of his pants. Through his clothes, he stroked himself, matching her rhythm.
Staring at each other, their bodies came closer and closer until finally she cried out in climax. Benjamin followed only seconds behind with one of the most powerful orgasms he'd ever felt.
Neither said a word as they luxuriated in the immediate afterglow. Finally Miranda slowly began to stand up. As much as he wanted to see her naked, he felt the need for space again, especially after what had just transpired. He still couldn't believe they had both just pleasured themselves in front of each other. With a shakey, "I should let you get ready for bed," he rushed out before she could say a word.
Miranda kept smiling as she relived the last hour. It had all been so very 'erotic', to quote the words in one of her novels. As intense as the encounter had been, and as refreshing the climax, she still felt it was lacking. One thing was becoming abundantly clear: Miranda was exceptionally aroused, had been, in fact, for quite some time and she saw Benjamin as her release. The challenge, however, was to bypass his antiquated moral code. Exposing herself immediately might be her best approach, rather than give him a chance to say no. The shock of seeing her supple breasts might just distract him enough to give in to his desires; at least that was what she was hoping.
Wearing only her robe, tied loosely, Miranda snuck through the passage connecting their rooms. She let her hands run along the cool walls in an attempt to bring her burning temperature down, at least some. But it was no use, the more she thought of Benjamin's naked body rubbing against hers, the more heat surged through her.
Hoping to walk in on him in the midst of changing, she curbed her disappointment when she saw him already in bed. He had gone so far as to pretend to be sleeping, but Miranda knew he was fully awake and aware of her entrance. Nice try, she thought. Knowing he was as interested as she in carnal delights, she pushed on.
"Benjamin," she whispered, "will you help me with something?"
When he didn't respond she shook him and tried again, "Benjamin, it's urgent, I need your help."
Yawning, he feigned waking up and then his concerned eyes looked her up and down. "What's wrong Miranda," he asked worriedly.
A quick glance at his growing arousal revealed that he was enjoying his view. With a knowing smile, she untied the robe and let it slide to her feet. Shock overtook his face and his erection now bulged out even further. Miranda was looking forward to exploring that, especially since from all appearances, Benjamin was quite large.
Seeing his undisguised lust, she felt powerful in her nakedness, much more than she had anticipated. Brazenly, she walked towards him and his eyes never left her large firm breasts.
"What…are you doing?" his wavering voice asked.
"Seducing you, can't you tell?" she teased as she climbed onto his bed.
"Why?" he whispered
"Benjamin, you have no idea how aroused I am. I want, no, I need to be ravished. Please do this for me," she begged. Crawling closer to him, she reached for his hand and slowly drew it towards the dampness between her legs. His fingers took over and began to stroke sending piercing tingles coursing through her. She shuddered, "You feel how wet I am? Please…don't stop."
His tightly controlled restraint snapped and suddenly he was kissing her as never before. Holding nothing back, his tongue plunged into her mouth, then worked its way frantically along her cheekbone, down the side of her neck. His other hand touched her breast and slid up to her hardened nipple, pinching it between his fingers.
Miranda reared back and moaned. Before she realized it, his mouth quickly followed where his hands left off and he ran his tongue the around the curve of her breast, then alternately sucked and nibbled on her nipple. It was more than she had fantasized. Her nails ran down his back and the need between her legs became so intense, she thought she might burst.
After taking his sweet torturous time with her breasts, his trailed kisses down her stomach to the warmth between her legs. Slowly glancing up, he locked eyes with her, never breaking the hold even as he dipped his tongue below. Completely unprepared for the massive pleasure his tongue brought, her chest jerked up causing her back to arch.
With his eyes still watching her every movement as he tasted her juices, she felt everything had become so deliciously sensual. Benjamin's husky voice reached her sending her further on the brink, "My dear Miranda, you taste so sweet."
Unable to take any more, her body shook as she came to an earth shattering release. Finally spent, she watched as his fingers slowly stroked their way back up her length. Resting next to her, he then wrapped his arms around in a warm embrace. Kissing her lightly, Miranda could taste herself on his lips.
Quietly, he asked, "Are you alright?"
Rousing herself from her bliss induced haze, she answered, "You have no idea."
"I'm so sorry, I just lost control. I never should have taken advantage." His eyes closed, as if in pain.
"Benjamin, honestly, if anyone took advantage, it was me. I wanted you to do all of those wonderful things that's why I disrobed. I don't want you to be sorry, it was too beautiful and utterly amazing."
"But your husband should be the one to pleasure you."
"I wanted you to. Was it so unenjoyable to you that you only see it with regret?" she countered.
"Of course not."
Noting his still present arousal, she continued, "Although, to be fair, I should repay you for your kindness. Why don't we remove some of your clothes?"
Blushing, he responded, "I don't think that's such a good idea."
"Shy are you?" she teased. "I won one battle tonight. Eventually I'll have you without any inhibitions."
Grinning, he asked, "So you want me to become a rake? Mother's will hide their daughters away while I hopelessly flirt behind their backs. I'll have a score of mistresses, two for every day of the week. It sounds fabulous, please, teach me."
Swatting his arm, she replied, "No, of course not, you're a gentleman. That's one of your endearing qualities and I don't want that to change. While I can personally attest to the fact that you have an exceptional amount of…skill in the bedroom, I don't want to set you loose on the innocent. I'm honing your confidence for me and me alone."
His eyebrows raised at that, but he said, "So I was good, hmmm?" as he nuzzled her ear.
Now was her turn to blush, "Far better than good. Will you hold me as we sleep?" she asked sweetly.
Looking up and down her naked body again, his arms tightened around her as he answered, "In for a penny, in for a pound."