Madam Charlie Page 3

  Her nails were clenched so tight she knew she’d be leaving small scars in the palms of her hands, but not by one muscle would she show this man that he affected her.

  Not by one twitch would she reveal that the sight of his body sheening with sweat was arousing to her. Nor would she let on that a bead of her own perspiration was trickling down her spine, which she held so rigid in the chair.

  His nipples had tightened to small brown nubs as Jane began to caress his balls as well as his cock.

  His chest was as well-formed as the rest of him, strong and slightly brown, as if he had indeed been working outside in the sunshine without benefit of a shirt. Knowing how his flesh felt beneath her fingers made Charlie’s heart beat faster, and a dull yearning began inside her body.

  He slid his hand down to Jane’s head, pushing her hair to one side.

  “Jane?”

  She stopped her movement and glanced up at him over his glistening arousal. “Sir?”

  “Jane, loose your breasts for me, I’d like to see them.”

  “Very good, Sir.”

  But it was at Charlie that Jordan gazed as Jane shrugged her dress off her shoulders. It was at Charlie’s breasts that Jordan stared as he reached out and smoothed Jane’s soft flesh, and it was at Charlie that Jordan winked as he pulled Jane to his mouth and suckled her nipple, making her moan.

  Charlie was helpless to prevent her body from reacting. She moved very, very slightly, hoping to conceal the fact that her own breasts were about to ignite from the heat his gaze was generating.

  She prayed that her own rapidly hardening nipples were not betraying her state. She was hot, wet, and aching, but she’d be damned if she’d let him know.

  Jane was rubbing her chest over Jordan’s hairy thighs now, having returned to her former occupation of devouring his cock. He gently ran his hand through her hair as he studied Charlie’s golden locks.

  She refrained from reaching up to see if her elegant coiffeur was intact. His glance flickered down to her breasts again, heating them with the passion she saw within his eyes.

  He desired her, that was a given. Why she returned that desire, she had no idea.

  Jane was very obviously enjoying herself this evening. Instead of her usual five minute session, she was prolonging this one, bringing him to the brink, then easing off and letting them both catch their breath.

  “I would like to help you release yourself shortly, Sir,” she breathed finally, rubbing a nipple against his balls.

  “I should like that too, Jane. But not in your mouth, if you please. In your hand. That way we can pretend that Madam Charlie over there is actually part of our fun. What do you think?”

  “Oh, Sir.” Jane giggled, blushing with her own heat. “Madam Charlie doesn’t play with the customers, Sir.”

  Jordan’s eyes flashed to Charlie.

  “Jane, I think you may finish the Earl now.” Charlie’s clipped tones reminded Jane of her duties.

  “Yes, Madam Charlie. It’ll be my pleasure.”

  “Jane? Try the little pressure point touch we discussed at yesterday’s meeting.” Charlie could have been ordering wine for the evening meal for all the expression she allowed into her voice.

  “Oooh. All right, ma’am.” Jane giggled again and bent back to Jordan’s cock with enthusiasm.

  It took mere seconds this time for her to bring him close to his climax, and Charlie noted the rapid rise and fall of his chest. His eyes were almost closed, but she didn’t fool herself that his attention was distracted. This man was dangerous, as Matty had warned, and she knew better than to let down her guard.

  Jane removed her mouth with one last loving lick, and let her hand take over. She eased the other beneath his balls and slid it to his tightly puckered arse muscles. His eyes widened.

  Charlie never moved a muscle, knowing that now Jane was delicately inserting one finger into his backside and probing to find a certain spot. She could certainly tell when Jane found it.

  He grunted and heaved his buttocks off the divan.

  Jane held onto his pulsating cock, refusing to give up her rhythm. He threw his head back, neck cords stretched tight.

  “Yes, now. Now Charlie.”

  Charlie’s mind froze as she heard him cry out her name. Not Jane’s, not the woman whose hand was fucking him into heaven. But her name. Charlie. She realized he was fantasizing about her.

  Breathless, she watched as the veins in his cock throbbed violently. He grunted again and jets of his seed pulsed high from his cock, probably spurting in time with his heartbeat. Charlie wanted to find out.

  She wanted to put her hand on his chest and feel that heart pounding beneath her palm. To rest her head there and listen as it slowed down again.

  What had Jane felt, she wondered. How did it feel to hold a man like that while he shouted out his pleasure?

  For the first time in her life, Charlie wanted to know.

  And her interest couldn’t have been aroused by a riskier man. This was truly a case of where curiosity might indeed kill the cat.

  “Thank you, Jane. That was an excellent experience.”

  Jane, who was already straightening her dress and retying her laces, gave him a big smile.

  “Well, thank you, Sir. It’s a pleasure to help out someone as well made as yourself, Sir.” She gently mopped him clean of his juices with a damp cloth. The same one, he noted, that Charlie had draped on his back earlier.

  “I hope you’ll come back and visit again, Sir. I’d be happy to take care of any of your needs. And not just with me mouth, either.” Jane gave Jordan a cheeky little grin and nodded respectfully at Charlie as she whisked herself out of the room.

  Charlie rose stiffly to her feet, cloaking herself in her protective dignity. It was her customary armor, and she was able to meet Jordan’s eyes without a flicker of expression. She felt rather proud of herself. It was not an easy performance, since her own juices were sticky on the inside of her thighs.

  Jordan eased his body from the divan. She’d forgotten how tall he was.

  He moved towards her with purpose, naked, glistening, his cock nestling flaccid between his legs.

  He smiled as he caught her quick glance. “He’ll be more than ready for a round with you, Charlie. Just say the word.”

  Charlie made a production out of glancing down at his manhood. Sure enough, he was stirring again.

  “No thank you, Lord Calverton. However, if you should wish additional services, I can summon one of our other ladies.”

  Jordan sighed and stepped even closer to her.

  Charlie obstinately held her ground, something telling her that to move back from this man would be to admit weakness. Never allow your weaknesses to show. She’d learned that the hard way. From another Calverton.

  With a grin, Jordan brushed past her to the screen where he retrieved his clothes. With unashamed exhibitionism, he dressed slowly in front of her.

  “My compliments, Madam Charlie.”

  “Your back is feeling better?”

  “My back, my front, my cock and my balls.” He grinned at her. If he hoped to shock her with his language, he was fair and far out. “Everything is feeling better. Everything except for one thing.”

  Charlie tilted her head slightly and allowed her raised eyebrow to ask the question.

  “My mind, Charlie. My mind isn’t satisfied.”

  Charlie blinked once as he neared her again. Naked, he was a woman’s dream. Dressed, he was overpoweringly handsome and his presence filled her senses.

  “My mind is full of you, Charlie. You’re a puzzle, an enigma. A mystery. I’m a man who likes to solve mysteries. Who likes to lay them bare. To delve into their darkest secrets and bring them into the light. I like to touch puzzles, Charlie.”

  He was nearer than he should be for her peace of mind. His eyes were shining as he met her cool gaze. She could almost swear he was enjoying himself more teasing her with his double entendres than he had when Jane sucked him off.<
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  “I like to take them apart, see what makes them tick, how to touch them and smooth them out and make them tick faster. Like your pulse. Just here…” He reached out and laid the very tip of his forefinger on her neck, where her heartbeat was pounding like a racehorse at the finish line.

  “Did you realize that a man can tell a lot about a woman just by watching this little spot here?” His finger grazed her skin delicately. It felt like a burning brand to Charlie, who fought an enormous battle with her reflexes not to flinch from his touch.

  “It’s fluttering like the heart of a captured bird. My God, that’s poetic. I don’t usually spout things like that. It must be your influence, Charlie.”

  Back and forth his finger brushed her flesh.

  “That, and the fact that I want to fuck you senseless.”

  Her breath caught in her throat, but she continued to meet his gaze. She knew she was coloring up now under his touch and his words, but she refused to succumb to his seductive manner. This man could well be her sworn enemy. She had to cling to that fact before she melted in a puddle of useless desire at his feet.

  “I want you screaming underneath me, Charlie. Have you ever screamed, I wonder? Ever been desperate for a man’s cock to thrust into you so that you can take that final step into another world? A world of light and dark, of day and night, a world where nothing exists but pleasure and the pain of finishing, coming, releasing your soul?”

  His lips were closer now, and still Charlie refused to move a muscle. She wondered if she’d ever be able to move again. Her body was locked in a furious battle with itself, and she was sure that she’d probably end up as a casualty.

  “We’ll do it too, Charlie, you and me. We are going to fuck, and it will be soon. Sometimes I just know these things. Then I’ll watch your eyes as I suck on your breasts, and I’ll watch your eyes as I make you come with my tongue inside your warm cunt. I’ll watch your eyes as I pound my cock deep into your wet body, and they’ll tell me what I want to know, Charlie. Your eyes will tell me how much you want my cock. They’ll betray your secrets, Charlie. All of them. I know. Trust me on this.”

  He pulled back slightly, as if waiting for a reaction.

  She gave him nothing.

  “Until then, my sweet.” His lips brushed the pulse in her neck. “You’ll just have to dream of me. I can assure you I’ll be thinking of you.” He put the finger that he had rested against her neck into his mouth and sucked it, staring at her all the while. Then he withdrew it slowly, lips curving as he did so. “Soon, Charlie. Soon.”

  He moved away, shrugging into his jacket and tossed her a grin as he left the room.

  She stood motionless, for a full minute, then sank down into the chair, resting her head back against the ornate carving.

  She raised a hand tremblingly to her cheeks.

  To her surprise, tears were running freely over her skin and splashing onto her blue silk gown.

  * * * * *

  Jordan had no idea if his legs would carry him down the stairs to the ground floor of the Crescent. He was weak as the proverbial kitten, and not from the effective ministrations of Jane, either.

  He was weak from the climax he’d had because she was watching him. He’d thought he was pretty well up on most things sexual. Damn, he was a soldier, for God’s sake. He’d seen it all and done it all. Or most of it, anyway.

  But this night had been the most erotic experience he could ever remember having. Not because of a woman’s mouth, or cunt, or even because of her touch. Just because of her eyes.

  Because for a little while, those gray eyes had burned. And he’d felt their heat halfway across the room.

  What would he feel when they were burning beneath him?

  His cock stirred yet again, reminding him that such thoughts were probably best kept for somewhere less public.

  He wandered through several of the rooms, sampling some of the excellent brandy and chatting with acquaintances. He told himself he was not waiting for the owner of the establishment to make her appearance.

  He also knew he was lying to himself.

  “Jordan? Is that you?”

  A light voice cut through the babble of conversation as Jordan moved into the large foyer.

  “Good God, it is. What on earth are you doing here, darling?”

  Jordan Lyndhurst would have turned tail and run, if he could. Unfortunately, strategic retreat was not an option.

  “Elizabeth. This is a surprise.” Jordan watched as Lady Elizabeth Wentworth gracefully swanned her way through the throng to await him at the foot of the stairs.

  Beautiful, slightly scandalous and toasted by the Ton, Elizabeth had made no secret of her interest in Jordan. However, he was among several whom she favored, and Jordan could only hope that there were others higher on her list than himself.

  He enjoyed her company, and felt there might actually be a nice person underneath all her society fol-de-rol, but wasn’t sure if he was ready to play her games this evening. He was off kilter enough as it was.

  He watched her black hair and blue eyes garner the attention of the men she passed. She was really quite lovely. He couldn’t fathom why she didn’t make his pulse race.

  Her gown was a masterpiece of understatement, hanging precariously off her beautiful breasts, and giving the impression that if she caught her breath it would completely collapse. “If I’d known you were going to visit, I’d have begged for a place in your carriage, Jordan,” she pouted, slipping her arm through his.

  “I hardly expected to find you at a place like this, Elizabeth.” Jordan managed a slightly reproving tone to his voice.

  “Oh, darling, you’re too funny. Everyone comes to the Crescent now. Well, not everyone, I suppose. But certainly a lot of people. And they set a very nice table and the gaming room is well run. Besides, I had Tony bring me, because Mother is trying to decide whether she should try to save these ‘Poor Unfortunates’, and I thought I ought to take a look before she gets too involved…” She dropped her voice and glanced around, as did Jordan.

  He was vainly looking for a Poor Unfortunate, but couldn’t see one.

  “You know how Mother is,” continued Elizabeth, tugging Jordan along beside her.

  “Mother”, Jordan knew, was Lady Amanda Wentworth, nicknamed “Armada” Wentworth by some wag, who’d likened her approach to that of the Spanish Armada. A dozen galleons under full sail.

  Lady Wentworth liked to busy herself redeeming Poor Unfortunates, as the fallen women of London were called. Seeing as her husband was a prime contributor to the downfall of many a Poor Unfortunate, Jordan supposed it was the right thing to do. There was a certain kind of symmetry about it.

  A stir behind him caught his attention.

  Madam Charlie was descending the staircase.

  “Oh, I’ll bet she’s one,” prattled Elizabeth nosily.

  Jordan watched as Charlie, now gowned exquisitely in gray lace and pearls, moved amongst her guests.

  “I rather doubt she’s poor, Elizabeth. And as for being unfortunate, well, look at her.” Jordan’s eyes couldn’t pull away from the graceful picture Charlie made as she nodded and smiled at friends and offered her hand to new acquaintances. “That’s Madam Charlie. Your hostess this evening.” He could feel his cock twitching at the mere mention of her name.

  “Oh, that’s her.”

  Something in Elizabeth’s voice caught Jordan’s attention and he wrenched his gaze from the tall woman in gray.

  “You know of her?”

  “Well of course, although not personally. Where have you been, Jordan? Oh, I forgot…” Her light laugh tinkled across the candles. “You’ve been in the country. Working.” She restrained a theatrical shudder.

  “Madam Charlie. You said you know her?”

  “Well, yes…no, I don’t know her exactly…”

  “Hello, old chap. Getting a bit of cunt…oh, sorry Elizabeth. Didn’t see you.” A large form appeared next to Jordan and resolved itself into S
ir Anthony Douglas.

  Under ordinary circumstances, the two men would have exchanged pleasantries, slapped each other on the back, swapped comparisons of the women available for their pleasure and gone their separate ways.

  This evening, however, Jordan Lyndhurst gritted his teeth and wished for his dress sword with which to dispose of Sir Anthony Douglas. Elizabeth was about to reveal Charlie’s secrets and this…this dunderhead had to butt in.

  “Tony, I’m going to let Jordan take me home, now. Do you mind?” She flashed him a dazzling smile. Jordan’s heart sank to his highly polished boots.

  “Not at all, Elizabeth. Good idea. Think I’ll go play some billiards, myself.” He nudged Jordan, nearly knocking him off his feet. “If you know what I mean, old man.” Receiving a subtle wink and a nudge from a man who easily topped six foot five, must have weighed close to twenty stone and had hair as red as the sunset, was an experience. Something like being run over by an elephant, Jordan imagined.

  Elizabeth giggled. “Oh Tony, you naughty boy. Run along then.” Tony waved at them both and disappeared through a nearby door. “He’s so funny. He thinks I don’t know.”

  “Know what?”

  “The Billiards Room?”

  Jordan shook his head, not understanding a word of the conversation.

  Elizabeth looked at him in surprise. “You really don’t know, do you?”

  “Know what?” he repeated, teeth clenched.

  Elizabeth snuggled up against him even closer and stood on tiptoe, breathing into his ear. “The billiard room is where the Poor Unfortunates play billiards.” She paused for dramatic effect.

  Jordan ruined it. “So?”

  Elizabeth sighed. “They do so without the benefit of clothes.” Her whisper just reached his hearing as Charlie’s gaze passed over his face and stopped.

  He froze, an image of Charlie, naked, golden hair spilling over a green baize table as he plowed into her from behind flashing across his mind. He sucked in a breath.

  “Yes, isn’t it too, too dreadful? That’s what made Mother wonder if these Poor Unfortunates should be next on her list for assistance.”

  “Elizabeth. Have someone fetch your cloak. I’ll get my carriage and meet you outside.” Suddenly he wanted to get away from this place. The air was stifling, he couldn’t breathe, and he needed to go somewhere where he could think about Charlie without seeing her laugh and smile and talk to other men.