Lady Laugherty's Loves Read online

  “Did you think I’d come to you as a virgin, Olivia?”

  “No, but I came to you as a virgin. And there are some things I’m better off not knowing.” She paused and mulled it over. “I think.” She bit her lower lip.

  “You’d prefer not to know what makes me harder than anything?” he growled as he pressed her hand against his cock. The very thought made his balls grow up close to his body, ready to spill.

  “That is what you want? That would make you happy?”

  He shook his head slightly as he cupped her breast and toyed with her nipple. She gasped and ground her bottom against him. “You make me happy. That simply excites me.”

  She buried her face in to his chest and mumbled, “I can’t do it.”

  “It’s all right if you have no interest in it,” he said on one big exhale. He took her face in his hands and forced her to meet his eyes. “I’ll love you no matter what.”

  “How can you love me and…?” she began, but then her voice trailed off as her face colored.

  “How can I love you and still want to share you?” He stroked her hair back from her face. “Because I want to bring you pleasure. Pleasure unlike any you’ve experienced. He tugged at the bodice of her gown until his hand slipped inside. She arched her back to give him better access. “Just imagine it, Olivia. Two men. Two sets of hands. Two mouths. Two cocks.”

  She shivered as he pinched her nipple. Her eyes were closed and her rosy lips hung open as her breath picked up.

  “Shall we go up to bed?” he asked gently, breaking her from her trance.

  She flushed again, obviously embarrassed at being so aroused at the thought of two men taking care of her needs. “May I ask you one question?”

  “Anything,” he said as he nuzzled her temple.

  “When did you realize you like men?” She hid her face in his shirt again.

  “What?” He jumped to his feet with her cradled in his arms. “I have never and will never enjoy the touch of a man. The man would be there for you. And only for you. I don’t touch him. He doesn’t touch me. There’s no excitement or amorousness between the two of us.” He let out a huge sigh and grumbled. “Touch Ellis in a romantic way. God, woman. That will never happen.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said as she giggled a bit.

  “You think this is humorous?” he asked, shocked as he looked down at her. “All I could think about a moment ago was bedding you. But now I fear I’ll never be able to do so again.”

  She gave a cry of mock horror and covered her cheeks. “Oh, no!” Then she giggled again.

  He jostled her playfully in his arms. “Just for that,” he began as he started for the stairs, “you get the arduous task of restoking my fire.”

  “I’m prepared for the challenge,” she tossed back at him.

  He burst into his chambers and dropped her to her feet. Then he sat down in an oversized leather chair before the fire and tried to look wholly unimpressed with the entire situation. But then she began to disrobe. And he was impressed. Very impressed.

  His wife’s body never ceased to amaze him. She was round where he liked her to be round. And slender through the waist, which was perfect for wrapping his hands around. She shrugged out of her gown and let it fall in a heap to the floor. Then she stepped out of her chemise. She turned her back to him as she tugged her hairpins free and dropped them one by one on the dressing table.

  The site of her naked bottom made him want to go to her and grab her and knead her flesh. Then bend her over and slide inside her in one hard stroke. But he had a feeling she had plans for him. So, he sat back and practiced his look of ambivalence with his chin propped in his hand.

  ***

  Ellis stood on the other side of the connecting door and listened intently. He’d shared enough women with Avery to know that his growl when he entered the bedchamber was a mere prelude of what would come. His cock grew hard immediately.

  He could hear their conversation quite clearly through the door. If only he could see what was going on. But then Avery began to talk. He’d always been vocal during sex; Ellis had learned that the first time they’d ever shared a woman the age of sixteen. And with every woman they'd shared since, Ellis had enjoyed listening as Avery stoked the woman’s fire with his words as he described in detail what he would do to her.

  The voices wafted toward him as he opened his trousers and began to stroke his cock.

  “Olivia,” Avery said quietly, but loudly enough he could hear the desire in his voice. “Come here.”

  “But I believe you said that I have to get you hard again, don’t I?”

  She must have reached for her stockings because Avery said, “Leave those on. I like them.”

  “And here I thought you liked me naked,” she teased.

  “I like that, too, but I happen to love those stockings. Ellis would love them as well.”

  Ellis’s breath caught in his throat as he waited for Olivia to respond.

  “Would he?” she asked softly, her voice as silky as a siren’s song. “Is red his favorite color?’

  “I would imagine that whatever color you’re wearing would be his favorite,” Avery chuckled.

  It was true. He wouldn’t care, as long as she wore it.

  “Come here,” Avery said again.

  He could almost see the dark look in Avery’s eyes and imagined Olivia climbing into his lap to straddle him. In the past, Avery would have encouraged it, and then Ellis would have slid in behind her to stroke all her soft places.

  “That’s good,” Avery continued.

  “You like it when I ride you,” Olivia teased. “You’re so predictable.”

  Oh, God. She was straddling him. He could see it in his mind’s eye. A small drop of fluid seeped from his cock and he rubbed it around the throbbing purple head. It was nothing like having Olivia ride him. But it would have to do. For now.

  Ellis heard a slurping sound and Olivia’s low gasp as Avery sucked her nipple into his mouth. Ellis could just imagine it, her breasts plump and firm, and her hard nipple as big as his thumb. He had seen that much through her clothing when she was cold. He ached to open the door and taste her, himself.

  “Imagine, Olivia,” Avery said, his voice dark and mysterious. “Imagine that Ellis is behind you right now, his hands running over your hips while I taste your nipples. His hands are rough. Not nearly as soft as mine, or so I’ve heard.” Olivia moaned. Oh, Olivia moaned. “Then his hand comes around the front of your hip and dips into these curls, while I continue to love your nipples. I nip at them, while Ellis strokes across your clit. He might even slide his finger inside you to collect your moisture and go back to…” He paused briefly. “Here,” he finally finished. Oh, there. What Ellis wouldn’t give to be there. To feel the warm wash of her desire as it coated his fingers, making her slippery wet. To be close enough to taste her. To brush her hair to the side and nibble on her shoulder while double the sensations rocked her.

  “Take my cock out, Olivia,” Avery commanded. Ellis’ balls tightened with need and he slowed the hand that had been shuttling up and down his own cock. He’d come too quickly if he didn’t pause. And he wanted to come with them. Even if they were on the other side of the door, he wanted to come with them.

  “That’s right, take every inch inside you.” Avery encouraged her and Ellis could almost see him sliding lower in the chair so she could take all of him.

  Olivia cried out. He thought she had a sweet voice on a normal day. But those blasts of pleasure made her voice irresistible. It was all he could do not to open the door and go to her.

  “Ride my cock, Olivia. That’s it, Olivia. Take it. Take all of me.” Avery grunted and Ellis could hear the slap of wet flesh against wetter flesh. He threw his head back and clenched his teeth. “Lay your head on my shoulder. I want to show you something.”

  “You want to stop?” Olivia nearly pouted. She must have been close.

  “No. But, love, imagine if you were riding me, and I was r
ubbing your sopping wet clit.”

  He must have touched it. He must have touched that golden nub of pleasure, because she cried out.

  Avery continued. “And behind you, Ellis wet his cock, and while his hands roamed over your body, and I filled you, he put his cock right… here.”

  “Oh, God!” Olivia cried. “Yes! Right there,” she instructed.

  “Now, you only get my finger, Olivia,” Avery said quietly, the strain in his voice to keep from coming quite apparent.

  “Feels good,” Olivia said on a sob.

  “Imagine how good it would feel if that was Ellis’ cock pumping into your ass. And every time he thrust, it pushed you farther and harder onto my cock. He might even lift your breast and put it into my mouth.”

  Oh, the very idea had Ellis ready to blow. “Come soon, Olivia,” Ellis whispered to himself. “Come.”

  And just then, Olivia’s keening cry filled the air. Her orgasm must have been delicious and he would have given anything to see the rapture on her face as her body convulsed. When he heard Avery’s tell-tale grunt, he finally allowed himself to come as well. Except his was a hollow victory. Avery got to come inside Olivia, while Ellis came in his hand.

  Soon, though. If tonight was any indication, he’d be inside her soon enough. And her pleasure would be his. And his would be hers. And the three of them would make it perfect.

  Three

  The thump of an arrow as it hit the target jerked Olivia’s mind back to the competition at hand. Instead of watching the archery games at her own house party, she was mired deeply in thoughts of the prior night’s activities. Avery had woken her several times during the night, whispering lurid thoughts in her ear as he took her slowly, sensually, and masterfully. She shivered lightly.

  “Would you like my jacket, Olivia?” Ellis asked from where he stood a few feet from her.

  She smiled, nearly unable to meet his eyes as she replied, “Oh, no thank you. I’ll send someone for my shawl.” The things Avery had whispered to her all involved Ellis and what she might expect if they invited him into their bed.

  Ellis walked closer to her and she could smell the scent of sandalwood on him. It was so much in contrast with the earthy vetiver Avery wore that she found herself wanting to step closer and bury her face in his jacket so she could explore it. Another shiver crawled up her spine.

  “I can’t tell if you’re wool gathering or simply unconcerned about your husband being the poorest shot out here.” Ellis leaned casually against a tree, speaking to her over his shoulder as he clapped his hands at Avery’s loss. “Good show, Laugherty,” he called loudly. “Next time, you might even come within a few feet of the target.”

  Avery shot him a “go to the devil” look that spoke volumes about the depth of their friendship.

  “You shouldn’t tease him so,” Olivia chided good-naturedly.

  Ellis pressed his hands to his chest in mock astonishment. “Not tease him? I’ve known him since we were infants. I couldn’t possibly go a day without teasing him. If I did, his head would swell to a size so large he wouldn’t be able to pass through doorways. He needs someone to see his faults.” He smiled at her. “You certainly don’t.”

  Olivia couldn’t hold back her laugh. “Oh, I see every one of his faults.”

  He turned to face her completely and shot her a look that made her want to giggle. “And they are?” he prodded.

  “It’s not fitting for a wife to speak of her husband’s faults with another man,” she quipped.

  “Exactly,” he drawled slowly, looking away from her and back toward the archery games. “You don’t see them.”

  That was a challenge if she’d ever heard one. She crossed her arms beneath her breasts. His gaze lowered to dance across her décolletage and then back up to her face. Damn him. Her nipples responded to his heady regard, pressing insistently against the fabric of her bodice. “He snores,” she finally croaked out.

  He cackled. Loudly. “That’s all you have? Sweetheart, he was snoring long before you met him. I can’t remember a time when he didn’t snore.” He prompted her. “Got any more?”

  “Well, he’s terrible at charades. He has very little imagination.”

  Ellis arched one eyebrow at her. “Is that so? I believe he has you fooled, because his imagination has never been in question.”

  “Beg your pardon?” Olivia had to admit, that comment ruffled her feathers more than a little. “I happen to know he’s awful at charades. He couldn’t pretend his way out of a satchel.”

  Ellis chuckled. “He’s a poor pretender. I’ll give you that. But his imagination has never been in question.”

  Just then Avery joined them, collecting his jacket from a nearby footman. “What this talk of imagination? What did I miss?”

  “Your wife says you have no imagination.” Ellis grinned unrepentantly.

  “Oh, she does, does she?” He bent his head to say softly in her ear, “I had enough imagination for you last night.” The warmth of a blush moved up her cheeks as he nuzzled the side of her face. She glanced up at Ellis, but his gaze was upon them, his lids lowered, his eyes dark with something she didn’t quite understand.

  “Behave!” Olivia scolded as she swatted at Avery’s hands.

  Ellis leaned back against a tree and crossed his arms over his chest, with one foot raised to rest his heel against the bark. He just watched them quietly as Avery nuzzled her neck. His gaze caught hers and she found it nearly impossible to draw her own away from his. Heat crept up her face as he arched one eyebrow slowly at her. He knew how much his appraisal affected her. Oh, dear.

  “Oh, young love,” the Duchess of Belgarden sighed as she walked by them. “I remember when His Grace was that amorous.” She longingly looked toward the man whose sagging jaws kept him from sighting his bow and arrow properly. Of course, she would tell him the arrow was crooked, instead, as she had all afternoon. “In his day, he was insatiable,” the older woman continued. She winked once at Olivia, who choked.

  Avery rubbed Olivia’s back in small circles as Her Grace took her place at the platform and sighted her bow. “Are you all right?” he asked softly.

  “I’m fine.” Mortified, but fine. She turned toward the manor. “I’ll be back in a moment.” She waved both the men off as they started after her. “I’m perfectly capable of walking by myself,” she snapped. At their shocked expressions, she forced herself to stop, smile sweetly at them and then turn casually away. In truth, her knees were knocking and her heartbeat was thumping. Those men were waging an assault on her senses. And they were winning.

  ***

  Ellis finally caught up with Olivia when she darted back down the stairs with her shawl. But, instead of returning to the back garden, she took a deep breath and entered the blue parlor, her footsteps slow and quiet. She settled at the pianoforte with a swish of her skirts and placed her fingers on the keys. Ellis propped himself in the doorway to watch her.

  Instead of the haunting melody he’d expected to hear, a rowdy tune better suited for a brothel piano-master to play leapt from her fingertips. He smiled softly as he picked up the chorus and hummed beneath his breath. He’d sung that very tune on more than one drunken night. He’d just never expected to hear Olivia play it. He crossed his arms over his chest and listened as she played it to the end.

  When she was done, he clapped his hands softly and let his presence be known by walking into the room. She jumped and placed a hand to on her chest. “I didn’t realize anyone was listening,” she said softly.

  He sat down beside her on the bench. “No one is. It’s just me and a few smiling house maids.” He grinned at her. “Where did you learn a tune like that?”

  She shrugged. He knew she’d grown up with brothers, and felt certain they often came home singing such songs after a night of drunken revelry. “Here and there,” was all she’d admit. She smiled at him impishly as she trailed her fingers down the keys slowly.

  “It’s perfectly scandalous,” he said a
s he brushed a lock of hair from the side of her face. “Why did you come inside?” He had a feeling he knew. But he’d like to discuss it with her.

  She shrugged and let her fingers walk the opposite way down the keys.

  “Do you know why I’m here?” he asked over the tinkling of the piano as she hit the high notes.

  She stopped playing and gazed at him. “I wish I did,” she sighed.

  He would never make her unhappy. Not for a day. Not for a moment. Not for an hour. If that meant stopping this game of seduction, he’d stop.

  “I thought it was for my house party, but now I’m beginning to think there’s more to it.”

  He covered her nervous hands with his and turned her toward him. He’d never said the words he was about to say to anyone. Yet he had a feeling she needed to hear them. “I fell in love with you the moment I saw you,” he said softly.

  Her mouth fell open as her eyes grew wide. He shushed her.

  “You danced with me and let me hold you in my arms, and the feel of you there touched something within me. I never, ever wanted to let you go.”

  She wouldn’t look into his eyes.

  “You don’t have to tell me that you loved me at first sight, Olivia,” he said as he grabbed her chin and turned her to face him.

  “I love Avery,” she said softly, a sorrowful look in her eyes.

  “I know you do,” he said to appease her. “And he loves you.” He had to know. “Did you feel anything for me at all when we met? Or was I the only one affected? I felt like a bolt of lightning had cleaved my heart in two pieces the first time you smiled at me. And only you could put it back together.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Her eyebrows drew together in confusion.

  “You didn’t answer my question.” He raised one brow at her. “Did you feel anything for me?”

  “I did,” she said softly, her voice breaking as her eyes filled with tears.

  “Oh, God,” he soothed as he thumbed a tear from her cheek. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. I couldn’t bear it.”

  The tears stopped falling, but she looked sad. “Then I met Avery.”