Educating Aphrodite Read Online Free PDF Page A

her inner being
for the temptress hiding inside her.
    * * * * *
    Alexandra found the minx four days later. Her inhibitions no
longer suppressed her. She felt free and wicked and naughty. During the day,
she practiced with the women, and at night she danced for Delacroix.
    “I daresay I’m ready.” Standing in her bedchamber, Alexandra
propped her hands on her hipbones above the ties of her sheer white skirt.
Winded from the dance, she drew in great gulps of plumeria-scented mist and
waited for Delacroix’s response.
    “You are nearly ready, sweetling.” He pushed out of
the high-back chair and walked toward Daphne who stood beside Alexandra’s bath.
“But there is one act you are not yet prepared for.”
    She knew the act he referenced was the finale. He spoke of
it often, reminding her of his role, reminding her he would claim her alongside
her husband. He could have taken her before now, but he hadn’t.
    Anticipation is oftentimes more arousing that the act
itself , he’d said three days past in the carriage returning them to
Pendleton. However, each night he’d lingered in her chamber a little longer.
Each night he watched Daphne bathe her. And each night his seemed to grow a
little less patient.
    He set a hand at the small of Daphne’s back and placed a
kiss on her forehead. “Go check on Alex…andra’s son. I’ll bathe the countess
tonight.”
    Her heart slammed against her ribs. A familiar stirring
coiled like liquid flames in her womb. The man made her wanton, but she
suspected he’d planned it that way when he’d hypnotized her. She’d also come to
realize Delacroix held a certain power over her—a power that stole her ability
to deny him.
    Fortunately, Daphne wasn’t quick to obey. In fact, she
glared at Delacroix.
    Alexandra didn’t know the depths of their relationship, but
if she had to name the face Daphne now wore, she might call it jealousy. But
was Daphne jealous of Alexandra or of Delacroix?
    “Perhaps I should check on Edward,” she suggested, feeling a
pinch of responsibility.
    “No,” they said in unison.
    “You stay and enjoy your bath, m’lady.” Daphne offered
Alexandra a congenial smile and sauntered toward the door.
    “But I haven’t seen him in four days.” Her protest fell on
deaf ears as the door clicked shut.
    “And for four days your son has been in the loving arms of his
wet nurse.” Delacroix slid in behind her and caressed her arms. The fight flew
out of her when he pressed his lips to the curve of her neck. “I still have
more to teach you.”
    “What?” she asked, all the while knowing he wouldn’t tell
her his plans.
    “First the bath. Then the lesson.” He removed her skirt with
the pull of two bows, then untied the laces at her back, freeing her from the
confines of her corset. Modesty no longer had a presence in this odd courtship
developing between them. And if truth be told, her nudity was something she’d
come to enjoy.
    Delacroix removed his tailcoat and cravat, but didn’t stop
there as she expected. Instead, he yanked his shirt over his head and heeled
off his boots. Surely the man didn’t intend to—
    He unbuttoned his trousers and stepped out of them.
    Oh my! Alexandra swallowed and feasted her eyes on
the beautiful specimen before her. Chiseled muscles covered his arms and chest.
His thighs were thick and lightly sprinkled with dark hair, but what appealed
to her most were the two grooves of muscles near his hipbones that directed her
gaze toward his erection.
    “While you’ve already acquainted yourself with my greatest
asset,” he held out his arms in presentation, “I decided it best if you saw all
of me prior to the finale.”
    Alexandra nodded, not caring that she ogled him as if he
were strawberries dripping with sweet cream. “Turn around.”
    “Why?”
    Her eyes narrowed on him. “I want to see all of you.”
    He pivoted, laced his fingers at the back of his head, and
purposely flexed his tight backside.
    The smile