It was too intense. This possession of each other, this frantic need. Her legs were on fire from riding hard, but she pushed them to the limit. The wave was swelling inside her. The pleasure building. It was coming. Any moment now it would break over her. Another pull of his mouth on her breast, a mighty shove of his hips.
And she exploded.
She was flying high, her consciousness splintered into a million colored sparks. In the midst of her crisis, she felt him tense, his rod pulsed, prolonging her pleasure, and then he flooded her in warmth.
In the aftermath, she collapsed against him. Limp. Exhausted.
Happy.
“Are you all right?”
“Mm-hmm.” A slow smile stretched her lips. “Hold me, please.”
He responded with alacrity. His arms circling her. Enveloping her in security and love. She marveled at his willingness to do exactly as she wished. Follow her commands without question or hesitation. Another of the many things she loved about him. He could so easily overpower her. Override her. Take over. And yet he never did. He laid all his strength at her feet. Used it only for her pleasure.
The coach slowed down, and she became aware that the noises of the city had quieted as they entered Mayfair. They must be near to arriving at their destination. Where was he taking her, his house or hers?
“We are almost at my house,” he announced as if reading her thoughts.
“Then I guess we better put ourselves to rights,” she mumbled. Their bodies were still joined, her naked breasts against his chest, and it all felt so good, she wished she could stay like this forever. Alas, the coach was coming to a halt. Reluctantly leaving the shelter of his body, she rose, gathering his overcoat over her nakedness. “Do you think it would be possible to have a bath?”
“Of course. You can have whatever you wish. I plan to take you to my bedchamber. Pamper and take care of you. And then keep you in my arms all night.”
“Sounds heavenly.”
CHAPTER 38
Hestrodethroughtheentrance hall of his home with Josephine in his arms, calling orders to prepare her a bath and bring food and drink to his room.
His mother appeared from the bowels of the house, but he didn’t stop to chat.
“Everything is well, Mother. Josephine is tired after her ordeal. She needs a bath and a good night’s rest.”
The duchess merely smirked and nodded. “Welcome home, Josephine.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Josephine said, hiding her flaming face in his chest as he climbed the stairs still holding her in his arms.
“What must your mother think,” she whispered.
“My mother will probably correctly infer what we are about to do.”
“This is so embarrassing. Maybe you should have taken me to my home. I had forgotten your mother was here.”
“Not a chance, Josie. After what happened… I need to have you near. For my peace of mind.”
He marched into his bedchamber and deposited her in the bed. She looked around his room, settling into the bed and tucking in her bare feet under his coat that she still wore. She appeared relaxed while taking in this intimate space. She had never been in his room. All their encounters had transpired in her room or somewhere else. But this room was his inner habitat. His domain. It gave him primal satisfaction to have her here, in his room, wearing something of his.
Sounds from the next room indicated the preparations for her bath were well underway. Making good on his promise to pamper her, he helped her with the bath himself, during which he cataloged every cut and bruise and harm done to her porcelain skin while murderous rage coursed through him at every little sign of violence. He wished he had killed the bastard himself. He had been so close, he could have put his hands over his throat and choked the lowlife into oblivion.
But no. Even as he recognized his need for revenge, he understood that hers was greater. She had been shocked, yes. Taking a life, no matter how undeserving of living, was always hard. But there was a strength in her now. A newfound boldness that came from defending herself and prevailing. He wouldn’t want to take that away from her.
After patting her dry and carrying her back to the bed wrapped in the soft towel, he fell back on the soft mattress, pulling her on top. Lying passively under her, he waited for her command. For her pleasure.
“Do you want to restrain me? Tell me what you want, what you need.”
Her touch on his face was tender, but her eyes were fierce with determination.
“Not tonight. Tonight I conquer my fears. Do as you please. I trust you.”
