Worthington reached for a glass and took a sip, and offered it to her. “It’s brandy.”
“Thank you.”
He raised her in his arms, and she took a sip, it burned.Fool’s courage.
Worthington gazed down at her. The place between her legs throbbed. “Are you sure you want to go further, my love?”
How could she not? Some part of her was still empty, and she only had tonight to last for the rest of her life. “Yes, I am positive.”
His deep voice caressed her. “Tell me if you want me to stop.”
Stop?Never.Not now that she’d gone so far. She nodded. “I will.”
Hard lips teased hers and his tongue grazed her teeth. Moaning, she met his caresses with her own. His hand stroked the apex of her thighs, placing one finger inside her. The fire burned deep in her core and he held her to the kiss as she cried out. Nothing had ever felt so good or so right.
Worthington chuckled lightly, as if he was enjoying this as much as she. Grace was wet where he touched her and wondered why. He shifted his body over hers, slowly entering, filling her. Then he thrust, and a sharp pain spiked through her, and he stopped. Worthington’s lips moved on hers and ravished her mouth, sending her into a whirling inferno that ripped away her wits.
The heat was so great Grace could only try to respond to him, to appease Worthington’s need as well as her own. He kneaded her breasts, and she cried out through the kiss, wanting more.
When his lips left hers, he was fully inside her and gently thrusting.
“How do you feel, are you all right?” he murmured.
“Yes, I feel . . .” Grace couldn’t find the words. The pain had receded and he, his body possessed her fully and she’d never known such joy.
“Well loved, I hope. You’ll feel even more so. I promise. Wrap your legs around me.”
She did as he asked, and he took her even more fully. Flames danced and she sizzled. Grace was in the storm raging outside, but somehow hot, waiting for an explosion. Suddenly sparks shot through her.
I’ll pleasure you for the rest of your life,she thought she’d heard him say.
Matt swallowed her scream with a kiss. Her legs squeezed him like a vice, and her sheath tightened around him as he held on, with no hope of withdrawing. Thrusting deeper still, he spilled his seed. His lady had clung to him and was now slowly relaxing. He pressed soft kisses in her hair. This wonderful woman was his.
Before they’d climbed the stairs he’d decided to marry her because he needed a wife and she was everything he’d been looking for. Now he knew she was necessary to his future well-being. He needed to be with her for the rest of his life. They’d wed as soon as he could arrange it and nothing would separate them.
Matt arranged her next to him in the place that would be hers for the rest of their lives “Sleep, my love.”
Tears choked her. Grace wanted to say something to Worthington and couldn’t. He’d done everything perfectly. Better than she could have ever imagined. She was such a fool to have thought she could give herself to him with no consequences. Still, she didn’t know she’d fall in love. What was worse, he called her his love as if he meant it. The pain in her chest grew as her heart ripped in pieces. Even if he did love her, nothing could come of it; she’d given her oath and could not marry.
Hours later, a beam of white light streamed through the window waking Grace. The air was still. Bright stars twinkled in the antelucan sky. The storm had passed, and she was tucked into Worthington’s side, warm and protected. She wanted to stay here for the rest of her life. Yet, she had to leave. Slipping out of the bed was harder than she’d thought it would be. He was so much larger than she, and she had to climb up out of the mattress’s indentation. When he reached for her, she thought he’d woken. Stilling, she waited until he snored softly again.
Quickly donning her chemise, she grabbed the blanket, wrapping it around her. She glanced at the bed, memorizing Worthington’s strong features, wishing she could risk kissing or touching him one last time.
Grace moved as silently as she could back to her room. She judged the time to be about four in the morning. Washing, she dressed as best as she could before ringing for the maid.
A soft knock fell on the door and Susan entered, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. “Yes, my lady.”
Grace cast the girl an apologetic look and wished she had worn a gown with buttons in the front. “Please just tie my laces, and you may go back to your bed. I am sorry to disturb you so early, but I must be on my way. Please tell your father we’ll be leaving.”
A few minutes later, Grace reached the ground floor. Mr. Brown handed her a cup of tea. “My lady, we’d be happy if you’d break your fast with us.”
Grace took the cup and smiled, but shook her head. “Thank you, but I must go home. My family will be worried.”
“Wait a bit, and I’ll get you some bread and cheese. You can eat it on the way.”
Considering the amount of food she’d consumed at dinner, she was amazingly hungry. “Thank you.”
Shortly thereafter, Grace walked through the door and out into the frozen landscape to her coach. Heavy frost covered the ground and snow decorated the inn’s windowsills. Thankfully, the moon was bright enough to guide them.
