Was that a hint of laughter in his voice? She glanced up, but he was not smiling at all.
“Mary?”
The apex of her thighs dampened and throbbed. “You.”
He shook his head. “I’m here.”
“No.” She wasn’t making any sense at all. “Help me out.”
When he gripped her waist, she swung her arms around his neck, breathing in his scent. He smelled of musk, and him. “I want to make love.”
Kit shifted her, placing his hand under her derrière, and what a delicious feeling that was. “You’ll be sore.”
“I need you now.”
He stopped arguing. The screen toppled over as he strode to the door, locking it, then took her to the bed. He laid her down gently, before divesting himself of his robe.
This time she knew what was going on and where everything went, and planned to enjoy every bit of what he could give her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Mary stood in the copper tub as it glinted in the afternoon sun, looking like a nymph emerging from the sea. Water droplets glistened on her creamy skin. Kit had been tempted to debate the merits of waiting a while longer before making love again, yet when she had stared at him and his shaft answered, he had to have her. He lifted her from the vessel placing her feet gently on the floor, then picked up the towel from a nearby stool and slowly dried her before carrying her to bed.
He let down her hair, fisting the curls in his hand and burying his nose in them. Kissing her eyelids, the corner of her lips, his other palm roamed freely, paying close attention to which spots elicited the deepest moans and breathiest sighs.
They’d got off to a rough start, but he prayed they were making up for it now. Mary mumbled something about riding a horse, which didn’t make a lot of sense, but gave him an idea. This time he’d let her control the penetration. He lifted her on top of him.
She straddled him, her hot, wet core touching his nether parts. “Can we do it like this?”
“There are a great many ways to do it.” He took advantage of his position, cupping her breasts. She cried out when he licked each one, and began rocking on him.
“I want . . .”
“I know.” He lifted her up, slowly lowering her onto him, until she could manage it herself. “Better?”
Biting down on her lip, she nodded. Her divine face was a mask of concentration. His love for her hit him like one of Jackson’s punches. She was everything. His life, his home, his future. Nomistress or lover had made him feel as possessive as he did now. How he’d thought he could have a companionable marriage, he didn’t know. All Kit wanted was Mary’s happiness, and he would do anything for her. He touched her tender nubbin.
Waves of pleasure washed through Mary. This time she could feel Kit as she convulsed around him. Tears of joy pricked her eyes. Just as he had in driving the carriage, he encouraged her to take what she wanted. Yet he knew exactly what she needed at the right moment. She trembled and fell over him as he finally took his own relief. His arms enclosed her, holding her tightly. She’d known she loved him; still, this lovemaking brought them together in ways she’d never dreamed of or known about. She couldn’t imagine her life without him, and knew she’d fight for him and their family.
His fingers winnowed through her hair as he kissed her forehead and the tip of her nose.
Against her head, his lips curved. “Have I told you lately that I adore you?”
Snaking her tongue out to lick his nipple, she smiled when he groaned. “No, I don’t think you’ve ever told me that.”
“I do, and I will forever.” He moved her off his chest, brushed her hair back, and kissed her. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I might even forgive our grandmothers. Though, if you’d come to London, I would have courted you without all their machinations.”
“Would you have?”
“Indeed. I’d already been searching for Barham to ask where you were. You were the only lady who never left my mind.”
She kissed him. “I had no idea. My first Season, I held dances for you, yet you never asked.”
“I thought you hadn’t noticed me.”
Mary reveled in the feel of his hard body against hers. Them, together, was so incredibly delicious. “And you believe you would have courted me this year?”
“I’m older and wiser.” He grimaced. “But I can understand why our grandmothers might not have believed I’d do it.” He touched his lips to hers. “What I’d like to know is how long they had been planning for you to go to Rose Hill.”
