Despite the linen of her chemise between them, the sensation must’ve been what she’d needed, because Athena bucked against him and made a sound ofneed, which matched his.
How simple would it be to pull up her chemise and slip his fingers inside her? Or his cock? He knew she’d be wet and ready for him.
But their sons were right over there, likely giggling at their parents kissing, and Cash knew a quick tupping upright in the river wouldn’t be enough for him. He wanted the chance to take her, again and again, until he was sated. He wanted to see her writhe in ecstasy below him—hell, abovehim too—and hear the sounds she made as she came undone.
He shifted his grip so he held her by the thighs, a position which was pure torture for him, as he broke the kiss.
“Tomorrow,” he gasped, echoing the plea from their first day together. “Athena, come with me to town tomorrow.” Breathing heavily, he pressed his forehead against hers. “Can you get away and meet me there?”
She wasn’t as quick to recover as he was, or maybe she was considering the ramifications. Either way, she eventually pressed a kiss to his temple and hummed in agreement. “Where?”
Thank God!
She was as ready for a tumble as he was!
“Nowhere important.” He didn’t want to be recognized. “There’s an inn on the other side of the city, The Sword and Sheath, which makes some truly remarkable dishes.” And the rooms were cleaned and well-appointed. “Meet me there for luncheon?”
And sport afterward.
Slowly she nodded and straightened away from him. “Luncheon, aye. I can get away for the afternoon as well.” Good. She understood his intent, and judging from the eager look in her eyes, she approved. “But I have an engagement tomorrow evening, I am sorry to say, and I will have to leave in enough time to prepare.”
Engagement?
What did that mean?
She had an invitation to attend something?
Or “engagement” as in amanhad engaged her company?
Well, she’d been quick to say yes to Cash, and if Cash had his way, after tomorrow, he’d be able to woo her away from whatever protector she might already have.
“Is that acceptable, Cash?”
He startled. “Hmm? Oh, yes, of course. As it happens, I have an engagement tomorrow evening as well.”
The blasted Friday dance at Dumpkins Manor, where yet another blushing debutante would be tossed at him for the obligatory dance.
In his arms, Athena shifted until she was holding his cheeks between her palms. The water swirled around them. “And tomorrow afternoon, after this remarkable luncheon, when the pair of us are safely hidden from small prying eyes…might wethendiscuss the length of oak wood currently pressed against my most sensitive area?”
Only his Athena could discuss something so intimate—so gauche—with such flippant ease.
Cash grinned. “I hope so. Oh God, I hope so.”
Perhaps it was his fervent plea, or maybe she was just feeling silly, but Athena began to laugh; great peals of laughter, which drew their sons’ attention. With Callan clinging to his shoulders, Matthew began to battle the gentle current to reach their side.
As if understanding their interlude was over, Athena used her hold on his cheeks to pull Cash closer for one more quick kiss. Then, still laughing, she threw herself backward.
Since she was holding onto his face, and her legs were wrapped around his waist, Cash had no choice but to follow her into the water.
They emerged to calls of, “Mama! Are ye alive?” and Matthew urging Callan to be still.
As Athena half-swam, half-walked to take charge of her son so he didn’t drown the older lad, Cash was filled with the most perfect sense of peace once more.
He tilted his head to the sky, closed his eyes, and joined in with the laughter.
CHAPTER 5
“You’re going, my dear, and that’s final!”
