Page 76 of The Viscount of Shadows

Chapter 26

Oliver couldn’t believe it. Claudia here, in his arms. It was beyond any dreams he had, beyond all expectations. “I know you asked for time. I am sorry I sent the note. It was arrogant of me—”

Claudia turned enough to place two fingertips against his lips, effectively silencing him. “You have destroyed my stubborn wall of resolve. The bricks fell away every time you touched me, kissed me. Oh, hell’s bells, when you walk into a room.” She stroked his cheek tenderly. “I have had such wicked dreams about you. I cannot wait for night to come to lose myself in those heated fantasies.”

Oliver’s heart soared at her words, for he did the same every night. “You do want me?”

“Yes, I want you—as the viscount and the vigilante. When those yearnings merged, I could not fathom the depths of my overwhelming feelings for you, so I tried to place them behind that barrier.” Claudia laid her head against his chest. “But they kept seeping through. I am not afraid anymore. I love you, Oliver. I am so in love with you that I—”

It was all he needed to hear. Oliver kissed her passionately, trailing his hands down her hips until he grasped her rear, bringing her in tight against his arousal.

Claudia moaned softly, writhing in his arms as if desperate to get closer. Breaking the kiss, he took her hand, and Oliver led her off the path behind a large plane tree. With her back against the tree trunk, he kissed her again as his hand tunneled under her gown.

“You are utterly stunning in this dress,” he murmured between kisses. “Beautiful no matter what you wear, laborer clothes included.”

Claudia laughed softly, then gasped as his fingers stroked her inner thigh.

“Remember what I said? About what I wanted to do?” he asked huskily.

“Oh, yes. Word for word. You said, ‘If you only knew how I wanted to vault across my desk, hold you in my arms, and kiss you senseless. Back you up against the wall, trail my hand up under your skirt, finding the wetness therein.’”

“Yes. I want to touch you. Are you wet?” Oliver whispered fiercely.

“I am. Touch me.”

Oliver needed no further invitation. His fingers burrowed through the slit in her drawers, and wetness coated his fingers. He moaned at the sensation. It would be tempting to drop to his knees and bury his face there, licking her until she screamed. But it was a public park. This is as much as he dared do under the circumstances.

He stroked her folds and, finding that sensitive nub, rubbed it with his thumb as his fingers moved in and out of her. This continued for several moments, and Oliver could feel her peak building. The ecstasy showing on her lovely face urged him onward. Claudia went limp against him, stifling her moans against his shirt sleeve.

“Come for me,” he urged, his voice rough with passion. “Come apart in my arms.”

It took no time at all. God above, he was close to spilling in his trousers. Claudia’s breath came in short gasps until she cried out, covering her mouth with her hand to stem the noise. She shuddered against him, and the tremors sent bolts of desire all through him.

After gaining control of her breathing, Claudia laid her hand against his aching cock. But Oliver heard voices in the distance before they could say or do anything. “Stay here,” he whispered. He ran toward the path, gathered up his coat, and returned to her before anyone saw him.

They stood together, holding each other close behind the tree’s large trunk, and waited until the voices passed. Oliver stroked her silken hair, laying kisses on her forehead. He could not stop touching and kissing her.

“What about you?” Claudia said as she trailed the tip of her finger along his arousal. Oliver trembled in response.

“Soon. I would like nothing more than for you to bring me to release, but not here.” He motioned toward the pathway as more voices could be heard in the distance. “We will have other opportunities. We love each other, and everything is possible.” Oliver kissed her again but soon halted as he neared the point of no return. “Did you arrive by Gideon’s carriage?” Claudia nodded. “I will escort you to it.” He slipped on his coat and buttoned it. It would not be prudent to walk about the city streets with an obvious erection.

“Everything is possible, isn’t it?” Claudia smiled.

Oliver tenderly stroked her cheek. “We have all the time in the world. I will come by Olivia and Gideon’s for breakfast. When do they serve it?”

Claudia took his hand and kissed it. “Half past nine.”

He absolutely loved it when she kissed his hand. “We will discuss what to do next about Danaher. That must be resolved before we move forward with our future. Or am I advancing this too swiftly?”

“Not at all. Not in my eyes,” Claudia murmured.

Oliver chuckled. “Society will say this all happened far too quickly. That there should be months of courtship before discussing a future together.”

“To hell with society and their rules.” Claudia threw her arms about his neck and kissed him ardently.

“I so agree,” Oliver growled. He clasped her breast, his thumb moving across her erect nipple. He wanted to take her to his bed right this very minute. Have them explore together and make love all night. He was about to suggest that very thing, but those faraway voices drew closer, and common sense again came into focus. Sighing, he took a step back, took her arm, and placed it through his.

Together, they strolled along the moonlit pathway toward Hill Street.