Page 61 of Dangerous

He couldn’t resist a smile—in between gasping for air and thrusting. Her laughter was infectious and he found himself laughing at her sheer enjoyment, redoubling his efforts to bring her through to climax.

At the sound of her long, guttural moan, he allowed himself the release he had been holding back. Every muscle in his body tensed as he spent himself inside her, his legs and arse suddenly wobbly and weak. He lowered her onto her back and then collapsed beside her with a groan, luxuriating in the loose-limbed feeling of exhaustion, the air growing cold on his sweat-slicked skin as he slowly came back to himself.

* * *

Mia felt him laugh beside her.

“What is it?”

“I pains me, but I’m afraid I will have to give Sayer the sack,” her husband said, his voice still thick with passion.

Mia’s giggle turned into a groan when he pulled his arm out from under her.

“Where are you going? I will bathe you.” She propped herself up on her elbow.

Adam shook his head emphatically. “I would not survive it. Are you prepared to go to the dinner party without me? Are you ready to tell everyone that you have put a period to my existence after less than a week of marriage?”

“There will be no premature death. I’m not finished with you, yet, my lord. Once I have finished cleaning every part of you, I will turn you over to Sayer for dressing.”

Needless to say, the bathing took significantly longer than anticipated.

* * *

When Mia entered her chambers almost two hours later, she found a new gown on her bed, a card in the bodice.

There was only one sentence, written in a surprisingly compact hand:

Come to my study after you’ve dressed. A.

Mia ran her thumb over the note, charmed to think of him penning a missive to her, no matter how brief. The dress was gorgeous. More importantly, it was something he’d chosen just for her.

The underdress was emerald green silk, but only hints of the sheath were visible beneath layers of antique gold lace that floated over the skirt. It was high-waisted and the bodice fit her like a glove. It was devoid of any other adornment or frippery and was striking in its simplicity. Even LaValle, whose superior French taste generally meant she turned her nose up at English fashions, looked impressed.

Mia rushed LaValle as she dressed her hair, eager to thank Adam for the spectacular garment. When she entered the study the look he gave her as he rose from behind the large desk was all she could have wanted.

His face was serious and unsmiling, as usual, but his magnificent eyes swept over her several times, taking in every detail.

“You look . . .” He stopped, shaking his head and finally shrugging his shoulders in defeat. “I don’t have a word for how exquisite you look.” His lips flexed into the slight smile that made her wish to be in bed with him again. Or even on the big leather couch across from his desk.

Mia dropped a deep curtsy at his praise. “Thank you so much, Adam. Your taste is divine.”

“I still think you are missing something.”

She looked down at her gloves and the front of her gown. “What?”

He walked back to his desk and took a large black velvet box from the top drawer.

Mia pursed her mouth and shook her head. “Oh Adam, I have nothing for you. You are making me feel terrible.”

“Yes, you’d better work on that, Lady Exley.” His mouth twisted mockingly as he placed the box in her hands. “Now, shut up and open your gift.”

She stroked the smooth velvet for a moment as she considered his handsome face. He met her eyes with his standard haughty look.

“Thank you.” Her heart twisted in her chest at his cold expression. He thought to fool her, but Mia already knew it was a disguise he donned whenever his emotions rose too close to the surface.

“Don’t thank me yet. You haven’t opened the box.” He folded his arms and leaned back against his desk, his pose one of indolence. “Perhaps it contains a live ferret? Or maybe a dead ferret?”

She couldn’t help laughing.