Page 46 of The Boxer’s Belle

“I won’t,” he agreed with a laugh. On the next thrust, Miles twisted his hips and worked his finger and lips against her in an absurd display of coordination.

Those sparks inside her ignited at once in a brilliant, devastating crescendo. The last thing she saw before her vision whited out were Miles’s warm, loving eyes.

When she came back to herself, Bella was sprawled across Miles’s panting frame, and he was pressing a kiss to the faded scar on her temple.

“With me?” he asked.

She nodded.

“We forgot to take your boots off,” he mumbled, a smile warming his voice.

Bella hid her own smile into his chest before noticing something slick—beyond the perspiration—between them. It took her head a moment to recognize it for what it was.

“Ugh,” she grumbled as she pushed against his chest.

Miles chuckled before fumbling blindly for the floor. He reached for the dusty sheet that had covered the settee.

“Absolutely not. It’s filthy.”

An eye roll, then, “Forgive me, Lady Arabella.” Miles grabbed for his shirt and used that to gently wipe away his spend from her belly before dragging it along his and tossing it away again.

“Why did you⁠—”

“Didn’t want the risk. Not without talking to you first.”

Before she could press him further, reddened lines along his shoulders caught her attention. Her fingertips found the raised marks. “What happened?”

A laugh burst from his chest as he caught her hand in his. “Lost my first match—a proper hellcat.”

“Oh,” she whispered, her cheeks heating.

“Nothing to be ashamed of. Means I’ve done something right.”

Constitutionally incapable of complimenting the man, Bella shook her head. “I’m still cross with you.”

He hummed and urged her head back to his chest as he ran his fingers through the tangled strands of her hair. “Usually are.”

“It was nice, though.”

“Nice?” The question carried a hint of laughter. “I’m seconds from meeting the Lord, and you had a pleasant enough time.”

“Perhaps you should practice then.”

“Excellent advice. Do you know where I might find a partner to practice with?”

“If you think I’ll allow you to practice with anyone else, you’re even more of a jolter-headed simpleton than I thought.”

His prick twitched in interest against her hip as he hummed.

Bella’s head shot up. “You cannot be serious.”

“Told you before, darling. You’ve ruined me for anyone else—they’re too nice.”

Her cheeks reddened. Miles drew his fingertips to trace the blooming flush. “I hadn’t thought it extended to…”

“It’s just you… Belle. Just you. Always has been. Always will be.”

“So you want…”