Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
It was after midnight before Max finally returned to Ironheart’s. It was no longer his wedding day. As much as it had been productive, he’d wanted to spend it with his bride.
First, the queen had required a detailed accounting of all that he and Ironheart knew. This was tricky considering that they had a club no one knew existed. Ironheart had glossed over that detail as only he could. A “private gaming society” was what he’d called it. The fact that Whitehouse’s son had been a member seemed to satisfy the queen's curiosity as to why they’d been targeted. She’d listened to all of it and then thanked them for their contributions. Max supposed it wasn’t every day that a third son stopped a plot to overthrow the crown.
Her recompense had left him reeling. She’d bequeathed him a barony in the north of England. It came with a small manor and enough assets to support it. Today, Sophie had become a baroness. He’d come home to tell her that he’d be able to provide the life she truly deserved when he’d found that imposter with his hands on his wife. Even now, Max’s fists clenched with rage at the sight of Sophie being dragged across the floor. He’d barely kept himself from tearing that man limb from limb.
Instead, he’d brought the imposter to the New Police and delivered him into custody. He’d insisted that a barrister for the crown be brought in to hear his testimony and had mentioned that he’d been awarded a barony from the queen herself hours earlier. He’d stay in London long enough to make certain that the man was hanged. He’d not risk him ever being free again.
Now, he walked through Ironheart’s home, the darkness and quiet helped him relax.
“My lord,” Ironheart called from the top of the stairs.
“Your Grace.”
“Jail or death?”
“Jail.”
“Really? I thought for certain you were dumping his body in the Thames.”
“Hmm,” he answered. “I’ll cut the skin off him one piece at a time if he touches my wife again.”
Ironheart chuckled. “Your control is admirable. And thank you for not killing him in the library. Blood is murder to get out of drapery.”
Max’s brows lifted. “You’re welcome.”
“I know you’re eager to make your way upstairs,” Ironheart said as he swept his hand up the stairs. “But I wanted to say thank you for working with me. It has been an honor.”
Max trotted up the stairs to the second-floor landing. He grabbed Ironheart’s elbow, and Ironheart did the same, in a warrior’s handshake. “For me too. You’re more than you give yourself credit for.”
Ironheart looked away. “I think if you asked Lady Tabetha, she’d tell you that I am exactly what people think I am.”
“You haven’t let her see the best parts of you.” He let the man’s arm go. “You should. A woman like that would keep you on your toes.”
“Hmm,” Ironheart said, which was no answer at all.
Max grinned as he trotted up the stairs. He opened the door to his room to find Sophie already in bed. She lifted her head, her forehead resting on her hand as she pulled back the covers. She’d lit several candles about the room so he could see as she pulled back the covers. She was as naked as the day she was born.
He closed the door, but he didn’t move immediately to the bed. Instead, he crossed to the chair in the corner, stripping off his clothing. “Wife.”
“Husband.”
He sat, tugging off his boots. “I missed you today.”
“The waiting has been endless.”
He grimaced as he unbuttoned his breeches, shucking them down his thigh. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” she whispered, pulling the covers back a bit more.
He accepted the invitation, slipping into the bed and pulling her body against his even as he tucked the covers back over her. He kissed her lips. It was long, slow, and full of the love he wanted her to know was in his heart.
“You saved me,” she murmured against his lips. “I thought…”
He gathered her closer, his hand slipping into the thick silky strands of her hair. “I will never let anything hurt you, sweetheart.”
“I know,” she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you for being my safe harbor. My home.”
“You’re my home. My life. My love. My everything.” He rolled onto his back, pulling her on top of him.
She came willingly, her body pressed to his as her knees settled on either side of his hips. He ran his hands up the back of her thighs, kissing her over and over as he massaged her flesh. He wanted her to feel loved but also powerful. Sophie was his woman and his guiding light.
They kissed. Their bodies moved together as they warmed each other, the passion building until he finally slid inside her sheath. He moved slowly, carefully, but she didn’t wince. Instead, she met his hips, arching her own to take more of him. They moved slowly at first as he made love to her gently, to make certain she understood. Her happiness was above all.
Soon, their thrusts grew more frenzied, her breath coming out in short gasps as she chased her pleasure. His desire rose, his finish growing closer as she tightened around him, her cries only making his own need heighten.
And when she broke apart, he did too, their bodies like one.
“I love you,” he pushed out through ragged breaths, knowing the words weren’t enough but unable to find better ones.
“I love you too,” she held his face between her small palms, kissing his lips. “Forever.”
He wrapped her tight in his arms, knowing that he’d never let go.