Chapter Ten
Mary could hardly keep pace with her husband as he strode over the property in the dark.
Knowing that they’d come to an understanding completely made everything go topsy turvy, and she was forever grateful it appeared Gabriel had decided to end his jealous posturing.
But the other wonder of the night was being able to see shooting stars.
For once it hadn’t been raining or cloudy, and because of that, the stars shone for them.
It made her feel as if her petty squabbles with Bright were insignificant when put against the wonders of the universe. It also reinforced the hope that things would be right as rain between them soon.
“Where are we going?”
“Almost there, love.”
Heated tingles went through her lower belly, for the return of his endearments and the fact he’d put together a flower bouquet for her indicated a change in the wind. “I’m intrigued, but it’s a bit chilly out here away from the manor.”
“That won’t prove an issue soon enough.”
A few moments later, they approached one of the larger outbuildings near the stable yard.
“Isn’t this—”
“The carriage house? It is.” As he spoke, he pulled her close then slipped an arm about her waist. “Do you know why?”
“Oh.” Nearly overcome with emotion, she clung to his hand. “This is where we first met, where you showed how cheeky you are by kissing me.”
“Indeed,” he said as they reached the large double doors.
“And this is where we will recommit our relationship.” After releasing her hand, Bright took one of the door handles and tugged at the heavy panel.
It swung open on slightly creaky hinges, and once the dark opening gaped enough for them to pass through, he then closed it behind them.
“It’s quite private here, ensuring we won’t be interrupted. ”
Yet a tiny wink of illumination came from a lantern left burning on a hook at the back of the structure, which meant a watchman wasn’t far. “Surely you don’t mean to…”
“I think you know me well enough to realize where you are concerned, I mean to do anything and everything.” While Mary sputtered and racked her brain to find words of a response, Gabriel pulled her through the many vehicles parked within until he came to a large coach.
The black paint has been recently polished and the golden Stanwick crest glimmered in the dim light on one of the doors.
“This is Francis’ traveling coach.”
“Yes, and it will be our private bed for the night.” As his chuckle sent shivers down her spine in the dark, he tugged open the door to the vehicle. “Mind the steps. I’m not going through the trauma of bringing them down.”
“Especially since there is undoubtedly a watchman or guard nearby,” she added while standing back to give him room.
“I’m not worried of being interrupted. Absolutely no one would have this same idea.
” After he handed her into the dark maw that was the interior of the coach, Bright followed her up.
Seconds later, he settled on one of the benches next to her.
“Thank the heavens Francis insists that all his conveyances be well-squabbed.” Then he tugged her into his arms and kissed her hard enough and with such authority her head swam.
It reminded her very much of their earlier times together, before their lives had become busy and they weren’t often afforded time alone.
With a sigh, she gave herself over to his mastery, and each meeting of mouths worked to sweep away the worry and irritation caused from the week’s contretemps. As her fingers curled into the lapels of his tailcoat, she returned his kisses with a hunger that surprised her.
“I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered between kisses.
“As have I.” There was no mistaking the desire behind his embrace as he moved over her mouth or drew his fingers up and down her back.
“Please say you’ll come back to our shared room tonight after the ball.”
“Nothing could tear me away, sweeting.” With his eyes glittering in the dark, he removed his gloves, tossed them to the bench beside him.
“Thank goodness for that.” Clouds of drugging passion came over her as she fell beneath his spell.
She wanted him more than she’d wanted anything, especially after the stress of this week, but she also wished to show him the depth of her regard, to reassure her husband that she wanted no one else but him regardless of whatever challenged them. “Gabriel, stop.”
“Why? Surely you know where this will end.”
“I do, of course, and I can’t wait, but let me guide the seduction just now.”
He grunted and reached for her. “I don’t know if I can do that. I’ve been incredibly primed…”
“You will enjoy this.” Batting his hands away, she broke their kiss then slipped to the floorboards and kneeled between his splayed knees.
“And it is something we don’t often indulge in.
” Not because they both didn’t adore it, but due to time constraints and Bright’s inability to remain quiet in clandestine situations.
“What are you about?” Since there was very little illumination to speak of inside the coach, she couldn’t see the emotions in his eyes, but concern mixed with breathless desire in his voice.
“Showing you that I appreciate you, appreciate what you’re doing every damned day for me and the children. Showing you…” Her voice broke as she quickly removed her gloves then tossed them to the seat next to him. “Showing you that I’m sorry for my part in this week’s mess.”
“There is nothing to apologize for; I’m just as guilty.” When he reached for her, she waved his hands away.
“Never again, Gabriel. I don’t want to feel like this again.”
“Neither do I, sweeting. It nearly tore me apart, both emotionally and mentally.”
“I know.” Before she could change her mind, Mary fumbled at the buttons of his frontfalls. “We don’t do this very often, so it will make more of an impression on you now…” Her words trailed off as his engorged shaft made itself known. “Heavens, I’d forgotten just how impressive you are.”
“Oh, dear God.” He cupped her cheek. “Mary, please…”
“Hush.” As his hardened length popped into her hands, all soft, heated silk over tempting steel, tremors of need throbbed through her core.
She licked her lips in anticipation. “We can’t let what we keep in fear hold us back.
There is no one moment in time that we can freeze; time marches onward, and we must go with it if we are to survive together. ”
“Perhaps this is so, but…” He groaned, in either defeat or frustration, and it was the most erotic sound she’d ever heard.
“Ha.” She closed her lips over the wide head of his member. His growl spurred her onward, and suddenly it didn’t matter that she didn’t indulge in this act often; he enjoyed it, and perhaps he would return the favor before they went back to London.
She slid down his shaft, taking as much of him as she could into her mouth, and seconds later, she eased off.
Her heart pounded frantically behind her ribcage.
Slowly, she swirled her tongue about his thick length as she cupped his stones.
The warmth of him, the hair covering them that tickled her skin, the slightly salty taste of him worked at her own undoing, and as she bobbed up and down on him, reveling in the feel of his shaft inside her mouth, she imagined him employing that impossibly hard, hot member on her body.
A whimper of need escaped her as she worked.
“Mary…” Desperation graveled Gabriel’s voice. He held her head between his large hands, threaded his fingers into her hair, and only then did he thrust upward into her mouth.
She drew a hand up the side of his thigh and continued her work, moving in time to his strokes. Feeling cheeky, she let her teeth lightly graze the sensitive underside of his shaft. The hiss of warning was her reward.
“Bloody hell, I’m going to come early if you don’t leave off.
” He straightened his posture, which broke their erotic connection.
In the anemic illumination, need darkened his eyes to the color of the most mysterious green pools.
“There are more pleasurable things we can enjoy together that will see us both sated.”
“I’m not finished.” Oh, dear, had she provoked a storm? “And I was enjoying myself.”
“Such a vixen, and at your age.” Teasing wove through his voice, but he drew her up onto his lap, encouraging her to straddle him.
“Age doesn’t mean a couple can’t enjoy carnal endeavors.” Her skirting pooled around them, and every tiny movement sent various bits of fabric against her trembling flesh.
“Oh, I’m quite aware of that.” On the heels of a chuckle, Bright cradled her head between his hands and kissed her so thoroughly she honestly thought he wished to caress her soul.
Perhaps he did, for if he felt the desperation to join with him that she held for him, it was entirely possible.
“Then we shouldn’t waste any more time.” The hot thickness of his length rubbed against her arse cheek, growing more insistent the longer he plundered her mouth, and it was all Mary could do to match his overtures.
When the throbbing need grew too intense, she moved.
Never breaking their kiss, she rose onto her knees and, putting a hand between them to guide that rampant arousal to where she wanted him, she slowly lowered herself onto it until she was fully impaled.
“Heavens, I have waited for days to come back together with you, and this moment didn’t disappoint.
” Sensation swamped her. It zipped through her body, touching everywhere, lighting fires throughout her blood, and she let out a shuddering sigh.
“I’ve missed you.” Society would probably call them depraved for how many times they fell into bed together, but she didn’t care.
Physical love was just as important as anything else.
We’ve forgotten that while lost in the ordinary things of life.