Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Trent’s breath was labored as he swung his leg over the saddle and jumped down to the ground.
He’d needed to move some air through his lungs, so he’d given the horse its head on the way back from checking in with Mrs. Elmhurst, and he had not disappointed.
Probably needed a good run, too. He rubbed his muzzle affectionately before handing the reins to a groom.
Brennan had gotten back just before him and groaned as he sat down in the shade on the side of the stables.
“You too, huh?” Trent asked as he joined him. “I’m surprised Ash didn’t take you with him this morning.”
Brennan shook his head. “Not yet.”
“Any idea when he’s planning for you to go back?”
“Are you trying to get rid of me now?”
“God no. If it were up to me, you’d stay.”
“I’d be half tempted to. The air is clean up here, and it smells good. And you’re not so bad, either. But my family is in London, and I need to get back to them.”
“Are you married?”
Brennan chuckled. “No woman of sound mind would marry me. But I have four younger sisters and my mother. Ash promised they’d be safe while I was away.”
Trent whistled. “Four? You must be one of the saints Allister was talking about.”
Brennan scoffed. “Have you bumped your head? There’s not a single saintly thing about me.”
“Well, I’m sure they’ll be glad to have you back. But I will miss you. You’ve made my life so much easier.”
“It doesn’t need to be any harder when I leave. If you need more help, hire it.”
“I will.” He groaned again as he got to his feet. “I need to go in and get cleaned up so I’m presentable for dinner. I’ve dallied too long and I’m going to be late if I don’t hurry.”
Moulton was in the entrance hall when Trent entered. “Will you please have a bath readied and send Benson up to my room?”
“Your bath is already waiting for you, sir. I’ll send Mr. Benson up.”
Trent paused for a moment to take it all in. This wonderful life. “Thank you, Moulton. I appreciate you, and everything you do.”
His brow furrowed ever so slightly. The poor man didn’t know how to feel about that. “Of course, sir.”
He’d barely climbed into the bath when Benson entered. “You asked for me?”
Trent was already scrubbing the dirt off his body. “I was hoping you might help me to dress and shave so that I don’t keep the ladies waiting.”
He nodded, a smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. Without a word, he opened the armoire and pulled out a clean suit.
When Trent entered the dining room, Samantha was just settling Maggie into her chair.
When she looked at him, her smile took his breath away.
She was especially beautiful tonight. She wore a yellow gown he’d never seen before.
She didn’t usually wear a lot of color. But this one offset the caramel shade of her hair and the pink of the blush that grew as he stared at her.
“Trent!”
Maggie’s excited shout broke the enchantment, and he forced his eyes to her instead. “Good evening, Maggie.”
He pulled out Samantha’s chair, not waiting for the footman to do it. She brushed a hand along his arm before sitting down. “Thank you,” she said quietly.
Even though Ash had only been there for two nights, the table felt empty without his presence at the head of it. A plate was set in front of each of them, already filled. Another reminder that Ash was gone.
“Maggie, tell your brother what you learned today.”
Maggie’s whole face brightened, but she finished chewing her food before she spoke. “I learned how to write my name!”
“Well done, Little Mouse! You’re so clever! I can’t wait for you to show me!”
She nodded happily. “Mantha put it on your desk so you can see it!” She wiggled as she took another bite of beef.
“Thank you,” he said to Samantha. He said a silent prayer that he could somehow be enough that she’d want to stay. She was so good to Maggie. And to him. And he hadn’t been exaggerating when he’d told her he’d fallen head over heels.
After sending Maggie up with Mrs. Baird, Trent escorted Samantha to her room to change for story time.
He had only planned to deliver her and continue to his own room, but she tugged him inside and shut the door before dragging him down for a kiss.
It wasn’t gentle or slow, it was needy and demanding.
She plunged her tongue into his mouth and he groaned as desire ignited.
But then she pulled away, her breathing just as ragged as his own.
She smiled up at him. “I’ve been wanting to do that all day.”
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to do all day too, but it has to wait until after Maggie’s bedtime story.”
She nodded, hunger darkening her eyes. “There’s another thing I want to do while I still have proper clothes on.”
“Speaking of that, you look beautiful in that dress. The color suits you.”
She smiled shyly, but then she lowered herself to her knees.
“Should I be kneeling with you?”
She shook her head, and her smile grew even wider. “You didn’t step away from me. You would have in the beginning.”
“You’re right. But I know you now. I trust you.”
“I don’t know how, but I’m so glad you do.” She reached for his hands. “You are the kindest, most incredible man I have ever met. I know you think that’s not a hard competition based on my past. But keep in mind, I’m also including my brother and yours in the mix.”
A confusing medley of emotions swelled in his chest. Surely, he wasn’t deserving of that sentiment, but there was no question of her sincerity.
“You’re not the only one who has fallen,” she continued. “I am in love with you. And Maggie, and this whole life. We are a beautiful family, and I want it, forever.”
His heart stumbled as he realized what was happening. He was supposed to be the one on his knee, not her. But once again, she was proving just how strong she was. Taking control of her life.
“Trent Gibson, will you marry me?”
Joy and gratitude burst through him. “Yes. A thousand times, yes.”
Tears trickled down her face and she sprang to her feet, throwing her arms around his neck. He wrapped her in a tight embrace and lifted her off the floor. She was going to be his wife.
“I love you,” she whispered into his ear.
“And I love you.” He pressed a kiss against her lips before setting her back on her feet. “Am I going to have to start calling you Samantha Gibson once we’re married?”
Her laughter was carefree and radiant. “You may call me whatever you’d like.”
“How about wonderful, amazing, beautiful, powerful, and resilient?”
She sighed wistfully. “You’d better go change. We wouldn’t want to keep Maggie waiting.”
* * *
Samantha didn’t hear any of the words that Trent spoke as he read stories for Maggie.
She could only stare at him in wonder. She was going to be married.
Really married. To a man who would never hurt her.
Never allow anyone else to hurt her either.
She had no doubt he would protect her with his last breath.
He was such a good man. Even now, he sat, reading stories for his precious little sister. Benson was right. He was already a father, in every way that mattered. And as his wife, she’d be as much a mother. Something she thought she’d never be.
She laid on top of the blankets beside Maggie. Her little eyes were beginning to droop. It wouldn’t be long now before she drifted off. Trent usually continued to read for a few minutes, to make sure she was deeply asleep, so she wouldn’t wake when they left her.
When they eventually returned to Samatha’s room, Trent closed the door, a hungry smile growing on his lips. “Will you allow me to repeat what I did last night? I haven’t stopped thinking about it all day.”
She hadn’t either. She’d never experienced something so powerful before. “Only a fool would say no to such an offer.” Her stomach fluttered, just thinking about it. “But let’s skip the freckles this time.”
He breathed a laugh, then pushed away from the door and claimed her mouth. His fingers were warm against her scalp as he pushed them through her hair. His tongue sent tingles through her body as it danced with her own.
She reached between them and began untying the ribbons at her throat. He took a step back and watched her work, shaking his head.
“We need to get you some nightclothes that are easier to remove. Surely they can’t all be this difficult.”
“I agree.” She’d originally chosen very modest nightclothes because they made her more comfortable. But she didn’t need that now. “Ella could certainly make something you’d approve of.”
A low hum signaled his assent as she shrugged out of the wrapper. “Get those buttons open so I can pull that over your head and see your incredible body.”
“And what about yours? I want you naked tonight.”
He smiled and started on his own buttons. When the top was off, he stopped and continued to watch her.
“And these,” she said, pulling on the drawstring.
“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.”
“Are you hiding something from me? I’m familiar enough to know it’s not the size you’re embarrassed of.” She raised a brow and his whole face bloomed with crimson.
“It’s not that. It’s just… when I touch you, and taste you, it makes me want so much more.”
“We’re engaged now. Do you plan to stay pure until our wedding night?”
He chuckled, shaking his head. Finally, he finished untying them and pushed them to the floor. “Now you.”
“I don’t even get a moment to admire you?” He couldn’t be any redder. She laughed and pressed a brief kiss against his mouth. “Still a perfect gentleman.”
He rolled his eyes. “Hardly.”
He was so sweet. Her fiancé. She unbuttoned her nightgown and lifted her arms in the air so he could pull it over her head.
He lifted the fabric, but not all the way off.
He threw it over her head, covering her face, and before she could untangle herself, her nipple was in his mouth.
She gasped as desire surged through her body.
She could hardly take a breath before he left that one and moved to the other.
His tongue flicked it, creating jolts of pleasure.
Finally, he stopped and pulled her nightgown all the way off.
His smile was bordering on smug. She loved that his confidence was growing.
She was tempted to touch him, but she didn’t want to push him.
Instead, she climbed onto the bed, laid on her back, and spread her legs.
It was definitely the better way to exert her power.
Fierce hunger filled his eyes as his gaze swept over her body. He knelt between her legs and lowered himself onto his hands to look into her eyes. “Are you sure you proposed to the right man? I don’t know how I could possibly be good enough for you.”
He kissed her, not allowing her to respond, but she didn’t mind. His tongue flicked over hers, suggestive of what was to come. He teased both of her nipples and trailed kisses down her stomach. By the time he settled himself between her thighs, she was desperate for his touch.
“Please don’t make me wait any longer,” she begged.
There was a soft growl before he pushed her legs wide.
His mouth claimed her sex with tantalizing possessiveness.
She called out as pleasure seared through her, already so close, but she didn’t want it to end so quickly.
Closing her eyes, she concentrated, holding herself back from the edge.
Not yet. It felt too good. But somehow, the pleasure continued to climb, and she couldn’t stop it.
She plunged her fingers into his hair, pulling him against her desperate flesh.
Sucking in a deep breath, she called out as pleasure shattered her.
Wave after wave of sensation rocked her, until finally, she began to calm.
She continued to tremble as Trent kissed his way up her body to lie beside her.
“We’re not done,” she said breathlessly. “That was far too fast, and I want you inside me.”
He shook his head. “I don’t really know—”
“Don’t,” she cut him off. “I know you want it as much as I do. Please. I want to share that with you tonight.” She reached down and wrapped her fingers around him. He drew in a sharp breath.
“Oh God.” His voice was shaky.
She let him go. “Please.”
With a jerky nod, he settled himself between her legs. He pressed his tip against her entrance, his brow furrowed. “Do I just go in?”
“Yes.”
“But what if I hurt you?”
“You won’t. I promise.”
Gently, he pressed himself into her body. His eyes grew wide, and his body tensed.
“Yes,” she said. “Just like that.”
He pulled out and plunged in again. “My God. I’ve never. Oh!” He threw back his head, his body heaving, as his seed spilled deep inside her body.
He stared down at her in awe. “That was.” His breathing was rough. “I have no words.”
He collapsed beside her, resting his head on her shoulder. “That was the most incredible thing I’ve ever felt in my life.” He was out of breath. “Another thing I’m no good at, I’m afraid. I know it wasn’t supposed to be over so quickly. I’m sorry. There was just no stopping it.”
She pulled him in, kissing the top of his head. “How could you expect to be good at it when you’ve never done it before?”
He looked up at her. “Even now, you taunt me?”
She laughed. “Especially now.”
“Do you think I’ll get better with practice?”
“I look forward to finding out. But you were already incredible.”