Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Trent stared down at the blank page. He wasn’t sure what to say, but he needed to send a telegram to Ash. Simpler was probably better in this case.
She proposed, and I said yes.
He smiled as he read the words again. It would do.
He couldn’t stop thinking about her. Seeing her naked body.
Feeling her walls hugging him as he moved within her.
They’d had a second round last night, and he’d lasted a bit longer that time.
She’d even climaxed with him. He could still see her head thrown back, breasts shaking with each plunge.
He blew out a breath. Now was not the time.
He rubbed his hands over his face. It would not do for him to be fully erect when he went into Maggie’s room, and that was next on his agenda.
Leaving his office, he stopped by Samantha’s room. He wanted her by his side when he told everyone.
She came straight to him and pressed her lips against his. “You’ve only been away for an hour, and I already missed you.”
He lifted one of her hands for a kiss. “I don’t know how I’ll ever be worthy of your love, but I am grateful for it.”
She rolled her eyes, surprising a laugh from him.
“Are you ready to tell Maggie? I want her to hear it before anyone else.”
“I can’t wait.” She slipped her arm through his.
Maggie greeted them with her usual vibrant smile. “Good morning, Maggie,” they said in unison.
“Good morning!” She shimmied with her excitement. How would it be to wake up with so much happiness every morning? Perhaps he would, with Samantha sharing his bed. He picked Maggie up and sat down on the side of the bed, settling her onto his lap. Samantha sat down next to him.
“We have something to tell you.” Her eyes grew wide as she waited for him to continue. “Samantha and I are going to be married.”
She jumped out of his arms and ran in a little circle, clapping her hands. “Yay!” She stopped and looked up at Samantha, scrunching her brow. “What does that make you?”
“That will make me your sister.”
She drew in a breath, her mouth open wide. “My sister?” She looked at Trent. “I’m going to be a sister!”
He chuckled. “You already are a sister, Little Mouse. To me, silly girl.” She dissolved with giggles and threw herself into his arms.
There was a tap on the door. “Mrs. Baird is going to get you dressed, and we’ll meet you in the dining room for breakfast.” Mrs. Baird wouldn’t need to be there for his announcement. He could count on Maggie to tell her.
They were barely out of the room when he heard her shout the news. “They’re getting married. I’m going to be a sister!”
He wrapped his arm around Samantha’s shoulders and pulled her against his side. “It’s official now. No going back. I hope you’re not having second thoughts.”
“I hope you’re not having any second thoughts. Maggie would never forgive you. She’s finally going to be a sister.”
He’d never given any thought to what kind of woman he might one day marry.
But even if he had, he couldn’t have imagined one so smart, funny, and strong.
His mother had been. She’d often made jokes and teased him, but it had always come from a place of love.
In some ways, Samantha was like her. A fighter.
He squeezed her hand as they walked into the ballroom.
The servants were already assembled there, and his stomach immediately tied itself into a tight knot.
It felt odd, summoning them all, just as Ash had done on the day he’d introduced Trent.
He wanted to tell them about their betrothal before it became gossip.
He breathed in deeply, imagining what Ash might do to combat nervousness.
Surely, he must feel that way sometimes.
He stood in front of the piano, Samantha by his side this time, instead of Ash.
“You are worthy,” she whispered into his ear.
“Thank you all for being here. I’ve gathered you because I have an announcement.” This whole thing felt like a dream. “Miss Allister and I are going to be married.”
A cheer spread through the room. Brennan stood at the back and called out, “Hip hip.”
An answering, “Hooray!” filled the room, and the cheer was repeated twice more.
Samantha leaned in and whispered into his ear. “I told you so.”
“They’re cheering because they’ve fallen in love with you too, and they’re glad you’ll be staying.”
She smiled shyly and squeezed his hand.
Trent hated to leave her, but there was work to be done on the estate, so after breakfast, he went out to find Brennan.
“Congratulations, boss.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m still not sure how you managed it without Allister castrating you. I thought he was going to kill you that night.”
Trent choked on a laugh. “So did I.”
“For what it’s worth, I’m glad he didn’t.”
“You and me both.”
Try as he might, Trent couldn’t concentrate on anything all day. His mind only seemed to be able to focus on Samantha. He wanted to be with her. Wanted to hear her laugh… and moan. Wanted to touch her and hold her and make love to her.
Halfway through the afternoon, Brennan stopped in the middle of whatever he was talking about and snapped his fingers in front of Trent’s face.
“Go home. You don’t need to be here.”
Trent shook himself. “I’m sorry. I’m listening.”
“You’re not listening, or you’d know that I said go home. Your mind is already there anyway.”
“No. I apologize. I’ll do better.”
Brennan chuckled. “You might as well take advantage of this while I’m here. I have this well in hand. I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you. Go. Home.”
Only a fool would continue to argue. “Thank you.”
After looking everywhere else, Trent finally found Samantha in the library. The smile he was greeted with confirmed that coming home was the right choice.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Thoughts of you made it impossible for me to concentrate, so Brennan sent me home.”
She slid the book she was holding back onto the shelf. “What kind of thoughts?”
He took her hands in his. “If you come with me to the bedroom, I’ll show you.”
“Why not show me here?”
He looked around the wide-open room. “We can’t get naked here.”
She laughed. “We don’t need to get naked. Close the door.”
He didn’t move right away, still not fully understanding.
“I thought you said you trust me.”
He closed his mouth and pushed the door shut. “I want to taste you. How do I do that?”
“Trent Gibson, aren’t you even going to kiss me first?”
“Is that not kissing?”
Pink flooded her cheeks and he laughed before pulling her in and claiming her mouth. “For the record,” he said between kisses, “I love tasting your mouth too.”
“You know, you haven’t let me taste you yet.” She brushed her fingers over the front of his trousers.
He looked into her eyes. “I don’t…” He paused, not quite sure how to speak his thoughts. “I don’t want you to do that. At least not yet.” The thought of her on her knees pleasuring him, although tempting in many ways, just didn’t feel right. “Does that bother you?”
She shook her head. “No, but it makes me feel selfish to just keep taking.”
“You must be joking.” He pulled her against him.
“Do you know what it does to me when I taste you?” He squeezed her bottom.
“When I feel you and hear my name called from your lips when pleasure overcomes you?” He groaned just thinking about it.
“How do we do this with our clothes on? Because I want you.”
She took his hand and led him to the sofa.
“Split drawers are good for a lot of things.” Pressing on his shoulders, she encouraged him to kneel, and he eagerly obliged.
She sat down in front of him and claimed his mouth.
He would never tire of kissing her. She opened her legs and he moved between them, reaching for the hem of her skirts.
Her flesh was hot and wet, and she whimpered as he slid his finger gently over her.
“Lie back.” She did, and he ducked his head beneath her skirts. How was it even better than he remembered? Something about the possibility of being caught heightened his arousal, and hers as well, judging by the sounds she was already making.
He moaned with her as she neared her peak, wrapping his arms around her legs to keep her in place. Her cries were muffled. She must have put a throw pillow over her face. He reveled in the knowledge that it was necessary. He loved bringing her pleasure.
When she eventually calmed, he let her go and straightened her skirts. She sat up, her face set with determination. “Sit down,” she said as she got up. “I want to ride you.”
He nearly choked. He didn’t fully understand what that meant, but it sounded good, so he didn’t argue. She quickly opened his trousers and straddled him. Her gaze was fixed with his as she lowered herself down onto him.
“Oh God,” he groaned. She moved up and down, nearly driving him over the edge.
“Wait, wait, wait.” He gripped her hips, begging her to hold still.
“I wasn’t ready for how good that was going to feel.
Give me just a moment to regain control.
” He breathed deeply, trying to think about anything else, but it was impossible.
“I didn’t know anything could feel so incredible.
Your body is nothing short of perfection. ”
“Yours isn’t bad either.” Her smile was teasing, but then she bit down on her bottom lip as she sank down on him again, her groan appreciative and needy.
With every last thread of composure he possessed, he held on, even as his body screamed for release.
Her eyes grew wide and she pulled his lips against hers, her cries filling his mouth.
Finally, as her body contracted around him, he let go.
He lost all control, throwing his head back and yelling his pleasure to the heavens.
So much for being discreet.
“I’m sorry,” he panted.