Chapter Thirteen #2
“It should be momentarily, but remember to keep quiet. I don’t want Daniel getting off his own rocks because he’s hearing you hit release.
” Already, the urge to explode thrummed just below the surface.
When he and Caroline came together, he wouldn’t last long.
But he put such thoughts from his mind to bring her to the heights of pleasure.
Again and again, he circled that button with a fingertip, hoping to God she’d spend quickly before he embarrassed himself.
“You’re not quite in the right place tonight.
” She pressed a hand over his, guiding him.
“Use strong friction. I prefer it that way.” Desire made her voice smoky and sensual; the sound of it skittered over his skin as if she’d stroked his shaft.
The fact she knew exactly what she wanted and how she wished him to touch her made him want her even more.
It was merely another reason why he was besotted with her.
Before he could enjoy the tactile feel of her or the soft sounds of enjoyment she made in the back of her throat, she gasped.
The hand resting on his shoulder clenched, her nails digging into his clothing.
“Oh, goodness!” When he assumed she’d make some sort of sound, she merely squirmed against his hand, apparently choosing to swallow her gratification. At least the driver wouldn’t hear.
Cold disappointment filled Felix’s chest. He pulled her closer and said into her ear, “If we were alone, I’d want to hear you.”
Her chuckle was a purr. “If we were alone, you wouldn’t need to ask, but there is your driver to consider.”
Shit, I think I’ve caught a tigress by the tail.
He kissed her with abandon, didn’t stop until they were both panting and breathless.
This brilliant, wonderful woman in his arms had completely upended his life and had given him a new direction, one he’d never considered before.
And still, he continued to kiss, lick, and fondle every portion of her body he could separate from her clothing.
Caroline did the same to him, and soon the heat inside the vehicle fogged the remaining window glass.
Hell. He hadn’t bothered to close the curtain, so anyone could peer in…
Then his worry dissipated; her touch scattered his thoughts.
With her breasts peeking out from beneath the borrowed shirt, her breeches down about her spread knees, and tendrils of hair escaping from her coiffure, she was easily the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen, but when she rose on her knees, giggled, and fumbled with the buttons of his frontfalls, he unexpectedly lost another piece of his heart to her.
If she didn’t already own it, he would have given the whole of it to her tonight.
Felix batted her hands away. Seconds later, his hardened length sprang into his palm, and as the fabric of her breeches glanced over the sensitive head, he groaned. “This might go quickly tonight.”
“Hush.” This time, it was she who nudged at his hands.
As she closed her fingers around his rigid length, need rushed through him.
“We’ve both been alone for longer than we care to admit, so we’re now on equal footing.
Think of this as practice for when we are wed.
” With a wicked grin, she maneuvered herself into position and then slowly and decadently slid down his shaft until she was fully impaled, and her honeyed heat closed around him. “How will you respond, hmm?”
Had she always been so… captivating? “I’ll give you a response.” He gripped her hips, his fingers tight enough on her skin he feared he’d leave marks, and he thrust upward with enough force to pull a surprised gasp from her. He smirked. Apparently, he wasn’t as old as he feared.
“Cheeky, aren’t you?” Caroline rose on her knees once more.
The maddening woman moved up and down his straining member, slowly teasing him into insanity, then she changed her rhythm, and he was hard pressed to match her.
Where the devil had she found the daring?
Perhaps it was a product of having her life threatened.
Each time she shifted downward, he stroked up.
Soon she was slamming herself home with enough gusto to rock the carriage, but with the constant jostling of the wheels and the other carriages on the street, it was doubtful the driver would notice.
Frantic, hard, and deep he went; he couldn’t have enough of her.
Between the sounds of her pleasure blended with his grunts and groans, everything else faded away.
Tingling raced through his length; his stones drew close to his body.
He wouldn’t last. Felix’s thrusting quickened as she bounced and gyrated on his lap.
Her head was thrown back, another few tendrils of her hair escaped their pins, her breasts jiggled from the exercise.
In that one moment, his concentration slipped, and he was gone.
“Argh!” Hot pleasure careened through his being, streaked through his straining member. As he surged into blissful release, she stiffened and this time she did utter a low-pitched scream while she came to completion in tandem with him.
“Felix!” She ground herself against him, perhaps to prolong the contractions that sucked greedily at his pulsing length. Then she fell against his chest, her arms looped around his shoulders, her ragged breathing filling his ear.
“Bloody hell…” He was at a loss for words, so he wrapped her in his arms and simply held her. “I hope that soothed your nerves after tonight’s escapades.”
“It did. Most assuredly.” She uttered a tired sigh, and when she smiled, he felt her lips curve against the skin of his neck. “Never think you are too old for things like this.”
“Ha. I appreciate that, but you had much to do with it.” Was it any wonder he adored her?
“Regardless, that was just what I needed to dispel the lingering fear.” She gave into a shiver. “Thank you for this.”
Some of the satiated happiness faded from his limbs.
Reality returned. The pair of them were in danger the longer this case dragged on.
They needed to sit down and go over their notes in an effort to puzzle some of this out.
When he encouraged the silken mass of her hair to fall down her back, he tangled his fingers in the tresses and gently tugged.
As her head tilted back, he brushed his lips over hers.
“We will solve this case, Caro. I don’t intend for anyone to bully us away from it, but if you wish to beg off—”
She snorted. “Stop.” Laying a hand against the side of his face, she continued. “I’m not going to let you take the brunt, and I’m certainly not going to run away in fear. We will see this through together. It will be a fitting beginning to our married life.”
“God, you’re amazing.” He took her hand and kissed the palm. “Thank you for the faith you have in me.”
“I always did since the day I met you.” Gingerly, she moved off his lap, and when she’d settled on the bench next to him, she set her clothing to rights. “That will never change.”
“No, I suppose it won’t.” Once he stuffed his flaccid length back into his breeches and did up the buttons, he reclined against the bench with her tucked against his side. It was as if their souls were now bound with gossamer, heavenly thread. If he was lucky, that connection would always remain.
A half hour later, the carriage drew to a halt in front of her father’s townhouse. Without incident, he helped her from the vehicle while avoiding Daniel’s gaze. Once inside, Felix silently sneaked her upstairs and hoped to God her aunt didn’t wake.
“It’s too bad you can’t stay with me tonight,” Caroline whispered from behind the door to her bedroom. Seconds later, she’d lit a candle on her bedside table.
“Soon.” Then he pressed his lips to her forehead. “I shall see you tomorrow.”
She nodded, but shadows haunted her eyes in the dim candlelight. “Be vigilant going home.”
“I will.” Unfortunately, as Felix made it to the top of the stairs the nearest door opened, and Lady Kearney stood in the frame with a thick wrapper over her night dress. Her narrowed gaze landed directly on him.
“Ah, Major, how interesting to see you here at this time of night, sneaking into this house and coming out of my niece’s bedroom with her wearing those outrageous clothes?
Scandalous, is what it is.” When he couldn’t think of anything erudite to say, she continued.
“Did you think I believed Caroline’s story about the megrim?
You forget I’ve known her all her life.”
Finally, he found his voice. “I am well aware of that, my lady, but Caroline insisted on accompanying me this evening, and I couldn’t dissuade her. She’s quite strong-willed.”
She snorted. “That she is. And she was never one for following society’s rules.” For the space of a few heartbeats, she simply stared at him. “Clearly, the two of you are up to no good, but I suppose I can overlook it since you’re engaged. It won’t matter much if tongues start to wag.”
Just wait until she saw the bruises on Caroline’s neck in the morning. There’d surely be hell to pay then. “I appreciate that, Lady Kearney.”
“Tell me this, Major. You aren’t merely using her, are you? I won’t stand for that.”
“I am not. When I asked her to marry me, I meant it.” He shrugged. “I love her.” As evidenced by that bit of insanity they’d just shared in his carriage.
The older woman huffed. “That doesn’t mean anything, but somehow, I believe you. However, you won’t hurt her, will you? I’ll write to her father in the morning regarding the engagement, but I don’t want to have you embarrass me if you prove a bounder.”
There was something about the old bird that he liked, and he respected her for looking after Caroline like that.
“Of course not.” Felix frowned and kept his voice at a whisper.
“I’m trying to protect her, but it’s proving a difficult endeavor.
Hell, I wanted her to stay home tonight, but she wasn’t having that, which was how she ended up lying to you disguised as a man. ”
“There is that.” Her aunt gave him a half smile. “Sometimes the most troublesome, independent of women are the best in the end.”
“I can certainly see how that will prove true with Caro. No doubt she’ll set society on fire if given half the chance.” And he couldn’t wait to have her to himself. “By the by, has Andrew been here this evening?”
“Not that I’ve seen. He was supposed to take dinner with us, but he didn’t arrive and didn’t send a courier with an explanation.” The aunt shook her head. “Has far too much of his father in him.”
Which meant he could have been waiting for his sister in the shadows to threaten her.
Damn it all to hell. “Well, I should go. It’s late and the investigation will continue tomorrow.
And if Andrew does call, please send word to me.
I need to speak with him.” If the young man had attacked Caroline, he’d get a thorough thrashing.
“Major?”
“Hmm?”
The aunt’s face paled slightly. “If anything happens to her, I’ll hold you directly responsible. Out of my two great-nieces, I like her the best. I’ve no use for her flighty, shallow sister.”
That sobered him more quickly than anything could. “I will hold myself responsible as well, my lady, but I promise you, she’ll be safe. You have my word on that.”
And he would do everything in his power to make it the truth. He wouldn’t fail her a second time.