Chapter One #2
“I don’t think you understand, Major.” With a slow smile, Caroline laid a hand on his chest. “No, silly. I wish to do that right now with no one the wiser. Are we alone?”
Well, shit. “Yes, for probably another hour…” Hellfire. She was serious.
“Good. Show me to your room?” Gently, she tugged on his cravat. “Unless you’d like to couple here?” She glanced at the window. “Except the window is open and I can see your sister from here…”
There was only so much a man could take before surrendering to needs greater than his control.
The woman would kill him, surely. “Quickly, then.” Grabbing one of her hands, he led her from the room to the second level that housed four rooms. The one at the front of the cottage facing the road was his.
The one at the back that had a distant view of the sea belonged to his sister and her husband.
The two others were for her children. “We shouldn’t do this, of course.
Your parents will wonder where you are.”
“I told them I was going to visit a friend.
He frowned as he ushered her into his bedroom then closed the door softly behind them. “But—”
A soft chuckle escaped her. “You were a friend before we became engaged.” Then she winked and his world tilted. “When dissembling, it’s always best to stick to some portion of the truth, right?”
“I’ve taught you too well, it seems.” Because he couldn’t wait, Felix gently tugged her into his arms. “I’m a damned fortunate man.”
“I won’t argue with you on that point.” Already, her fingers were at his cravat in an effort to loosen the knot.
“Mmm.” He slipped a hand down her back to follow her spine to the sweet curve of her buttocks. “Still bent on scandal, even the day before our wedding?” Not that he minded. They hadn’t been together with any sort of privacy for a month or so.
“Yes.” She pressed her lips to the underside of his jaw in the place that enhanced his awareness.
“I need the release after spending the week with my family. Mama, in particular, will drive me mad soon. So many rules. So many fittings. ‘Always be polite, Caroline. You might not marry a title, but there isn’t a reason for you to put on airs or affect a sour attitude.’” A snort came from her.
“As if I would ever do such a thing.” Exasperation reflected in her eyes.
Worry pulled in his gut. “Are you sad I’m not a titled gentleman?”
“I am not.” Caroline laid a hand against his cheek. “No. You are perfect for me.”
The sensation of falling assailed him. “That is good to know.” Then there was no more talking; they didn’t need words, so he kissed her, claimed her lips with intent, teasing them, sipping from them over and over until they parted on a sigh. He took full advantage and sought her tongue with his.
A tiny sound of surrender issued from the back of her throat. She pressed herself closer to his body. Subtle pressure at his nape kept his attention directed at continuing to learn the secrets of her mouth.
He slid his hands down her back to cup her rounded arse and when she moaned, he grinned against her lips. “My God, Caro, how can I want you so much?”
“I ask myself that every day,” she answered in a breathless whisper. Passion darkened her eyes and her kiss-swollen lips curved upward this a smile. “I suppose that is why we will wed tomorrow.”
“Indeed.” Unrelenting need coursed through his body and his shaft sprang to attention. He’d missed her more than he thought. “Turn around,” he instructed then dragged his lips along the underside of her jaw.
“Why?” She hummed when he nipped and nibbled a path down the side of her throat.
“You’ll see.” Felix spun her in his arms. He put a kiss to her soft skin where her neck joined her shoulder. “You are gorgeous tonight.”
“You already said that.”
“It bears repeating.” But then, he thought that of her no matter what she wore.
“This shade of blue suits you, makes you glow.” He ran his palms down her bare arms then grabbed her hips and pulled her flush against his front.
“I’ve never met anyone like you, and every day that goes by I cannot help but think how fortunate I am.
” Unable to resist, he slid his hands up to cup her breasts.
The smooth satin was cool on his skin and provided a contrast to the warmth of her body beneath it.
“Felix.” Caroline turned her head, craning her neck to find his gaze. “I need your hands on me.” She wriggled her bottom and his prick jumped from the unexpected friction. “Aren’t you the one who doesn’t want unnecessary talking?”
He chuckled. “I can only do what my lady commands.” He kissed her fragrant skin once more, but as he did so, he delved a hand inside her bodice and brought a breast out from the nest of satin and silk. He groaned. “Perfection.”
Felix trailed his fingers over her breast, around and around the nipple, caressing the skin.
He never touched the hard tip, but the pebbled pink bud insisted and he brushed his palm lightly over it.
Caroline sucked in a sharp breath. She reached up and wrapped her opposite hand around his nape.
Her eyes shuttered closed. As he nibbled her earlobe, he played with that taut point, teasing her with increased pressure until she trembled in his arms. Then he rolled the tip, went so far as to pluck the rosy nipple, and was rewarded with a gasping sigh.
He grinned, ignored the throbbing of his member. This night wasn’t about his pleasure. Everything he did would be for her, and he would send her flying with his fingers as many times as she’d allow. Perhaps he wished the act of coupling to remain sacred for their wedding night.
I’m becoming a romantic in my old age.
“Please make me come undone.” A moan swallowed her plea as he rolled her nipple again.
“Over there.” He walked her backward to the settee at one side of the room then followed her down when she tumbled onto it.
“Easier than the bed and your gown will suffer less wrinkles.” She faced the back and he spooned her, putting a knee between her legs.
Felix delved a hand beneath her skirts, and as he pushed them up her silky leg, he peppered her neck and shoulder with feather-weighted kisses.
“Every woman should know, once in her life, that she is wanted beyond all measure.”
“You show me that in every interaction we have.” She grabbed his hand and pressed him against her mons. “Felix…”
“I adore when you’re demanding.” He slipped his fingers through her damp curls.
“Damnation, Caro.” As he stroked her folds, Caroline trembled in his arms. She parted her legs as much as their cramped location allowed, so he took the invitation and dipped two fingers into her drenched core, drawing a long, low moan from her. His grin felt decidedly smug.
Slowly, he pumped his digits into her and the wet sucking sound of his finger-fuck filled the silence.
“I still don’t know what makes you laugh,” he whispered as he withdrew from her passage to stroke her folds.
“If no one is looking, what do you sneak from the kitchen?” He kissed her temple.
When she whimpered, he circled her slippery nubbin.
“What fabric feels heavenly against your skin?” Over and over, he teased and tormented the swollen bundle of nerves with increasing friction.
“If given the choice, where in the world would you live out your days?”
“We can discuss this later, Major.” A sob-crossed moan escaped her. She bucked her hips against his hand, but her eyes were closed and she didn’t look back at him, neither did she speak.
Felix increased the pace and contact, and when her body stiffened and her breath labored, he plucked at the nubbin and didn’t let up his torture until her low keening cry filled the air. A flush spread over her skin and through the cheek he could see.
“What else do you need this afternoon?” Felix asked in a fierce whisper.
“You. Only you.”
“I am yours.” He shifted on the settee, rising on his knees.
“Good.” Caroline rolled onto her back. Though her eyes were soft and satiation lined her face, she stared up at him with emotions reflected in the blue pool of her eyes that he couldn’t quite read.
And he wanted her so much. Perhaps this night would be for his satisfaction as well.
He fumbled with his frontfalls. The scrape of the fabric over his sensitive cockhead had him shaking with need.
Seconds later, his engorged length tumbled out, heavy with want.
Felix parted her legs and came over her, his knees framing her hips as he balanced on the settee and rubbed his tip along her folds.
He bit back a moan of pure ecstasy, for she was perfect.
He stared down into her face and smiled.
“What?” The smile still lingered at her lips.
“Nothing. I just can’t wait to marry you.”
“Neither can I.”
“Good.” He balanced over her the best he could, and with one long, gentle thrust seated himself in deep as far as he could go. “God, you feel so good.” Her body was snug and gripped him greedily, but it was more than that. Joining with her like this gave him the overwhelming feeling of homecoming.
Bliss flitted into her expression. Her lips parted. She threw back her head even as she clasped her hands around his upper arms.
Feeling as if he were falling for her all over again, he withdrew then set a rhythm that would bring her pleasure but not slam them both to the brink too soon. “I could spend hours, days, perhaps years discovering the secrets of your body.”
She wrapped her legs around his waist, which only sent him deeper into her sweet heat. “You’ll have the chance after tomorrow,” she gasped out and her eyes fluttered closed.
Felix concentrated on stroking in and out of her core. When need raced along his shaft and tingled through his stones, he cursed the time that grew short. His thrusts became faster, more frantic. Sweat pasted his lawn shirt to his back. “I would do anything for you, Caroline.”
“I know. It’s one of the reasons I love you.” Her eyes popped open and a sheen of tears magnified the sapphire irises.
The needs of his body took over. By God, he’d see her undone and he’d carry that image with him always.
He found her nubbin once more and strummed it.
Again, he stroked into her and this time he shattered with a half-cry, half-groan.
As he ground his pelvis into hers, Caroline took in a series of quick breaths and finally made frantic mewling noises as she dug her nails into his arms.
While the contractions squeezing his member faded, Felix gazed at her. Her smile was as mysterious and intriguing as the Mona Lisa, and the perfect happiness of her expression squeezed his heart. “Lovely as always.”
He withdrew completely from her body then leaned over her and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“Thank you for this tryst.” Seconds later, he arranged their bodies so he could hold her from behind with her back pressed to his front.
“Tomorrow is going to prove spectacular.” Nuzzling the crook of her shoulder, he slipped an arm around her waist. “You’ll finally be my wife, and I’ll have the right to be in your company every day. ”
“I know. This engagement period has seemed endless.” Joy sounded in her voice.
“I want to be where you are all the time. I want access to your body whenever I want, and I can’t wait to start our honeymoon here.
” She laid an arm over his. “Perhaps we can bathe in the sea naked after dark with no one the wiser.”
Need skittered along his nerve endings. “Well, you’ll make life interesting and thrilling for certain.
” Was there a luckier man? Choked up with emotion, Felix kissed her temple.
“We should put our clothing to right and go down to the drawing room, at least try for respectability by the time my sister and her husband come back.”
A giggle left her throat. “Very well.” When she lifted his hand, she pressed her lips to his palm. You won’t change your mind, will you? About tomorrow?”
“Hell, no. There is nothing I wish to do except marry you.” Well, and bed her, of course.
“Good.” With a smile and sparkling eyes, she left the settee. “I don’t care if dinner proves demanding. At least I’ll have you on my side.”
“Always.”
Life was quite grand, indeed, after all the trauma he’d endured in his past.