Chapter 11 #3
He gave her a moment, two, to adjust to the length of him once more, before rocking up into her. “Good?”
Bella nodded, breathless, as Miles drew a hand to where they were joined. The other hand clutched at her waist, a guiding suggestion that she wasn’t too proud to take.
She clambered for his shoulders, clutching for purchase as her hips found a rhythm she’d thought long forgotten.
“There it is,” Miles whispered, as the explosion that had eluded her only moments before rushed toward her.
His lips found hers in an inelegant kiss—more a sharing of breath than anything else. She could only assume the foreign, earthy taste on his tongue was hers. That intelligence ripped a whimper from her.
“Faster?” he questioned as he pulled away to lavish her breast again. Sweat clung to his damp temples as she clasped him in place.
She shook her head. “Harder.”
Miles’s next thrust was sharper, driving his hips up into her as he tightened his circles against her bud.
Sparks danced along her nerves, pooling in her core. “Miles…”
“Close?”
“I swear if you stop…”
“I won’t,” he agreed with a laugh. On the next thrust, Miles twisted his hips and worked his finger and lips against her in an absurd display of coordination.
Those sparks inside her ignited at once in a brilliant, devastating crescendo. The last thing she saw before her vision whited out were Miles’s warm, loving eyes.
When she came back to herself, Bella was sprawled across Miles’s panting frame, and he was pressing a kiss to the faded scar on her temple.
“With me?” he asked.
She nodded.
“We forgot to take your boots off,” he mumbled, a smile warming his voice.
Bella hid her own smile into his chest before noticing something slick—beyond the perspiration—between them. It took her head a moment to recognize it for what it was.
“Ugh,” she grumbled as she pushed against his chest.
Miles chuckled before fumbling blindly for the floor. He reached for the dusty sheet that had covered the settee.
“Absolutely not. It’s filthy.”
An eye roll, then, “Forgive me, Lady Arabella.” Miles grabbed for his shirt and used that to gently wipe away his spend from her belly before dragging it along his and tossing it away again.
“Why did you—”
“Didn’t want the risk. Not without talking to you first.”
Before she could press him further, reddened lines along his shoulders caught her attention. Her fingertips found the raised marks. “What happened?”
A laugh burst from his chest as he caught her hand in his. “Lost my first match—a proper hellcat.”
“Oh,” she whispered, her cheeks heating.
“Nothing to be ashamed of. Means I’ve done something right.”
Constitutionally incapable of complimenting the man, Bella shook her head. “I’m still cross with you.”
He hummed and urged her head back to his chest as he ran his fingers through the tangled strands of her hair. “Usually are.”
“It was nice, though.”
“Nice?” The question carried a hint of laughter. “I’m seconds from meeting the Lord, and you had a pleasant enough time.”
“Perhaps you should practice then.”
“Excellent advice. Do you know where I might find a partner to practice with?”
“If you think I’ll allow you to practice with anyone else, you’re even more of a jolter-headed simpleton than I thought.”
His prick twitched in interest against her hip as he hummed.
Bella’s head shot up. “You cannot be serious.”
“Told you before, darling. You’ve ruined me for anyone else—they’re too nice.”
Her cheeks reddened. Miles drew his fingertips to trace the blooming flush. “I hadn’t thought it extended to…”
“It’s just you… Belle. Just you. Always has been. Always will be.”
“So you want…”
“Whatever you’ll give me and more besides. I’ve tried to move on—live without you—for years. Didn’t fancy it.”
Bella reached up to cup his jaw and brought his lips to hers in a tender display.
“That was a wretched proposal,” she whispered when they separated.
Miles froze beneath her, save his eyes, which darted between each of hers as if an explanation could be found there. “What?”
“You said whatever I’ll give you… I’ll give you anything—if you ask for—”
“Marry me.”
Bella arched a brow.
“I can give you a home—any home you want. All the pretty frocks your heart desires. A little hair knife—let me give you little hair knives. Dozens of them. And you can stab me with them if I muck it up again.”
“You’ve got quite a lot of work ahead of you.”
“I do?” Confusion settled across his forehead.
“This house, I’ve recently heard it described as a heap...”
He rose, guiding her off him and onto the settee. He reached for his breeches and shoved one leg through, half falling over in the attempt.
“This house—perfect. Never seen a more perfect house.”
“Miles,” Bella laughed at his eagerness. “Tomorrow will suffice.”
He turned his gaze back on her, eyes darkening at the sight of her bare chest. He collapsed back against the settee, trapping her beneath him his oversized chest. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
A smile spilled across Miles’s face, bright and warm, and so, so loving. Bella’s heart threatened to burst at the sight as their lips met once more.