Chapter 5
Five
Julian entered Sophia’s bedchamber. It was small but very much embodied her, or at least the woman he’d once known.
“The children’s room is on the other side of the kitchen and sitting room. We won’t wake them.”
He brushed a kiss across her lips. “Are you sure?”
“I want us to enjoy ourselves. Is that wrong?”
All of Julian’s emotions warred with each other. He wanted Sophia, but he also didn’t want to rush her. As if she could read his mind, Sophia placed a hand on his chest. “I’m choosing this, Julian.”
He didn’t question her decision again. Instead, he dipped his head down and brushed a kiss across her mouth. Then he nibbled on her lower lip before moving to run his mouth down her jaw and throat. Julian was somewhat in awe that he was here with this woman again.
His hands slid across her back, and he untied her dress. She broke from his kiss, looking up at him. “I’m not the same lady you once knew.”
The fabric fell down, and he slid his hand along her chemise and petticoat. Huskily, he said, “No, you are stunning.”
His words were the truth. Sophia had changed in the last eight years but in ways that made his blood heat. Her curves were fuller and more lush. His hand slid up until he flicked a finger over one of her pebble-hard nipples. She gasped, and he grinned at her wickedly. “Do you like that, my love?”
She nodded, and he freed one of her breasts from her chemise. “Good. These are meant to be worshipped.”
His mouth touched the hard peek before his teeth scraped across the tip. She arched against him. God, she was so responsive. He lifted his head and stepped back, removing his jacket and tugging his shirt free from his pants.
“Let me help you,” Sophia said as she began to unbutton his shirt.
Once done, she slid it from his shoulders. Her eyes glowed with desire. His shaft ached for Sophia, but he didn’t reach for her. Julian wanted her to explore him as much as she liked. Her hand slid from his broad chest down to his flat stomach. He trembled at her light touch.
“It is clear why you are one of London’s most talked-about rakes,” she said with a smirk.
He looped his arm around her waist, drawing her close so her body pressed firmly along his. Julian flexed his cock against the apex of her thighs, and she let out a whimper. Yes, he’d not lived an innocent life in London, but he’d also not had her.
“Now, I’m yours forever.”
She touched his cheek. “Don’t make such grand declarations. We’ve only just become reacquainted.”
“It isn’t anything grand but the truth.”
Julian didn’t want to argue the point with her further. He would prove it to her for the rest of their lives. He dipped his head down and kissed her shoulder before sliding her chemise down. Next, he untied and removed her petticoats and drawers.
He picked her up as his mouth sought hers out again. They stumbled their way to her bed a few feet away. She deepened the kiss between them, threading her fingers through his hair. Her tongue stroked against his with a sense of hungry urgency.
Julian lay her on the bed, staring down at the vision she made. She was stunning with her blonde hair tumbling around her as her curves tempted him. Sophia scooted further up and beckoned Julian to her.
He removed his boots and then his pants, watching her. She leisurely swirled a finger across her belly, drawing his eyes down to the thatch of golden curls between her legs. “Show me where you want me to touch you,” he requested.
Sophia's fingers slid down further, and she stroked herself, causing her to arch off the bed, giving him a better view of her lush body. Her eyes connected with his. “I need you now, Julian.”
Yes, he agreed. There would be time to slowly worship her later, but in this moment, he wanted to bury himself deep within this woman. Julian climbed onto the bed as she widened her legs to accommodate him. He slid between them and groaned when his cock pressed against her wetness.
Her hands fluttered across his back as she rocked her hips against his body, silently encouraging him for more.
Julian brushed a light kiss across her lips and thrust into her deeply.
A sigh of satisfaction escaped Sophia’s lips.
Or was it his? He couldn’t tell. All he knew was that this moment with her felt like perfection.
He threaded his fingers through her blonde tresses, tilting her face so they stared at one another. Julian wanted to watch the euphoric expression dance across her face. He withdrew and re-entered her again. She whimpered and bucked into him.
The intensity of her gaze heated his already raging desire. His thrusts became faster and deeper. Sophia arched up into him every time their bodies fully joined. They continued to stare at one another. It was a heady experience to watch each other.
He was close and sensed she was too. “Come undone for me, my love. Let me see you shatter.”
Julian plunged again and swiveled his hips, adding more friction to their joining.
She whimpered, and he did it again. A strangled sob escaped her, and he felt her climax around his cock.
She took a deep breath, her chest heaving up and down.
He paused for a moment, but then she urged him on, rocking into him. “Now you, my love.”
The endearment sent him over the edge. He grasped her hips, pumping into her. This woman was his, now and forever. He slid into her one more time and knew he was close. Julian kissed her deeply before pulling out and spending on her stomach.
They silently studied each other. Julian was confident that this woman was his perfect match and he was ready to make her his wife. Certainty filled him that all of this was meant to be.
Sophia lay in bed with Julian, bliss coursing over her body.
Their coupling sated her in a way she forgot was possible.
Even when they were younger, it had always been that way for them.
There was something desperate about their need for each other.
Yet, the aftermath of their lovemaking had always created a unique contentment within her.
Still, Sophia didn’t want to get ahead of herself. She hadn’t seen Julian for eight years. This was only the first week that they’d spent time together again. She trailed her fingers up and down his firm chest, enamored and still hungry for him.
He grasped her hand and kissed each finger. “We should announce our intent to marry soon. Perhaps you can attend the ball at my house party. The whole world will know my intentions then.”
Unease settled in her stomach. His suggestions seemed too rash. She sat up and said, “I can’t attend a ball at your estate. “
The fog of sleepiness and desire disappeared from his eyes, and he sat up, frowning at her. “Why not? I have no desire for any of those ladies to think I’m available.”
She rose from the bed and put on her wrap. “But they are all options for you.”
His jaw tightened. “They are not.”
Sophia reached down and collected his pants and shirt before handing them to him. “You need to consider them, Julian. I don’t want any regrets.”
He took his pants from her, pulling them on before hastily buttoning up his shirt. “I want you. It has always been you. I fucked my way through London hoping to forget you.”
She flinched at his coarse words. “You brought more than a dozen ladies to your estate because you saw something in them. Even if you don’t want to admit it, this between us is rash.
I’m asking you to take a moment to consider all your options.
Spend time with your guest at your estate party and then, when it is over, come back to me. ”
The request wasn’t an easy one for Sophia to make.
Selfishly, she wanted to declare she loved him and they should wed, but they were both older.
Someone had to be practical. She had Jeremiah and Lily to think of.
Her and Thomas’s marriage had been a loving one.
She wouldn’t ever subject her children to a union that wasn’t like that.
Thomas would want her only to marry because she’d found a lasting love.
But you do love him, her mind whispered.
And she did, but it didn’t stop the apprehension that filled her when she thought about him growing bored out in the country with her and the children.
She knew if they wed, they would have to go to London from time to time, but she and her children loved Paxton. It was their home and always would be.
“My home and life is here in the country. You’ve lived in London for eight years. Aren’t you worried you will grow bored at Pax Hall?”
He stepped closer to her, his fury softening. “This village and my estate have always been my true home.”
“Yet, you avoided it for eight years.”
Julian brushed a kiss across her lips. “Still, being here with you and at my estate has made me further understand how much this is where I want to be.”
She squeezed his hand. “I want you to come back to me, but please do as I ask. Consider the ladies you invited to your party and also what you would give up if you married me.”
“I would give up nothing,” he said, his voice filled with steel.
Sophia smiled at his confidence. “Then a few more days shouldn’t be a problem. Marriage is forever.”
He nodded. “I will do as you request, but know I will be back for you, Sophia Benson. I want you.”
Julian put on his boots, and she handed him his jacket before walking him to the kitchen door. They stared at one another. Nerves filled Sophia. What if the fog of all these emotions dissipated while he was at his house party?
“I don’t want to leave you,” he stated.
She didn’t want him to either, but logically she understood it was the wisest choice. “I will see you in a few days, Julian.”
He pressed a kiss to her lips and strode away.
Sophia suspected he was frustrated with her request. Still, they’d been apart for eight years.
If they truly loved each other, another few days wouldn’t ruin their chance at happiness.
She sat in one of the kitchen chairs, wondering if all this seemed too good to be true.