Chapter 8
Eight
Julian walked toward the village of Paxton, both excited and anxious to see Sophia. He’d done as she asked and focused his attention on all the ladies at his estate party—well, he’d tried. Truthfully, Sophia had still lingered in his mind.
She was the woman he wanted; there was no changing that. He reached the inn and stopped, straightening his jacket nervously. A chuckle from behind him caused him to look back. Theo stood on the sidewalk, shaking his head. “Aren’t you a nervous fool?”
Julian walked away from the inn door and joined him. “I intend to call on you formally about my intentions.”
Theo snorted. “I’m well aware of your intentions. I always have been. I can’t believe I thought you abandoned her. I’m sorry.”
“No one owes anyone an apology but my father.”
“Your father was a miserable man,” Theo stated.
“You won’t get any argument from me.”
Theo smacked him on the back. “I look forward to sharing a brandy with you if she says yes.”
Julian’s stomach clenched, and he scowled at Theo. He didn’t like the implication that she might say no.
“Good luck,” Theo added and continued toward the village center.
He shook his head, realizing Theo would be in his life forever. Julian took another deep breath and entered the inn. Sophia sat at a table in the tavern, helping Jeremiah and Lily with some type of lesson.
He smiled at the beautiful sight she made. Her blonde hair was knotted on the top of her head with little curls lying delicately along her neck. Julian loved her and couldn’t wait to spend the rest of his life with her. She glanced up as if sensing someone watched her.
Sophia’s eyes flared with surprise and happiness, but before either could speak, Jeremiah spotted him. “Julian! You are back. I’m so happy.”
Lily clapped her hands excitedly too. “Did you bring your carriage?”
Sophia rolled her eyes. Julian smiled at both Lily and Jeremiah. “Not today, but I promise I will take you soon.”
The woman he loved rose. “You two practice your letters. I will be back shortly.”
She walked toward Julian and softly said, “You came.”
Once Sophia was close, he took her hand and kissed the top of it. “Nothing would have stopped me.”
She beamed but then glanced around. Everyone in the tavern seemed to be watching them. He grinned, not caring who knew that he was infatuated with Sophia Benson.
“Would you join me in my office, my lord?”
He nodded and followed her into the small space. Sophia shut the door behind them and turned to face him. “I’m glad you are here.”
“Nothing would have stopped me,” he said, stepping toward her.
Sophia scooted back until she bumped into the door. He placed one hand on the door by her head, leaning down until his lips were a breath away from her ear. “I love you, Sophia Benson. Will you allow me to court you?”
“Yes,” she said breathlessly.
He kissed her cheek before running his lips along her jaw. “May I kiss you, my love?”
She nodded, and Julian captured her mouth with his. The kiss wasn’t rash but slow and leisurely. He wanted to entice her. His tongue stroked against hers. She moaned but placed a hand on his chest, making him lean back. “I must go back out there, or people will talk.”
“Who cares? You will be my wife soon.”
“Six months.”
He didn’t argue. “Whatever you want.”
Sophia laughed and played with his jacket. “But you should visit me tonight.”
Julian brushed a kiss across her lips. “Of course.”
Sophia sat at the kitchen table waiting for a quiet knock on her door. She didn’t doubt Julian would be here soon. She smiled, feeling optimistic. A week ago, she would have never guessed that Julian would be back in her life. Yet, he was, and they still loved each other.
She’d mentioned to Jeremiah and Lily earlier that Julian would be spending more time with them. They seemed thrilled. Honestly, they’d both jumped up and down. Sophia hadn’t realized how quickly they’d become attached to Julian.
The soft knock she was waiting for finally arrived. She opened the door and let Julian in. He took her in his arms and kissed her deeply. Sophia smiled against his mouth, enjoying how affectionate he was. When they broke apart, she took his hand and led him to her bedchamber.
Once inside, Julian said, “I love you, Sophia. I want you to understand that I will do everything in my power to make you, Jeremiah, and Lily happy.”
She touched his cheek. “I know that, and I’m sorry I made you wait until your party ended to court me.”
“It was a very practical request. Still, now that you’ve had time, are you sure this is what you want?”
Sophia wrapped her arms around his neck. “I choose you too, Julian.”
“Those words are all that matter to me.”
She began unbuttoning his shirt, needing to touch him. She pressed her hands against his chest. The heat against her fingers made her wanton thoughts soar. Her body yearned to feel more of him. She stepped back and untied her wrap, letting it fall to the floor.
Then Sophia pulled her nightgown up and over her head before sitting on the edge of the bed. His eyes glowed with desire. Huskily, she said, “Love me, Julian.”
He loved those words. Julian removed his shoes, shirt, and pants. Sophia watched as he moved closer to her. So much desire swirled around them. Gently, he pushed her back until she lay against the bedding.
He took one of her ankles in his hand. “For years, I dreamed about these legs.”
She trembled with need as his mouth touched her ankle, her calf, and then the back of her knee. Sophia wanted to pull him to her, but she waited, barely patient. He knelt in front of her, and his tongue swirled across her inner thigh. Sophia moaned and wantonly arched her hips upward.
God, she wanted more of him. His tongue slid past her most feminine area. Instead, he licked and kissed her hip and across her belly. Sophia felt as if she might combust. “Julian,” she murmured.
His mouth moved back down to the thatch of curls at the apex of her thighs. “You are beautiful.”
Her body arched when his mouth touched her quim. Her legs fell open wider, and she threaded her fingers through his hair as he tasted her. His teasing was the best exquisite torture. Sophia moaned, and the rocking of her hips quickened. She was so close to coming undone.
He lifted his head. “Climax for me, my love.”
She whimpered at the loss of his touch on her most feminine area, but Julian then slid two fingers in and out of her, adding friction against her sensitive nub. She bucked under his caress until she let out a strangled whimper and the ache in her lower half exploded.
Her body hummed with satisfaction. Julian stood, looking down at her. She beckoned him, and he slid his body along hers until his cock touched her quim. They both gasped in anticipation. He brushed a kiss across her lips and Sophia said, “I love you, Julian.”
“Always and forever,” he said back and thrust into her.
The feeling of rightness coursed through Sophia. His strokes were slow and deep at first, making Sophia realize he was teasing and tempting her into another release. And it worked; a new ache started to build in her body. Her hips pressed into his with every plunge.
He smiled as he pressed his lips against her neck. “That’s it, my love; I want you to fall apart again.”
She moaned as their bodies rocked into one another.
Julian was so close she could see it in his face.
It only heightened her own desire. She was at the precipice of falling apart again.
He grasped her hips and ground his lower half against her sensitive nub.
A breathy moan escaped her as the ache in her body exploded and pulsated.
He raced to his own climax as Sophia slid her hand up and down his back. “You are mine, Julian, from this moment on.”
Her words seemed to send him over the edge because he thrusted one more time and then pulled out, finding his release. Julian cleaned them up and moved Sophia into his arms.
“Six more months will be torturous,” Sophia said with a giggle.
“I would wait a lifetime for you, my love.”
Sophia kissed him. “I love you.”