33. Chapter 33 #2
Again, she let a delighted bubble of laughter release from deep in her belly.
This was just what she needed, to lose herself in the passion between them.
He yanked the trousers all the way off and moved over her like a predatory lion.
She spread her legs to accommodate him, and in one swift move, he was inside her to the hilt.
She threw her head back and lifted her hips, celebrating the feel of him filling her, hot and hard.
Their coupling was wild and furious, each of them frantic to thrust, to touch, to become one.
Andrew wrapped one arm under her shoulder, lifting and exposing her neck to his hungry mouth while he pumped his hips in and out, pushing her to the razor’s edge of pleasure.
Then he bit her neck, and Emma fell off the edge into a bright burst of sensations, her mind blank except for the man in her arms. She held on tight until the tremors of pleasure subsided.
“Am I crushing you?” Andrew mumbled against her throat. He made a move to push himself up, but Emma tightened her hold, banding her arms around him.
“No, don’t move just yet. I like the weight of you.” She wrapped one leg around his thigh and gave a squeeze of her intimate muscles, eliciting a groan of pleasure from Andrew.
“You minx.” He nibbled again at her throat. Then he did push up, and grabbing her around the waist, he rolled them so she lay on top of him, her head pillowed on his chest. She listened to his heartbeat as it slowed to its normal steady rhythm.
He ran a hand over her hair. “Tell me more about what happened when you saw your uncle. You didn’t have a chance to tell me any details.”
Emma laid a forearm across his chest and propped her chin on it so she could look at him.
“His house looks modest from the outside, but inside, it rivals the home of any peer of the realm. It was richly furnished, with artwork and sculptures placed around the rooms and down the corridors. The dining room curio held fine china and silver. I became increasingly incensed walking around his home. No wonder Charles always visited us. He needed to keep his wealth a secret. He didn’t want me asking questions as to my cut of the proceeds.
He didn’t even make any excuses. He just sat there in his luxurious townhome and lectured me on how hard life was.
” She pressed her lips together in a frown.
Then she sighed and told him the worst of it. “He said someone like you could only be interested in me as sport for the short term, a mistress at best. He said I should be thinking of what I will do after you tire of me.”
Andrew cupped her face gently. “You know that is all untrue, don’t you? Pure manipulation.”
Emma rubbed her cheek into his hand. Some of the anger drained from her at his sweet assurance.
“Yes, I believe you.” She turned her head and placed a kiss in his palm.
“There was a time, not too long past, I thought all those things and worse. But I meant what I said. I trust in your love. He thinks I am all alone, but I know I am not.”
Andrew leaned up, pressing his lips against hers in a quick kiss. “I have something to show you.” He rolled her to the side, and sliding out of bed, he crossed the room.
He opened a drawer in the bureau and returned with a large flat velvet box. Emma sat up, curious.
Andrew opened the box and pulled out the ruby-and-diamond necklace. He held it up. And she watched it sparkle as it reflected the firelight.
“Come here.” Andrew held out one hand. When she grasped it, he led her over to stand in front of a tall free-standing mirror next to the washstand.
He turned her so she was facing the mirror, and then from behind, Andrew placed the necklace around her throat.
The rubies felt inexplicably warm against her skin.
Her original fantasy of wearing the necklace around her bedroom at home paled in comparison to the erotic picture she made in the mirror, with the necklace glowing like fire against her pale skin in the candlelight, and the man behind her staring at her with such desire in his eyes.
Andrew’s strong hands rested on her shoulders. “So, thief, can you tell if this is real?”
“It’s not the real one?” Emma’s hand flew to her throat. She stepped closer to the mirror, running her fingers along the stones and peering at the necklace more closely.
Andrew chuckled. “Just teasing, this is the real one. I’m hoping the copy will be finished by tomorrow morning.
I was assured by the jeweler it could be done.
” Andrew snaked a hand around her waist and pulled her back against him.
He ran a fingertip across the rubies and then trailed his fingers sensually down around the curve of her breast. “I would never give you anything counterfeit to wear around this lovely neck.” He bent to place a kiss in the hollow between her neck and shoulder, giving it a slow suck.
Emma closed her eyes, leaning her head back against his chest.