Chapter Twelve #2
“Exactly,” he said in an equally soft voice. William caught her in his arms, and because his need of her had ramped exponentially, he turned her about and shoved her upper half down the bed with her arse presented and waiting for him. “I want you, Charlotte.”
“There is nothing stopping you from taking me,” she said as she glanced backward at him from over her shoulder. Her eyes sparkled like sapphires in the candlelight.
“I suspect you will be the death of me.” Then he gripped her hips, encouraged her legs apart, drew the tip of his shaft through her drenched folds, and with a powerful thrust, he speared into her body, irrevocably joining them.
Their moans blended, breaking the silence in the room.
“Dear God, this position… I never knew…” Charlotte curled her fingers into the bedclothes as she pushed back against him to meet his thrusts. “I can’t survive this.”
“You can and you will.” Even he had to admit this coupling was far too close to heaven. “Last as long as you can.” It would push the boundaries of his control to do the same.
As he stroked into her body and she made soft sounds of encouragement, William wrapped the length of her hair around his hand and tugged on it.
The movement brought her head back to bare her throat.
It was thoroughly erotic, and he paused, leaned down to press soft kisses to the side of her neck.
Fuck, but he wanted to suckle that skin but didn’t want to leave a mark, especially with his ball coming up.
“Why did you stop? I’ve nearly gone mad from this,” she said in a whispered, panting voice.
“To prolong the coupling, I suppose.” Then the urge to see her face grew strong. “But perhaps we shouldn’t delay.” So saying, he flipped her over and before she could protest, he penetrated her body once more, pounded into her with one of her legs upraised, which allowed him to go impossibly deep.
“Oh, goodness, William… This is too much…” Tears slipped down her rounded cheeks as he worked. No doubt she cried from reaction and her own emotions while her fingers scrabbled to clutch the bedclothes. Her mouth worked but no words left her throat.
It was over then, concluded within a whirlwind of thrusting, moaning, her hand grabbing at him to pull him close.
When she fell over the edge into bliss, the contractions deep in her core took him with her, and he didn’t even try to postpone the tumble.
His shaft pulsed and he ground his pelvis into hers to prolong the ecstatic sensations, but eventually, the glory that was coupling with Charlotte came to an end.
God, he was shattered, and it took the remainder of his strength to remain standing on his own two feet. When she looked at him with eyes shadowed with satiation and something else he couldn’t readily identify, a tiny piece of his heart flew into her keeping.
A slow grin curved her kiss-swollen lips as she stared at him after collapsing onto the bed. “That was the most amazing thing I have ever done with anyone. No wonder Beatrice has taken a lover, especially if he’s as good as you.”
Warmth filled his chest. His own grin felt far too cocky as he climbed onto the bed with her and then encouraged her up to the pillows to recline in his arms. This was what he’d missed having in his life, a woman to play with and fuck, yet also talk with and simply spend time with, to fill the days and laugh with.
It was deuced wonderful, and he hoped to God he wouldn’t muck it up by being himself.
They lay in the quiet for long moments before Charlotte spoke.
“Do you ever think of yourself as a father with children?”
The inquiry caused his breath to catch. “I have never before had cause to believe it might happen. At least up until this point.” Turning his head, he met her gaze. “What of you? Did you always wish to become a mother?”
“Um, not truly.” When she rested a hand on his chest, she finger-combed the mat of hair there. “I was always more interested in books and reading. During my first engagement, I assumed becoming a mother was something that would naturally follow marriage.”
“Except your fiancé died prematurely and there was no more thinking along those lines.” In his mind’s eye, William saw her with a swollen belly and a tow-headed boy child standing next to her with a hand resting on her skirts.
Were they his children? A feeling of pride welled in his chest. Did he want to be a father to those children? With her?
“He did. We hadn’t even had the time to speak of the future or even of travel.
There are places I would like to see, but travel is prohibitively expensive for most in England.
” She shrugged while her exhalation of breath steamed his skin.
“Until then—or not—there are books to read as a way to escape mundane life.”
“I, would, ah, consider it a privilege to take you anywhere you desire.” When excitement danced in her eyes, his heart swelled but not enough to expel the splinter of bitterness in that organ.
She said nothing so he rushed to fill the silence.
“By the by, I’m hosting my annual Midsummer’s Ball in over a week.
Now that we are engaged, I would like for you to stand by my side. Will you host with me?”
“Me, host a ball with you?” Charlotte levered up on an elbow. Surprised pleasure flitted through her express as she peered down at him. “That sounds daunting but lovely. However, I shall need a ballgown. I don’t have anything quite so fine to wear to an earl’s ball.”
William nodded. “Anything you want. I want to show you off to my friends as well as society, so design whatever you’d like, and make certain your décolletage is on display.” That part was non-negotiable.
Another blush filled her cheeks. “As I’ve said, I rather think my bosom is my best feature. My mother isn’t amused when I tell her so.”
“That is debatable. The best feature part, I mean,” he said in a low whisper as he caressed a hand down her arm. “There are a couple of other places on your body I’m quite partial to as well.”
She clicked her tongue. “Cheeky.”
How much did he adore her tart mouth and her willingness to do anything he suggested? “Not as cheeky as that little mark on your right arse cheek that resembles a pinecone.” He slipped his hand to her hip. “Such an interesting birthmark.”
“A gentleman wouldn’t look nor would he bring up such a delicate subject.” The mock shock in her voice and expression had the power to send awareness skittering over his skin and into his stones.
“Ah, but then I never claimed I was a gentleman.” With a grin, William pushed Charlotte onto her back.
He gave her a hard kiss then flipped her over, brushing his fingers over the birthmark.
“It is all too delightful and will be my little secret.” The trouble?
Now he wanted to know everything else about her.
The fact it might take years didn’t faze him at all.
Not anymore. Chuckling, he moved down her body and licked the spot on her arse.
A gasp escaped her. “William!”
“Oh, I’ll make you scream my name again, but quite differently.” He lightly nipped her buttock, which made her squirm.
Time was of the essence as they awaited the arrival of the doctor, so this conversation was all but over, for he encouraged her onto her back again and buried his head between her thighs to seek out that sweet little nubbin at her center.
Dear God, what was wrong with him? He couldn’t have enough of this woman, in bed or out of it. Did that mean he was falling in love?
Perish the thought. He was above all of that.
Wasn’t he?