“Do you doubt it, jewel of my heart?” He traced her lips with a finger. “I love you.”
He did.
She could see it in the depths of his soul for it reflected the love that must be shining in her eyes as well.
Could her heart hold any more joy?
“Yes, Flynn.” She pressed a hot kiss to his mouth. “I want this, more than I’ve ever wanted anything before in my life.”
It was true.
This man had become her reason for living. His very breath echoing the rhythm of her once broken heart. “Make me forget everything hurtful that came before you. Take my love, and make it yours.”
A smile of triumph tempered with love lit his face. Helping her from the bed, he efficiently divested her of her clothing.
Except for fuller breasts, her body showed no sign of her recent pregnancy. She reached to unclasp the pendant.
Flynn placed a hand on the stone, halting her. “No, leave it on. But take your hair down.”
Unsure whether her voice would work, she did as he asked. As she removed the pins from her hair, he undressed until he stood before her wearing nothing except his trousers.
Fine dark hair covered his chest and abdomen, gradually narrowing until it disappeared into his unfastened waistband. The trousers hung loose and provocative on his narrow hips.
Her gaze roamed his godlike form. What a splendid male specimen. Although she’d seen him shirtless before, she’d forgotten the broadness of his sculpted chest.
Flynn stepped to Angelina and combed his fingers through her tresses, fanning them across her shoulders and breasts.
“I’ve wanted to do that since the day I first met you.” He lifted a handful and buried his face in the mass of curls. “I’ve never seen such glorious hair before.”
Angelina closed her eyes as a shudder rippled through her. Completely nude, she ought to be embarrassed. She wasn’t. It seemed right. Natural. Destined.
She heard the rustling of clothing as Flynn shed his remaining garment and dared open her eyes.
He stood naked and magnificent.
Swallowing, she peeked at him from between her lashes. She’d never seen it before.
Proud and rigid, his penis angled upward from a nest of dark curls.
Her uncertainty must have shown on her face.
“I promise, I’ll be gentle.” Concern darkened his eyes to agate. He touched her cheek.
Angelina willed her rioting nerves to behave.
“I’ve been with a man once, Flynn. I know what to expect. We were dressed, not naked as you and me, but I do know the gist of the act.”
She tried to reassure him. Truthfully, she was a little hesitant.
Flynn made an odd choking noise.
Angelina’s gaze leapt to his. She’d said something wrong.
He stared at her in amazement, his jaw slack. “Once? Only once and you were both still dressed?”
A slow seductive smile spread across his mouth. “My lady, let me assure you, you have no idea what to expect. I’ll be delighted to teach you.”
He winked at her wickedly.
Angelina gaped, confused. What was he blathering about? Of course she knew what to expect.
He would put his immense length inside her, bounce around a bit while making a great deal of noise, and in a minute or two, it would be over. The pain would cease as well.
What else could there be?
Once Flynn locked the door and pulled back the bedcovers, he scooped her into his arms, then deposited her reverently on the bed.
She resisted the instinct to cover herself.
Instead of immediately climbing into bed, he stared, his gaze caressing. “I cannot believe you’re mine, that you want to stay with me.”
“I do, Flynn, with my whole heart, I do.” Tears filled her eyes. She lifted her arms to him.
“Well, then it’s time for lesson one.” Flynn skimmed his hands across her ribs before cupping her breasts and taking her mouth in a searing kiss.
The past weeks had primed Angelina’s passion. Every pore in her body craved his touch. She might shatter if he didn’t take her at once, yet the tiniest bit of unease lingered.
“Flynn?”
Staring into her eyes, he feathered a path to the juncture of her thighs, then brushed his palm between her legs. Gently cupping her curls, he glided his fingers along her sensitive folds.
A spark of heaven ignited. She groaned and let her thighs drop open.
He slowly slid a finger, then two inside her.
A jolt of pure bliss surged to her center. She bucked her hips, seeking more.
Face taut and nostrils flared, Flynn traced her lower lip with his tongue. “You’re more than ready. By God, I suspected you’d be passionate, but not this responsive.”
“You did?”
His fingers continued their magical play.
Angelina gasped, her nerves and muscles responding in ways she never dreamed possible. The sensations so overwhelmed her, she could scarcely think or speak.
Biting her bottom lip, she swallowed a moan of bliss. Lord, she was going to ignite.
She hadn’t anticipated this incredible yearning, the desperation.
“How do you know I’m ready?” She clutched his shoulders. They bunched and trembled beneath her fingers.
Lord, the man knew his way around a woman’s body.
“You’re wet and slick.” Flynn moved between her knees, spreading her legs wider. Reaching beneath her, he angled her buttocks upward. The tip of his manhood hovered at her entrance.
He lifted his eyes to hers and went completely still. “Well, I’ll be.”
What? Was something wrong? Did she have some peculiar growth or was she abnormal in some way? She gulped against the sudden anxiousness assailing her.
“You’ll be what?” she dared whisper.
“Your eyes. They’re the color of the ocean after a spring storm. An absolutely brilliant turquoise.”
As he spoke, Flynn sank into her, inch by inch, until his full length buried within her.
“Flynn, you’re so big. I . . .” She pressed her face to his shoulder.
He stretched her almost beyond her capability to accommodate him.
“Shh, just relax. You’ll get used to me inside you.”
Tracing soothing circles over her hips and thighs, he trailed little nipping kisses along her neck and shoulder.
His breathing resonated deep and uneven, as if he struggled for control. “I love you, Lina.”
He loved her?
Flynn rocked his hips in one long thrust.
All her discomfort faded away as sweet sensation spiraled from where he touched her core.
“Wrap your legs around my waist.” Voice ragged and passion-laden, Flynn gathered her closer.
Angelina curved her arms around his back and clung to him as if her life depended on this pleasure.
They mated, a wild untamed symphony of thrusts and plunges, gasps and moans culminating in a crescendo of rapture.
She stiffened and cried out as a wave crashed over her, hurling her into ecstasy.
Flynn’s arms tightened. He threw back his head, the lines of his face harsh with passion. He surged into her one final time.
A primitive growl escaped him.
Breathless, dazed, and utterly satiated, she hugged him, relishing the roughness of his chest hair brushing against her turgid nipples.
Heavens, she adored him.
Somehow, she’d won Flynn’s love. Joy and triumph encompassed her. The wonder of that gift, and what they’d just shared, exceeded anything she’d ever fantasized.
Flynn rolled onto his back, taking Angelina with him.
Lay
ing her head on his chest, she skimmed her hand over the crisp hair. His rigid muscles jumped beneath her fingers.
She’d never have her fill of touching him.
He circled the sensitive spot behind her ear with his fingers. Flynn caressed a path from her shoulder to her derrière. He gave her bottom a light squeeze.
She cupped his face between her hands and kissed him with all the love and happiness flowing through her. “Thank you.”
“For what? For loving you?” He dipped his head and licked her nipple, then sucked it into his mouth.
She clutched his head. “Yes.”
“For this?” He rolled her beneath him, then sank his length into her. He pulled almost all the way out and plunged again.
Angelina tilted her hips and grasped his buttocks, urging him on. “Oh, yes.”
“And this,” he grated between clenched teeth, surging against her, lifting her higher with every powerful stroke.
She spun out of control. “Yes, Oh God, yes.”
“How about this?” Reaching between their thrashing bodies, he flicked her woman’s bud.
“Yes!” she screamed, toppling over the abyss once more.
Chapter 23
“Good morning, darling.” Flynn winked as Angelina took her chair at the breakfast table. He glanced at the Bracket clock ticking atop the mantel. Almost ten. “I trust you slept well?”
She colored prettily. “Yes, thank you. And you?”
“Never better.”
She hadn’t drifted off until dawn; after he made love to her for the third time. She was an uninhibited temptress between the sheets.
“Just toast, fruit, and hot chocolate for me please, Collins.” She smiled at the footman.
Angelina was a vision in pink and yellow this morning. The pink enhanced her ivory skin and the rosy glow on her cheeks, while the yellow set off the gold tones in her hair.
He would never tire of gazing at her. Not in a lifetime.
Meeting her eyes, he deliberately lowered his gaze to her bosom, lingering on her right breast for a moment.
A blush tinted her cheeks. She no doubt remembered the love bite he left there a few short hours ago.
His groin jumped to attention, contracting eagerly.
Down, lad. You will have to wait a bit.
They broke their fast alone, which suited Flynn perfectly.
Angelina’s sisters didn’t rise until after noon, and the Scots, save Gregor who’d already eaten, had left for Craiglocky shortly after dawn.
Flynn had asked Gregor to stay and continue to treat Mrs. Ellsworth.
“I almost forgot to tell you, Lina. Lord Devaux paid a call. Renault sailed for France at dawn yesterday. You’re free of him.”
Cup half raised to her mouth, she paused. “Truly? He’s gone?”
“Truly, love.”
The radiant smile she bestowed upon him had him rethinking his morning plans.
Jeffers entered the room carrying a salver. “The post is early today, my lord.”
“Thank you.” Flynn accepted the neat bundle.
He quickly perused the pile and set aside three letters. The rest he passed to the butler. “Will you put those in the study, please?”
“Naturally, my lord.” Jeffers raised his chin, seemingly offended Flynn dare make such a request.
Such a touchy fellow, wholly unlike Chatterton.
“Lina,” Flynn tapped the letters, “these are from Her Grace. One for you, one for your mother, and one for me.”
Angelina raised an eyebrow. “My, she felt chatty, didn’t she?”
She patted her mouth with her napkin and stood. “Forgive me. I know Mama has been anxious to hear from Aunt Camille. May I take the letter to her directly?”
“Certainly.” He extended the missives. When Angelina reached for the letters, he drew them away.
Her forehead puckered in confusion.
“I think they’re worth a kiss, don’t you?” Flynn suggested silkily.
She tossed a worried glance about the room.
Collins appeared absorbed in some task at the sideboard.
“No, Flynn,” she whispered, her color high.
“Not even a peck? You’re going to make me wait until—”
“Oh, all right,” she huffed. “If it will make you hush.”
She closed her eyes and pursed her lips. After a moment, she opened one eye.
“You will have to do better than that, my love.”
“Flynn!” Vexed, her lovely eyes sparked with green fire.
He shrugged and grinned.
“Fine.” She grabbed his face between her hands and gave him a full-on kiss, even tracing her tongue along the seam of his lips.
He instinctively reached for her.
An exaggerated throat clearing broke the silence.
Angelina reared away, her face flaming. Giving Flynn a reproachful glare, she snatched the letters and fairly flew from the room.
Silver pot in hand, Collins made a valiant effort to maintain a straight face.
And failed miserably.
“More coffee, my lord?”
Coffee wasn’t what Flynn wanted at all.
“Yes, please, and another piece of ham.”
Flynn broke the seal on the duchess’s letter. He scanned the first page, allowing an uncharitable smirk to curve his lips.
That old bugger finally got what he deserved. Likely ape-drunk, Waterford had taken a tumble from his horse and knocked himself halfway to cork-brained and back. He had a broken leg, a dislocated shoulder, and a cracked skull.
Reading on, Flynn suddenly went rigid in his chair. “Well, will wonders never cease?”
It grieves me to inform you that some weeks ago, I inadvertently discovered a pack of playing cards in His Grace’s possession.
I believe them to be marked, although I cannot be sure. I regret I didn’t make you aware sooner. They are at your disposal should you require them.
The duchess offered the evidence Flynn needed to prove Waterford had cheated. She was a courageous woman, and her integrity spoke highly of her character.
If Flynn accepted her offer and exposed the duke’s perfidy, she and her husband faced certain ostrazation.
After folding the letter, he tucked the paper inside his coat. He’d made his decision yesterday. If Angelina could ignore the offenses committed against her and her mother, Flynn could find forgiveness in his heart as well.
If he revealed the truth, the scandal would cause the duchess, as well as her children, immeasurable disgrace. They didn’t deserve to suffer for Waterford’s duplicity.
Although, Flynn wasn’t beyond advising the duke he had knowledge of Angelina’s parentage. He might even suggest His Grace set aside funds for her.
Knowing Angelina, she’d likely refuse the monies.
Flynn checked his watch. He best get to it. He’d an appointment with Yancy, Harcourt, and Faulkenhurst at White’s in thirty minutes.
Hiring an agent to sail to the Caribbean and sell his sugar plantations topped Flynn’s list of priorities. He wasn’t about to leave Angelina alone for weeks on end. No, with a wife as delectable as her, a husband stayed close to home.
Striding to the entry, he accepted his hat, gloves, and cane from Jeffers. “The carriage is ready?”
“Assuredly, my lord.” Long-suffering patience tinged the butler’s words, and his expression bore the fortitude of a persecuted saint. “Shall I tell her ladyship when you’re expected home?”
“I don’t imagine I’ll be home before tea time.”
Flynn had several errands to run after his jaunt to White’s. He masked a grin as Jeffers opened the door, standing as stiff as the starched neckcloth circlin
g his neck.
Triumph and Treasure (Highland Heather Romancing a Scot Series Book 1) Page 29
