“I couldn’t stay away,” he pleaded. “I had to see you.”
“You couldn’t stay away one more day?” she collected herself and gave a gentle shove to release herself from his grip, shakily removing her glasses and setting them on top of the dresser. “For heaven’s sake, Thomas, the wedding is in the morning and it won’t do at all for you to keep me up half the night.”
“While I hesitate to point out you were doing well enough on that front on your own,” he quipped with a meaningful nod toward the book on the bedside stand, causing her to duck her chin. “I quite agree with you. I wouldn’t want you to be so tired on your wedding day that you can’t remember it, or worse yet,” he crept toward her again, smiling as she scampered out of his reach. “So tired you are unable to participate in the wedding night.”
Her eyes rounded and she stared at his bold statement.
“We’ll endeavor to be quick in that case,” he shrugged, catching her as she attempted to dart away and tossing her onto her bed, following suit and pinning her in place. She clasped a hand over her mouth to smother her giggles.
“Thomas!” She whispered, swatting at him with little conviction. Even so, he didn’t trust her not to send him packing, so he’d planned ahead. “Just one more kiss, my darling, and I promise I’ll leave you be. I’ll take myself right back home and suffer in silence until tomorrow night.”
“Truly?”
He bit back the smile threatening to erupt at her poorly concealed disappointment. “Truly.”
She studied him, no doubt certain he would deceive her somehow, but luck was on his side. Unable to definitively detect any dishonesty in his carefully composed features, she gave a small nod.
He bent his head to kiss her, diving into the moment, collecting every precious sigh and purr and letting them spread like a soothing balm through his still-tattered spirit. A spirit regaining its strength and autonomy with every second spent in this woman’s presence.
His lips strayed to the side, finding her cheek, her temple, her jaw.
Sarah sighed as he pressed her back into the mattress and his wandering lips found a place on her neck which incited her to trembling. “This is not just a kiss, she sighed as his lips continued their way down the curve of her neck and his fingers unfastened the belt of her wrapper.
“Of course, it is,” he insisted “There is no part of me in play aside from my lips.”
“That’s a bald-faced lie, Thomas Mallory,” she accused, her statement ending on a hitch as he pressed his hips against hers, leaving her no doubt as to which part of him would like to be in play.
“No, it’s not,” he whispered beside her ear. “And should you say otherwise I will contend that any additional sensations you may feel are an obvious figment of your imagination, brought on by lack of sleep and fatigued eyes.”
He tugged the edges of her wrapper out from between them, embracing Sarah and rolling with her from one side to the other as he peeled the garment from her. Next, his fingers steadily unfastened the buttons at the front of her nightgown as his lips again took up their journey from the hollow of her neck, down her sternum, and across from one breast to the other as his hands pushed aside the fabric to expose them.
She started when his tongue rounded one rosy peak, and again he attempted to internalize the reaction which had set off a reciprocal excitement in him, engrave it into memory. One day, hopefully soon, she would come to anticipate his movements and display a different, more subtle and sensuous response to his touch. He would delight in it just as well, but refused to relinquish any of these memories.
He tugged the nightgown up over her head before returning to where he’d left off, kissing a trail down her torso to her navel and further still to the soft expanse of her abdomen.
“Thomas!” She hissed, stiffening in uncertainty as he continued his southward exploration.
He smiled, pausing long enough to move himself off to the side of the bed and begin removing his own clothing. Her anxious eyes strayed to the door.
“Thomas, we shouldn’t. What if—”
“Is it locked?”
“No.”
He stepped over to the door and turned the key in the lock. “There, now if you wish me to leave quickly, you’d best stop deterring me.”
She looked ready to protest, but desire glowed brightly in her eyes as she raked her gaze over him, winning over her sense of propriety. Thank heaven for that.
He hurried back to her, but instead of joining her in the bed, hooked his hands under her knees and tugged until her bottom rested on the edge of the bed. Kneeling between her legs, he brought her knees up to drape over his shoulders.
“Thomas!” she all but shrieked in a frantic whisper, eyes wide as saucers and a deep flush suffusing her beautifully rosy skin. “What are you—”
“Shhh, love,” he warned, bringing an index finger to his lips. “You don’t want to alert anyone. And I told you, just one more kiss.”
He didn’t allow her time to reply, his desire to find the solace of being buried inside of her warmth clamoring for resolution. The softness of her beckoned, his body shook with the difficulty of restraining his movements. He wanted nothing more than to allow his hands and lips and tongue free rein, to pass the night in exploration and adoration, but they had no time for that. Not yet. He meant to give her the best of what they did have time for.
Splaying her thighs before him, he dusted small and tender kisses along the inside of her thigh, following with a palm to sooth the trembling in her limbs which intensified as his lips neared their goal.
And then he could delay no longer and lost himself in the taste of her, the sweet, hot, beckoning warmth of her. He plundered with abandon, forgetting every promise he made himself to introduce her to this new delight slowly and with deliberation. Deliberation could wait. Instinct demanded he devour her, leave no succulent morsel of her unclaimed.
Sarah gasped harshly and arched off the mattress, her heels digging into his shoulders. His tongue dipped and delved, mapping out every contour of her as her breathing shortened to frenzied pants and her delicate hands clutched at the bedsheets. Her reactions amplified with shocking swiftness, inciting his own tortured body into a painful hardness and trembling anticipation.
His tongue circled about her sensitive peak, taut and straining as her nipples had been. He offered the same treatment, closing his mouth around her and suckling until she bucked against him, smothering her moans with a pillow as her muscles clenched, her back arching.
He allowed her only a moment to catch her breath before he was on his feet and kneeling on the edge of the bed, coaxing her thighs even further apart to accommodate the span of his hips. He dove into that same sweetness still lingering on his lips and found her mouth again, unsure whether the guttural sound reverberating in his throat were his own groan or her moan, swallowed in his haste.
There was no hope of lasting, of prolonging the unearthly bliss consuming him. The cove of her love surrounded him too perfectly, held him too protectively, and demanded he sacrifice and give over all of himself, which he did gladly. Rocking against her, arms encircling her, he thrust into her with abandon, needing the comfort and assurance of her body’s hold on him.
He released into her with more than his body, he gave over his love, his trust, and his very soul into her keeping, understanding with a clarity he’d never known before that he would never be whole without her.
Once their breathing slowed and heartbeats receded, he hazarded lifting his head to peer down at her. Their bodies blissfully entwined, he lost the ability to distinguish where he ended and she began, and that feeling seemed somehow more natural than when he was alone. “Sarah?” he whispered.
She blinked open languid lapis eyes.
“I love you.”
A lazy smile bloomed across her features. “And I love you, Thomas.”
Epilogue
Hampshire, England 1815
“What are you reading?”
&nbs
p; Sarah looked up as Thomas entered the drawing room and graced him with a smile. She set down the piece of paper on the table in front of her and began to pour their tea. A warm breeze wafted in from the half-open window beside her, bringing with it the scents of the garden blooms swaying lazily in the afternoon warmth. Her smile widened. Truthfully, she smiled so much of late she could scarce recall the years she’d spent pining.
Watching Thomas approach the table, his boyish grin firmly in place as it always had been during the friendly visits to the Langdon homes, and looking dapper in his tailored suit and polished boots, she could barely restrain a sigh of delight. Everything in her life felt right now, her dream had become reality and she reveled in it.
She feigned a demure pose as he leaned in toward her, angling her cheek toward him. He pecked a small kiss to her cheekbone and leaned away.
Assuming he would continue his walk to his chair, she turned her head and opened her mouth to answer his question, but he’d lingered at her side and now swooped in with a fervent kiss designed to rob her of breath. Which it did. When he pulled away from her again, it was only as far as necessary to whisper in her ear. “Terribly sorry, dear wife, I have no intention of ever becoming a contented and brotherly husband. You had best prepare yourself for a lifetime of my undivided passion.”
With that, he took his seat beside her, smirking as he unfolded his napkin and took pains to ignore her gaze. All the better, since Sarah’s face must be horribly splotched with a flush and her head spun with an intensity which necessitated an additional breath or two before she could again call to mind what he’d initially asked.
Clearing her throat and setting a small sandwich on her plate, she resumed her bearing as though her pulse weren’t racing faster than a hare fleeing a fox. “It’s a letter from Lenore in Scotland.” She began, attempting to recall the information from her brother-in-law’s sister. “It sounds as though the summer is finally making an appearance, and that she’s in good spirits. I’m glad to hear it, I had heard from Gavin she wasn’t feeling well, but I’m sure the time spent around her aunts is very healing.”
Thomas nodded. The MacAllisters were also long-time friends of the Langdons, and though Gavin’s marriage to Sarah’s sister Amaryllis had been a bit of a surprise, the entire family approved wholeheartedly of the match.
“If she’s feeling well,” Thomas noted, “Daniel must not have arrived yet.”
“Don’t be so cruel,” she teased, swatting at his forearm, then resting her hand on his sleeve. “As a matter of fact, she did mention he arrived, but said little other than that.”
“I can’t imagine there would be much to say, your brother does tend to keep to himself.”
“That’s true,” she agreed, removing her hand from his arm to reach for a pat of butter. The warm weight of her husband’s hand laid claim to her thigh and she smiled to herself. “Even more so now.”
A hint of sadness crept into her voice as she thought of her eldest brother. It must have shown because the hand on her leg gave a small, reassuring squeeze.
“Here now, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Sarah caught Thomas’ concerned gaze and angled to face him more fully with a smile. “It’s all right, you didn’t upset me. I worry for him. Gavin was convinced the trip to Scotland would do him good, and I hope it does.”
Thomas nodded. “He’s seen quite a lot in only a few years, it’s much to deal with, but if anyone can, and come out the better for it, I’m sure it’s Daniel. He only needs a bit of time.”
Not wishing to perpetuate the gloomy veil encroaching upon their pleasant moment, Sarah blinked back the mistiness in her eyes and sent her husband a mischievous grin. “And? How did you fare with Edwin?”
Her heart warmed as it always did at the mention of their son. Only a few weeks old, but already showing a preference for his father. The boy would fuss more often than not when Sarah put him down to sleep, but never seemed upset by it when Thomas did so.
“Out in an instant of course, but that’s to be expected.” Thomas grinned. The boy’s preference for him was already a playful sparing point between them.
“Just wait,” she warned. “If he’s inherited any of his grandfather’s qualities, you’ll never be able to influence him.”
“Unfortunately, I think you may be correct in that,” Thomas sighed. “The bigger he gets, the more insistent on his authority. I’m beginning to worry naming him after your father was less a memorial and more an omen.”
They both laughed.
“Before I forget,” Sarah continued the conversation after a quiet moment. “I have a bone to pick with you.”
“Is that right? What have I done now?”
“The other night when mother and Eric came to visit for dinner, you and Eric sequestered yourselves for ages in the study. And from the sounds of it you were quite animated in your discussion. That bodes ill. What are you getting yourself into now?”
Thomas stalled, taking an undue amount of time in wiping his mouth and sipping his tea. “Come now, Sarah, can’t a man enjoy a lively discussion with his best friend without it automatically indicating some mischief?”
“Not if that man and his friend are you and Eric.” She insisted. “Out with it, what are you up to?”
“Nothing at all which you need get concerned about,” he assured her. “Believe me, I have no intention of getting wrapped up in anything new right now. I’m far more intrigued by this fatherhood adventure. Who knew it was this complicated?”
Sarah relented. “But you will return to work eventually.”
“I’m doing as much as I can from afar,” he admitted, “But it does look as though I will be forced to make an appearance at some point soon. Since Eric took over and cleaned up Addington’s operation, he’s become a veritable taskmaster. An utter bore, really.”
Sarah giggled and reached out a hand, which Thomas took in his. Their gazes met, mingling and warming in contented happiness a moment before Thomas blinked and looked toward the doorway.
“Where is Aunt Mabel? She’s usually the first one to tea.”
“Oh, dear, I forgot,” Sarah apologized. “She’s not joining us today, she said she woke early and was quite tired. She’s napping.”
Thomas sat up straighter in his chair, causing Sarah some concern. “When did she lay down?”
Sarah blinked as Thomas hopped up from the table and hurried toward the door. “About the same time you went to lay down the baby.” She furrowed her brow, watching as Thomas peered up and down the hall before closing and locking the door. “What are you doing?”
“If we’re lucky, they’ll both give us about two hours’ time…” he muttered, rounding on Sarah and stalking toward her with a suddenly heated gaze.
“What?” She blinked, confused at his change in demeanor. He looked… ravenous. “Thomas—Oh!”
He reached her side and scooped her into his arms without pausing. Tea forgotten, he carried her to the sofa on the other side of the room.
“My darling,” he began as he laid her gently onto the cushions and rested atop her, aligning their bodies the way they hadn’t been able to for several months, letting out a contented sigh as he lowered his head to begin nuzzling at her neck and nipping at her ear. “I’ve done my best to be a kind, understanding husband.”
Sarah shuddered when his tongue tickled the hollow at the junction of her neck and shoulder, her body warming and clamoring for faded and cherished memories.
“I know you were uncomfortable the last portion of your pregnancy,” he pressed kisses along her collar bone and along the upper curves of her enlarged breasts. “And you’ve hardly had more than an hour or two of consistent sleep through the night since Edwin’s birth,” he retraced his kisses until he reached her jaw, then her lips. “But I’m dying to relearn this with you,” he breathed against her cheek, hugging her close. “Explore all the familiar landscape and take note of the changes.”
He paused to brace up
on his forearms, looking down at her with dark, languid eyes. Sarah’s pulse rushed in her ears, her shortened breaths only partially due to her husband’s weight on her chest. She knew exactly the sentiment, her heart had been longing for the same, but her body had been so tired. She bit her lip. Her figure was nowhere close to what it had been, and wouldn’t be for quite a bit of time yet.
As though reading her thoughts, he smiled and caressed her cheek with a palm. “You’re the most beautiful wonder I’ve ever laid eyes on, Sarah,” he whispered. “Even more so now. I never deserved you and never will. The best I can hope to do is please you. Do I please you, my love?”
Her heart melted in her chest and she tightened her arms around his torso but refrained from issuing the ardent yes that sprang to her lips. Instead, she angled her chin at him and gave a half smile. “I don’t recall. We’ll have to find out.” She lifted her head from the cushion to kiss him, pulling him down toward her in the same movement.
The End
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Next in the Series
A man in need of salvation…
Daniel Langdon has returned from war a broken man. Though his body is sound, rumors abound that his mind is not. Nightmares haunt him and insecurities close in on him until he can no longer hide his failings from his family. Acquiescing to his mother’s request that he take time to rest with family friends in Scotland, he gives in to desolation. Only the unexpected arrival of an old sweetheart might convince his heart to beat anew.
A woman’s healing touch…
Elenore MacAllister has never admitted to Daniel’s claim on her heart, they were only children when he’d won her over, after all. The pained and brooding man visiting her family’s estate is a far cry from the cheerful boy she once knew, but she can still catch glimpses of that boy in his eyes. Determined to help him, she can only hope her love, and perhaps a healthy dose of cunning, is strong enough to heal the damages of war.
A Clandestine Affair (Currents of Love Book 5) Page 16
