She moaned and reached for him, but he grabbed her hands and pulled her onto her knees and hands. She looked at him in confusion. He stepped off the bed and said, “Trust me.”
Her body tingled in anticipation as she heard him discard his own clothes. He pulled her back towards the edge of the bed, and Clara felt him enter her from behind. She moaned at the feel of him. His hand slid down over her hip, across her belly as he continued his slow rhythm into her. Her body trembled as his fingers slid down her belly, past the patch of curls leading to her most feminine spot.
His finger teased her as he continued to enter her slowly over and over again. She pushed her hips into him, shaking from the sensations swirling within her. Her body ached, and she felt herself clench around him. He stopped guiding her and Clara realized it was she who was pushing back against him repeatedly, controlling the rhythm as his fingers caused the ache to intensify. She was panting and could feel her bottom hit against him. The need for him propelled her movements more than any rational thought. The ache intensified, and she let out a guttural moan as the ache exploded, pulsating through her body.
The front of her body collapsed against the bed coverings, but she stayed up on her knees. Her body trembled, and she rested, trying to catch her breath. Sam leaned over and sprinkled kisses from the back of her neck down the curve in her back, still inside of her. He slowly started to move again, and Clara whimpered, her body still pulsating. He moaned, “Clara.”
He grabbed her hips and entered her in deep intense strokes that tormented her in the most delicious seductive way. Clara could feel his body tremble and his strokes started to become uncontrollably faster. She relished in the way she drove him to lose control. The way he was driven by desire for her. His strokes were now almost frantic, and Clara pushed herself into every stroke driving him deeper to the edge.
“Clara,” he moaned again.
He slid his hands up to her shoulder, grabbing her and pushing himself in as deep as he could, over and over again. Clara’s body still ached from her climax and the onslaught was the sweetest torment. She let out a moan, and it sent him over the edge. He slammed her against him one last time, whimpering and finding his own release. He fell against her, leaning his head against her back. He kissed her shoulder before falling down next to her.
Clara allowed herself to slide down onto her belly. She laughed, delighted, and turned to look at him. Sam rolled to his side, propping himself up with his elbow looking down at her. Clara adored him, and the realization made her smile even more. His eyes lingered down her form, and he let out a chuckle. She looked at him puzzled. He leaned over and pulled a puzzle piece off her. “My wife, you have a piece of the world on your bottom.”
Clara rolled on to her back and laughed loudly. Sam pulled another piece from her thigh. “This looks like a piece of the ocean. Who knew dissection pieces could be so tempting?”
She smiled up at him, happy she had married the man smiling down at her. Her mother’s words flashed in her mind, and she chastised herself for doubting him.
~
The next evening Clara and Sam arrived at the Claremore's townhouse. The dinner was a much larger affair than Sam had envisioned. Lords and ladies mingled everywhere. The Claremores had welcomed them in front of everyone and Sam knew he should be happy, but he couldn’t shake the sense that something was amiss. He didn’t like Clara’s parents and knew that they despised him. Still, for Clara he hoped for the best.
“Hello, Kincaides,” Addie said, stopping before him and Clara.
Sam was shocked to see her. He didn’t think the Claremores were so welcoming or friendly with her. Addie, reading his thoughts, leaned in and said, “I know what you are wondering. What in the world is Lady Hawley doing here?”
Clara smiled at her, “I would never think that.”
Addie smiled back at her. “Of course, you would not think that Clara, you are much too polite, but your husband would.”
Sam rolled his eyes and smiled. “Such dramatics.”
Addie laughed, drawing attention their way. “The only thing I can guess is they wanted you to have a friend here,” she whispered to Clara.
Sam snorted, and Addie smiled back at him. “We can hope they are changing or growing more accepting. I mean if a scoundrel like you can change your spots, why not them?”
He tilted his head back and laughed before shaking his head at Addie. Clara looked on amused at the exchange. Sam caught sight of Dolan making his way towards them, and his expression turned thunderous. Clara frowned at him in concern before looking around to see what he was focused on. Her eyes widened in shock when they landed on Dolan.
Dolan was an older man but still very elegant. He was the epitome of how a lord should hold himself. Too bad his character was black as sin, Sam thought. Sam did his best to keep his temper under control but barely, remembering all the information he learned about him from Miller.
Dolan stopped before them and smiled as if they were the best of friends. His eyes lingered a little longer on Clara, and Sam leaned forward. Clara placed her hand on his arm as if to reassure him she was fine.
“Mr. and Mrs. Kincaide, it is lovely to see you.” He then turned to Lady Hawley and said, “You as well my lady.”
Sam scowled at him. “Dolan.”
They all stood awkwardly staring at one another. Everybody watched in interest, considering the last time they were together, it became a spectacle.
Dolan, ignoring Sam’s glare, smiled and said, “I think we need to move past this awkwardness. For my part, I have moved on from losing my betrothed.”
“She was never your betrothed,” Sam snapped back, causing the surrounding crowd to go silent.
“No need to get upset, Kincaide. I am simply suggesting we let bygones be bygones,” Dolan said.
Sam knew everyone was watching them, and he should smile like he normally would. But he couldn’t. He leaned close so only Dolan could hear him, “Leave my wife alone. I mean that.”
Dolan’s eyes connected with his and Sam saw through his act. He might play the part of the amicable gentleman but there was a coldness in his eyes that suggested otherwise. Dolan nodded to Clara and made a hasty retreat across the room.
