She shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“Would you have ever thought to marry me if I hadn’t found you in the garden with Dolan?”
She froze and her eyes widened. She stared at him silently. Sam didn’t want to hear her response. He couldn’t. He placed his drink on the desk and stood, nudging her legs open with one of his own. Then he grabbed her thighs and slid her to the edge of the desk, so she was flush against him. She gasped as his arousal lay against the apex of her legs.
“So beautiful.”
He threaded his fingers through her hair and pressed his mouth to hers in a crushing kiss. He wanted to consume her, the way she consumed him. She tasted like berries and cream. His tongue pressed against hers promising all types of wicked things. She grabbed his shirt holding on to him as she sat on the edge of his desk. She moaned and pushed her body against him.
“Do you like that?”
He slid his hands down between them to the opening over her knickers, and he moaned at her wetness. Sam slid his fingers into her, and she fell back against his desk with her elbows propping her up. Her hips thrusted against his hand. Her legs shook in anticipation of her release, but she pulled his hand away, shaking her head.
“No, I want you in me,” she whispered.
Sam undid the flap on his pants and his arousal sprung out. His eyes connected with hers, and his heart pounded wildly. Slowly he slid into her, and Clara’s head fell back. He clutched her hips, sliding himself into her over and over again. Her whimpers grew into moans. He studied her as her body arched across the desk, enraptured by every gasp she made. He felt her clench around his shaft and his body quickly followed, releasing himself deep inside her.
He stepped back and used a handkerchief to clean them both up before sliding Clara’s skirts back into place and closing the flap on his pants. Clara sat up and they stared at one another. The moment had released the physical tension in his body but had done nothing to fix the tension between them. She didn’t trust his intentions, and it ate at him. What did he expect? She was a lady and one that was expected to marry not only a wealthy man but one with a highly respected title.
Clara scooted off the desk and placed her hand on his chest. “Sam, can we start again?”
He pushed away his thoughts and said, “I would like that.”
“I have a favor to ask.”
Sam felt himself go rigid. He walked to the sideboard and poured her a drink.
“What is it?” he asked, holding the glass out to her.
Taking the glass, she smiled at him tentatively. “Would you release my parents from their debt?”
He looked at her shocked. “The only reason they have been somewhat decent to you is because I own their debt. It isn’t even all of it.”
Her mouth pursed together. “It would allow us to move on.”
“And they would spurn you again.”
Clara looked at him stubbornly. “So be it. I don’t like that you did this. It is unseemly.”
Sam laughed darkly. He had done it all for her and now his character was being questioned. He smiled bitterly at her.
“Do you know who owns the rest of their debt?”
Clara shook her head.
“Dolan. He pretty much owns your parents. He has been funding their lives for quite some time now.”
Clara shook her head, shocked. “I want us to move on.”
“I don’t trust them,” Sam stated.
“So, it is better to hold something over them?” she questioned.
Sam stayed quiet, knowing nothing he said would put Clara at ease with the situation. Clara took a deep breath and stood. “I think I am tired. I will retire.”
He watched her leave and scowled. He had never felt so disconnected from Clara.
~
