It was desperate, savage. Bodies straining, reaching for the same destination. He grabbed her hands in his. Leaning over her, he held them above her head as he devoured her mouth, feasted on her breasts. She was panting, sobbing with the need for release before he gave it to her.
“Yes, come for me, darling. I’m going to fill you with my seed and then watch it as it leaks out of you.”
With a chorus of moans and groans, she came around his cock. Squeezing him so delightfully that it milked another orgasm from him.
In the aftermath, he did as he had told her. He held her legs open, keeping her exposed to his hungry gaze until a drop of his semen leaked out of her. He gathered it with his thumb andpushed it back in. At last, closing her legs, he turned her to the side and curled up behind her.
“That’s it, my love. Keep me inside you. Keep me with you.”
If only that were possible.
THEIR IDYLLIC HOLIDAYwas at an end. That was his first thought upon waking after dozing off, following their exertions in the early morning hours.
Gabriel wished it was possible to extend their holiday, but they had both shirked their responsibilities long enough. And besides, he knew another day, another week, even another month would not be enough. Only a lifetime with her would do. But they didn’t have a lifetime. Tomorrow, they would go back to the real world.
Until now, they had enjoyed good weather, especially for the season. But today, even the sky was weeping for their imminent departure. An unrelenting rain had been falling since before sunrise, and it didn’t show any sign of abating. Suited him fine. Exploring the environs was all fine and enjoyable, but he would rather spend today exploring her.
This was not the end of their affair. He reminded himself. There would be more days with her. He would make sure of it. Most likely, it would take more than a few days for her to conceive. Although they had been putting a good deal of effort into the task. How many times had he made love to her? He had lost count. Who could remember to count when in the throes of such bliss?
The sound of thunder had woken him, but she still slept, snuggled against his side. He would miss this most of all. Even if they could find the moments to steal away and see each other, when would they again have the pure pleasure of sleeping all night in each other’s arms?
He got out of bed and padded naked to the bathing chamber. They rarely bothered with nightclothes, as they fell asleep right after making love and made love again upon waking up. The clothes would only get in the way. Beneath the blankets, their naked bodies entwined and created enough heat to keep them warm throughout the night.
Maybe they could take another holiday next month? They could even go abroad. Yet even as he thought about it, in his mind, he couldn’t see it happening. Some despairing premonition whispered in his ear that their halcyon days had run out like the sands of an hourglass.
CHAPTER 34
“COME SPEND CHRISTMASwith us.” She extended the invitation on impulse as the train was entering London.
There wasn’t much time left. In a few minutes they would arrive at the terminus, and she couldn’t bear to part without making further plans to see him.
They had spoken little on the train ride back; the air charged with a cloying melancholy that neither could completely dispel. It had been so different on the way over. They had laughed, made love, and had been filled with anticipation and joy.
He looked at her with a pensive expression. “We can’t... be intimate in the duke’s house.”
Her cheeks heated. “Of course not. But I think he would like to see you. And I would enjoy your presence too. Even if we don’t...” She trailed off. Unable to put it into words the way he had.
His smile was sad, his answer non-committal. “Perhaps I will.”
But somehow, she knew he wouldn’t. The train was now minutes away from the station. Time was running out. She grappled for something to say, some plan that would excite him. She needed something to look forward to.
His mouth descended on hers with a fierceness born of desperation. The kiss tasted like goodbye. But it couldn’t be. They would have to see each other again. Surely, she was not pregnant yet. This was merely a temporary separation.
Ending the kiss with the same abruptness he had started it, he commanded her. “Let me know when you know.”
There was no need to explain what. He wanted to know if she was pregnant.
“It might be some time before I know for sure...”
“I know. Just...let me know. I will await your news. I’ll be thinking of you. Every day, until we meet again.”
Her eyes filled with useless tears. Weakness. She knew this wouldn’t be easy, but she had to be strong. She shouldn’t burden him with her pain. Blinking away the moisture, she tried to speak, but the unshed tears clogged her throat.
His thumb brushed her cheek, wiping away an errant drop. “Don’t cry. We’ll see each other again. I’ll come for Christmas...or I’ll think of something else. I promise this is not the end.”
She didn’t know if he was trying to convince her or himself. But there was no time for more. The train was sliding into the station, stopping with a big shudder. He slipped away through the hallway. The same way he had arrived. She knew he would keep an eye on her until she was safely in her carriage, but there was no need for his intervention. Her servants were waiting for her on the platform, ready to take her home.
With a heavy heart, she entered the grand house. She looked forward to a moment of solitude. A bath, maybe a nap, for they had barely slept last night. But she didn’t have time to catch her breath. A telegram from the abbey had arrived this morning.
