The nightmares hadn’t returned, thanks to Evan. He’d kept her so relaxed, so loved, that fear hadn’t dared creep back in. He’d doubled the footmen for added security, yet insisted life must carry on—and he’d been right. They couldn’t live in constant dread.
But this… the nausea. It wasn’t lingering anxiety.
When Juliana’s letter arrived days ago informing Marina that the doctor confirmed her suspicions, the realization struck Marina like a thunderbolt. Of course. The exhaustion, the aversion to meat, the tenderness in her breasts—it was all familiar. And she couldn’t believe she had missed it.
She wasn’t sick with fear. It was so much more wonderful than that.
She was carrying their second child.
Marina rose to rinse her mouth and pressed her palm to her bare stomach, warmth spreading through her as a smile tugged at her lips. Another precious babe.
Strong arms circled her from behind, a familiar heat from bare skin pressing against her back.
“Might we celebrate together?” Evan’s rich baritone rumbled low in her ear.
She leaned into him, grinning. “I don’t know what you mean,” she teased, though she doubted he’d missed the signs. He’d barely let her out of his sight for days.
His lips traced a path from her ear down her neck, the warmth of his mouth sending a delicious shiver through her. She was so in love with him, it bordered on obsession. But she supposed they were well matched in that regard.
“You haven’t touched a bite of meat in days,” he murmured, spinning her to face him. “I told you—you’d be surprised how much we men actually notice.”
She looked up at him, her heart swelling. Of course he’d noticed. Her husband knew her better than anyone.
“We’ll have the doctor confirm,” she said softly, already confident she knew the truth. “After the house party.”
He arched his brow. “This better be a damn memorable party, considering its timing. The whole thing is less than ideal.”
“You doubt my abilities?” she challenged, lifting her chin.
His arms cinched around her waist, their bare bodies pressed flush. “I’d never doubt you in anything,” he rasped, his hard length pressing insistently between them. “But if you think I won’t keep fussing over you in front of a house full of people, you’re mistaken.”
She smirked, imagining the way they’d scandalize their guests—if they weren’t too busy creating scandals of their own. And she would be lying if she said she didn’t hope for that very thing. It would certainly make for a more interesting party.
“Right now,” she whispered, her voice turning sultry, “all I want is you before our house fills with guests.”
Evan swept her into his arms, grinning down at her. “You know I shan’t deny you whatever you wish.”
Marina wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply as he carried her back to their bed. Desire curled low in her belly, her body already aching for his touch.
The moment he set her down, she shifted to her hands and knees, glancing over her shoulder with a wicked smile.
“You little minx,” he growled, massaging her backside. “Chest down.”
She obeyed, lowering herself until her cheek pressed against the mattress. The air cooled her heated skin as his powerful hands spread her open.
Then his mouth found her.
His tongue traced her seam, slow and deliberate, sending fire through her veins. Her eyes fluttered closed, a moan slipping from her lips as he sucked her pearl with just the right amount of pressure.
“That feels so good.” She gasped, rocking her hips back against his face. Pleasure coiled tightly inside her, and he didn’t relent. When her release came, it shattered her—sharp, hot, and all-consuming. Overtaking her in intense waves for several seconds until it faded.
Evan ran his tongue along her seam again, tasting her as she trembled beneath him. “You taste incredible,” he growled, sliding his tongue lower to tease her opening. “So wet and ready for me.”
His hands gripped her hips, strong and certain. The head of his cock pressed at her entrance, his voice dark and rough. “Tell me what you want, love.”
“You,” she breathed. “All of you. Please.”
He chuckled, low and dark. “It’s not often my beautiful wife says please.”
