“Lord!” Colin swore under his breath, and she bit back a laugh. “I have never seen a more relentless woman in my life.”
She placed a hand on his arm. “Why, thank you!”
His eyes held hers again, and she could see that he was exerting himself to look stern. In fact, he looked like he could burst out laughing at the tiniest provocation. She decided to push him off that edge.
“I believe I left my gloves on the other side of the table.” It was such a trivial thing to say, but it did the trick. He laughed, and his eyes crinkled at the corners handsomely. Something warm touched her heart.
“Good God, Anna!” He shook his head. “Very well, I will converse with you tonight, but only this once.”
“Once is good enough for me.” That was a lie. She knew she could not go back to sitting across from him, and if she was able to make him bend the rule tonight, she could persuade him again tomorrow.
“Why do I feel as if you are saying that to avert suspicion?” he asked.
“Why do you wish to be quiet while you eat?” Anna asked, purposefully skirting his question.
“I saw someone choke once. They did not die, but his face looked like death.”
Anna did not think that was truly the reason, and she countered, saying, “You cannot choke unless you speak with food in your mouth.”
He raised one eyebrow. “Must I explain the reason behind my decision?”
“No, Colin, you do not.” She touched his arm again, and this time, his muscles jumped beneath her touch. His gaze darkened and slowly descended from her eyes to her lips, then further down to her bosom. Her heart beat faster, and her desire grew.
Colin’s eyes returned to hers, and he did not look away when he spoke. “Will you excuse us, please?” The footmen immediately bowed and headed toward the door. They closed it when they left. He leaned back in his seat and watched her through lids that were growing heavy with need. “How is your wound?”
“I am healing well.” She still felt some discomfort but she did not tell him that now. Anna left her chair and sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
His hand slid up her back to cup her nape, then he gently took her mouth in a soft slow kiss that teased and promised.
Chapter 15
At last, our marriage is complete. Well, not yet. I would still have to give Colin an heir, but I am incandescently happy at this moment, for I have never experienced passion as I did in his arms.
Colin pulled her skirts up and slipped his hand beneath, stroking her thigh, while he languidly explored her mouth. He was taking his time, but Anna was growing impatient.
“Colin,” she whispered when his mouth moved to her neck.
“Hmmm?” He pulled his hand from under her skirts and reached behind her to unfasten the buttons of her dress.
“I need you,” she breathed, delighting in the way his body hardened on hearing that.
“So do I, Anna,” he groaned, pulling her dress down to her waist once the buttons were undone and closing his mouth around one of her breasts.
Her head fell back from the jolt of pleasure that shot through her, and she moaned his name, her fingers clutching his sandy locks. Colin’s hand returned to her thighs, and this time, she parted her legs and he slipped between them to touch her.
Her senses split into a thousand pieces and she lost every thought that formed in her mind. All that was left was his name, and all she felt was the intense pleasure coursing through her. Anna rolled her hips against his hand, seeking the sweet release she knew she would find. As he stroked her faster and moved to suckle her other breast, she felt herself inching closer to her peak.
Her ragged breathing drew his head up, and he stared intensely into her eyes. A tiny smile curved his lips. “Let yourself feel everything, Anna.” She did, and emotions she was not expecting rushed into her. Afraid he could see into the deepest part of her soul, she began to look away, but he gently took her chin and kissed her.
That brought about a shattering climax. Tiny sparkles appeared behind her eyes, and every part of her ached and found relief all at once. She held onto him and moaned her cry. Colin pressed his lips to her cheek, stroking her hair.
“I have you, Anna,” he murmured warmly, repeating the words over and over until she felt her body settle into the aftermath of the pleasurable shock that had racked her. Colin kissed her lips again, and asked, “How do you feel?”
A lazy smile touched her face. “Pleased.”
“Good.” He felt harder than ever against her, and she wondered if he would allow himself any satisfaction.
He pulled her dress up and began to fasten the buttons, inciting her to protest. “Colin, what about—”
