“I shall remove that, then.” She struck it through. “And this is all under thirty pounds. You have your healthy meals, and we have a selection to choose from all month.”
“Beauty and brains,” he murmured, “Why are you doing all this?”
She smiled. “As your wife, is it not my duty to care for you?”
“Duty, hm?” he murmured. “Is that why you’ve tended to me?”
Her heart thumping, she continued, “Well, no, I mean... I mean to say, I am your wife. Obviously, I should do my womanly duties and make sure the basic needs are covered. I remember my mother making menus for us so I—I thought it was right to do. Erm, how was your day?”
Gently, he drew her from her seat and widened his legs to pull her into the vee of them. Dropping her hips, he held her squarely. “It was a disappointment, but I can work around it.”
Her brows furrowed. “You didn’t get your inheritance?”
“No, well, not yet. My father decreed that we must be married for two months before I can attain it,” he replied. “But I am not as upset as I might have thought. Our relationship is something I want to discuss with you.”
She searched his eyes, “Yes?”
He bent his head, his mouth claiming hers. His kiss was gentle yet masterful and she clutched at his arms. When his tongue swept against the seam of her mouth, it felt natural to open to him. William slid his fingers around her nape, anchoring her as he courted her mouth with slow, drugging kisses.
He delved deeper, sliding his tongue against hers, and she moaned with desperate need. Against his own desire, he broke the kiss, resting his forehead briefly against hers.
“You’re so bloody sweet,” he brushed his lips across her cheek. “I could taste you all day.”
Bridget blinked. “I didn’t realize you wanted to add me to the menu.”
He stared at her… then threw his head back and bellowed out a laugh.
Hearing his unrestrained mirth, seeing the crinkles on the sides of his eyes, and feeling the rumbling vibrations from his chest, all made her heart warm. It was the first time she had broken through the stoic façade he always wore. His laughter was infectious, and she joined in, enjoying the lighthearted moment.
I’ve finally seen the heart of him.
Chuckling, he kissed her cheek, “That is the first time I can remember laughing that hard. Thank you, sweetheart.”
“What did you want to ask?” She smoothed her hand over his brocade waistcoat.
“Just a moment ago, you mentionedbasic needs,” he pulled her closer so she could feel his arousal. Bridget’s cheeks warmed but she kept her head up high. “I must ask, do you want to take our intimate arrangement another notch?”
Her brows lifted. “I do… but what do you mean?”
“I want your hands on me,” he replied, dipping to sweep her legs from under her and lifting her into his arms. Clutching his shoulders, she stared at him with lust-glazed eyes as he carried her into his bedchamber.
“You are light as thistledown,” he murmured while padding down the corridor. “You’re so soft and delicate. When I think of another man near you, I feel like a troglodyte, willing and ready to grasp a club and beat them off you.”
She giggled. “Do you have a club?”
“Yes, somewhere,” he murmured while kicking the door in and resting her on her bed.
She peered down at the huge bulge straining the front of his trousers. “I suppose you want my hands on you…” She moistened her lips, “…there?”
He gave her a slow, beautiful smile while peeling the cravat from his neck and undoing his cufflinks. “Yes.”
As he tore his shirt away, she avidly took in the springy dark hair that was sprinkled over his taut skin, the softer trail bisecting it that delineated the muscles of his torso.
Once again, her eyes dropped to his legs and back up to his shoulders, the muscles flexing as he undid his trousers and kicked away his boots.
Her breath held as William removed the rest of his clothes, his thick rod ruddy with arousal, her heart thudding as he grasped himself and ran his fist along the thick and veiny shaft. At the base, his male sac hung heavily between his corded thighs.
Fully naked now, he pressed a knee to the bed and she got to her knees, waiting for him to join her. He pressed his back to the headboard and spread a knee wide. “Come here.”
