“Well…” Her hopeful—and trepidatious—gaze held his as she wrung her hands. “I feel that often. I always have.”
“That’s dreadful,” Jasper murmured.
“When I donned my first ill-fitting, second-hand suit of men’s clothes and called myself Duncan, I felt…right. And while there are days in which dressing in a gown and wearing fashionable hair is lovely and brings me empowerment and satisfaction, there are likewise days in which being Duncan is liberating.”
It didn’t precisely make sense to his mind, but neither had there been a revelation with Maria that had ever felt out of place to him. He’d been surprised at each discovery, yet in the end, every new thing about her had only increased his admiration and regard. When he’d learned about the women’s position as runners, he’d been worried for their safety, but he’d also been impressed with Maria’s capabilities. And as Duncan working forThe Morning Herald… Hell, but he’d found that attractive. And utterly remarkable.
A slow smile pulled at his lips and his heart gave a hardthump. “If you’re informing me that you intend tobeDuncan at home with me after we’re wed then, I confess, I mightn’t be able to keep myself from touching you.”
Her brows lifted, and a hopeful smile curved one corner of her lips. “Truly?”
“Truly.”
“If I were to feel more masculine and dress as Duncan for days at a time, you would still find me appealing?”
Heat crept up Jasper’s chest and flared hot in his ears, despite his efforts to suppress it. Maria as Duncan was not just appealing, but mouth-watering. He wanted desperately to drop to his knees for her again and taste her sweet flesh while gripping her arse in those breeches.
“Yes,” he croaked, then cleared his throat. “Most certainly. I’d never before considered trousers alluring, but the feelings you inspire in me when you’re wearing them are undeniable.” Memories flashed through his mind’s eye, and he quirked a grin. “In fact, I was also rather taken with your strength and ability to command a team and engage in combat. You’re remarkable, Maria.”
Her grin broadened as she leaned her elbows on the table. “And if I suggested that you allow me—as Duncan—to take full control of our lovemaking, would you permit me to engage in any act of my choosing?”
Blood rushed directly to his cock, filling it almost painfully to hardness. He coughed, blinking away his sudden dizziness. “I would be receptive to that, yes.”
With a glint in her eyes and one arched eyebrow, Maria reached back to remove pins from her chignon.
“Disrobe,” she demanded.
His prick gave a hard throb and he stood to do as he was told. His pulse thundered, and his stomach erupted with erratic fluttering.
Maria’s gaze was intent, her movements deliberate as she tied her hair back in a queue. Jasper heated everywhere her gaze touched as she watched him slowly slide his trousers off his hips and down his legs.
She approached him in silence. He knew not what she was about to do, but his body was veritably vibrating with the anticipation.
With the tip of one finger, she traced the line of hair that bisected his soft abdomen. His muscles quivered as she rounded his belly button, then delved lower.
The pads of her fingers traced the underside of his prick, and he hissed a breath. Then, with a playful quirk of her lips, she gripped him hard. His hips thrust into her palm of their own accord.
He groaned. “Touch me, Maria.”
“Duncan,” she—he?—corrected, gliding her hand over his prick.
“Duncan,” Jasper repeated. “God, yes, just like that—” His thoughts trailed off as Mar—Duncan—tightened her grip.
“Mmm,” Duncan hummed. “I am both MariaandDuncan; is that agreeable to you?”
“Christ, yes.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, bringing their bodies closer, then lowered his forehead to hers. “You are agreeable to me. In every way.”
With kisses to his jaw, his neck, and across his chest, Jasper felt Duncan move lower.
“What are you—?” he began, but choked as Maria—Duncan—drew Jasper’s cock into their mouth. “Jesus fuck! What are you?—”
Slick heat enveloped his cock as Duncan slowly took him deeper into their mouth, and Jasper gritted his teeth in an effort to keep from spending immediately. Their tongue gave tentative flicks to the underside of his prick, shooting jolts of pleasure through him.
“Howdo you—Fuck, yes!”
The soft glow of firelight wavered over their skin, their hair, and lent a transparency to his shirt that they’d donned. Unable to keep his hands from them a moment longer, Jasper placed his palms to their head.
Their gaze flicked upward to meet his, and he cursed long and low at the sight. Red lips pulled tight around his girth, eyes glazed with arousal.
