He licked her, his tongue flitting over her in disparate tempos. Slow and sure, long and fast, hard then soft, quick, a nip of his teeth. “Mmm.” He sucked, then released her, his words spoken into her hungry flesh in yet another form of delicious torture. “So sweet, my Leonie. All of you. Everywhere.”
Her ability to speak or think vanished. All she could do was feel and surrender to him utterly. His mouth upon her was glorious. She arched toward him, her body leaving the chair, seeking more of him, his pleasure, his sustenance, the release only he could give her. And then, as his mouth worked over her, he sank a finger deep inside her.
She bucked, taking him deeper.
“Yes, my darling,” he murmured against her, his tongue flicking over her once more.
Another finger slid inside her. She was so slick, the wet sounds of him pleasuring her filled the cottage, above the din of the storm outside.
Leonora’s head fell back, her eyes closing, and she lost herself. Need built within her, tightening into a knot, threatening to break.
She gave in. Felt her last grip upon her control break free. She reached her pinnacle, tightening around his fingers, thrusting herself shamelessly toward his mouth, seeking, seeking…
Him.
Seeking him as if he were all she needed.
Because he had become that to her, this man she loved. Her husband, the grim, cold stranger. The beautiful, giving lover. He was an enigma, a beautiful mystery, but he was hers, on his knees for her.
He kissed her inner thigh. “I love watching you spend, Leonie. You take my breath.”
Just as he took hers. She opened her eyes to find his intense gaze upon her.
They had the rest of their lives for her to win his heart. And win it, she would.
*
“I am wholeheartedlyglad to see you managed to weather the storm unscathed, my lord,” Huell Senior greeted Morgan and Leonie at the door upon their return to Westmore Manor.
“I am not so certain we emerged entirely unscathed,” Leonie said with a secret smile, meeting Morgan’s gaze.
He could not argue, for it was true. She was wet, her jaunty hat still soaked, her white-gold hair curling in damp tendrils about her beautiful face, her riding habit hopelessly wrinkled and damp, the hem muddied. He was no better, it was certain, in his own wet riding attire. But they had returned from their ride different than they had been when they had left. There was no denying it. Leonie was changing him. Had changed him already.
And he…he liked it.
He likedher.
“I beg your pardon, my lady, were either of you injured?” Huell Senior asked his marchioness.
“No, but I do thank you for your concern, Huell.” Her cheeks flushing, she tore her gaze from Morgan’s and settled it instead upon the hoary-haired domestic. “I was referring to the cloud that opened up overhead and drowned the both of us. I am certain I must look a fright.”
“And I am equally certain a lady as lovely as you could never look a fright, even if she emerged dripping from a dip in the River Thames,” Morgan quipped, flirting brazenly with his wife before a domestic and not giving a bloody damn. The boulder had not been removed from his chest, but it felt lighter after the time they had spent together in the old gamekeeper’s cottage.
A new sensation, strange and bright, laden with possibilities, rose within him.
It had a name, he thought.
Hope.
For the first time in as long as he could recall, he had hope. Perhaps all was not lost for him yet.Yes, perhaps there was a way he could alter his plans. Mayhap he could deliver his vengeance upon the Earl of Rayne in a different fashion than the one he had originally settled upon.
The smile Leonie sent his way only served to buoy that sensation. He found himself grinning back at her.
“You flatter me, my lord.” Her tone was sweet and low, and it sent an arrow of heat straight to his groin, which was deuced uncomfortable given he stood in the entry hall of Westmore Manor with his elderly butler as an audience.
He cleared his throat and attempted to count to twenty in Latin to distract himself.
Fortunately, Huell Senior dispelled the silence. “I took the liberty of seeing the earl settled in the amber chamber, my lord. He arrived whilst you and her ladyship were off on your ride.”
