Jack pulled himself from the pool in one fluid motion. Water sluiced off of his body as he reached up to swipe his wet hair from his face. Vivian lost the ability to take a breath as she drank in his lean body. Her hungry gaze roamed over his long muscular legs, up to a chest and stomach which looked like they were carved from marble. His cock jutted out long and hard. For several moments Jack stood there, a self-assured grin gracing his face, as though he wanted to let her have her fill. Shakily, she turned around, presenting her laces to him.
Jack took his time undoing her corset, his breath warm on her neck. Shivers of anticipation skittered down her spine. But instead of taking her into his arms, Vivian heard a splash. She spun around to see Jack surface in the center of the pool. She stepped up to the edge, her toes digging into the soft earth. Suddenly uncertain, she glanced around at the trees surrounding them.
Jack raised an eyebrow in challenge. She pulled her chemise over her head, letting it float to the ground, then quickly dived into the pond.
The chilly water felt delicious on her bare skin. She sighed in pleasure and turned onto her back, floating, gazing up at the blue sky peeking through the branches of the towering trees. Though much different from the gently rolling waves of her cove at home, the feeling of water lapping around her as she paddled lightly about felt fabulous. Diving under the water, she swam up right behind Jack and pinched him on the backside. Laughing, he reached out for her, but slippery as an eel, she swam away quickly. Being in the water again was pure bliss.
“This reminds me of the very first time I saw you frolicking in the ocean near your house in the Bahamas.”
“What? When?” she sputtered. Her cove was her secret place. No one lived on that part of the island. She had always felt safe there, able to be free and let down her guard.
“The day your father summoned me to meet him about taking you to England. I rode along the ridge, and as I looked down, I saw you dive into the sea. I thought you were a mermaid or perhaps a mystical water nymph.”
Jack stroked toward her. She swam backward as he advanced, teasing him. Soon her feet touched the bottom, and she bumped up against a large boulder.
“Ah, I have got you trapped now, water nymph.” He scooped her close.
She smiled and gladly went into his arms, winding her own around his neck. She could feel his erection hot and hard against her belly. Leaning in, he took her mouth in a searing kiss that made her nipples hard with wanting him. As though he could hear her thoughts, his hands slid up to cup her breasts. He rolled a nipple between his thumb and forefinger until she moaned against his mouth.
Peppering kisses down her neck, he murmured, “Vivian, I must be inside you now.”
She could only nod, as desperate as he to have him inside her. She ran her hands through his hair, gripped it roughly, demanding action.
****
Jack slid his hands under her derriere, lifting her, and plunged into her hot depths all the way to the hilt. He called out her name and drove himself in again and again. Vivian arched her back in pleasure, and he captured one of her breasts with his mouth, sucking hard the way she liked. In response, she screamed out as she climaxed. Far from done with her, he moved his cock in and out, holding her tight as he brought her up to another peak. This time when she shattered, he came with her, calling out her name like a prayer.
His legs gave out, and they sank into the water. She held him tight, placing kisses along his jaw, across his cheeks, and up at his temple. He closed his eyes against the onslaught of her tenderness. He still didn’t know what he had done right in this life to deserve this woman, but he vowed he would be whatever kind of man she needed. She was now his center.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Later that afternoon, while Vivian and her aunts discussed wedding plans, Jack went to find his brother and perhaps take the boys fishing. When he didn’t find Andrew in the study or the nursery, he headed out through the gardens, thinking maybe the three of them were playing outside. As he walked past the hedges which surrounded a courtyard featuring a large fountain, angry voices cut through the foliage. He paused and listened, recognizing the high-pitched whine of Lady Granger.
“How could you have lost it? I don’t remember the names! I just copied them down quickly and sealed it up.”
“Perhaps you can retrieve the information again, my pet?” Moreau crooned.
“Do you know how difficult it was to sift through all that boring correspondence? Besides, he routinely burns most of it. Using his seal to pass on all this information was supposed to get him into trouble, yes? That’s what you said.” She whined, her voice climbing even higher. “You promised to get rid of him so we could be together. Who cares about the stupid names?”
Moreau’s voice took on a deadly edge. “I care, you empty-headed chit. Now listen to me. You will get me the information again, or I will go to your husband and tell him all about our affair. Do you understand?”
Silence greeted Moreau’s harsh words. Then he spoke again.
“Darling, I’m sorry for losing my temper. You have been so helpful. Won’t you please help me one more time? Contact me at our usual spot in the city once you get what I need. Then I promise to give you what you need, my pet.” The sound of female giggles assailed his ears.
Jack grimaced and quietly walked away. Those two needed to be separated before they pilfered any more information from Granger’s office. Poor Granger—what a viper of a wife, not only a traitor but trying to pin the misdeeds on Granger. He blew out a breath and continued walking toward the lake.
Andrew and the boys were indeed already there with their fishing poles. “Can I join you, boys?”
“Uncle Jack!” Both boys ran over and wrapped themselves around his legs. Jack looked down at their smiling faces and couldn’t believe he had wasted years staying away from England. He had lots of catching up to do.
“Papa says you are getting married to Miss Vivian. Is that true?” Grayson demanded.
“Yes, it is.”
“Why would you want to marry a girl? You could just stay with us, right, Papa?” Grayson looked over at his father for confirmation.
“I like her, Uncle Jack.” Tyler said, “She is artis…artizled.” He scrunched up his little face.
