Caroline glanced over to observe Cage as they rode through the park. He sat his horse well, his posture military straight, his hair fluttered in the breeze as he eschewed wearing a hat in the daytime hours. A frown marred his handsome face, causing little wrinkles at the corner of his eyes as he scanned the crowd of horses and carriages around them.
“I see why you come at the crack of dawn to ride,” he grumbled.
“This is the most popular time of day to come and be seen.” She pointed left. “I see an opening. Let’s cut across.”
Cage nodded. They turned and picked their way past two curricles stopped in the path while the passengers chatted with one another. Caroline nodded politely to Lady Harrison and her daughter but kept her horse moving so as not to get caught in any conversation. She let out a breath as they emerged off the crowded carriage path. They continued along at a leisurely pace.
Cage shot her a wide grin. “That’s better.”
The promise of summer hung in the warm air, and the sun shone brightly in a blue sky. Caroline lifted her face to soak in the sun’s rays, just for a moment. When she opened her eyes, Cage was staring at her with a hunger in his eyes that stole her breath. She pulled her horse to a stop close to him, their knees brushing. His gaze scorched her as he leaned closer. She stared at his mouth, remembering the feel of those lips tracing a path across her skin. Her fingers flexed as she gripped tightly on the reins. A shout of greeting echoed from the near distance, and she and Cage both blinked as they remembered they were still in view of half of the ton.
His hand shot out to cover hers, his voice low and urgent. “I have thought of nothing but you since you left yesterday. I ache to touch your skin, to hear you laugh low in my ear, to see youcome undone in my arms and know that I brought you to that height of pleasure. When can we be alone again?”
Caroline’s sucked in a breath. His words set fire to her blood. The pull of desire pulsed low from between her legs, and she licked her parched lips. Cage’s eyes tracked the motion, and she felt his need radiate from him in waves. “How about now? Your house is still empty?”
Cage brought her fingers to his lips. “Yes, still blissfully empty. This way.” He turned his horse, and they started across the field.
In the mews behind Cage’s residence, they gave their horses over to the stable hands. Then Caroline and Cage raced through the back gardens, holding hands like two school children. When they reached the back door, Cage fumbled with the key.
“Damn it, this key only works the front door.” He banged a fist against the wood.
Caroline put a hand over her mouth to stifle the giggle that rose in her chest at his expression of utter frustration.
His head turned, and one expressive eyebrow rose high. Then his lips twitched. “Perhaps I should just ravish you here in the garden.” He grabbed her around the waist and yanked her against him.
“Cage! You wouldn’t dare.”
“I’m a desperate man, Caroline.” His lips burned a path down her throat. “Desperate to have those long legs wrapped around me, to sink into your sweetness.”
Caroline felt her bones melt. She gripped his shoulders. He had her riding jacket open in seconds. His tongue traced a line across the top of her breasts causing her nipples to harden and rub against the confines of her stays. Yes, yes, she was desperate too. She wished to be burned alive by his desire for her. She bent to whisper in his ear. “Cage, get us inside.”
His head popped up, and he let go of her. One hand pushed her aside. He took three giant steps back, then, leading with his shoulder, he hurled himself at the door. There was a loud crack as the door lock gave way. The door swung open with a crash. Cage snaked an arm around her waist with one hand, and they tumbled into the kitchens. He slammed the door shut with the other. His mouth came down to capture hers in a passionate kiss that robbed her of breath.
She pulled at his neckcloth and tugged his jacket buttons. Their clothes littered the floor as they kissed and tore at the garments that impeded them from being skin to skin. After unlacing her, Cage spun her back to face him his hands cupped the sides of her face. His breath ragged, he leaned his forehead against hers.
“You make me feel like I am on a precipice, that I may lose control at any moment.”
“Then lose yourself in me.”
“I-I don’t want to hurt you.”
She reached a hand to his cheek. “I do not believe that you are capable of such a thing.”
The lines around his eyes deepened, and the lids fluttered shut. Her heart ached at his tortured expression. Yesterday his kisses, his touch, had burned away so much of the shame and fears she’d held inside since that day in the carriage. Maybe she could return the favor. She pressed her lips against his, kissing him once, then twice. Moving her hand into his hair, she gripped the thick mane and darted her tongue across the seam of his lips, demanding entrance.
With a low groan, Cage pulled her against him. He returned her kisses, his tongue tangled with hers. Caroline sighed and pressed herself against his chest. His hands gripped her bottom, lifting her against his hard erection. They turned, and he set her down on the long wooden table that dominated the center of theroom. His hands freed to roam, caressed up her back, down her arms, and finally cupped her breasts. She let her head fall back as he gently teased her nipples through the fabric of her chemise. Then he knelt in front of her. When she gazed down into his eyes, she gasped at the desire in them.
Chapter 35
Cage slid his palms slowly up Caroline’s thighs, pushing the fabric of her chemise out of the way until her sex was on display. The spicy scent of her desire filled his nose. He ran one thumb down her slit before using his tongue and lips to devour her. She cried out his name, her hips bucked against his mouth, and he reveled in the sounds of her passion. Like a wild beast, he was ruled only by his senses, the taste of her on his tongue, her wet warmth surrounding his fingers as he worked her to a frenzied pitch. He raised his eyes to watch her face as she came apart. Ruby lips parted on a cry of pleasure, her eyes closed, her dark eyelashes lay against pale skin.
Caroline’s eyelids slowly rose to half-mast, and the look she sent him made his cock throb. He stood and quickly shed his breeches. He must be inside her now. Caroline gripped her chemise and, with one fluid motion, pulled it up and over her head. He gripped her bottom to pull her to the edge of the table. Then thrust into her to the hilt. They both gasped. He struggled to rein in his instinct to plunder. She deserved finesse and care. This was all still a new experience.
As though she could read his thoughts, she said, “Cage, I’m not made of glass. Let go.”
The tether that held his self-control in check snapped. He wrapped an arm around her waist before thrusting in again and again. Her hands gripped his shoulders, the sharp bite of her nails causing him to growl against her mouth. Then she threw back her head and cried out as her crisis hit her. Her intimate muscles squeezed his cock, and his orgasm raced like fire through his veins. He withdrew at the last second, burying his face in the crook of her neck with a muffled roar.
****
