She took his hand and led him to the sofa.“Split drawers are good for a lot of things.”Pressing on his shoulders, she encouraged him to kneel, and he eagerly obliged.She sat down in front of him and claimed his mouth.He would never tire of kissing her.She opened her legs and he moved between them, reaching for the hem of her skirts.Her flesh was hot and wet, and she whimpered as he slid his finger gently over her.
“Lie back.”She did, and he ducked his head beneath her skirts.How was it even better than he remembered?Something about the possibility of being caught heightened his arousal, and hers as well, judging by the sounds she was already making.
He moaned with her as she neared her peak, wrapping his arms around her legs to keep her in place.Her cries were muffled.She must have put a throw pillow over her face.He reveled in the knowledge that it was necessary.He loved bringing her pleasure.
When she eventually calmed, he let her go and straightened her skirts.She sat up, her face set with determination.“Sit down,” she said as she got up.“I want to ride you.”
He nearly choked.He didn’t fully understand what that meant, but it sounded good, so he didn’t argue.She quickly opened his trousers and straddled him.Her gaze was fixed with his as she lowered herself down onto him.
“Oh God,” he groaned.She moved up and down, nearly driving him over the edge.“Wait, wait, wait.”He gripped her hips, begging her to hold still.“I wasn’t ready for how good that was going to feel.Give me just a moment to regain control.”He breathed deeply, trying to think about anything else, but it was impossible.“I didn’t know anything could feel so incredible.Your body is nothing short of perfection.”
“Yours isn’t bad either.”Her smile was teasing, but then she bit down on her bottom lip as she sank down on him again, her groan appreciative and needy.
With every last thread of composure he possessed, he held on, even as his body screamed for release.Her eyes grew wide and she pulled his lips against hers, her cries filling his mouth.Finally, as her body contracted around him, he let go.He lost all control, throwing his head back and yelling his pleasure to the heavens.
So much for being discreet.
“I’m sorry,” he panted.
She only giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck.“At least we told them about our betrothal first.”She sighed, her breath feathering over his neck.“I was going to pay a call on Mrs.Elmhurst to share our happy news, but now I might be too tired to walk there and back.”
“Look around you.This estate doesn’t want for anything.There are at least a half-dozen different carriages at our disposal.”
* * *
Samantha laughed as wind ruffled her hair.At least it was wavy and didn’t just stick straight out in every direction.Trent was nothing short of beautiful as he smiled at her.He’d chosen a small cabriolet so it would be open to the summer air and sunshine, and he could simply drive it himself.It was hard to believe this was really the life she was going to have.It still felt like a dream.As they neared their destination, he slowed the carriage.
“There is one advantage of having short hair.It doesn’t blow in my face.”
He climbed down and offered his hand to help her down.“Perhaps you should keep it short then.”
“You really don’t mind it?You don’t think it makes me look masculine?Or undesirable?”
He tipped his head.“Surely you’ve noticed how much I desire you.”
“I may have.In fact, right now I can see that you’re thinking about kissing me, but we need to behave ourselves.”
“You’re right.I won’t make any promises once we’re married, though.”He held out an arm and she walked with him to the door.
A knowing smile turned up Mrs.Elmhurst’s lips as she looked between them.“Good afternoon,” she said quietly.“I’ve just put Emma down for a nap.Do you mind if we visit out here?She hasn’t been napping very well lately, and I’d hate to wake her.”
Trent merely nodded and stepped back to make space.He obviously knew, firsthand, the struggle of getting a young child to sleep sometimes.
“You’re welcome to bring her up to visit Maggie any time,” Trent suggested.“Perhaps it will help to wear her out.It might be good for both of them, in fact.Lord knows, Maggie is hard to get down some nights.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose.You have already done so much for us.”
“Don’t be silly.It’s only a playdate.I doubt it would be any extra work for Mrs.Baird.In fact, it might even make her job easier because they’ll entertain each other.”
“Thank you for all your kindness, Mr.Gibson.And yours as well, Miss Allister.”
“I would be glad of your company, too,” Samantha said.“We can visit while the girls play.”
She looked around.“I’m sorry.I feel like a terrible hostess, standing outside.”
“It’s lovely weather today,” Samantha assured her.“Besides, we’ve come to share some news, and we can do that just as well out here.”She took hold of Trent’s hand.“Mr.Gibson and I are going to be married.”
“Oh!That makes me so happy!”Her hands fluttered up to her chest.“Congratulations to you both!”
