“I have a suggestion.”
“Yes?”
“When I next pay you a compliment,” he said gently, “simply say,Thank you.”
“That seems like a simple enough solution,” she agreed.
“Gabby?”
“Yes?”
“You’ve made our home and this property the envy of any man,” he said gravely.
After an awkward pause, she said with obvious effort, “Thank you.”
“Was that so difficult?”
“No.”
“Then try this one. Thank you also for makingmethe envy of men with your beauty, strength, and sweetness.”
Her bosom surged; he could see her fighting her instincts to deny the praise.
“Thank you,” she said with such reluctance that his lips quirked.
Firming them, he said, “Last, but not least, thank you for the kisses in the carriage. You make me so hard that I ache, my sweet, passionate wife, and more eager than a newlywed bridegroom for his wedding night.”
“Adam.”
He lifted his brows. “What do you say, pet?”
She looked equal parts scandalized and stirred. She moistened her plump lips. He had a sudden image of her kneeling before him, employing that soft, wet swipe over the tip of his cock, and he had to bite back a groan.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“You’re welcome.” He curled his finger beneath her chin and felt her tremble. “Now I want you to go upstairs and refresh yourself so you’ll have energy for this evening. We’ll have supper in our chamber, if that suits?”
“That sounds lovely,” she breathed.
“Good.” He allowed himself a brief kiss on her brow. “Go on, sweetheart. I’ll see you soon.”
Two hours later, Gabby paused at the door of the shared sitting room between her and Adam’s chambers. She felt more like a breathless virgin than a married lady of eight years, butterflies swarming in her belly. After a long bath in the luxuriously updated bathing room, she’d taken a refreshing nap. As befitting an intimate evening with her husband, she’d had the maid dress her in her favorite wrapper, which was made of white silk and embroidered with a motif of pagodas and birds. She’d left her hair down, the maid brushing the long strands until they shone.
After the steamy interlude in the carriage, Gabby knew what would transpire tonight. Truth be told, she ached for it, for the passion that Adam had always brought forth in her…and for the newfound intimacy that heightened all her desires. In the past, she’d always felt safe in her husband’s virile thrall. Now she sensed he wanted more from her, a deeper connection that was both exciting and terrifying. It would alter their marriage, but hadn’t their marriage already changed?
Yet she was still standing, still breathing, still desperately in love with her husband.
Thank you also for making me the envy of men with your beauty, strength, and sweetness.
She heard Adam’s praise, but more than that, she trulyfeltit for the first time. It challenged her long-held assumptions about herself. His words made her feel beautiful and strong and fed her burgeoning confidence.
Inhaling, she opened the door and crossed the threshold.
Adam was waiting for her. He, too, had forgone formal attire, wearing a deep sapphire smoking jacket over his shirt and grey trousers. He’d left off his cravat, the strong column of his throat rising from the open collar. The vee also gave a tantalizing glimpse of the coarse hair that lightly furred his chest. He surveyed her like a sultan viewing his prized treasure, and every part of her quivered in response.
“How ravishing you are, my dear,” he said.
“You look rather fine yourself,” she managed.
