“And he can’t give me the things that you can. So, if you don’t mind, I’d really like to consummate this marriage and end the matter,” Elizabeth said, pulling back just far enough so that he could see her smile as she teasingly wiggled on his lap again.
It took every ounce of strength he had in him to stay still. “You’re sure?” he asked, selfishly not arguing with her or pointing out how much better off she’d be with James since he was a selfish bastard.
“Yes,” she said, leaning in to kiss him again, but he had other plans.
He swallowed her gasp of surprise as he tightened his hold on her hips and shifted to roll her over onto her back. Before her back hit the soft mattress, he was inside her.
“You feel so good, minx,” Robert groaned, pulling back quickly only to slide in slowly, enjoying the way her sheath coated every inch of him along the way.
“Don’t stop,” she said, reaching up and fisting her hands in his hair and yanking him down for a kiss.
He went willingly as he reached down and cupped the back of her knee. He pulled her leg up, opening her wider and allowing him to sink further inside her. It was heaven.
It was hell.
“We have to stop,” Robert said, struggling to pull out, but it seemed that he no longer had control of his body.
“Don’t make me kill you!” Elizabeth growled against his lips, making him moan even as he groaned in frustration.
“If we don’t stop now, the servants will walk in on us,” he said, not really caring if he was caught having sex, but he didn’t want to embarrass his wife or risk anyone else seeing the beautiful body that was meant for his eyes only.
“Good,” she said, surprising him.
“Good?” he asked, leaning down to kiss her simply because he couldn’t help himself.
“Because I plan on keeping you,” Elizabeth said against his lips, taking him by surprise.
“Are you sure?” Robert asked, deciding once again not to argue with her since he wasn’t an idiot. There really was no need to remind her that James was probably the better choice. She’d figure it out eventually and by the time she did, it would be too late.
“Yes,” she hissed, panting harder as she wrapped her legs around him and arched her back to take him deeper.
“I’m never letting you go, minx,” he swore against her lips as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tightly against him.
“Good.”
“Do you need help getting dressed, my-Oh, my God!” he heard a maid scream seconds before the door slammed shut.
“I guess you’re stuck with me, Mr. Bradford,” Elizabeth said, smiling against his lips and giving him no choice but to smile back.
“I guess I am, Mrs. Bradford,” Robert said, chuckling when he heard the commotion out in the hallway, guaranteeing that no one was ever going to be able to take her away from him.
Chapter 29
“Your brother left again.”
“I wasn’t aware that he’d returned,” Robert murmured absently, barely sparing his mother a glance as he continued to pace the foyer.
“He returned yesterday afternoon after your father sent for him,” his mother explained with a huff as she gave up the hope that he’d stop pacing and sat down on the chair by the breakfast room.
“He came immediately?” he asked, shooting another glare towards the back hall.
No doubt his brother had been able to come so quickly because he’d been staying with his mistress, but he didn’t bother pointing that out to his mother since it would probably earn him a glare and a whole new lecture.
“Yes,” his mother said as she smoothed down her skirt, “you knew that he was eager to marry Elizabeth.”
“And get her fortune,” Robert pointed out, wondering why it was taking so long for the cook to make the peppermint tea she’d promised would settle his wife’s stomach.
“It’s how things are done,” she said with a resigned sigh.
