She nodded. “Please,” she said yet again, this time begging for something else.
He pushed harder, digging his fingers into her thigh as he drew her leg up higher against his hip. He hit differently then, some place deep inside of her that was powerful. Then he gasped and suddenly withdrew, the heat of him pumping against his hand, splashing on her skin as he came. And he was beautiful in it, his jaw clenched, his eyes squeezed shut, his head thrown back as he spent.
Then he collapsed over her, kissing her all over again, bringing her down from the pleasure as surely as he had drawn her up to it. She was weightless in his arms, clinging to him for purchase. And she realized as they lay there that whatever she had expected or imagined or fantasized about, this man was more than she ever could have dreamed.
Which made the potential for pain when this was over far higher than she’d told herself it could be. So she had to be careful and remember this was nothing more than an affair. It couldn’t be anything else.
CHAPTER8
Theo should have felt good after the hours he’d spent in Etta’s bed. And he did. How could he not when what had happened between them was so powerful, so pleasurable? But he also felt…discombobulated. Out of sorts. Restless. And he hated to admit why.
He’d slipped away at dawn, hours before, leaving just a note on the pillow beside her, telling her to come to him at eleven so they could talk about the future of…well, whatever this was. Now he found himself watching the clock, waiting with an anxiety unlike anything he’d ever felt before.
“Bollocks,” he muttered, pacing across his study once more.
“Your Grace?” Kimball said at the door.
Theo pivoted toward the butler. “Yes?”
Was that a croak to his tone? Jesus, he was out of control.
“You have a guest,” Kimball said, and relief and excitement immediately flooded Theo’s entire body. “The Duke of Blackvale.” Theo felt his expression fall at the mention of his best friend’s name and he saw confusion flutter on his butler’s face. “Your Grace?”
“Of course,” Theo grunted, trying desperately to get himself back together. “Send Callum in.”
Kimball still looked confused as he exited the room, and Theo realized he only had a few moments to gather himself. Callum knew him too well for him to act like this. He would ask questions, he would press, and Theo had no intention to talk about what had happened with Etta. Callum would read too much into it.
He smoothed his jacket as Callum entered the room, grin on his face and hand outstretched. “Theo…” He stopped mid-stride and stared at him. “What is it?”
“Fucking hell,” Theo muttered, and turned away. “I’m fine. What are you doing here?”
Now Callum leaned back. “Well, you’ve been distracted since the wedding and I’m leaving with Valaria tomorrow morning, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to say goodbye to you.”
“Of course.” Theo shook his head. He’d entirely forgotten. “Of course, my apologies.”
“Why do you look terrible?” Callum asked, taking a seat before Theo’s fire and folding his arms.
“Oh yes, please sit,” Theo said, turning to the veil of sarcasm to keep Callum from the heart of the matter. “Make yourself at home. May I get you a drink?”
“Ihavemade myself at home, and it’s half past ten. I’m not drinking at half past ten.” Callum arched a brow. “Andyou’reavoiding the question.”
“I’m not. I have nothing to avoid. You said I look terrible, but I’m fine.” Slowly Theo took the other seat next to Callum, mostly because he knew if he didn’t his friend would become even more suspicious.
Callum shook his head. “You’re usually a better liar.”
Theo caught his breath, and for a moment the two men simply stared at each other. He had known Callum since school, he trusted his friend. He had held him up during his own bad times and he had no doubt that the duke would do the same for him.
But what was happening between himself and Bernadette felt so very…fragile. Delicate. If he said the words, not only would Callum read into them, but they might shatter on the air. Disappear like smoke. And Theo didn’t want to lose her. Not yet.
“Just leave it alone,” he said at last.
Callum’s expression softened. “Is it a woman?”
“What did I just say?” Theo snapped, startled by how much Callum could see. Was he so obvious?
Callum leaned back and opened his mouth, then hesitated and shut it again. He seemed to be reading Theo, gauging him…perhaps even judging him and Theo shivered beneath that weight.
“Is it Bernadette?” Callum finally pressed.
