The tide slowly began to wash over her again, gently at first, but then more aggressively as the power built deep inside of her.She moaned, calling out Knox’s name as she drew close to the precipice.She was so close to something even greater than before.
There was a shocking bite to the tip of her breast and her eyes popped open to see Knox’s tongue laving at her nipple, his even white teeth nipping the hardened peak.
It was this erotic sight that sent her tumbling over the edge of sanity and thrust upward into the midst of the heavens.
Her body quivered with a strong force, and it wasn’t long before Knox gave a hoarse shout and stiffened above her, before a rush of warmth filled her to signify his release.
For minutes afterward, she clung to him, not completely sure she could stay grounded if she let go.He seemed content to stay close to her, and they held each other until the air around them began to remind them of the slight chill in the room.While there was a fire burning, neither of them was wearing a stitch of clothing, and a slight sheen of perspiration coated their bodies.
With obvious reluctance, Knox left her and the feeling of emptiness that swamped her was not something she had been prepared to face.
However, the sensation didn’t last long as he returned with a strip of linen and held it out to her.“You might need this.”
His consideration warmed her from the inside out.“Thank you.”She told herself not to be embarrassed, that what they had shared was not unusual for their species, and yet, she could not help but wonder how she measured up to his former lovers.No doubt she could have been more effective, she could have pleasured him in the way he had her.
A finger went beneath her chin, and her gaze met his.“I do not want to know what you might be thinking, but rid yourself of such unwanted ideas.You were magnificent.”
A smile started to take shape on her face.“Indeed, Your Grace.We seem to make a good team on more than one level.”
ChapterTen
Knox had never seen anything more beautiful in his life.With her dark hair in disarray, her cheeks flushed from their lovemaking, and the sparkle in her green eyes, she made him breathless.In all his days, he had never met anyone who struck him in the center of his chest quite like this spitfire of a woman who quite literally jumped into his lap and refused to be ignored.
He had been raised to shun such shameless behavior, to act with decorum and precision because of his title, but the Lion’s Watch had given him the freedom to express the longings that ran deep down in his veins.But it wasn’t until Astara Smith was added into the mix that he realized how little meaning his life truly held.He had wanted to make a difference by serving his country in ways other than sitting in Parliament and ensuring that his estate and grounds ran smoothly.He had always been fair to his tenants and kept everything orderly, but that wasn’t the man he was in his soul.He was a free spirit, yearning to run barefoot across the hills and valleys of his estate.There was so much that he wanted to do but knew how impossible it would be to accomplish, merely because of who he was.
With Astara, he had it all.He had the somber version that everyone expected, but he could also express his true feelings around her because she did not pass judgment.She did not care if he was the Duke of Hampton, because she accepted Knox as the man himself.
That was the most satisfying sensation of all.
“What happens now?”
He looked at her and bent down to give her a soft kiss.“You spend the night in here with me, naturally.”
She sat up and her hair fell forward to cover up those glorious breasts.“I did not come here with the intention of becoming your mistress.”
“I am aware of that.It was not my intention either.”
“Then I think it best if I change and return to my room.”
He frowned.“Do you think that my servants are not already aware of what has transpired this evening?”
She mirrored his expression.“You claimed they were discreet.”
“They are, but sometimes information is offered unaware.”
“That is a chance I shall have to take.”She got up and began to gather her clothes, getting dressed as she spoke.“If word reaches beyond this place that I am no longer an innocent, several doors will be closed to me that were once barely open.The only place I shall be welcomed are those that I refuse to work.”
Knox clenched his jaw.“You shall not have to do so.I will ensure that you are handsomely compensated for your efforts with the Watch.Although I thought you might consider the prospect of?—”
She laid a gentle hand on his lips.“Do not speak of something you know is impossible.While this evening was not something I would dare to take back, we live in present times, not some fantasy world where we are not aware of the circumstances that surround us.We are of two very different class distinctions.You would be shunned if we dared to embark on something further, and I would never be accepted.”
“Astara—”
“You know it is true.Do not try to deny it.”
Knox curled his hand into a fist on his thigh.He looked into the remarkable face in front of him and reluctantly had to admit that she was right.He might want to make an offer of marriage but it would not go well for either of them, and he would not be able to live with the guilt of his actions should he drag her into that sort of cruel existence.No doubt she would come to resent him and their time together and he could not abide that.
Without anything else to say, he swallowed down the bitter regret that threatened to choke him.“Then I shall bid you good night, Miss Smith.”
