“Yes. And?”
She didn’t want to say what she saw there. It would be too embarrassing were she to be wrong. “Friendship?”
Now he just looked amused.
“Companionship?”
His lips quirked. He leaned down and his breath brushed her ear as he gently sucked on the lobe. “Interesting. Do you want your reward?”
Her heart picked up its beat once more. “Yes.”
He moved inside her, a soft thrust that lit her nerves on fire. He moved again, slowly and deeply, hitting a place far up. Her cheeks were aflame, her throat on fire. There was a lovely feeling of completion moving toward her. It wouldn’t take a minute more.
“Do you like that, sweetheart? Do you want a rolling wave or do you want to cap it off with an end like our table dance?”
She squeezed him again and something wild flashed through his eyes. She didn’t get a chance to say a word before he pulled back and thrust fast and deeply inside her. And then again. And again. She moaned something or said something or shouted something as she went flying through the air, convulsing feverishly around him as he continued to fill and stroke her.
And she thought, maybe…maybe she’d gone and done the stupid thing and fallen in love.
Chapter 15
Marietta was awakened by a door slamming. The ceiling of Gabriel’s room shot into view. Footsteps banged through the downstairs hallway, and she glanced at the empty pillow next to hers. Loud voices and something crashing against the floor had her pulling on her robe and running down the stairs.
She was surprised to see Jeremy and Alcroft in the kitchen, pacing back and forth in front of Gabriel. Even with their movement, Gabriel was the one who appeared to be on the prowl.
“This is serious, Gabriel,” Alcroft said.
“I know that, John,” he snapped.
She stood poised on the threshold, almost afraid to ask. “What has happened?”
Alcroft and Jeremy immediately looked her way. Gabriel did not, but she was sure he had known she was there. He always did.
Alcroft looked apologetic. “Another murder. A member of the ton.” He glanced back at Gabriel, then focused on her once more. “London is in an uproar. All of the suspicion that has lessened toward your brothers is completely gone. They are calling for their heads. The trial is set to begin, and it does not look good, Miss Winters.”
“Dammit, John!” His voice was harsh.
“She has to know, Gabriel.”
“Who was it?” She walked farther into the room, the cold floor seeping into her feet, and then felt nothing, numbness setting in.
“Anastasia Rasen.”
A pink fluttering bird flew across her mind. Marietta knew her. Not well, but she knew her. The whole situation just kept crawling closer.
“And they are blaming Mark?”
“They have no one else to blame. No other name on their lips.” Alcroft’s face was lined with sympathy.
“What about Jacob Worley?”
“We need to be hard-nosed with the papers. Whisper in the right ears. Reinvigorate the watch, put Dresden further on his trail. There is still a chance.” Marietta wanted to hug Alcroft in that moment.
Jeremy’s eyes were focused on the floor, but his gaze was vacant. Gabriel was staring at his brother’s bent head.
“Why Anastasia Rasen?” she asked, for wont of anything else to say, her hands knotted in her robe.
Jeremy’s mouth opened. Gabriel cut over the top of him.
