And his chest tightened. She’d married a powerful duke, would soon control one of the largest estates in the country…and she still thought first of her son.Sons. In the long weeks since their betrothal, Matthew had become hers as firmly as Callan was his. Athena loved them both equally, and Cash couldn’t have asked for a better partner when it came to parenting.
He tugged her to a stop. “Then let us take the celebration to them.”
“Really?” Her eyes shone with excitement. “Ye mean that?”
“They are more important to us than any of the others in this room, aye?” he murmured, bending closer. “And just because today is special, doesn’t mean we should forgo our usual activities. Callan is waiting for me to read him his nursery stories.”
She nodded eagerly, then pushed herself up on her toes as her smile turned just the tiniest bit wicked. “And then after we check in on them…”
Athena whispered something positively delightful in his ear, and Cash wrapped his arm around her. When hewhisked her from their wedding celebration, she was laughing, and that was all he could ever hope for.
Her wedding night.
Herwedding night.
For so long, Athena had dreamed of such a thing. Then, after Callan’s birth and the realization she’d never marry, she’d convinced herself she didn’t need the ceremony. Until she’d met Cash.
And for these last weeks, as his mother planned the Wedding of the Season, Athena found herself afraid to hope that this would actually happen.
Itwashappening. She was officially Matthew’s mother, she was married to Cash…and now it would become permanent.
She was smiling as she dragged her new husband down the hall from the nursery to their chambers. Her frequent visits meant she was familiar with Cashard’s twists and turns, and would allow nothing to stand between her and joining with Cash.
“One would think you were particularly anxious, love,” he laughed, stumbling behind her.
“I want to get ye out of that kilt.” She sent him a teasing look over his shoulder. “And practice page thirty-two, The Clinging Vine.”
His laugh told her he understood. In these last weeks, Cash had come to enjoyA Harlot’s Guide to the Forbidden and Delightful Artsas much as she did. Shereallyneeded to finda way to publish the manuscript; since she’d been the one to pay Bonnie Oliphant for the prize, and the young woman had used the money to purchase a publishing house, surely such a thing could be arranged.
Later.
Athena had plenty to think aboutnow, as her husband began to strip her of her wedding gown.
As they tumbled onto the bed, a laughing, naked tangle of limbs, Athena couldn’t help but tease him. “Ye ken, Cash, if ye were still wearing yer kilt, ye could just flip it up and fook me proper.”
Cash growled playfully, tossing her over onto her back in one smooth motion. His voice was a low rumble as he pinned her wrists above her head. “Is that a challenge, wife?” He leaned down, his nose brushing against hers, his breath warm on her skin. “Because I have no qualms about pillaging you thoroughly.”
Athena met his gaze boldly, her eyes sparkling with mischief and desire. “Aye, husband. Consider it a challenge.”
With that, she wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him down onto her. Their bodies pressed together, skin against skin, and she could feel the hard length of him against her inner thigh.
Cash’s lips captured hers in a long, leisurely kiss. Weeks of exploration had taught them each other’s bodies well, and he knew just how to tease her, to make her want more. His tongue stroked against hers, and she opened her mouth wider, inviting him deeper. Their tongues danced together,a slow and sensuous rhythm that sent shivers of anticipation down her spine.
When he finally pulled away, it was only to trail kisses down her neck, lingering on the sensitive spot beneath her ear. “You’re so beautiful, Athena,” he murmured, his breath hot against her skin. “Every part of you is exquisite.”
His hands caressed her skin, tracing the curves of her body as if she were a precious treasure. When his palm cupped her breast, she arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping her lips. His thumb circled her nipple, teasing them into hard peaks, and she could feel the wetness soaking her thighs.
Aye.
“Cash,” she whispered, her voice breathy with need. “Aye…”
Her husband knew her well.
He took his time, his mouth replacing his hands as he kissed his way down to her breasts. His tongue flicked out, teasing one nipple and then the other, before he took one into his mouth, sucking gently. Athena gasped, her fingers threading through his hair, holding him to her as tingles of pleasure coursed through her body.
Her hands roamed over his back, his shoulders, down to his hips, pulling him closer to her. She could feel his hardness pressing against her, and she rocked her hips, wanting more friction, more pressure. Cash groaned against her breast, the vibration sending another jolt of pleasure through her.
“You’re perfect, Athena,” he murmured, moving to lavish the same attention on her other breast. His hand traileddown her stomach, his fingers brushing lightly over her skin, making her shiver with anticipation. “Every inch of you is perfect.”
