Page 85 of How to Ruin a Rake

“Did I? Well, I was wrong. This one is thrilling.” He laid the book flat down on the seat beside him and gave her his full attention. “What was your question?”

Allegra pointed at the book. “Please don’t do that.”

“What?”

“You’ll break the spine. Use the ribbon to mark your place.”

With a sigh, Max did as she asked.

“I merely inquired as to when we will reach Reading,” Allegra said.

Max consulted his watch. “Within the next half an hour, if we’re on schedule. We’re staying at the Crown. It’s the inn my father always uses.”

“I’m sure it will be excellent, then.” Allegra couldn’t deny she’d be glad to get out of the carriage. Despite their frequent stops, she was both stiff and weary.

Max proved to be correct, and soon they were escorted into the inn by the landlord with all the pomp due to a marquess. Their room was at the back of the house, away from the noise of the road and the stable yard, and contained a large carved bed and a roaring fire.

“I’ll have the maid bring you up some hot water, my lady.” The landlord bowed low to Allegra. “And if you prefer to dine up here, you are more than welcome to.”

“Thank you,” Allegra said.

Max gave the man a coin, and he left the room. Allegra undid the ribbons of her bonnet, untied her cloak, and set them on the chair.

“I think we should have our dinner up here, and then we can take a stroll into the town,” Max said as he stretched out his arms and yawned. “Will that suit you, my lady?”

“Yes, that’s fine.” Allegra went to look out of the window. “There appear to be a multitude of coaching inns here.”

“Yes, it’s the first major stop outside London if you are heading west,” Max said as he joined her. “But my father assured me that this was the best place to stay. I doubt we’ll be murdered here.”

There was a knock on the door, and a young maid appeared with a jug of steaming water.

“Thank you.” Allegra smiled as the maid set the jug beside the basin and towel.

“Will you tell the landlord that we will eat up here as soon the kitchen is able to accommodate us?” Max asked the maid.

“Yes, my lord,” she said before leaving.

Max held the door open and looked over at Allegra. “I’ll just go and check the horses.”

She waved him away and returned to her contemplation of the streets of Reading. The thought of sitting down wasn’t appealing, but she was also rather stiff. A walk after dinner would definitely help. She washed her hands and face and felt a little better. All she had to do was get through the next twenty-four hours and she’d arrive at her new home, which would give her plenty to focus on apart from Max.

As expected, the dinner was excellent, and Max was in a charming mood that relaxed her and made her feel more hopeful for the future. They enjoyed a stroll around Reading and then retired to their room again. Max stayed by the door.

“I’ll let you get settled before I come up,” Max said. “Do you want me to call a maid or can I help you with your laces?”

Allegra immediately presented him with her back. He came to stand behind her, his breath warm against her neck, his hands steady as he unlaced her gown and loosened her stays. She’d forgotten how much his presence aroused her and fought a very unladylike desire to lean back and rub herself against his muscled frame like a cat.

“Stop it,” he murmured against her skin. “You’re making me hard.”

Allegra immediately stepped away from him, her color high. “I’m fairly certain that any woman standing in such close proximity would have that effect on you.”

“Then you’d be wrong.” He wasn’t smiling. “It’s damned inconvenient.”

With that, he left, and after completing her ablutions, she climbed into the large bed. The feather mattress was quite soft and inexorably moved her toward the middle. She fell instantly asleep and only woke up when a naked Max rolled right into her from the other side of the bed.

She could feel the heat from his body and instinctively curled against him. His hands came around her waist, one went up to caress her breasts, and the other down between her legs. She was still cross with him, but she was tired, and he was her husband, and dammit, she wanted him.

He didn’t bother to remove her nightgown, he just rucked it up around her waist and entered her from behind, his thick cock pushing upward into her willing flesh as his fingers worked their magic on her rapidly swelling bud. She arched back and he bit her neck, pushing himself deeper with every thrust until she came for him in hard, pulsing waves.