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I couldn’t say how long we stood like that, completely bare as we stared at each other, before coming together in a flurry of movement. He was kissing me as he guided me back to the bed. I went willingly, laying down again as he hovered over me. I took advantage of the position to touch him everywhere. His hard chest, his broad back, and then my fingers traced along the lines of the sculpted muscles of his abdomen. Finally, I encircled his manhood with one hand while gripping his backside with the other.

His mouth was on my breasts, and I felt as though every part of me was on fire. He hissed out a breath and looked up at me. “I don’t think I can wait any longer.”

I shook my head. “You don’t have to wait. I know this is going to hurt, and I don’t care.”

My hands were on his waist now as he lowered his body so his bare skin was pressed against mine. When his manhood settled between my legs, a shiver went through me. He was kissing me again when I felt his hard length push into me in one long, slow intrusion. It hurt, yes, but not as badly as I’d feared.

When he was fully inside me, he raised his head and stared at me. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

I smiled, cupping his face between my hands. “We both know that isn’t true, my lord, but thank you for the compliment.”

He shook his head and kissed my palm. And then he was moving, and I found myself incapable of speech. It wasn’t long before I reached that pinnacle again, which felt even more devastating with him inside me. I’d just finished shuddering when he pulled out and used his hand to finish outside of me.

I knew he was protecting me, ensuring I wouldn’t fall pregnant. I had a moment of regret that I might never marry and have children, but I pushed it aside. This was enough for now.

He gathered me into his arms and rolled over onto his back. I settled my cheek against his shoulder and allowed myself to bask in the happiness flooding through me.

All too soon, it would be time to go. Tomorrow I’d meet the servants that Greyson’s housekeeper had interviewed. I had no doubt they’d be suitable. Greyson was highly capable, and I could only assume that his own staff would meet his high standards.

I allowed several minutes to pass before I told myself it was time to return to reality.

I turned my head to kiss his shoulder and rolled onto my back. “We should get dressed now.”

He shifted onto his side and stared down at me. “I can almost see the wheels turning in that head of yours. What are you thinking?”

I would never grow tired of looking at Greyson, but I needed to remember that he wouldn’t be mine forever.

“Caroline and Kendrick are expecting me for dinner. I don’t want to keep them waiting, especially since I’ll be leaving them soon.” The realization made me sad.

“You’ll see them again. It’s not as though you’ll be moving to another country.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

I forced a smile that didn’t feel genuine. When Greyson grew tired of me, I’d lose contact with the women I now considered friends. But it would be for the best since I didn’t want to know about the next woman who would replace me. And maybe one day, when enough time had passed, it wouldn’t hurt to learn he’d married another.

He stood and moved about the room to gather the clothes we’d discarded. “I’ll help you dress if you’ll help me?”

The look on his face when he turned back to face me, the clothing gathered in his arms, told me that he couldn’t be trusted with that task. But for the remaining time we had together, I would take advantage of whatever he offered.

Chapter 26

CLAIRE

The move to the new house was relatively easy since Greyson had gone out of his way to take care of everything. I met with the candidates his housekeeper had interviewed, and it became clear the woman possessed excellent instincts. At Greyson’s insistence, Mr. Tomlinson reviewed the lease before I signed it, and the whole matter proceeded smoothly.

I would have loved to make the master bedroom more feminine, but at least the furnishings and décor were well made. I could make small improvements here and there to make the house more my own as time passed.

To my delight, Greyson visited often. On those evenings when we had dinner and then made love, I assumed it wasn’t dissimilar to what it would feel like to be a man’s mistress. But he wasn’t keeping me secreted away, as he would have done if that was how he saw me. He took me on another outing in Hyde Park, and I was pleased to see that we were no longer the center of everyone’s attention.

One week after the move, I received an invitation to tea from Caroline. When I arrived, I wasn’t surprised to find Diana and Victoria were also present.

I dropped onto the settee next to Diana. “I didn’t expect to see the two of you today.”

“Our husbands spend so much time together at King’s. It is nice that we can all get together as well.”

I felt oddly touched. “Thank you for including me, even if just for a short time.”

Diana bumped her shoulder against mine. “We’re hoping that you’ll officially become one of us.”