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He took my hand and led the way. We didn’t speak again until we reached the bedroom and he’d closed the door behind us.

“I wasn’t sure you’d be home yet. You didn’t go to the school today?”

I shook my head. “I fear I’m becoming a nuisance. Mrs. Atkinson seemed annoyed to see me yesterday.”

He frowned. “I’ll speak to her. The last thing she should be doing is turning away anyone who wishes to spend time with the children.”

I winced as I thought about how that conversation would go. “It’s probably best if you never speak about me to her.”

Now he was scowling. “Mrs. Atkinson answers to the trustees of the school. As a trustee, I do not answer to her.”

“If she even suspects what is happening between us, she would be well within her rights to decide I’d be a poor influence on the children and forbid me from returning.”

I turned away, trying not to think about the hole in my heart that would form if I couldn’t see the girls’ delightful faces. Even when I was only visiting the school on Fridays, it had always been the highlight of my week. And of late I’d grown particularly fond of Hope and Grace, Millworth’s newest residents. I wouldn’t survive never being able to see them again.

Greyson sat on the edge of the bed and pulled me toward him. I stood between his spread thighs and gazed down at him, surprised at how serious he appeared.

“Mrs. Atkinson has no power to banish you from the school. I’d replace her if she tried.”

I cupped his cheek. “You say that now, but soon enough you won’t care what I’m doing. I’ll be nothing more than a pleasant memory.”

He frowned. “I’m not heartless, Claire.”

I bent to drop a kiss on the corner of his mouth. “Of course not. Now, enough talking.” I turned so my back was to him and cast a coy glance over my shoulder. “Would you help me disrobe? I’ve found that I much prefer your ministrations to those of my maid.”

I didn’t have to ask him twice. His nimble fingers made quick work of the buttons. A delicious shiver moved through me. Despite all the times we’d been together, it felt wicked to make love before nightfall. But Greyson always had a way of making me lose any sense of propriety.

When I was down to my chemise, I turned to face him. Instead of standing so I could help him undress, he was still on the edge of the bed, his gaze moving up and down my body. The window was behind me, which meant that the sheer garment would hide nothing from his greedy gaze.

I allowed him to look his fill, a part of me wondering if he would remember me like this when he moved on to the next woman. The thought brought on a wave of sadness, but I forced it back.

Without a word, I sank to my knees before him. We’d discussed this, how I could give him pleasure with my mouth much as he did for me. I hadn’t felt adventurous enough to try, but I couldn’t help thinking that if I didn’t do this for him now, I’d never again have the chance.

When I reached for the fall of his trousers, he covered my hands.

His eyes were blazing with desire. “Are you certain?”

I nodded, eager to share this with him. “I can’t imagine anything else I’d rather do right now.”

I was a little frightened by how true that statement was. When he released my hands, I unbuttoned his trousers and took out his hard length.

He called it his cock. I wasn’t sure I could ever say that word aloud, but just thinking it made heat race through me.

I wrapped my hand around him and stroked him the way he liked. He was already leaking, and I couldn’t resist the temptation to lean forward and taste him. His breath shuddered out of him with a groan.

Emboldened, I took him into my mouth. He was large, so I only managed half his length.

At his curse, I glanced up at him, my mouth full. His half-lidded gaze told me just how much he was enjoying this. I’d seen that same expression on his face many times since we’d been together, and it gave me the confidence to continue.

I dedicated myself to trying to take as much of him as possible, trying to maintain a pace that was similar to when he was thrusting into me. His fingers tangled in my hair, causing pins to clatter to the floor, but I didn’t stop.

I wanted to continue until he reached his peak, caring only for his pleasure. When he pushed my head back, popping out of my mouth, I murmured a protest, but he held me still.

Without a word, he stood, bent to lift me from the floor, then deposited me on the bed. He stared down at me for several seconds before reaching for my breasts. Instead of caressing me, as I’d expected, he gripped the fabric of my chemise and tore it down the middle.

My mouth dropped open in shock.

I expected him to be amused, as he often was when I betrayed just how unworldly I still was. There was something dark in his expression that frightened me a little, but not because I feared he’d hurt me.