He widened his eyes as he held both her cheeks in his hands. “No.”
She shook her head in his hands. “Do you understand how rare that is? A man who is comfortable enough to allow me to have my own path? Not to mention that you are fun and kind, handsome, and you like my father, and…” She stopped, looking down into his eyes. “I could search the whole of England and not find another you.”
Chapter Twelve
God as his witness, Ash loved this woman. Not just because Cordelia was stunning and talented. And not just because she saw the good in him. Though he had to confess, her tender insight and acceptance made his heart melt. So few people found value in him.
But she made him want to be a better man. The sort of man that could raise happy children alongside a loving wife.
Perhaps she never needed to know he was a bastard. It was a secret that only his dearest friends now knew. It made him ache to think of keeping something like that from her, but how could he tell her that he’d spent his childhood in the ashes of a whorehouse? She’d been so understanding up to this point, but would their budding relationship survive that knowledge? He’d spent his entire life hiding it for fear of what people might think.
> He kissed her again. To quiet his thoughts but also to remind himself that this might just be worth it. He’d protect her from his past. Give her the future she deserved. Because he wanted to believe that Mr. Moorish was right and that he could build a life with family and children, and not recreate his past but forge a new future.
The heat of her seeped into his chest and he rolled them both over, tucking her underneath him to keep her warm.
One of her legs wrapped around his, his pelvis settling between her legs. Even through her skirts, he could feel her heat, her softness, and he groaned as he kissed a trail down her neck, one of his hands sliding down the front of her dress.
One of her breasts filled his palm and he groaned to feel her nipple strain against the fabric. He brushed the peak with his thumb, and she gasped, arching into the touch.
White-hot need coursed through his body, settling into his manhood. He’d never wanted a woman more. The need to touch her prodded his hand lower until he reached the bottom of her skirts and then underneath and up her leg. Which was completely bare.
He reared up, looking down at her even as a flush climbed her cheeks. “It’s hot,” she said in a strangled whisper.
He grinned down at her, her silky-smooth flesh sliding against the much rougher skin of his hand. “It is. Very hot.”
“When I play…” Her words died off.
He let out a strangled groan. “If you tell me that you rarely wear pantaloons, I shall have to marry you immediately.”
She stilled underneath him, her gaze holding his. “You’re teasing.”
“I am not,” he said back, kissing her again. Slowly and sweetly until she was sighing, nothing but clay in his hands. “But we’ll have to come up with new terms. The old ones won’t do.”
Her quiet moan pulsed through him even as he slid his hand higher, up her thigh, just brushing the tantalizing curls at the juncture of her legs.
She was already wet, and he pressed his forehead to hers feeling her body shake as he ran his hand lightly over the sensitive flesh as she cried out, her fingers digging into his shoulders.
Never had another person’s pleasure been so important to him. He knew the light touch was important. Not only was she completely new to this, but it would ultimately make the end that much more exquisite.
He had a powerful need to feel her finish. As though it would make him more worthy. He touched her again with just a bit more pressure and her whole body jumped.
“Ash,” she cried, her eyes squeezing shut. “It feels so…”
“I know,” he said, kissing a path across her cheek. “Let it happen. Don’t be afraid. I’m right here. I’ve got you.”
She gasped in a breath, tightening her grip around his neck, as she grabbed at his hair, her supple fingers pulling the strands.
He smiled against her ear as her body tightened and he increased the tempo. She was drawing closer to her finish and he lifted up, wanting to watch her face in this moment.
Her delicate features were tight, and her head thrashed back and forth, and then she crested her pleasure, breaking as she felt the waves of pleasure rocking through her.
Watching her was stunning. He was half-tempted to start anew and see it all again, but her eyelashes fluttered open. “I have a question.”
He stared down at her, running his thumb over her bottom lip. “Yes, love?”
“Will that be part of our new agreement?”
He leaned down and kissed her. “Most definitely.”