The Deceptive Lady Darby (Lost Ladies of London 2)

“I’m yours, Christian. I always will be.”

His heart swelled, which was a feat considering every drop of blood in his body filled his cock.

“I love you, Rose.” He loved the way she looked at him with desire swimming in her eyes, the way she welcomed him into her body, made all his cares slip away. He loved the way she cared for his children, how she gave everythin

g of herself and expected nothing in return.

A whimper escaped from her lips as he thrust hard and deep. “I-I have loved you from … from the moment you wiped ash off my chin.”

He rose above her, and she looked up at him, love and lust evident in her eyes.

“Marry me.”

A smile touched her lips, one that turned into a sweet moan when he pushed inside her. “Yes,” was all she managed to say.

Christian withdrew slightly. “Then we’ll leave for Scotland tomorrow?”

She raised her hips and took him deeper into her core. “Yes.”

While he wanted to race to the rooftops and share his good fortune with the world, he focused his efforts on pleasing the woman clutching him tightly and panting his name.

She writhed beneath him, arched her back and pressed her breasts against his chest. And then she was shaking. Her body clenched around him, drawing his release from him in powerful jerks and shudders.

Their breathless pants filled the air. Beads of sweat trickled down the line of his back, and he collapsed at her side, exhausted.

“Do you know the first thing I’m going to do when I get you back to Everleigh?”

Rose threw her arm across his chest and smiled seductively. “Has it anything to do with the rug in the study?”

“No. There’ll be no more rushing to the denouement, no more uncomfortable places. I intend to spend many hours worshipping you in a plush bed.”

“Oh, I rather like frolicking in the study. I like the spontaneity of it all. And the fear of getting caught adds to the excitement.”

“There’s nothing to stop us fitting in a few study sessions in between.”

“Or a few midnight strolls in the woods.”

Christian waited for the frisson of fear to strike, but it didn’t come. When he thought of the woods, he imagined chasing Rose, pressing her up against a tree and claiming her mouth in a wild and passionate frenzy.

“So what is the first thing you intend to do with me?” Rose asked.

“I intend to teach you to swim.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll not risk losing you again.”

Rose chuckled. “Am I to learn to swim with or without clothes?”

He stroked her back, cupped one soft buttock and squeezed. “With clothes until you’ve mastered the art, without when you want to take me to the lake to work on your strokes.”

A satisfied sigh left her lips. “I’m so happy, Christian, I could burst.”

Christian pulled her on top of him and kissed her tenderly on the lips. The feel of her warm body against his sparked his desire. “You’re all I’ve ever wanted, the angel I dreamed would one day come and save me.”

“An angel? Am I not the damsel who came to save the knight?”

“Love, a damsel is a naive maiden. After all we’ve shared, I’d hardly call you innocent.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her again. “But you’re right. You saved me from myself. From a miserable, lonely existence and so you may claim your reward.”

“Then I claim you, Christian Knight, as my husband, lover and friend.”

Christian pressed his growing erection against her stomach. “I shall be forever your servant, my lady, and am ready to do your bidding.”