Taking out the bill, I step to the lamp and hold it directly under the light as she continues speaking.
“It’s an antique now and very rare. The right collector would give as much as one hundred and fifty thousand for it.”
I turn it over in my hands. “I’m not familiar with currency like this, but I can have it verified if you like.”
“I’d like to divide the amount into thirds and give it to them. I don’t need it, but they might.” She pauses for a breath. “It’s the least I can do.”
I put the money back and reach for her. She steps into my arms, and I hug her close against my chest as I think about what she’s proposing. It’s a generous idea, and I love her selflessness. At the same time…
“What if this fellow decides to come looking for it?”
Not that I give a damn. I actually welcome the idea of that fucking bastard daring to come here. It gives me a sick satisfaction imagining my fist breaking every bone in his face. Still, we should be prepared for the ass kicking.
“It’s been so long.” She pushes out of my arms again. “That was almost ten years ago.”
“Still, my love, this is a lot of money. Does he know you took it?”
Her lips twist, and she looks at the floor. “I don’t think so. He never tried to find me when we lived in Florida. As far as I know, the police were never actively searching for us. He never used that wallet, so it’s possible he figured he lost it.”
“Maybe.” I’m not convinced.
“Anyway, I’m here with you now. How would he even know where to find me?”
As much as I’m thinking it, I don’t want to burst her bubble. At the same time, I know she can’t be this naive. She must have internalized how very visible she is as my wife by now. Reaching out, I smooth my palm over her cheek, tracing my thumb acr
oss her full lips.
“If you trust me with this, I’ll take it from you and break it up.”
“I do,” she says. “It’s time.”
I tug her bottom lip, and my anger is melting into desire. “If that bastard ever bothers you, it will be the last thing he does.”
Her small nose wrinkles, and she shakes her head. “He’s not going to bother me.”
I’m not concerned with convincing her. Ava Wilder-Tate is more than safe with me.
“Come back to bed,” I say, taking her hand. “We have a royal duty to perform.”
“Who says we need a bed?” Stepping back, she slides the silk belt from her robe. “Weren’t we planning to christen this room?”
The bright red silk drifts apart, and my lips curl into a smile. She’s completely naked underneath it. Reaching out, I close her laptop and move it aside.
“Sit on the desk.”
Chapter 8
Ava
I’m lying back on the glossy dark-wood desk with my knees bent. My silk robe is open, and I’m completely nude underneath it. My hand covers Rowan’s larger one on my bare breast. He squeezes it and rolls the tip of my hardened nipple in his fingers. His head is between my legs, and his beard scuffs the soft skin of my thighs, sending little thrills straight to my core. Moans fill the air around us as his expert tongue circles down and up, blowing my mind.
“Yes…” The pleasure tightening below my waist is almost more than I can bear. My fingers thread in his hair, and I can feel my wetness running down to my ass. He sucks my clit between his teeth, and I cry out. My stomach trembles and my thighs jump. Heat flashes like electricity through my body all the way to my toes.
He moves higher, kissing my belly, tracing a line with his tongue to my navel. My focus on that decadent journey breaks when his large thumb plunges deep into my core, circling and teasing my wetness, but it doesn’t stop. It trails down, and he cups the side of my ass before that thick digit pushes hard into my tiny hole.
“Rowan!” I arch off the table.
He’s over me, cock in hand, and with a firm thrust, he’s buried to the hilt in my clenching insides. The dual sensation blanks my mind. He’s thick and long, massaging and stretching me, and in the back is pressure, teasing and invading. It’s erotic and dirty, and I’m gasping and moaning.