Claiming His Wife (Domestic Discipline 4)

What had she been looking for in his study?

Why had she left him in the first place? What was opening her to him again now?

He supposed it was possible that she'd meant for him to chase after her the first time, but somehow that just didn't align with Grace's character. Other women played games like that, but Grace had seemed truly furious when she'd first left him. Not to mention disdainful, cutting and frankly disgusted by him. Which was why his response had been so prideful. He'd been young and stupid. If she tried such a tactic with him now, he would not only follow behind her but, once he caught up with her, he would blister her bottom until she explained herself.

Looking at her across the dinner table, he noted that she was wearing the dark red color that he liked on her so much. It emphasized her dark hair, pale skin and the red in her cheeks and lips. Even her eyes seemed a brighter blue in contrast. Not for the first time, he thought that he needed to buy her a sapphire and ruby necklace and tiara set.

Almost as if she could read his mind, Grace's pretty pert lips twisted into a little smirk. "You're thinking about rubies and sapphires again, aren't you?" she teased.

He laughed, shaking his head. "How do you always know?"

At least, she always had known, years ago. She claimed it was a look on his face, but he could swear that not a single part of his expression changed.

"You haven't altered as much as you might think," she said, her eyes sparkling just a moment before they began to dull, as she realized that she'd tread too close to the topics of conversation she was avoiding.

But Alex had already realized that his tactics were only making her uncomfortable, so he just leaned back and patted his belly. "That's not what I've been told."

Grace burst out laughing, immediately relaxing since he hadn't picked up on the lead she'd given him. It was reward enough for continuing to be patient and waiting until after dinner, when they were completely alone, to begin their conversation.

"You're just fishing for compliments, no one would dare say anything to you about your waistline!"

Giving her a look of mock outrage, he put an affronted hand over his chest. "Are you implying that there's something to say?"

The rest of the meal went much better as they fell into teasing each other. He hadn't felt so lighthearted since he was a boy. Was it Grace leaving him that had turned him into Stoneface? Or was it her absence in his life throughout the years? Probably a bit of both. She brought out a side of him that was far more relaxed and playful than he felt able to show to anyone else - although his friendship with Wesley and the others had begun to bring out some of those facets as well.

They both became more tense as the meal ended and he asked her to join him in his study for an after dinner sherry. Well, sherry for her and brandy for him. For a moment he thought she would refuse and that he would have to insist, or even force her, but then she nodded. The grim expression on her face didn't make him feel any better.

As they walked down the hall, the serious mien melted away and she started chatting again. He hoped she didn't really think he would be distracted by talk about tomorrow's weather and how fast the carriage might travel. Whatever she thought he wanted to talk about, it was obvious she knew it was more serious. This time, he wasn't going to be diverted.

At least, that's what he thought until they got to the study. No sooner had he closed the door behind them, than Grace threw herself on him.

******

Whatever it was Alex wanted to talk about, Grace was sure it impinged on the topics that she didn't. What was wrong with the blasted man? Hadn't he thought through how awful their traveling situation could be if they argued tonight? Things were going so well between them, why did he have to try and ruin it?

When he'd escorted her out of the dining room, she'd realized that there were other means of distracting him, however. Enjoyable means. After all, they'd already revived the physical portion of their marriage, why not enjoy the benefits while she could? Just in case she ended up having to flee him again. At least she'd have another night in his bed. Because she did still love him, and not a single night with another man had ever compared to being with him.

So, when he turned around from closing the door to his study, she plastered herself against him. It was an unprecedented move on her part. Before their estrangement, she'd certainly never thrown herself at him. Partly because she had never needed to, but even if she'd had the opportunity, she probably would have been too shy to take it. During their estrangement, she'd had all manner of men chasing after her. She'd been content to pick and choose among them, and to indulge when they wanted her, without actually pursuing them herself. She'd ended up with a reputation for being choosy, and so the men had flocked. Some matrons had to exert effort to find their lovers, Grace had never been one of them. If men hadn't presented themselves, she probably would have gone without.

Alex was the only man she'd ever truly wanted to throw herself at. Now, spurred by her need to put off the conversation she knew he wanted to have, it was easy. Especially because, the second she touched her lips to his, she realized she was hungry for him.

The romantic wedding this morning, the way he'd spurned the attentions and fli

rtations of other women, the little looks that he'd given her across the room, and then his stalwart attention to her this afternoon, combined with the fact that they had already made love the night before, opened the way for her. She'd held herself back physically because her emotions wouldn't allow her to give in. She no longer had that barrier.

His body fell back against the door and she could practically feel his surprise. One arm slid around his neck, the other hand clutched at his cravat, and she refused to give up his lips when she felt him trying to pull away. His mouth opened and she thrust her tongue brazenly inside, standing on her toes and rubbing her body against his. Resistance was futile, unless he was prepared to bodily tear her away from him. For a moment, she feared he would do just that as his hands settled on her hips, prepared to push, and then she felt him give in.

Instead of pushing her away, his fingers tightened on her hips. He stopped trying to pull away and drew her in closer, taking control of the kiss with a dominating force that left her breathless. Grace moaned into his mouth as their tongues dueled, pulling at the knot in his cravat and tearing the thing away from his throat. Her calves ached from the effort of keeping her tall enough to kiss him, but she didn't care.

His arousal pressed against her stomach and she was on fire with need. Overwhelmed by urgency. If things went badly tomorrow... if he couldn't give her the answers she needed... she might very well have to flee. She might never see him again. For tonight, at least, she could push away thoughts of the future, ignore her fluttering hopes, and just pretend that there was nothing more between them than their desires. Let their bodies do the talking.

Sliding her hands down, she tugged his buttons through their holes and pushed his jacket open, sliding her hands in. Alex made a growling noise, deep in his chest, which reverberated through her palms. She pushed against him as he tried to lift his head again, refusing to give up the kiss, and he grabbed her by the back of her hair, pulling her head back so that she had to look at him.

"Grace-"

"Shut up," she said fiercely, arching her hips away to undo the front of his pants.

“Grace, we should talk.”