“Well, you did benefit, you can write another book.” Her eyes twinkled. “After you’ve finished Annabel’s book, I think you should write a proper guide to sexmagic.”
“Oh, you do.”
“Yes, as long as you dedicate this one to your research assistant, the one whose commitment to exploring the subject with you has revealed so much about the subject.”
“You’re getting very cheeky, madam.”
“What are you going to do, spank me?”
“Annabel has definitely had a bad influence on you.”
“You know, I think that next to Gina, Annabel is the best friend I ever had.” Her expression had grown more serious.
“Well, I think you’re using Annabel as an excuse.” He ducked down to kiss her neck. The very touch of her soft skin against his mouth made him want to strip her and kiss every part of her, especially that part of her that made her writhe in ecstasy.
“Whatever do you mean?”
He lifted his head. “I don’t think Annabel turned you into a rampant sex goddess, I think it was already there, simmering, just waiting for the chance to come out and play.”
She looked startled, and there was a hint of blush of her cheeks. “You know, Gray, I think every woman deserves a man like you.” She kissed his mouth, and his cock throbbed.
He wanted to come, but he also wanted this night to last forever.
“Notice that I said a man like you,” she added, pulling back, “not you. You’re mine.”
He saw his window of opportunity. “How serious are you on that point?”
The atmosphere intensified. She’d been playing, and he’d made it serious. Was that wrong?
She gazed at him for the longest time, her eyes like melting chocolate, richly sensuous and filled with secret feminine fire. “Serious enough that my boss keeps telling
me he can’t afford to move his business to Edinburgh in order to keep me.”
Grayson couldn’t withhold his grin. He’d wanted to broach this subject, but he also worried that it was too soon. He had no clue on the finer points of making things permanent and he wanted it so badly. He’d just had to feel his way, like a blind man. “I’ve been looking at posts in London,” he ventured, “and there might be an opportunity next year.”
She smiled, pleased. “Maggie and Fern would never forgive me for taking you away from Scotland. Besides, Gina is begging for an excuse to have visiting rights up here.”
“And you? How would you feel about a move like that?” He moved his hands over her bottom, squeezing the soft cushion of her delectable derrière in his hands, pulling her against him as they talked.
“Oh, Gray—” She gasped. “You know how much I love it here.” Her hands were on his hips, her statement double-edged as she moved up and down against his erect cock. “I can get work. My boss said he would be sorry to see me go, but he also said he would wish me well. He has colleagues up here who would take me in.”
“I bet they would.” He squeezed her bottom possessively, holding her still against him.
“Hey!”
“I’m glad, really. If it’s possible, and you are willing to give it a try, you’d make me a very happy man.”
A momentary doubt crossed her expression. “It’s not always easy, relationships.”
“I know.”
“Of course you do, I’m sorry.”
He cupped her face. “Don’t be.”
“It’s not the magic. I think I can get used to that. Eventually. It’s just that I don’t believe it’s all hearts and flowers all the time. We’ve both seen enough to know how hard it can be. Failed relationships for our parents, age-old vendettas over unrequited love.”
“We’ve got something worth having, and we’re both aware of how badly it can go wrong. I’m willing to work at this if you are.”