Claiming the Courtesan

He took his time, struggling against the need that seethed like a whirlpool within him. His heart beat such a mad tattoo in his

chest that he thought it might burst. But he clamped down on his hunger and concentrated on her. After all his transgressions against her, he owed her this.

He caressed and kissed her breasts until she gasped and shook in his arms. Her nipples were so sensitive that he knew he could bring her to climax like this.

But still it wasn’t enough. He’d promised her pleasure and, by God, he meant to give her pleasure such as she’d never known before. The ache in his loins clenched into agony, but somehow he contained the urge to enter and possess.

He touched her dewy center and smiled his satisfaction when she bucked and moaned under his hand. He’d always loved her responsiveness. The redolent scent of her arousal invaded his senses as he stroked the plump, damp folds until they were swollen and wet beneath his fingers.

He pushed two fingers into her and bent his head to sink his teeth into the curve where her neck met her shoulder. She cried out and shuddered, rewarding him with a hot flow of moisture against his seeking hand.

Immediately, he gentled, nuzzling the fragrant hollows of her neck as he began to work his fingers in and out of her. She shivered and wound her arms around his naked back. Soon she trembled like a sapling in a high wind, and her breath emerged in panting moans.

But his ruthlessness hadn’t altogether vanished. He continued until she broke and clung to him, sobbing. She was still shaking when he positioned himself between her thighs.

He fought for breath and for the willpower to make this good for her. Carefully, with a restraint that almost killed him, he slid into her. Her sigh as he penetrated fully was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard.

He’d been a power in the great world. He’d commanded the destinies of multitudes. Yet, despite that, he knew this private, silent moment was the most important of his life.

For a long moment, he remained motionless, suspended in perfect connection.

They were one.

He’d always dismissed that idea as sentimental claptrap. But for a few transcendent seconds, he didn’t know where he ended and she began.

But he was, after all, merely human. The urge to move became irresistible. He withdrew and thrust once more.

Immediately he felt again that sense of ultimate homecoming.

She sighed with delight and lifted herself to him. The graceful arch of her body told him all he needed to know about what she wanted.

His famous control shattered into a thousand glittering shards. Wildly, he plunged into her over and over, riding out the volcanic force of one climax and another even more turbulent. Then, while the tremors still shook her, he thrust hard for the last time. With a mighty groan, he unleashed his passion into the welcoming darkness of her womb.

Verity drifted back from the dazzling realms of ultimate pleasure to find Kylemore slumped over her, his head buried in her shoulder. He was heavy and hot, pressing her into the mattress, but she couldn’t bear him to move away yet. Her arms tightened around his back as his ragged breathing gradually slowed.

Hard to believe she, the great expert on carnality, had known nothing at all. What she’d just experienced revealed her previous encounters as pale imitations of something rare and real.

She felt like laughing with joy. She felt like crying her heart out over what she’d missed. What she hadn’t even guessed existed.

She closed her eyes, remembering her stunned flash of recognition when his body had finally joined hers.

For the first time in her life, she’d felt complete. The ignorant country girl. Ben and Maria’s careful provider. The frightened servant. Eldreth’s mistress, as much daughter as lover, especially after the onset of his illness. James’s worldly tutor. Kylemore’s obsession. Then his angry resentful captive.

Daughter. Sister. Mistress. Prisoner. Lover. United in the woman who loved Kylemore. In the wake of all the painful storms, she basked now in a peace unlike anything she’d ever known.

The words I love you trembled on her lips.

But she could never tell him. Not for her sake—she’d never stop loving him. But for his.

The last few days had revealed he was far from the unfeeling monolith he strove so diligently to present. He already carried so much pain. She wouldn’t allow herself to add to it.

Kylemore stirred. His breathing was steadier, and his heart no longer thundered against her.

As he raised his head and looked down into her eyes, she saw he too had changed. His gaze was clear and sure. The cynicism that had always veiled his features had vanished. For the first time, he truly looked like a man a year younger than she.

Her heart was so full, she reached up to touch his cheek. His shadow beard bristled beneath her fingers.

“I’ve got a bear in my bed.” She sought relief in lightness.