A Little More Scandal by Carrie Lofty Page B

Why at this moment had his conscience decided to become so bloody stubborn?
    Because she deserves it.
    “I’m in earnest, Catrin. Marrying me means marrying a man whose mistress will always be industry, trade, the accumulation of wealth.”
    She pinched his arse. “You will not take a mistress.”
    “Damn, woman!”
    “Don’t expect I’ll meekly drink tea while you conquer the world. By rights, what you have will be mine to share. That includes your work.”
    But then her movements calmed. Her hypnotic Welsh accent swirled around through his senses. “William, I know you’ll never be an open man. You’re simply not the type. But here?” She took his face in her hands. “Here, you’ll try. For me. I will be your safe place, just as you’ll be for me. Begin here. Now.”
    He collapsed against her bosom. Warm cotton teased him with her scent. He was hungry, needy, and defeated by her unflagging optimism.
    “I didn’t leave my son with his grandparents because I value how they’ll acclimate him to Society.” His whispered confession was easier now. Darkness. Catrin’s scent. Her gentle patter of kisses. They conspired to unlock the vault in his chest. “He’s there because I’m terrified. What does a gutter rat from Glasgow know about family ? How does a father guide a boy to manhood? And Jesus, any children we might have . . . ?”
    They both stilled. Neither breathed.
    He whispered against her skin, “Will you teach me how, Catrin? Will you help me raise my boy?”
    She brought him up for a slow kiss. “Yes, my love. If we can figure our way out of this mess, we can do anything.”
    “Do you trust this? Us? ”
    “I trust that I love you.”
    “How?”
    “Have you ever made a business decision based on gut instinct? Facts and figures aside—you just had to choose?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then choose to love me.”
    And just that easily, he knew.
    William wrapped her in his arms, clung to her. “My darling Catrin, I already do.”
    The distress he’d felt began to seep away. Desire and a dizzying hopefulness rushed in to take its place. The breath he’d been holding pushed free on a long exhale. His next inhale was filled with the sweet bliss of her scent.
    No longer able to resist the lure of her body, William reveled in the resilient curve of her hip, the supple strength of her legs, the pulse of life just beneath her skin. Kisses. He rained kisses from her mouth to her throat, then farther still. The strings at the neck of her chemise slipped loose.
    That almost innocent beginning took on a hard, desperate edge. Hot breath mingled. He traced her lower lip until she opened for him. The throb of his cock was a mind-numbing distraction now. He ground it against her hip and took her moan into his chest. Each nudge became more aggressive. He tunneled his hands into her hair.
    Eager lips found a bare stretch of muscle across the top of his chest. Tiny nibbles, little licks—Catrin was a miniature explorer. She skimmed her hands down his flanks, around to his backside. Clasped tightly.
    William slid his hand between her legs and circled tense fingers between her slick folds. She moaned, then tightened her hold on the globes of his ass. She was so wet, so ready. And bloody hell, so was he. The entire evening had been a prelude to this moment.
    “Legs around my waist.” Power heated his blood when she quickly complied. He positioned his aching head against her opening. “Tell me you’re ready, Catrin. Please.”
    She tightened her calves, her thighs. “Have been for hours,” she gasped.
    With a growl of amusement and need, he plunged deep. No boundaries now. No hesitation. Fast, hard, he indulged in the woman he loved—the woman who held nothing back. She reveled in his driving hips, as each thrust pitched her moans higher and higher.
    “No hand on your mouth. Not tonight.” Bracing his weight on his elbows, William smiled in the dark. “Never again, Catrin. Give me your screams.”
    They rode one