Page 52 of Keeper of Secrets

He positioned himself between her legs as she lifted a hand, running her fingers over the muscles of his chest, her gaze meeting his.

“I love you,” she whispered, her body splayed out for him.

“I love you too,” he said but the truth was, love did not begin to describe how he felt.He’d protect this woman until his last breath.He’d give all he had to keep her safe and warm.

Slowly, he pushed inside her, the tightness of her sheath making his eyes roll back even as he fought for control.

Her face pulled into a wince, a small whimper falling from her lips.He held still, pressing closer to kiss her lips, holding her body against his.

As she relaxed, he tried again, sinking deeper into her sheath until finally, after several agonizing minutes, he was fully seated inside her.

His balls tingled from the effort, and he knew he’d not last long.Slowly sliding out, he pushed back in, being careful not to hurt her, her arms locked tightly about his neck.

The effort to move slowly only added to the anticipation, his entire body taut with the effort.

One more slow stroke, then two, and his body shook with the effort to maintain control.When one of Chloe’s legs hooked about his waist, he lost the fight, and with one more deep thrust inside her, he came undone.

He let out a loud groan, his orgasm tearing through him.Chloe held him tightly, her murmured words in his ear lulling him closer as he collapsed on top of her.He had no idea what she said.The words didn’t matter.

It was the feeling.The promise of love and care that had him rolling to the side, cradling her body into the front of his.

This was what he’d always needed and never knew.

Chloe fell asleep in the circle of his arms and for the longest time, he just watched her sleep, completely amazed that this woman had consented to be his.

When she was deep in sleep, he rose, pulling on his breeches.He had no intention of going far, but he did need to write to Strongborn and tell him what had happened, and turn over Adam’s belongings to the other man to further the investigation.

And he’d need to tender his resignation.Chloe was right.It was time he quit the club.

Not that he entirely regretted his time.As he thought back to the many challenges he’d completed over the years, a fair number of them had prepared him for his fight with Adam and for the task of keeping Chloe safe.

He’d learned to be a man behind those doors, though he could confess, there might have been a more moral way to accomplish the task.

That was the difficult part about Adam’s words.Some of them were true.Adam might be a religious zealot, too far in the other direction, but he wasn’t wrong.

He, Strongborn, the others, they ought to lead by example.

With that in mind, he crossed to the small writing desk in the corner and pulled out a sheet of paper, penning a quick note.

Then he rang the bell to summon a footman to deliver the note.

But it wasn’t a footman who came to the door, but his Aunt Mildred.Pale, her features taut, his aunt looked seriously upset…

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

Ryker stoodstraight and tall as his formidable aunt glared at him.“We need to have a word.”

“Fine,” he stepped out into the hall, still shirtless, but not wanting to wake Chloe.“But I will tell you that?—”

“Good heavens, what’s happened to you?”

He looked down realizing the bruises on his torso had darkened overnight.“It’s a very long story and I will tell you all of it, Aunt Mildred, but first, let’s talk about what you came to discuss.Chloe.”

“I know about your ridiculous plan.”

Of course she did.Another way he’d been a complete fool.But he digressed.“I’ll be posting the banns by this Sunday.We’ll be married in a fortnight.”

“Posting the banns?Does that mean you’ve given up on your preposterous idea of keeping the match secret?”

---