Page 50 of Charming Sir Charles
“Always remember that.” He drew out so slowly that she saw stars. Then he slid forward with a ruthlessness that left her gasping. The torrent of thrills rippling through her began to build into a tidal wave.
She closed her eyes and joined Charles on the journey to bliss. Just before the sensations inside her exploded into dazzling release, she opened her eyes. “I love you, Charles.”
“Sally…” he said on a long groan and thrust into her hard, sending her soaring into a realm of fire.
As the tremors subsided and she drifted down from the stellar heights, she felt wrung out, complete, sated.
Loved.
Poignant gratitude welled inside her, made speech impossible. To think, she’d nearly let her fears deny her this ecstasy, this unearthly closeness.
Well, she was no longer frightened. She was brave and forthright, and confident that she’d found the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.
She hid her flushed face in his bare shoulder and kissed his skin, the tang of his clean sweat sharp in her nostrils. And she spoke again the words she’d never said to anyone until tonight. She was surprised how easily they emerged.
“I love you, Charles.”
“And I love you,” he said. When his arms closed around her, she knew she’d reached safe harbor at last.
* * *
Charles carried a sleepy Sally across to a large armchair beside the unlit hearth. Her declaration of love still echoed in his ears. The whole world glowed, now he knew that she loved him. He’d waited so long to hear those words, he couldn’t yet take them for granted. If fate allowed him the privilege, he hoped to hear her say she loved him every day for the rest of their long life together.
Happy beyond his dearest hopes, gloriously satisfied, he settled in the chair and arranged her in his lap. She looked thoroughly ravished. Her bodice sagged over her lovely breasts, offering him a glimpse of sweet strawberry nipples. Her gilt hair cascaded about her. Her lips were red and swollen after his kisses, and her pale skin showed pink where his whiskers had chafed her.
“That was lovely,” she murmured, resting her ruffled head on his bare shoulder.
“It was. Although I promise next time we’ll be in a bed.” He paused. “And I’ll take the time to undress you. In fact, I’ll just take my time.”
She gave a soft laugh and nestled closer. “That will be nice.”
“I’ll get a special license today. I don’t want next time to be too far away.” Nor did he place too much reliance on her claims to barrenness. He wanted no sidelong looks if she bore a child nine months from now. And after the last, difficult days, he intended to claim her as quickly and as permanently as he could.
“I don’t either.” When she sighed, her breath was warm on his chest. “I wish I could stay tonight.”
His hold tightened. “I do, too, but you have to set an example to Meg.”
“I know.” She met his eyes. “If we’re getting married in a few days, I suppose I’ll have to let her stay in London after all.”
His lips twitched. “And forgive her for interfering.”
“She’s a minx.”
“Undoubtedly.”
She gave a gurgle of laughter. “Oh, my goodness, everyone is going to be so surprised when they find out we’re getting married.”
Charles hid a secret smile. He had a suspicion the only person surprised at this particular outcome was Sally herself. Most of their friends knew where his interest tended.
Sally sat up and kissed him with leisurely enjoyment. “We have so much to do,” she said. “And you have to cancel your trip to Italy.”
He felt so elated, he was ready to take wing and fly to Venice. As long as she flew with him. “Not necessarily.”
“Charles?”
“We could go there for our honeymoon. It only means delaying my journey a week or so.”
Her eyes turned brilliant green. “Italy?Oh, Charles.”
