Page 52 of Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife
His kiss communicated his infinite joy in her.Something in her settled, and she realized that she hadn’t lied when she said she was happy.Which was a surprise, because she hadn’t been happy since she’d run away with George.
“I’m glad.”Hugo curled his arm around her and nestled her into his side with her head on his shoulder.She sighed with repletion.Never could she remember feeling so warm and safe and contented.
For a long while, they lay quietly.When he shifted, she couldn’t muffle a whimper of complaint.She was drowsing, her body unspooling after that almighty climax.Since their parting at Sylvie’s, sleep had been a stranger.Not to mention that today’s jumpiness left worn her out.
He rose on one elbow and kissed her briefly.“Let me clean you up.”
When Athene shifted on the sheets, she remembered the sticky mess on her stomach.“You’re a considerate lover.”He was a considerate man.It was one of the first things that she’d noticed.
Hugo rolled out of bed and crossed to go behind the screen that hid a washstand.“A baby would complicate things for you.”
An understatement, although she couldn’t help noticing that he said “for you,” rather than “for us.”Another sign that he hadn’t given up on marrying her.
“I suspect I’m barren.I didn’t conceive when I was with George.”Who had never withdrawn.She’d been too unworldly to understand the profound selfishness of that.Would he have married her if she’d fallen pregnant?Would she have married him if she had?By the time she left him, she was enormously grateful that he had no legal hold on her.
“Perhaps it was you.”She heard splashing, as Hugo poured water into a bowl.“Perhaps it was him.”
She frowned, wondering if George might have been sterile.Despite his local reputation as a rake, she’d never heard of any bastards.
More sloshing hinted that Hugo had washed and now poured water for her.He came around the screen, carrying a blue and white china bowl.A couple of linen towels hung over his arm.“What?”
She pushed up against the pillows and feasted on the view.“You’re a marvel to behold.”
To her delight, he blushed.He set the bowl on the nightstand and folded the towels over the base of the bed.He bent to pick up his robe to cover his nakedness.“You talk such nonsense, lass.”
“It’s not nonsense.You’re a handsome man, Hugo Brinsmead.Don’t cover up on my account.”
Humor brightened his face.“If you’re overcome by lust, I won’t be able to make you comfortable.”
Athene gave a brief laugh.“You know, if you saw yourself as I do, you’d know that’s not entirely a joke.”
He cast her a sardonic glance, as he wrung out a flannel and wiped his sperm off her pale skin.His seed had started to dry, so she appreciated the wash.“Is the water too cold?I can ring for more.”
She shook her head.It was only lukewarm, but it wasn’t unpleasant.“I love what you’re doing.Anyway, I don’t want anyone intruding.”
He dipped the cloth in the bowl and washed between her legs.His touch on her sex was stirring and her breasts tightened with longing, which astonished her, given what they’d just done.His expression was careful and serious.That level of attention fed her arousal.
By the time he washed her breasts, she was panting and her body readied itself for him.Nor was Hugo immune to the rising temperature.His breath turned uneven, and she made out a promising bulge beneath the robe.He must notice her tight nipples, but he remained quiet as he toweled her dry.
After wetting the flannel again, he began to wipe her arms.She gave a wordless complaint.“Hugo, I want you.”
“You aren’t sore?”
She sighed.Sometimes, he wastooconsiderate.“I ache for you.Does that count?”
“Let’s say that it does.”Anticipation curved his lips.“I’m going to linger on this occasion.I was in a rush last time.”
He dropped the cloth into the bowl and dried her with a towel.The linen’s friction on her too sensitive skin made her squirm.“I didn’t mind,” she said faintly.
He bent to kiss her bare stomach.Her muscles clenched with response as hot moisture flowed into the secret hollows of her body.He picked up the bowl and the damp towels to return them behind the screen.“Don’t go anywhere.”
She pressed her hand over her vulva to soothe the storm raging inside her.It didn’t help.“Hurry, Hugo,” she said in a raspy voice.
He emerged to the sight of her splayed across the sheets.Flinging off his dressing gown, he surged forward to join her.
Chapter 14
Now that you’ve become my lover
