Page 88 of Lord of Fortune
Suddenly, his fingers were gone, and her skirt fell. She blinked at him as he bent his head. She dropped her gaze and saw him unbuttoning his fall.
When she lowered her hand to help him, he grunted softly. “Lift your skirts.”
She did as he bade, tugging the volume of fabric up to her waist, exposing her flesh to the air and to him.
“So beautiful,” he murmured, as his cock sprang free of his clothing. His gaze found hers. “Hold on to me.”
He put his hands beneath her clothing and clasped her waist, lifting her from the ground. Her back, already against the wall, pushed against it, as he brought his hand down the back of her thigh, pulling her leg around his waist.
She understood and wrapped herself around him. Bracing her against the wall, he guided his cock into her sex, and she was instantly overcome with a wave of stunning rapture. He filled her completely, then pulled back only to drive into her again. Two strokes and she was gone, her climax tearing through her with a ferocity she never thought possible. But hadn’t he already shown her that what she thought was impossible wasn’t?
That was the last rational thought she had as he thrust deep inside her, his body pinning her—deliciously—against the lean-to. He filled her so completely, and the pleasure… It never seemed to ebb. Even after the climax, it began to build again immediately. She was going to come a second time, and surelythatwas impossible…
He buried his face in her neck, kissing and nipping at her flesh. She raked her nails along the wool of his coat and wished it was his bare back.
He slammed into her again, and she felt his hips twitch with the onset of his climax. Then hers was upon her, proving that nothing was impossible—at least not with Penn.
She cried out, and he kissed her hard and fast, trying to muffle his own exclamation. She tipped her head back against the wall as their harsh pants filled the small space of the lean-to.
After a moment, when they were slightly more in control of their breathing, he withdrew from her. “Hell, I meant to pull away.”
She hadn’t even considered it. She’d thought of nothing but coupling with him, of appeasing the ache inside her. “I’m sure it’s fine,” she murmured.
He guided her wobbly legs to the ground, letting her skirt fall down around her legs. Frowning, he tucked his slackening shaft into his clothes. “I have nothing to help you clean up.”
She flashed him a brief smile. “That’s what excessive undergarments—namely petticoats—are for.” She turned to the side and took care of her situation before facing him again. “How awful do I look?”
“You look beautiful.” He traced his hand along her hairline, smoothing the strands from her face and gently kissing her lips.
She turned and presented her back. “And from this angle?”
“A bit of dirt here and there, I’m afraid. I’m sorry.”
She turned back around to see the remorse in his gaze. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Thank you—for that. I shall never regret anything between us.”
“Nor will I.”
“I’ll go directly to my room.” She smoothed her hands over her skirts, trying—hopelessly—to erase the wrinkles they’d caused. “Tell the others I needed some time to think.”
He cracked a half smile. “It won’t be hard to convince them of that.”
“And you’ll finalize the planning with Kersey? We should leave as soon as possible. I can be ready in an hour. Actually, tell them I’ve gone upstairs to pack.”
His forehead creased. “You really want to do this?”
“Yes.” She exhaled and gave him a reassuring smile. “It’s the only way. We’ve come too far to let them win.” This had started as a quest to find her grandfather’s dagger, but it had become so much more. The stakes were higher and more complicated than she ever could have imagined. She couldn’t have walked away if her life depended on it. Her life did depend on it—this was all she had. All she wanted.
She kissed his cheek. “I’ll be ready in an hour.” She’d explain to Culley and Horatio that they could stay here in her absence.
She started to move past him, but he clasped her hand and drew her to turn. “If I could think of a way for us to be together, I would.” His voice was low and intense. “But with your husband… I can only think of Septon and Lady Stratton. They might be together, but I can’t subject you to that level of disdain.”
She hadn’t even thought of them. And while she wanted Penn, she didn’t think she could live like that. “I appreciate you saying so. I wouldn’t want that either.” What’s more, she wouldn’t do it to him. He was an earl—probably—and he needed a legitimate countess. She couldn’t be that for him.
She turned and went into the house, eager to be on their way as apprehension and sadness stole the bliss he’d given her.
She’d been wrong before. Some thingswereimpossible. She and Penn might want a future together, but they’d both have to accept that it just wasn’t meant to be.
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