Page 57 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

“Why?” she asked, a glint of mischief in her eyes. “Because you’ll enjoy ripping them off me?”

Hudson’s blood heated at the thought but he said, “I’m sure working in them is more comfortable and gives you greater ease of movement.” He paused and decided to share something he’d been considering with her before he lost all train of thought. “I think we need to purchase a house in London. Nothing fancy. We could then turn the rooms I’ve occupied into your laboratory. You could store your items and conduct your experiments on the premises. That way, work and home could be separate.”

She tugged on the hair at the nape of his neck. “What if I have an experiment I need to conduct now?”

His heart began beating in double-time.

“Am I to be your test subject?” he teased.

“We did talk once about experiments in kissing.”

“We did,” he agreed. “Of course, sometimes kissing can lead to other things.”

“As it did in the carriage the night you offered for me?”

“Yes.” He kissed her hair. “Would you require that the parameters of this experiment remain fixed? Or are you open to expanding your observations?”

Her hand stilled from where it toyed with the hair on his chest. “As a scientist, I am open to expanding my horizons.”

Hudson kissed her brow. “We can go as far as you wish, Mia. Stop at any time you wish. Do you... know anything about lovemaking?”

“I know when Rachel gave me this night rail, she said it would drive you wild. And I should let it. She told me the first time I joined with you would hurt but that everything that followed would make me forget it.” Mia sighed. “And Laurel gave me... a book.”

“A book?”

“She said it has been passed around the family for years. That we could... learn from it. I opened it once and... well, I didn’t read or look at much because I didn’t know if we would ever do anything like what was pictured in the illustrations.”

“Hmm.” He kissed her cheek. “This book sounds interesting. Did you bring it with you?”

“I did. It’s in my reticule. I didn’t want someone like Mrs. Little to unpack for me and find it in my belongings.”

“This sounds like averyinteresting book.” He nuzzled her throat and she sighed.

“I’m going to kiss you now, Mia. Quite a bit. More than you’ve ever been kissed in your life and in places no man’s lips have ever touched.”

She shivered in his arms.

“Are you cold?”

“No. You are like a furnace, Hudson, full of immense heat. Heat equals energy, you know. I’m assuming you have lots of energy in which to conduct this experiment.”

“Don’t forget stamina,” he boasted. “I have that, as well, my lovely bride.”

“Then we should commence our experiment.”

He kissed her softly and then said, “We must talk about one thing before we continue. I know now you are open to having a husband. A true husband. What about children? If you don’t want them, there are ways to prevent that.”

Her hands cupped his face. “I want them. Because they will be a part of you. Of us. Do you want them?”

He’d never really thought of it. He enjoyed playing with his numerous nieces and nephews but marriage and children had never been part of his plan. Suddenly, Hudson realized he wanted them very much. Because of this woman.

“I do. I want them to all have your intelligence and goodness. Your curiosity and sweet spirit. I want the girls to be as bold in their choices as our boys.” He kissed her. “I want you now, Mia.”

“I am yours, Hudson. Take all of me.”

He rose from the bed. “Before we start, I want to see you.”

He busied himself, lighting a few candles, and heard her squeak.

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