Page 109 of Seducing the Knave

Elle arched her back, rolling her hips in a desperate plea for more. “Always,” she vowed in a whisper.

Lowering his head beside hers, he pressed a kiss to the outer curve of her ear before he murmured, “Did ye think I knew nothing of yer daily lunches downstairs and yer little strolls about me neighborhood?”

Elle gasped again. This time in surprise. But the sound slid immediately into a sultry moan as he eased two fingers inside her. When he began a wicked rhythm, she momentarily lost the train of their conversation, but it was too important to release altogether.

As her body responded with enthusiasm to his skillful attentions, she forced her mind to stay on task. “You knew?” she breathed, her hips rocking into his hand. “Why didn’t you put a stop to it?”

“I almost did, but I realized I wanted ye to explore me world on yer own terms,” he muttered against the side of her throat before sliding his lips down to her collarbone. “I want ye to know what I do, Elle, and who I am. Now that I no longer need to keep a close eye on Gill, there’s so much I want to show ye.” He lifted his head to flash a wicked grin. “Ye know, people about the neighborhood have taken to calling ye Lady Griffin.”

A tingling thrill swept through her at the name. It felt strangely, beautifully right. “They have?”

“Ye’ve made a strong impression.” His tone lowered dangerously and his eyes flashed with warning. “Especially after that reckless little stunt in Seven Dials. Ye put yerself in undue danger, luv. I can’t fucking allow that.”

“It turned out all right,” she muttered in defense.

Max gave a shake of his head. “I’m tripling yer guard,” he growled possessively.

She didn’t bother arguing as he covered the peak of her breast, sucking her softness into the heat of his mouth to swirl his tongue over her nipple, soaking the thin cotton barrier until it was rendered useless. Knowing that he just as easily could’ve forbidden further excursions but chose instead to preserve her freedom touched her profoundly.

She slid her hands into his hair to grasp his skull and hold him to her breast. He suckled deeper and the movement of her hips demanded more and more.

“And your family?” she asked on a quick pant, trying to remain focused on her intention.

“What the fuck of ’em?”

He’d lifted his head, releasing her breast, but only to slide lower between her legs. With his fingers still thrusting, he lifted her legs to rest atop his shoulders.

Elle tensed in delicious anticipation. But her terms had not all been stated yet.

“I want to visit your family. Frequently. Together. And they must be allowed to visit us,” she panted.

He groaned in annoyance, sliding his hand beneath her buttocks. “Bloody hell,” he growled. “All of them?”

“Yes,” she barely managed as he lifted her toward his mouth. But when his warm breath bathed her sex, she repeated the word far more urgently. “Yes!”

He pressed a kiss to the inside of her thigh. “If I agree to yer terms, I can have ye? All of ye?”

“Yes,” she assured, slowly losing her mind.

“Lust, loyalty, and love?”

“Yes, Max,” she vowed then lifted her head to meet his sharp, sparkling gaze. “It’s all yours. I love you. I love you deeply and completely. Now, please...” she added as she slid her hand into his hair.

He grinned and she could almost feel the movement of his mouth against her, drawing a thick moan from her throat.

“I love it when ye beg,” he murmured, his breath scalding. “But I need to hear ye say it.”

“I’m yours,” she whispered reverently.

“And I keep what’s mine,” he growled before he claimed her sex in a hot, open-mouthed kiss.

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