In her eyes, he saw an accepting love that broke him as she straddled his hips once more. “I want to see you as I make love to you,” she said against his lips. “If you’re afraid, close your eyes, and I’ll love you enough for the both of us.”
Then she guided him into her body. Taking himbeautifully, she claimed him, inching him deeper inside with each slow roll of her hips, and it was worth it all to see her riding him. Slow and sweet, then withdeliberatepressure. Her eyes fluttered closed as he thrust upward, rising as she fell. Helovedher,livedfor the sounds she made, the smell of her skin, thehotsilky feel of her gripping and sliding over him. He would have given her anything, promisedanythingwhen she moaned his name, tightening around him with another orgasm.
When her tremors subsided, he shifted her onto her back.
Sinking into her, he drowned in her fine details. He memorizedevery way he made her cry out, learned that she liked it when he tilted her hips at just the right angle, hitting a spot within her that curled her toes and made herscream.Shelovedit when he praised her, and flushed when he brought her to climax again, and again. She wasresponsive, and he was patient, drawing out her pleasure until she shook beneath him. Pitched cries drifted into silent gasps and breathless sobs, and he devoured each sound, pressing inside of her, over and over, until he came with a release so powerful he forgoteverythingbut her name.
The heated metal of the ring on her left hand slid over his back, matching the warmth radiating off of his own ring on her hip. Panting heavily, glistening with sweat, he reluctantly withdrew and laid on his side, pulling her back against his chest. Holding her, he brushed his fingertips over her front, carefully avoiding over-sensitive areas.For now, he smirked against her shoulder.
“I surrender, Captain Reeves.” Cassandra sighed and gave an exhausted laugh. “You cannot possibly wantmore.”
“I’ll always want more, Mrs. Reeves.” He kissed her neck. “And I will bedemanding,little wife.” His hand trailed inward and her breath hitched as he moved toward her center. Placing his hand over her once more, he brushed his fingers through her curls. “I’ll want you every night, every way I can have you.” She moaned when his fingertip circled her. “For aslongas you can bear it. Do you wish for me to stop?”
She kissed him and grinned. “Not yet.”
Hours later, he allowed her to rest. As she drowsed on his chest, sated and spent, Seth knew Cassandra was themostbeautiful when she laid in his arms, wearing nothing but his ring.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Cassandra held a napkin over her mouth to hide her yawn. Enviously watching Seth drink coffee, she took another sip of her tea. Next to her, Seth ate his food too quick, too loud, and mostly with his hands, famished after astrenuousmorning. True to his word, every spare moment he was home, he made love to her, and he slept.
He wasn’t home long enough for anything else.
Improvements on the original design completed, production for thefront line riflehad begun. Between work at the factory and his duties to Lord Bolderwood, Cassandra rarely saw Seth in daylight. He came home late and left long before she woke, leaving behind a whisper of a kiss and the lingering scent of him on an empty pillow every morning. Except forthismorning, she smiled.
Saturdaymorning.
Breakfast was a hard-won battle with Lord Bolderwood. Cassandra had learned that his fist might be iron, but his tooth was sweet and he had a weakness for home-baked treats. Luxuries of time with Seth couldn’t be earned by his hard work, but could beboughtthrough her strategic use of shortbread, tarts, and cakes.
She had, of course, invited the Earl to breakfast, but he declined, much to the relief of her housemates.
Not used to being alone—and with their townhouse under renovation—the Coopers moved in with Seth and Cassandra. It was good to have noise to fill the empty home.The Timesrustled in Matthew’s hand. Caroline’s spoon clinked against her teacup as shestirred in her third lump of sugar. A fork scraped against Trevor’s plate. Jasmine giggled as she read the society papers and sounded a squeal.
“You owe me a sovereign, Matthew Cooper!”
“Forwhat?”
“Caroline, read this.” Jasmine handed the paper to Caroline and sat back with a gloating grin.
“Sir Reginald Thomas suffered a fainting spell at White’s last night, the second one this month. Sources say he is recovering at home with his nephew, Colonel Bishop. The Colonel is expected to make his first public appearance since Duke Kendall’s Rifle Contest, where he lost a wager, a lady, and his plans for early retirement by one shot. Both gentlemen are expected to attend General Martin’s annual charity ball this Friday.”
“Wonderful.” Seth scoffed.
Caroline continued,“On the subject of contest losers, what of Captain Reeves and his Wager Wife?”
“They’restillcalling me that?”
“She’s behind on the times,” Matthew said. “They’re calling you the Hollingsworth Harlot now.”
“Truly?” Caroline snorted with laughter.
“Shh!” Jasmine hissed. “Keep reading!”
“The Pamphlet Pair were indecently seen at the Pantheon last weekin flagrante delicto—”Caroline’s eyebrows shot up. “In astaircase, Cassandra?”
Cassandra shot a glare to Seth.
“What?” He held his hands up. “I thought we werealone!”