Page 18 of Scandalous Wallflower
With her legs wrapped around his hips, her heart and soul desperate for him, it took all of her control to remain motionless as she adjusted to him. “Do you truly think me beautiful?”
“Darling, I have never found another woman as pleasing to gaze upon.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “You are stunning.”
Her heart melted, giving itself over to him entirely. Unable to control herself any longer she began to move against him, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her.
He allowed her to set their rhythm, meeting her thrust for thrust until she spiraled off the edge of reason. Her body tensed then ruptured, sending her into a state of utter bliss.
Caleb blanketed her lips with his as he increased his thrusts, causing the pressure to build once more until they reached their climax together. Rolling off her, he gathered her trembling body to his. “I love you.” He whispered into her hair. “Heaven help me, but I do.”
Her heart swelled, overflowing with love for him. “You own me, Caleb. Heart, body, and soul.” She reached up to stroke his jaw. “I love you too.”
She snuggled into his embrace and floated off to sleep, feeling for the first time in her life like she was special.
EPILOGUE
Highlawn Park, England
Sixteen months later
Caleb stooped down beside Jane, dropping a kiss on first her forehead and then their daughter’s. The baby, wrapped in a pink cotton blanket, cooed up at him, resulting in Scamp barking.
“Do hush.” Jane directed her voice toward the dog.
Scamp was never far from Jane’s side, and though small, he was a fierce protector of the ladies of the manor. A fact Caleb would be forever grateful for as these ladies were of the utmost importance to him. He bent farther to scratch Scamp’s head. “How is our dear Maggie this afternoon?” He asked, a wide smile tugging at his lips.
“Delightful as always.” Jane grinned back.
Their daughter had been born here at Highlawn two months past. Jane insisted on naming her after Caleb’s dearly departed sister, making her Maggie’s name sake. Another gift from his dearest wife for him to delight in. He often wondered how he got so lucky as to compromise an angel.
She liked to claim that he’d saved her from a dreary life of spinsterhood, but in truth, he had stolen her like a thief in the night. Jane was a precious gem cast into the shadows of London society. He had merely been blessed enough to stumble upon her. It had been she who saved him.
Caleb straightened and moved to sit on a nearby settee. “Come allow me to hold my girls.” He gazed imploringly at Jane.
Within a moments time she sat nestled beside him, his arm wrapped securely around her. He nuzzled his face into her soft curls, inhaling her scent. “I do declare that little Maggie has your eyes.” He smiled. “Your lips as well.”
Jane turned her head to him. “I see a fair amount of her father in her features, too. She will be a beauty.”
“With a mother as attractive as you, she would have to be.” His heart quickened at the pink flush that crept into Jane’s checks.
“You flatter me so, dear husband.”
“I speak only the truth, darling.”
In the months since Jane had followed him to Highlawn Park, she had managed to vanquish all of his demons and aide him in making the estate into a great success. But the best gift she had given him was her love.
Caleb ran a long finger across his daughter’s silky check. “Are you happy, darling?”
Jane arched a brow. “Are you?”
“Happier than I ever believed possible.”
She beamed at him. “As am I.”
“Let us send our sleeping angel to the nursery. I am very much in want of some time alone with her mother.” He gave a roguish smirk.
Jane glanced at the baby, then back to him. “What a splendid proposition.”
He stood and took Maggie from her arms, transferring her to the nursemaid.
“I wish to know the moment she awakes.” Jane informed.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Before the nursemaid had entirely quit the room, Caleb scooped Jane into his arms, his lips finding hers. She was all he would ever need or desire. His other half—the better half—and he would cherish her always.
