Page 37 of Read To Me, Lyon

Jack seemed to understand the hint and gently grasped his wife’s arm, guiding her to the door. Kitty held her hand out to Oliver. “Ready to see the books?”

They threaded their fingers together, and she led him back through the warehouse into the shop. It was dark and quiet, with only the light coming in from the windows to see. The beloved sweet and dusty scent of books filled her nostrils as they made their way through the stacks and shelves to the specialized room. Once there, she released Oliver’s hand to let him wander around the space. There were how-to manuals, anatomy books, philosophy papers, and scandalous romances. She followed him, watching to see what he stopped to linger on, and what books didn’t appear to interest him. He lingered more than he dismissed, she noted.

Finally, he looked at her, his eyes round. He was impressed, she could tell. “You have everything the modern London woman could want,” he murmured.

“That is my hope. There are other underground book publishers and sellers, but we are the only ones that cater to women, especially.”

He moved to the scandalous romance table. “Have you read these?”

“Some,” she said, suddenly feeling shy.

He picked up a book called Seraphina’s Lover. It was another story by Beth Martin and one of Kitty’s favorites. He flipped through the pages and then glanced at her. “May I keep this?”

“Of course.”

“Perhaps I can read to you while we are in bed?”

The thought caused her body to hum and made her lower half achy. “I would like that.”

He looked away, lost in thought, but then finally said, “I’m sorry I ever mentioned shutting the press down for these publications. I can see how special it is.”

“You don’t think it is wrong for women to have access to illicit material?”

He shrugged. “I don’t think women should be denied books like this because of their sex. While it is illegal for all, most of the material you provide is readily accessible to men in London.”

Exactly as she’d known all along. It was an unfair disparity, and a ridiculous one at that. “We are the primary provider of this type of content for women.”

He walked to her. “It is amazing. And you are right, it is important. Especially the educational material. So many women are kept uninformed.”

Kitty’s heart swelled with love for this man. He straightened then, and lifted one of her hands to his lips, kissing the back of it. “I will handle your uncle,” he promised.

She shivered from his touch. “He is threatening to release details to the newspapers.”

“I will ensure he doesn’t,” Oliver stated.

She smiled at him and placed a hand on his shirt. “Oliver, I’m thankful every day you are my husband.”

“I love you, Kitty. Always, no matter what scandals arrive at our doorstep.”

Her hand stroked his hard chest. The hum of attraction between them intensified. They’d slept in each other’s arms last night but had not been intimate since before their fight. Kitty wanted him. “Oliver, will you make love to me?”

He opened her hand to drop lingering kisses on her fingertips. Huskily, he asked, “In here, my love? In this room?”

“Yes,” she said, tugging her hand from his grasp and meeting his eyes with hers. “Make love to me here.”

Oliver walked them backward into an alcove area of the room until Kitty’s back hit the wall. The space was slightly darker, but light from a small square window provided ample light to still see each other. “Have you imagined this?”

She smiled shyly. “Not this exactly, but there is a scene in the book you have in your pocket that I like.”

He lifted a brow and pulled it from his jacket.

“I think it is in the fourth or fifth chapter.”

Oliver flicked the pages and then read aloud, “Seraphina stumbled back until her back hit the wall. Erickson walked toward his temptress. Her stomach knotted in anticipation. She wanted him to slide her skirts up and touch her. The ache between her thighs caused her to squeeze her legs together.”

Oliver tossed the book on a table and placed one hand next to Kitty’s head. “That scene, my sweet? Do you want me to stroke your quim until you cry out in ecstasy?”

Her breaths became rapid, and she nodded at him. Oliver leaned forward and nuzzled her neck, leaving kisses and bites along the way. “Ask me, Kitty?”