Page 63 of His Scandalous Viscountess
“Do go on.”
Her earlier distress and upset forgotten, she let one brow rise as she smirked. She didn’t think he could ask for her to be more adventurous than she’d already been.
“Yes, well. I should mostly like to leave things as they are, with a few exceptions. You are my wife, so I’d prefer it if you were available most nights. It is not as though either of us needs to make arrangements to attend The Market any longer.”
“Agreed.”
While she was certain he was merely trying to put her at ease about their marriage, she did find his attention to detail amusing.
“And while I believe it goes without saying, just to be clear, fidelity is expected on both our parts. I shall no more attend sexually-oriented gatherings at The Market than I would expect you to take other lovers.” Something hard glinted in his gaze, a possessive gleam that made her heart flutter and her core pulse. “Any sexual needs you have will be met by myself alone, and vice versa.”
Clearly, he was attempting to balance his desire to lay claim to her with her obvious need for freedom. She’d initially agreed to have only one lover, so the reminder was unnecessary, but not particularly worth arguing about. “I believe nothing has changed on that topic. You are, and will remain, my only lover for the duration of this marriage.”
He stared at her with a peevish look that suggested something about what she’d said was unwelcome. But since she had merely acknowledged the fact she would remain faithful, that left her comment about the duration of the marriage. She cringed. It was indeed a qualifying statement, but based on his reaction, she had to assume he did not see their arrangement ending once Wallthorpe was dealt with.
While they had not discussed how or when their marriage would end—clearly an oversight on her part—it seemed logical that it would in fact come to a natural conclusion.Wouldn’t it?Yet something inside her squeezed uncomfortably at the notion. The practical side of her, however, the side that sought to protect her from greater heartache, still argued that falling in love with the same man a second time was foolish—and a path bound for unhappiness.
“Good.”
Wolf’s single-word answer sounded as though it had been forced past his lips. He took a moment more, fiddling with some papers on his desk, and then looked back at her. “Is there anything you wish to add?”
She considered for a moment, but shook her head. “No, I think we’ve covered everything. I think I shall retire and prepare for bed.”
“I shall be up shortly.”
She stood and strode to the door. All the while, the weight of his gaze rested on her. It felt as though he caressed her with his very eyes. It was both unsettling and exciting. With a flutter in her belly at the night to come, she closed the study door behind her. Hesitating a moment, she heard a soft curse and the tinkle of the crystal decanter as he poured himself a drink.
He seemed as unsettled as she was, but she suspected it was for altogether different reasons. Determined not to worry about things like dissolving their marriage until the time came, she headed upstairs to prepare for her wedding night.
~
It was maybe an hour later, while she reclined on the chaise lounge by the fire, trying to appear calm, that she heard Wolf enter his chamber next door. She glanced down at the pale pink negligee that cupped her breasts before falling to her feet in a cascade of silk. With the fire blazing she was plenty warm, yet a chill swept over her as she waited.
Would sex between them change somehow? He’d indicated that it wouldn’t earlier, but men could be fickle creatures. Often, what a man might deem acceptable with a lover might be considered too vulgar for a wife.
After what seemed an eternity, the door between their chambers swung open. Wolf stood still, illuminated by the firelight. His shirt hung loose over his trousers, his necktie and vest discarded, along with his shoes and socks. He was a sexy, yet domestic picture.
“Good evening, wife.”
She bit her lip, taken with the moment. Finally, she managed to reply. “Good evening, husband. Would you care to join me by the fire?”
He stalked across the room slowly. A predator on the prowl, if ever she saw one.
“Stand up. Let me see what it is you are wearing.”
With no small amount of trepidation—good God, it wasn’t as though she were a virgin—she rose up and faced the man who now owned her body and soul. Well, her body, she reminded herself. But her heart whispered that he had her soul as well. Ignoring the never-ending internal struggle, she instead focused on the pleasure she knew this man could deliver.
The silk swept the tops of her feet as she waited for him to comment. Saying nothing, he simply stepped close to her and reached out to trace the scooped neckline of the bodice where it dipped so low it barely contained her nipples.
“What a lovely little creation.” Something dark and a little dangerous glinted in his blue eyes. “But not as lovely as the woman it adorns.”
Her cheeks heated, even as she trembled with need. Despite her doubts about marrying him, she knew she wanted to feel his hands and mouth on her body. Knew he could bring her all manner of pleasure when she trusted him, and she did trust him with that—if nothing else.
“Thank you.”
He leaned forward and dropped a kiss on her collarbone, just beside the fabric that covered her shoulder. With a gentle tug on the sheer sleeve, the garment slipped down her arm and exposed one breast. Then he repeated the kiss and the tug on the other side.
A low, soft growl escaped him as he then kissed each puckered tip of her breasts. “So beautiful, and all mine.”
