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Her fingers itched to touch him, but she remained where she was, waiting for him to reach her. He shuddered as he immersed himself. “I do not know how you do this every day.”

The water was just under her breasts when he reached her. They were only a foot apart.

“No one can see us,” she whispered. “Everyone knows to avoid the pond in the mornings.”

She reached out a hand and tucked it between the folds of his shirt, feeling his bare chest. Heat simmered from his skin. She closed her eyes and pressed her other hand against his chest, feeling his skin, feeling him shudder under her touch.

He grasped her upper arms and pulled her to him, crushing his lips against hers. She responded by melding herself against him, pressing her breasts against his chest and her torso against his.

Theo kissed her hungrily, biting at her lips, running his tongue delicately over them. His arousal pressed against her belly. She moved her hands from his chest to his waist, eagerly dipping them underneath his shirt and running along his back.

It wasn’t enough. It would never be enough.

Lucy uttered a surprised cry as he grabbed her thigh with one hand, pulling her leg tight around him. He felt under her chemise, his hand gliding up her leg and rubbing eagerly at her skin. She bit back a cry.

Clambering on top of him, she pressed herself so fiercely against his body that he was forced to bend backwards slightly. She let her mouth wander to his cheekbones, nose, forehead. She kissed him everywhere she could reach. He supported her with a firm hand on the small of her back.

The hand that had been fondling her thigh rose up between her legs. His breath hitched as he plunged two fingers through her rose-petal-soft folds, the water making her even silkier.

She gasped in pleasure as he worked his fingers inside her, moving rapidly. She threw her head back, exposing her neck, and parting her lips as he sent shocks of pleasure through her. He plunged his fingers deeper inside her and added a third— she writhed against him with a deep moan.

“Do you want this?” he gasped, pressing his lips against her exposed throat. “Truly? Lucy—”

“Yes,” she breathed. “I want you. Please, Theo. Take me.” She shuddered as he pulled his fingers out. He freed his erection.

She wrapped her fingers around him, eyes wide. She’d never seen—let alone touched—a man’s cock before. Thankfully, she was no stranger to her own pleasure, but nothing could have prepared her for this sight.

A moan escaped his lips as she handled him, running her hand up and down his length under the water. She pressed her mouth against his, smothering him, humming deep in her throat.

He found the bottom of her chemise and pulled up, over her stomach, over her breasts, over her head. He tossed the white fabric aside, letting it float beside them. They were now up to their shoulders in the water, their eyes locked on each other as they touched and stroked and breathed hard against each other’s ears.

Finally, Lucy locked both her legs around his waist and coaxed his cock toward her opening. He held her close to him as he thrust, entering her carefully. She gasped, her mouth dropping open as he filled her inch by inch. Her eyelids fluttered as she tilted her head up to the sky, shuddering against him.

He waited until she’d adjusted then moved slowly, carefully. They worked together, starting off with sloppy thrusts and grinds, working within minutes to a pulsing, perfect pace that left her drunk off the ecstasy.

Lucy seized up as she approached her climax. She grabbed his shoulders and gasped, her eyes shuttered behind closed eyelids, her brows coming together, her mouth hanging open in a silent scream.

She felt him release, let all control go. They continued to move as one body, one soul, as he orgasmed inside her, the pleasure coaxing guttural sounds from his throat. High-pitched, soft gasps escaped Lucy’s open mouth.

When it was over, she collapsed against him. He held her tight against him, their bodies slick with pond water and sweat, their hearts thrumming against each other.

“I will always return to you,” he promised. “Always.”

Epilogue

Angel bounded toward Theo, a bold grin upon her face. A grin that he could not help but return. She came to stand at his side, joining him with the rest of his siblings as they watched the ball proceed. Amongst the many people packed into the shimmering ballroom, Lucy was somewhere—no doubt ensuring everything continued to run smoothly. He would have to have a word with her shortly and ensure she actually enjoyed the fruits of her hard work.

“I never thought I would see the day when you would smile at a ball, Brother,” Angel said, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Well, it is no surprise to see you smiling, dear Sister. You are back in your natural habitat,” he teased.

“It is a relief. Though I am looking forward to travelling back to Berkshire soon. I received a letter from Mrs. Stone only a day ago, and it makes me hanker for her company.”

Seth gave her a little nudge with his elbow. “No doubt it makes you hanker for the company of acertainperson. It is a shame he cannot be here tonight.”

Angel waved a hand. “Roo is no fan of balls—perhaps even less so than Theo is. He had hoped to be here tonight but, unfortunately, between his aunt and business, he could not.” She gave a little shrug. “We shall be married by Christmas, and then I can talk him into all the balls that I wish!”

Theo could not decide if he felt sorry for the man. Mr. Hunter surely must know what he was taking on with Angel.There was no hiding her vivacious personality. Angel seemed content, and Minerva had confided that Angel was indeed deeply in love with the man, even if she did not readily confess to such feelings.