Page 9 of A Wager With A Rake (Wicked Widows #32)

Court

C ourt wanted her. That was certain. He was already imagining how many times he could make her come if he kept her occupied in his chamber for a week.

He had expected, or hoped rather, that the proposition would be one that had him burying himself inside of her before the evening was out. But he should have known that she wouldn’t have given up on Rosewood so easily. Unfortunately for her, neither would he.

She could have her fun, and then he’d win.

He almost felt bad for her that he would squelch all of her hope, but the property mattered to him, too.

And then once the whole matter of the wager was behind them, then he’d have a week with her.

He’d never force her, of course. If she wished to back out after her loss, he’d let her.

It wasn’t his style to coerce a woman into his bed.

But he had a feeling she wanted him just as much.

Even while she attempted to hide it, he knew he affected her.

He fully believed with the right whispers in her ear, she’d melt right into him and he’d have her where he wanted her, a puddle of desire in his bed.

But he’d play her game and then hope she’d come to him without requiring such effort. And that pun was entirely intended.

He hoped that this time spent with her would finally enable him to put the desire for her behind him and regain control of his thoughts. The past couple of weeks waiting for the day he would see her again had gone by far too slow, especially through all the nights of fitful sleep.

A few days after her letter arrived, he’d grown restless and returned to Rosewood with a full staff. He wasn’t sure what their reunion might hold and wanted to ensure they’d be well tended, and he also wanted to be ready and waiting when she arrived.

It had all come together perfectly, given that the woman was now under that same roof as him again, and now card games stood between him and what they both wanted. He was quite confident he’d only need the two games.

After Theodosia removed herself from his lap, he immediately hated the loss of having her body against his. “I suppose I should seek a room at the inn.”

“Nonsense,” he called out, rising from his chair. “You’ll stay here.”

“I’m not certain that is the best idea.”

He clasped his hands behind his back and puffed out his chest. “Because you find being alone with me far too tempting? Surely you are stronger willed than that, Tess.” He must push her just hard enough that she would stay.

He needed her to stay. If only to keep a watchful eye on her and ensure one of the brawny men at the tavern didn’t get any ideas about her.

He couldn’t allow her to seek one of them out to satisfy her needs, given her already aroused state.

“You think far too highly of yourself.”

Court laughed and rocked on his feet. “Yet you touched that sweet cunt of yours immediately after sharing a kiss with me. I wager that means you think highly of me as well. If you should require a bit of inspiration while you are here to make your solo bed sport more pleasurable, just let me know.”

Her cheeks pinked and she bit into her bottom lip before squaring her shoulders. “And notice that I sought pleasure from my own hand instead of from you,” she returned, crossing her arms in front of her, glaring at him.

The heat in her gaze didn’t exactly indicate that she was as unaffected as she pretended to be, but he supposed he should tone down the teasing if he were to convince her to stay with him.

“And it sounded as if you were quite skilled in such matters,” he said, grinning at her. “But I assure you, I shan’t do anything you don’t wish for. You can reside here comfortably, and I have ensured the kitchen was stocked for your arrival. You have everything here you shall need.” Including him.

She drew a deep breath and then released it in a large puff. “Very well. I’ll stay here. It shall make things far more convenient. I’ll stay in the same chamber as last time. It’s the largest of the guest chambers.”

He fought the urge to remind her she could just stay with him and enjoy the largest chamber in the house and instead smiled at her. Willing his cock not to get any ideas about her being under the same roof. All in good time, big fellow.

Great. Now he had mental conversations with his cock. He was only a few steps away from Bedlam if he didn’t get himself under control.

“I shall have my things brought in and refresh myself before supper,” she announced.

“I have already done so. You should find your maid there waiting for you.”

She cast him an annoyed glance. “You were so sure that you’d convince me to stay? You didn’t even know what I wished to speak with you about.”

“As you will recall, I stated clearly that I am not one to lose a wager.” Besides, he could tell that she only feigned annoyance that he had her things unpacked.

Theodosia spun on her heel and didn’t even look back at him as she spoke. “I think I’ll take a tray in my room tonight.”

The sway of her hips as she walked captured his focus until she was out of his sight.

His entire body was aflame from having her close, and yet he must bide his time and wait until he knew she was ready to give in to what she wanted.

What he’d dreamed about for weeks. Then his thoughts might be his own again and they’d both continue on with their lives.

The weeks that he’d longed for her and suffered from unsatisfactory sleep felt like nothing compared to the way his entire body could not settle, knowing she was only down the hall. It was almost more than he could stand.

He couldn’t help but wonder if she had taken to touching herself again.

Was she a woman who did so every night or on rare occasions when the mood struck?

He had fisted himself more times than when he had been a green lad, especially with his newfound aversion to taking up with another female companion.

She’d driven him to the brink of madness.

And he needed his wits about him if he was going to ensure he won their little wager.

The thought made him laugh. He’d been a practiced gambler for years, and she was a prim and proper lady who had been married to someone who could have been her great-grandpapa.

He couldn’t imagine her marriage included such lively entertainment.

Given that he’d already fucked his hand once that morning, he hoped it would stave off the need long enough to ensure he had his wits about him. They agreed that they’d play their first game of cards after supper that night. Which also meant he could spend the entire day with her.

Who was he? He wasn’t the type of man who waited with bated breath to see a woman or to spend the day following her about.

But he reminded himself that he’d known her for a long time, which made them friends as well.

And it was perfectly reasonable that he just wanted to socialize with his friend.

That was it. No need to question it further.

After he dressed, he meandered to the dining room, wondering when Theodosia might emerge from her chamber.

He’d asked Jenkins to confirm whether she had requested a tray in her room, and thus far, she hadn’t.

So he made his selections from the sideboard slowly, hoping she would appear at any moment to join him.

It was the most pathetic he’d ever felt in his life.

For a man who’d been with countless women and never found himself with an empty bed if he didn’t wish for it, his mind and body warred against him.

It was deuced annoying. Coming to his senses for what a ninny he’d become, he set down his plate and turned to depart, deciding that avoiding her altogether might be best.

But of course, at that moment, the same as a jolt of lightning and rapturous thunder in the sky, Theodosia glided into the room in a blue morning gown that swayed with her as she moved.

And he was lost again. Drawn to the subtle golden highlights in her chestnut hair, visible in the morning light, before his eyes shifted to the graceful curve of her neck.

God, shouldn’t he be noting her rounded breasts or how her lush hips might feel when he gripped them? Well, he had those thoughts as well, but her elegant beauty caused his breath to catch upon the sight of her.

“I trust you slept well? You shall need your rest.” Theodosia’s voice held a hint of challenge as she joined him at the sideboard.

Court picked up a plate again and fell in line behind her. “Like a babe in arms,” he lied smoothly. “And you, my dear Tess? No nightmares of impending defeat?”

Theodosia’s eyes flashed, glancing at him over her shoulder before placing a helping of eggs on her plate. “On the contrary. I dreamed of victory and you being brought to your knees.”

“Funny. I dreamed of you in a similar position.” Court leaned forward, a predatory smile playing at his lips.

“Care to see how you fare in a game of chess after we break our fast?” He’d always beat her at the game when they were younger, and it would help to remind her just who she was dealing with in games of strategy and skill.

“With pleasure.”

Her second word came off far too much like a purr, and it cascaded across every inch of Court’s body, including several inches that now ached from the strain of his buckskin breeches.

“Then eat up, my lady, so you can experience your first loss of the day.”

Breakfast passed by with more playful banter while Theodosia updated him on her recent visit with his sister.

He hadn’t known what to think when he learned Rebecca married the Earl of Mulgrave, a man with a reputation quite similar to his own, but it seemed his sister was quite content, which he supposed was all that mattered.