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Caleb sat with Lord Burrows in one of the smaller rooms of the Den. They’d played faro for a bit and were now relaxing. Celeste hadn’t reappeared since the fight with Gareth. He heard Devons laughing out in the great room, entertaining lords.

Fury filled his chest that Devons allowed Celeste to be around men like Gareth. Burrows silently watched him, and he was sure he was wondering what existed between him and Celeste. “I’m sorry I lost my temper. I don’t like men like Lord Gareth.”

Burrows nodded. “Do you know Miss Hathaway?”

“I do,” he said, not bothering to lie.

The lord smiled. “Is she why you have no interest in my Eloise?”

Caleb flushed. “Your daughter is a wonderful young woman.”

Burrows chuckled. “She is, but also has no interest in marrying right now. Eloise often tells me that women are marrying later and that she needs time to find out who she is. I think she allowed herself to be escorted around by you because she knew it wasn’t going anywhere.”

Relief coursed through him because he really liked this man. He respected him and hoped to maintain a friendship. “Thank you for that clarity.”

“Women, they are marrying older, owning clubs, and doing as they like. I wonder if the world is ready for it.”

“They need to be,” Caleb stated.

An amused expression flitted across the older lord’s face. “I suppose you are right.”

Burrows stood and said, “I think I will depart for the night. Perhaps you should speak to the woman or at least check with Devons to make sure she is fine. He just headed towards his office on the second floor. We can meet next week to discuss opportunities for collaboration.

Caleb nodded. “I would like that.”

The older man said, “I wish you well with your wooing. If I may impart a bit of advice?”

He nodded.

“Don’t allow London to dictate who you want as your partner for life. It may seem that all this society stuff matters, but truthfully, this world is a cold place without someone you love. I lost someone long ago because I was too much of a coward to fight for her.”

Caleb was startled by his raw words. “I’m sorry.”

Burrows smiled sadly, “It took me ten years to move on from it. I would probably still be a mess had I not met my wife.”

“I’m glad you were able to find love again.”

The lord nodded. “Good evening.”

In one gulp, Caleb finished his drink and made his way to the stairway leading to Devons’ office. Two burly men stood in his way. “I need to speak with Devons.”

Devons stood in the doorway of his office. “Let him by.”

He followed Devons in. The club owner poured them both a brandy before he settled into his chair behind a large, ornate desk. Caleb sat facing him.

“How can I help you, Lord Haven?”

“I think you need better security for Miss Hathaway.”

Devons’ mouth tipped up in a smirk. “Why do you care? Rumor has it that you are planning to propose to Lord Burrows’ daughter.”

He scowled. “I’m not marrying her.”

The club owner’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. “Really? Good. Marrying into that family is good for no one.”

Caleb frowned at him, somewhat curious why he disliked the man so much. Still, that wasn’t why he was here. “Why won’t she marry a lord?”

“Do you care for her?”

He took a sip of brandy and said, “I do. I want her in my life.”

“As your mistress?”

Annoyance flashed in him. “No, as my wife. I don’t want to own her or control her; I just want to care for her. What can you tell me about this Fitzsimmons character, her partner?”

Devons choked on his drink. “Who?”

“Fitzsimmons.”

A look of incredulity filled Devon's face. He stood, making his way to the guard standing by his door and whispering something.

“The man I don’t believe treats her right.”

Devons sat back down. “He certainly is selfish and does as he pleases.”

“How can you support her relationship?” Caleb demanded.

“Celeste does as she likes.”

The guard entered the room and handed a large, moody cat to Devons. Caleb’s brow wrinkled in confusion. Devons grinned at him. “Lord Haven, meet Heathcliff Fitzsimmon, the Second.”

Caleb’s gaze bounced back and forth between the cat and Devons’ amused expression before he surged to his feet. “How do I get to Celeste’s apartment?”

“Down the hall and turn left.”

He strode to the door, and Devons said, “Lord Haven, if you hurt her, there will be consequences. Celeste is considered family to me and my brother.”

Caleb stopped and looked back. “I understand. I hope to prove to her and you all that I want her in my life.”

Devons nodded. Caleb walked to Celeste’s apartment, filled with both renewed hope and anger.

What a dolt he’d been? Caleb should have known there was no one else.

The connection between them was so strong.

He knocked. There was no more pretending for Celeste or him.

He wanted her, and Caleb would wait as long as he needed to have her.

***

Celeste opened the door and gasped when she discovered Caleb standing there. He didn’t give her a chance to say anything but stormed past her. Annoyance sizzled in her. “Caleb, you can’t just walk in here.”

“Fitzsimmons is a fucking cat.”

She flushed. Who had told him? Celeste shook her head. “I don’t know what you mean.”

His mouth twisted in a sardonic smirk. “I was sitting in Devons office, and I mentioned Fitzsimmons. To my surprise, he introduced me to a cat named Heathcliff Fitzsimmons, the Second.”

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. When she opened them, she found Caleb studying her. Finally, he said, “Why lie to me? Why deny these feelings between us simply because I’m a lord?”

“You have spent enough time in London society to understand that a marquess openly wooing me won’t be acceptable.”

“I can and I will,” he bit out.

She poured herself a drink and frowned at him. “I’m the bastard of a peer. Do you think that is what your family wants for you?”

“They want me to find love,” he said harshly.

Her eyes widened. “You don’t understand Caleb.”

He stepped closer to her, and her heart pounded.

“I understand that for the last three months I’ve been unable to forget you. That of all the women I’ve met in London, you are the only one who seems to matter.”

“I can’t,” she whispered. “I won’t be controlled by a lord. I made a promise to myself long ago.”

Caleb brushed a kiss across her lips, and warmth shot through her. She craved this man’s touch even more than she realized. Celeste leaned into him; her resolve weakening.

“I’m not asking that of you. No one could control you, Celeste. I’m asking you to be my partner in life. To let me be yours.”

Her eyes became watery. “Caleb, there will be so much gossip.”

His lips touched hers again gently. “I don’t care. Let them talk. They can say the uncivilized Marquess of Haven chose love. I would happily carry that scandal on my shoulders for the rest of my life.”

“Let me tell you everything, and then you can decide.”

Caleb shook his head. “There is nothing you can reveal that will change my mind. Share your story whenever you're ready. I don’t need it now. All I want is you.”

There were so many things Celeste needed to tell him. But the fact that he didn’t demand the details from her made her realize that Caleb wasn’t like other lords. She should have realized that before now. Not once had he mentioned his title or her lack of one.

The only thing he’d asked of her was to let him in. Celeste’s resolve to keep him at arm’s length was quickly crumbling. He slid his hands down her back, pulling her against him. “Celeste, let me woo you, let me love you, and, by god, please let me make you my wife.”

Tears ran down her cheeks, but fear still sat in her stomach. “Caleb, be reasonable.”

He smiled softly at her as he wiped away her tears. “Unfortunately, Celeste, I’m awful at being practical. It is a Monteith flaw. I’m sure you are shocked.”

She rolled her eyes and squeezed his hand that had previously wiped away her tears. “Not at all.”

He scattered light kisses across her hand. “Let me be your partner for life, Celeste. I promise you won’t regret it.”

Nodding, she said softly, “I don’t think I can refuse you any longer. I’ve tried so hard, and it has only made me miserable.”

Delight flashed in his eyes, and then his mouth was on hers. Celeste grasped his face as his tongue parted her lips. The kiss became more intense, and she moaned. How had she resisted going to this man for so long? She’d missed him.

They broke from the kiss, both breathing heavily.

Celeste began to unbutton Caleb’s shirt as he pushed his jacket off.

Her body thrummed with want for him. He quickly undid the buttons of her gown.

The fabric fell around her, and he swooped her up in his arms before placing her on the bed.

He removed his shoes and pants as he perused her.

She was still in her corset, chemise, and drawers.

Her breasts pushed out of the top of her corset, and Caleb groaned.

Teasing him, she stretched, and one nipple peeked out at him.

Celeste whispered, “Touch me, Caleb.”

“Always, sweetheart.”

He joined her on the bed and ran his hands down her body.

His fingers deftly unhooked the corset, starting from the bottom and ending at the top.

With the last hook, the corset popped open, and her breasts spilled out.

His eyes devoured her hungrily. She ran her hands down her front, swirling her fingers over her nipples, still somewhat hidden by her chemise.

Celeste was teasing him, but she didn’t care.

Caleb grasped the front of her chemise and yanked it down, tearing it partly. She gasped.

“You are all I have thought about,” he said huskily.

Celeste shimmied her drawers down and then said, “I want you in me now. I need to feel you joined with me.”

With one thrust, he slid into her as one of his hands became wrapped in her hair at the back of her head.

His hold was a mingling of tenderness, want, and devotion.

He held her in place and kissed her as if he wanted to permanently connect them forever.

The meeting of their mouths was a mixture of playfulness, hunger, and love.

Needing more, Celeste began to rock her body against his. Caleb withdrew and thrust into her again. He did that over and over again, keeping up a tempo that was slow, demanding, and meant to inflame her being.

Her lower region throbbed with want. Celeste was so close. Caleb pulled out and then pushed back into her before swiveling her hips, causing friction against her feminine nub. She let out a guttural moan. He did it again, still keeping his pace slow and deliberate.

The ache in her was on the edge of shattering. She urged him on with her hips. His pace became more frantic, and she could tell he was close as well. “Let me see you fall apart, Celeste.”

As if he could command her body with words, she climaxed, letting out a gasp of breath.

Her core pulsated, and she tightened her legs around Caleb as he continued thrusting into her.

Celeste couldn’t believe she’d almost lost this man or that she’d lied to him.

He slid into her one more time and pulled out before spending.

She smiled as he brushed his lips across hers before cleaning them up.

They lay in bed on their sides facing each other. She placed her hand on his cheek. “I’m so sorry I lied.”

He smiled softly at her. “I can’t believe all this time I’ve been jealous of a damn cat.”

“It was a ridiculous lie.”

His hand slid up and down her side. “Starting now, I’m going to court you openly. I do not care what anyone in London says. My mother is hosting a ball in two days; you need to be there. We will begin sharing our plans publicly.”

Nerves filled her, but she wanted Caleb too much to argue.

Thoughts about her past swirled in her mind, but she pushed them away.

Caleb said he loved her no matter what. There was time to get into everything later.

Right now, Celeste just wanted to enjoy this and not worry about any of that. Perhaps it didn’t matter.

No one really knew who she was. Well, except for Lord Burrows, and he’d never been willing to claim her. Maybe, she could forget it all. Start fresh. Caleb cupped her face, kissing her, making all her thoughts disappear.