Page 17

When he delved a hand between their bodies and he strummed his fingers over that swollen bud, a half-stifled scream left her throat.

All too soon, the pressure building and circling in her lower belly broke, for the sensory overload had finally overwhelmed her.

It was so easy to fall over that edge of bliss with him, and that gave her pause.

Contractions fluttered through her core as pleasure swamped her in ever-increasing waves. She said his name as if in prayer, buried her face in the crook of his shoulder, and still the bands of release kept coming.

Good heavens, he wasn’t joking about his skill.

Another two thrusts sent him into the vortex with her.

Alexander claimed her mouth in a hard kiss that swept her away.

As he ground his pelvis into hers, he lifted her up and she locked her legs around his waist. Completely spent, she collapsed against him, and he did the same to her until they were more or less draped along the wall.

Lydia gave him a tired smile. A pleasant lethargy weighted her limbs. As her heartbeat returned to normal, she sighed and rested a cheek on his shoulder. “Congratulations, Lord Wexley, you have managed to impress me,” she whispered in a tired tone.

“Ha!” His chuckle warmed her insides and set off another round of flutters. “I’m glad to know I’m above passing.” After several more minutes, he set her onto her feet. “You were amazing—what we shared was incredible.”

“Agreed.” When she caressed a hand along his chest, touched a fingertip to the signet ring on the thin bit of leather, he uttered a low groan and put a hand over hers, stilling her movement.

“I can’t take any more just now, but if you allow me an hour’s rest, I wouldn’t mind going another round with you.

” There was no mistaking the teasing and need in his voice.

“Ooh, now that does sound exciting.” And she had completely relegated Colin and his threats to the back of her mind, for now she was firmly committed to pursuing Alexander… within the bounds of having her carnal needs met, that was.

“I have a feeling you can easily become an addiction.” The viscount released her, grinning when she teetered on wobbly legs, but he said nothing as they both began the task of dressing.

When she presented him with her back, he tied the laces of her dress, and she did the same for his waistcoat. A sigh sailed from her throat, for it was surely a crime to have his beautiful body covered by clothing. “Do you fancy some tepid tea?”

“That would be lovely. Thank you.” As he struggled into his superfine jacket, he came toward the low sofa where she’d settled. “That little session took as much out of me as if I were in the ring.”

“Comparing coupling with me to boxing? That’s high praise indeed.” As she poured out two cups of the amber liquid that was well on its way to being cold, Lydia couldn’t help but grin. “And quite the compliment.”

“I wouldn’t lie about something like this.” After Alexander attached his collar, then configured his cravat into some semblance of normalcy, he sat on the sofa beside her. “When is your father expected home?”

“Probably not until midnight.” She offered him a teacup, and when their fingers brushed, heated tingles moved up her arm to the elbow.

How curious, for she’d assumed once they finally came together, she would cease to have such a reaction to him.

“It is good for him to socialize, for he doesn’t often have the time for that, and when the fall term begins at Cambridge, he’ll be away from London during the week. ”

“Which means you’ll be left alone.”

“Perhaps.” After downing half the contents in her teacup, Lydia sighed. “I’ll look in on his patients as well as help my brother when I can.”

“And the other times?”

She shrugged. “I wouldn’t mind filling it with boxing lessons.” And perhaps she could show him a few jujitsu moves he could incorporate in his routine. “Or other things.”

“Ah. I think we can meet those needs—all of them.” With a wink, he finished his tea and reached for the teapot. “I assume you’ve had romantic attachments in the past, if we don’t count that bounder, Colin?”

“Yes, he certainly wasn’t a romance. A young woman’s infatuation, perhaps, and a misguided engagement to please my parents, but not a romance.

” To her mind, such a state meant being aligned with a man in all the ways that mattered.

“Though I took a few lovers over the years, none of those produced romance.” Was it wrong of her to mention that part of her history?

Perhaps, but she didn’t believe in not being truthful.

Since they’d already come together carnally, he would have known she wasn’t an innocent, even if she hadn’t told him prior to that.

And she wasn’t ashamed of anything she’d done in the past. “Though, where my father is concerned, none of that happened,” she said with a grin.

“It is a father’s duty to be overly protective of a daughter.” Alexander drank from his refreshed cup. “But if I were your brother, I would investigate every man you’d been with to prevent men like Colin from happening.”

A queer little flutter moved through her heart from his defense. “I appreciate that, but I can look after myself.”

“There is no doubt that you can, but you shouldn’t have to. Frankly, I’ll feel more at ease if you spend your free time either at the boxing salon or in my company.”

“I see.” She couldn’t help her frown. “I don’t appreciate high-handedness from anyone, men in particular. If you think you have a right to possession merely because we coupled—”

“I do not, and that isn’t what I meant,” he was quick to interrupt with the shake of his head. “I only meant that it would be better if you had people around who will make Colin think twice before attacking you again. Even you, as smart and capable as you are, must see this is a good idea.”

“I’ll grant you that.” There were times when she conceded that being so independent might prove a hinderance to navigating society.

Then she sighed. “I’m sorry. You’re only trying to help, and I need to learn how to let people who mean well close.

To accept assistance.” And truth be known, it was rather lovely knowing he wished to look after her.

Alexander nodded. “Good. We all would do well to form friendships.” After he finished his tea, he set the cup and the saucer on the table. “Would you like to learn of my romantic entanglements?”

“Only if you wish to tell the stories.” When knots of worry formed in her belly, she rested her cup and saucer on the table as well. “Men aren’t usually known for opening up about said things.”

“Some men, yes. Lewis, for example, struggles with showing emotion or accepting help, just like a certain red-haired woman I’ve recently met,” he said with a sly glance at her.

Heat went through her cheeks. “Not well done of you, Lord Wexley.” Then she distracted herself by plucking the remaining pins from her disheveled hair.

A chuckle left his throat to resonate within her chest. “Though there have been a handful of women who have been in my life or graced my bed, I have never been in love with any of them.” He grinned.

“Unless you count the time when I was a youth of seventeen and went tip over tail for one of my mother’s friends.

She was a recent widow and a young, attractive one at that.

” Another laugh escaped him. “Oh, I thought I loved her to the depths of my being. Couldn’t eat or sleep.

Wanted nothing more from my life than to run away with her, but clearly, it was like a puppy’s affection. ”

What a charming story. “How did you grow past it?”

He shrugged. “Besides having my father pummel some sense into me under the guise of boxing lessons?” When he grinned, she focused her attention on his mouth while plaiting her hair.

“Those feelings went away as they usually do, especially after Lewis had a talk with me one day when we were at Papa’s country estate.

We snuck out after dark one night and into the village.

After we went into one of the taverns, he paid a woman to take me upstairs and—”

“Oh, dear.” Lydia couldn’t help but laugh in delight. “Your brother bought a doxy on your behalf to teach you how to take care of those… urges so you wouldn’t continue to lust after your mother’s friends.”

“Yes.” A dark red flush went up his neck and into his cheeks. “After that, things did get easier. That isn’t to say I didn’t continue to chase women, I just knew how to take the edge off with my hand.”

They shared a laugh.

“You sound much like my brother, and I must say, even in that sort of education, it is easier for boys than it is for girls. We are expected to remain pristine and untouched, to never have those thoughts or wonder about what happens between men and women.” She shook her head.

“Ridiculous, really, when everyone has needs regardless of their gender.”

“Agreed, and I must say, your candor and viewpoints are rather refreshing.” Then he sobered.

“Truth to tell, the women I wished to court as I’ve gone through my life were more than willing to let me go because I don’t command a fortune, and my title is a courtesy from my father and won’t be passed down. ”

“I’m sorry. That must be difficult to know that there are so many shallow women in society who don’t value men for themselves.

” Of course, she knew what such rejection felt like, for even though being a doctor’s daughter was slightly more elevated than merely the daughter of a gentleman, without a fortune or a title or wealthy parent, prospects for marriage—if she wanted that—were limited.

“A bit, but since I’ve trained for bouts, the exercise takes the edge off… mostly.” When he met her gaze, he gave her a rueful smile. “Until I meet someone so fascinating I can’t ignore her or the desire therein.”

A wave of heat went through her body. He was definitely appealing in a sweet but arousing sort of way. “What does the signet ring on the chord mean to you?”

“Ah, I thought you might ask about it.” With a finger, he touched the piece of jewelry now hidden beneath his shirt.

“It was my father’s signet ring. I told Lewis I wanted it after Papa died.

I’ve worn it ever since that horrible day, and it helps me to remember that life is fragile, and that one punch could end everything, so I should enjoy what I can before it’s too late.

” He pressed his lips together before he spoke again.

“To be honest, I am terrified of dying in the ring like my father did. Perhaps that is why I’m not as good a boxer as my brothers. ”

“Wise words and an even better outlook.” Perhaps he was more like her than she’d first thought. There was a certain comfort in that. “You are not going to perish in the ring.”

“How can you know?”

“Because I refuse to let that happen.” As much as she thought boxing for coin was a ridiculous use of one’s time, if it was something he enjoyed, then she would attend the bouts. “And I’m going to teach you a few moves of jujitsu that will help you in the ring.”

“Thank you.” His eyes darkened in the dim light. “I appreciate you not ringing a peal over my head.”

“Well, not yet at least,” she couldn’t help but quip. The soft chime from a carriage-style clock on the shelf indicated the ten o’clock hour. “Will you stay with me for a bit?”

“There is no place I’d rather be.” After he scooted backward on the sofa, he brought her with him and tucked her into his side with an arm about her shoulders. “I meant what I said, Lydia, no harm will come to you while I’m around.”

She nodded, but instead of using words, she rested a hand on his chest, turned into him, and pressed her lips to his. There was something about this man that spoke to her on a deeper level than she was accustomed to, and frankly, she didn’t know how she felt about that.

For the moment, this was enough.