Page 14 of On the Ropes of Scandal (With Love in Their Corner #3)

The words sent gooseflesh sailing over his skin.

“I’m sure we can arrange that.” With a grin, William tugged the pins from the loose bun she’d done with her hair to keep it out of the bath water.

They clattered upon the floor with soft pings .

“I want to show you how much you mean to me.” Because that was what he felt for her, wasn’t it?

“Oh!” Her eyes widened. “You have feelings for me?”

“Of course, silly widgeon. Why wouldn’t I?

” He stepped away long enough to divest himself of his boots and clothing.

Soon the hardwood was littered with his garments and hers, for he couldn’t wait any longer to see her nude…

and actually remember it this time. “I don’t know why you chose me when you could have attracted someone much better.

” He stood behind her once more, cupping her breasts, watching her in the cheval glass.

When she smiled, his world tipped sideways, and he fell into the sapphire depths of her eyes. “You were the one that I wanted.” She shivered as he rolled her nipples. “There is nothing more to say.” Nothing but honesty rang in her voice.

“I’m damned flattered, and hope I live up to your expectations, even if we have been married for six months.

” How cruel fate was to take that time away from him, for he didn’t remember how she’d looked on their wedding day or the soft sounds she’d made when he’d first taken her to bed.

“But I mean to make the most of the time we have left together, come what may.”

She glanced sharply at him in the cheval glass. “Why would you say that?”

“What?” He shrugged, confused at why she was suddenly so upset. “I only meant that the days aren’t guaranteed, and we don’t know how long our service upon this earth will be.”

“Oh.” When she nodded, his muscles relaxed. “That makes more sense.”

“Than what?”

Phoebe shook her head. “It’s not important.”

“Good, but if you don’t mind, I don’t wish to talk any longer.” And there was no need. Everything he had to say could be accomplished by touch, by caress… by the act of coupling.

“Meaning… oh!”

The warmth of her beneath his hands was as comforting as his favorite pair of gloves, and the silkiness of her skin pushed him to the borders of madness.

William nuzzled the crook of her shoulder as he teased her breasts, plucked at her nipples, and rolled them from root to tip.

God, her body could tempt a saint, and he meant to explore every centimeter of it tonight.

When she trembled and pressed one of his hands to her breast, he chuckled.

“If you think for a second that I would stray from all you represent, you are indeed a silly goose.”

She giggled. “Do shut up, Mr. Harris.”

“Ha.” William walked her over to the bed and gently tumbled them onto it, where he spent copious minutes learning every inch of her body with his fingers, tongue, and lips. And those precious moments meant delight for them both.

Every moan and gasp she made went straight to his stones, but he continued to usher her closer to the edge of pleasure.

The faint scents of lavender filled his nose, reminding him of the bar of soap she favored.

Perhaps he should save up some coin to purchase a bottle of fancy perfume for her this coming Christmastide.

A very faint taste of that flower came away on his tongue, but the fresh taste of her skin added a comforting sense to his play.

Phoebe writhed beneath him as if everything he treated her to was new or that she hadn’t expected it.

That alone was a great aphrodisiac. Each time she reached for him, he batted her hands away, for he wasn’t nearly done worshipping her.

“Let me touch you,” she said, with a slight whine to her voice.

“Later.”

“But that’s not… fair!” Her voice rose from his ministrations.

With a chuckle, he kissed and suckled her breasts, teased her nipples with his tongue until she arched her back and begged him to leave off.

But he wanted—needed—to see her spend; it was as vital to him as breathing, so he slipped a hand between her thighs and encouraged the tiny bundle of nerves from hiding.

He manipulated that bud, that center of her pleasure, to within an inch of its life, applying various degrees of friction until he found what she enjoyed most. When she cried out, tumbling over the edge of a gentle, cresting release, he grinned against her soft skin.

Not nearly done, he nibbled a path between her breasts and down her torso, lifting her hips as he went.

When he buried his head between her thighs, licking the place he’d touched with his fingers, a curious sound of a moan mixed with a scream issued from her.

“William, stop!” The urgency of her whisper only pushed him to continue. “Such scandal this is.”

“There is no one around to witness the act, and besides, we are married. Where is the harm?” He chuckled when she pressed her fingertips to her lips in an effort to quell the sound. “Let me play.” Then he resumed the exquisite torture designed to send her flying a second time.

Which she did in short order. Despite her attempt to stem her response, the muffled scream sent pleasure directly into his engorged length.

A flush appeared on her chest and cheeks, a sure sign he’d worked her properly over.

As she went pliant on the bed, he took possession of her mouth once more, and as she returned the overture, it was him who experienced the feeling of falling.

Everything he did to her on that bed felt new and fresh, as if he were chasing that high for the first time with her, but he didn’t think anything of it, for that was how the whole of his interactions with her had been.

Perhaps a result of his injuries that had stolen his memories, but that only meant he was treated to the joys of putting her through her paces all over again, of learning the secrets of her body that would make her scream.

And he couldn’t have enough.

“William, please…” When she found his gaze with hers, there was a hunger in those blue pools that matched his own. “I need you inside me.” She held his head between her palms so she could direct his attention. “If that doesn’t happen soon, I am liable to perish.”

“You won’t perish, sweeting.” He grinned even as his hardened length pulsed with the same sort of urgency she exhibited. “But I understand the need.” But first, he would kiss her until she couldn’t remember her own name.