Page 15 of On the Ropes of Scandal (With Love in Their Corner #3)

P hoebe’s world went tip over tail and continued to pinwheel into pleasure and sensations she’d never experienced before.

Since he’d sent her flying in the meadow, she’d craved more of that attention.

After her bath tonight, she made the decision with herself that she wanted her false marriage with William—or whatever his name was—to be a union in every way that mattered.

It didn’t matter that they weren’t married or had never spoken vows to each other.

In countless tiny ways, each day that went by, he showed himself to be a kind, caring, charming man that any woman would be grateful to have landed.

Then she’d been caught up in his kisses, and now that he was naked, would he let her explore?

Heat went over her person as she shoved at his shoulder until he lifted slightly off her body.

“I want to touch you, kiss you all over as you’ve done to me.

” She drew a hand down his chest and reveled in the light sprinkling of brown hair found there.

“Before I go insane from what you’re doing to me. ”

His grin was a thing of beauty. “After we finish coupling.” When she pouted, he chuckled, and the warmth of his breath skated over her cheek. “There is only so long I can postpone my urges, and already my control is fraying because I want to join with you so damned much.”

“Oh!” Though it was the height of vulgar, it was also romantic, and flutters went through her lower belly.

“All right.” Surely, she would certainly go to hell for this.

They weren’t really married, and all her lies were horrible.

There was no excuse for what she’d done, merely because she was lonely and wanted to find happiness in any way she could.

Now, she was about to share the ultimate intimacy with him, and she had no idea what to do. “I want that too.”

“Good.” He brought his mouth crashing down on hers, and she had the distinct feeling that he was done talking.

That kiss was fierce and intense; she felt it through every nerve ending.

Something was exchanged between them in those lovely seconds where their souls had connected.

Had he felt it too? When he was done, and her limbs had the strength of cooked porridge, he pulled slightly away to rest his forehead against hers.

“Since I have no idea of what occurred between us the past six month because those memories have been stolen from me, I feel compelled to say these words to you now.”

“Oh?” She couldn’t help the trembles that played her spine.

“I love you. The welcome you give to me, the way you care for me, the way you have looked after me when I came home battered and bloodied. Youhave shown me how damned grateful I am that I managed to win you instead of losing you to another man.”

Oh, dear heavens!

Was this part of the lie, or was he truly honest?

It must be, for he had nothing to gain from dissembling, while she had everything to lose.

Tears filled her eyes, and for the first time since this journey began, she knew this was where she was meant to be.

And with him. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.

A man of my own, who loves me with no restrictions. ”

Would it always be this way?

“I vow to keep growing so our union will flourish, because I cannot imagine a life where you aren’t there. We are good for each other.” This time he treated her to deep, drugging kisses that fused their souls.

Phoebe clung to him. Was she falling in love with this man?

It was difficult to say since the new sensations confused her, and she was constantly worried that his memories would come back, bringing anger and shock.

And perhaps she couldn’t let herself fall for fear he’d leave her for his original life.

But right now, in this moment, she looped her arms about the wide breadth of his shoulders and pressed herself into him.

When he enfolded her into his embrace, flutters danced through her lower belly and throbs of need went through her.

It was maddeningly how much she wanted this man—her pretend husband—but she would go out of her mind if he didn’t claim her.

Finally she would know what it felt like to couple with him.

He must have known the direction of her thoughts, or perhaps he saw it in her expression, for he slid his hands down her body to grasp her hips and pulled her so close to his body that the insistent hardness of his shaft pressed into her belly.

William made love to her mouth as if he’d thought of nothing except that for the last few days.

Oh, this feeling of safety and belonging was so lovely! She danced her fingertips along his chest, followed the contours and dips, traced a few of the scars before letting a hand drift to that part of him she had been curious about from the start.

He groaned when she cupped his equipage, gasped as she stroked her hand up and down that length, but he didn’t bid her nay as he continued to kiss her, and with every thrust and parry of his tongue to hers, the more heat encompassed her, and need threatened to carry her away.

As she wrapped her fingers around his shaft, he cupped her breasts, kneaded them, worried the nipples into aching, pebbled buds with his thumbs.

There was so much about his body she wished to explore.

Her concentration fled the longer he teased her breasts and completely died the second he sucked one of the tips into his mouth.

“You would do this again? I thought we would couple…”

“Oh, we will, but perhaps I wish to tease you a bit more before claiming you,” he said between kisses and suckling. “Allow me this treat, for we haven’t done this since my incident.”

“While that is true, I’m going out of my mind with want.” Had she captured a tiger by his tail by allowing him access to her body? But then, it was her lies that put them together, so she might as well enjoy it.

“Then I’m doing it right.” He lightly bit her lower lip. “Wrap your legs around my waist.”

She’d barely followed his instructions before he put a hand between her thighs. A cry left her throat the second he found that tiny bundle of nerves. Anticipation shallowed her breath. Another sound of pleasure echoed in the room when he teased her with various levels of friction.

Mercy, how could she survive another onslaught of exquisite torture?

A haze of passion clouded her mind. She pressed her lips to as many places on his person as she could reach.

He was so hard and firm, and the muscles he possessed made her curious.

Eventually, she would map his form with her tongue, but in this moment, she could barely concentrate while he rubbed her swollen nubbin.

Already primed, a tiny scream escaped her throat as she shattered in his arms. A rush of pleasure hurtled her over the edge once more into a world that only existed in joy and the most wonderous sensations imaginable. Intense flutters rocked her.

“Never will I tire of watching you find bliss.” William chuckled as if he’d wished for that reaction the whole time they’d been together. “Ah, Phoebe.” Before the residual tremors from her release faded, he penetrated her body, not stopping until he’d fully seated himself.

The sharp prick of pain as he broke through her maidenhead surprised her.

When she gasped, she strove to hide the fact she was, indeed, an innocent and not the pregnant wife he thought.

Needing to distract him, she nibbled a spot beneath his jaw that he apparently favored.

“Dear heavens,” she whispered against his skin.

“You are so large.” Being impaled on his thick, hot length was one of the best things she’d ever experienced.

“Are you well? I haven’t harmed the babe?” Concern threaded through his voice as he paused and searched out her gaze.

Heat slapped at her cheeks from the lie. “Don’t worry,” she whispered. “All is well.” And she wriggled into a more comfortable position as she gripped his shoulders.

Then there were no words. They communed in a dance as old as time itself.

Again and again, he speared into her, his powerful hips flexing, and each time she was pressed into the mattress, doing nothing except receiving him, welcoming him, giving herself to her false husband and taking what she needed from him.

Deeper he went, touching her soul perhaps, and she dug her fingernails into his shoulders, for with each push, shivery sensation washed over her.

This was the most wonderful moment of her life, and just now, she had no regrets in fooling this man.

Then his rhythm changed. His thrusts become more frantic, fast, authoritative.

Phoebe clung to him, enjoying what he did to her, enjoying the coupling and the fact they were irrevocably joined.

Everything was so new that she had no idea what to do to him that would bring him pleasure, but there was plenty of time to learn in the future.

All too soon she tipped over the edge once more, and in the seconds before she lost herself to the temporary madness, he stroked inside her again, then his shaft pulsed and jerked. Warmth filled her core, and she gasped.

“Dear God, Phoebe.” William ground his hips into hers as he fell into his own bliss. Then he held her so close the steady beat of his heartbeat was in her ears.

“Dear heavens, Frampton, that was wonderful.” When she realized she’d inadvertently called him by his title, she still as cold fear twisted down her spine. Had he heard? Was he aware? “I had no idea…”

He snorted. “Does that mean our other couplings were rubbish?” Nothing about his demeanor betrayed the fact that he’d heard her slip.