Page 100 of Rogue of My Heart

“Up until very recently,” Marie confirmed, pointing to where Christian could prop the bicycle against the side of the house. No other bicycles were there, indicating that her sisters weren’t there either. They were probably all at the castle, preparing for the party. “Fergus made us move back to the house so that he could marry us all off mercilessly.”

“Mercilessly,” Christian repeated teasingly as Marie unlocked the cottage’s front door and led him inside. “It’s a good thing we aren’t going to let that happen,” he said.

“Isn’t it, though?” Marie laughed.

Christian took in the front rooms of the house instead of replying. Everything was the way Marie and her sisters had left it while living there. The kitchen was still set up for brewing beer, which came as no surprise to Marie. She had a sneaking suspicion Shannon had kept their scandalous enterprise going since they’d all moved back to the castle. It was a pleasure to show Christian around the beloved place. Judging by the spark in his eyes, he was impressed by what he saw.

“What a cozy little home,” he said with genuine feeling.

“I love it,” Marie said with a sigh.

“As do I.” Christian glanced to her, his smile growing. “The walls are filled with happiness.”

Marie beamed at the compliment. “They are,” she agreed. “We were always happy here.”

“And did you bring gentlemen to your cozy little home?” he asked, slinking closer to her as they reached the main downstairs parlor.

Marie bit her lip, letting herself slide into his offered embrace. “Not once.” She tilted her head to the side. “Though heaven knows why I didn’t think of that sooner.”

He laughed deep in his throat, and Marie thought she might explode right out of her skin. He followed that with a searing kiss, his mouth slanting over hers and devouring her with tender passion. He was easily the finest kisser Marie had ever known. He made her wish she’d never kissed another man before. Then again, after the way he teased her with his lips and tongue, his hands brushing her sides and caressing her breasts, she didn’t think she would ever be able to remember another man as long as she lived.

“Do you know,” he began in a low purr, “I’ve just had a thought about a practically fool-proof way my father and your brother could be convinced to call off our erstwhile betrothals and let us marry each other.”

Marie sucked in a breath. It was the first time either of them had spoken outright about the possibility of marrying each other. She’d known in her heart it was what she truly wanted, but hearing the words spoken aloud thrilled her beyond measure.

“What way is that?” she asked breathlessly.

He inched back enough to gaze into her eyes with fire. “If I were to thoroughly ruin you, I don’t see how they could say no to our union.”

Marie stared back at him, her blood racing through her veins. “Heavens, Mr. Darrow. Are you actually suggesting whisking me upstairs to my old bedroom and ravishing me?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m suggesting,” he said with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes.

“That would certainly convince everyone to back away from the ill-advised betrothals they’ve thrown us into,” she said, sinking against him. She loved the feeling of his body against hers, and if she wasn’t mistaken, part of his body was already excited by the idea of sneaking upstairs with her.

“Like I said.” He kissed her lightly. “A fool-proof plan.” He kissed her again.

“How could I possibly say no to a fool-proof plan?” Marie asked, grinning from ear to ear. She didn’t wait for him to continue with the banter or ask for some sort of permission. She broke away from him, grabbing his hand, and dashed down the hall to the stairs with him.

Christian’s laughter as they hurried up the stairs went straight to Marie’s head. There was something innocent and almost childlike about the way they took the stairs two at a time, hardly pausing for breath when they reached Marie’s room at the top. As soon as they crossed Marie’s threshold, Christian shut the door behind them with his foot, then yanked Marie into his arms for another kiss. It was absolute joy, unfettered desire, and everything Marie could have hoped for. Whether society approved or not, she had what she wanted in her arms, and, like a child with a toy, she was determined to get the most enjoyment out of the situation that she could.

“I don’t suppose I should ask whether you’re sure about this,” Christian said as Marie peeled his jacket from his shoulders and fumbled with the buttons of his waistcoat.

“Of course not,” she gasped, wriggling so that he had better access to the buttons lining the front of her blouse. “When I know what I want, I know what I want. And I want you.”

“Thank God,” he groaned, taking a moment to wriggle out of his waistcoat, then tug his shirt out of his trousers and off over his head. “Because all I want is you too.”

Marie made a sensual sound of approval in her throat, then spread her hands across his broad chest, loving the feel of his hair against her fingers. He was so perfectly masculine in every way. She felt as though she’d waited a lifetime to explore a man’s body, and nothing felt more perfect than that body belonging to Christian. She couldn’t get enough of touching him, and leaned in to bring her lips to his shoulder and collarbone. He let out a sound of approval, pausing in his clumsy efforts to undress her, and let her kiss and nip at his skin.

“I’m not sure if this is going to be the longest and most amazing experience of my life or if it’ll be over before we’ve truly begun,” he laughed. That laughter caught in his throat and turned into a groan as she reached into his trousers.

She gasped as well, biting her lip as she stroked her hand along his powerful length. She’d seen his penis in the light of day, glittering with sea water and sunshine, and she’d had the barest hint of what it might look like when he was genuinely aroused. Feeling that arousal as it grew and filled him out left her with an aching, restless sensation deep in her core.

“I’m not sure if I care how long it lasts, as long as it happens,” she panted, leaning back to meet his eyes.

Christian laughed, joy and lust radiating from him. “Oh, you’ll mind.”

“Will I?” she asked with a coquettish arch of one eyebrow.