Page 85 of Snowbound Surrender

She looked solemn and thoughtful. Had she reconsidered his suit? His mouth grew dry, and his mind churned over arguments to win her over.

“What if I don’t wish you to wait to touch me again?”

It was not what he was expecting to hear. “Pardon me?”

She pulled him into a corner, half tucked behind a ficus. “You have expanded my world, Callum, and I don’t want to revert back to what society expects. I have lived too long accepting unhappiness and ignorance as a woman’s lot. I want you to show me everything. And I want to discover new pleasures with you. Then…” Her lashes dropped, shielding her glittering eyes. “I plan to help other women.”

“How?” It was the first question that made its way out even though a thousand scrolled through his scrambled mind.

“Charlotte and I are going to write a book. A primer, if you will. A wicked widow’s guide to pleasure. No woman should goto her wedding bed ignorant of how children are conceived and how to obtain pleasure with their husbands. Or with someone else.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“We would pen it under a nom de plume, of course. No one will know it is us.”

He wasn’t sure if the “us” she referred to was Eleanor and her sister or Eleanor and his exploits in bed.

“In fact, if we can find like-mind ladies, perhaps we can interview them and include their advice and wisdom.” Her excitement was palpable.

“I think…” He grappled with his feelings.

The spark in her eyes dimmed and her mouth grew firm. “You do not approve.”

It was not a question. But that wasn’t what he was thinking. He had asked her what she wanted, and she was telling him. What did that cost her after late husband had dismissed all her wants and needs?

“You misread me.” He leaned closer to whisper while holding her gaze. “You want to explore every carnal desire with me—I most heartily approve—but I want something in return.”

“What’s that?” She asked with a guarded expression.

“If I promise to fuck you in every way, you must allow me grand romantic gestures in order to win your heart.”

Her smile was like spring come early, and he basked in the warmth.

“Then it’s a pact.” She held out a hand for a shake.

He took it and instead of shaking it, he brushed a kiss along her soft skin. “If I could, I would seal our promise with a real kiss.”

She drew her bottom lip between her teeth, plump and pink and tormenting. “I don’t think I can wait until the snow melts. Can we meet this afternoon?”

He pursed his lips. “It’s time for lesson one of your guide. Anticipation can be sweet. The build of desire and need will make our next time even more explosive.”

She swallowed. “I feel as though I could explode with a single touch.”

He chuckled even though his cock was in a similar state. “A wicked widow indeed. Now I must take a seat before anyone sees what you have done to me.”

He shifted back, and she glanced down. Her eyes went wide and her mouth formed a shocked moue at his obvious erection.

He couldn’t stop his smile. “Or not so wicked?”

“Not yet, but I hope you will help me change that soon enough.” She strolled away from him, tossing a flirtatious look over her shoulder.

He followed, the look in his eyes intense but playful. “It would be a pleasure, madam.”

EPILOGUE

Warlock, Northumberland

Spring