Page 86 of Snowbound Surrender

Eleanor wasbent over the kitchen table, her skirts thrown up around her waist, still in her stockings and half boots. Callum had managed to work her dress down enough to expose her breasts. The table was rough against her nipples, but the pressure felt satisfying.

Callum had spent on her buttocks. His hands were on either side of her shoulders, supporting him. Both of them were breathing hard. His taking had been rough, but not before he had worked her into a frenzy and made sure she was slick and ready for him.

She had discovered she enjoyed carnal relations more than she had ever imagined. The gentle, the rough, the clandestine, the languid afternoons in his cabin. Every encounter held an appeal.

She might not have been truly wicked when she had proposed her guide, but now her actions would scandalize mostladies. She had not even shared everything she had learned with her sister. But she had been writing it all down for her guide.

“Let me clean you.” Callum pushed off the table.

“Not today. I wish to carry your scent the rest of the afternoon. I have promised to go to the Chesters’ to have tea later.” She shook her skirts down, feeling her chemise stick to her buttocks.

He groaned as he rebuttoned his trousers. “I wish I could accompany you.”

She turned and put her bodice to rights before playfully tweaking his nose. “You would be sporting a cockstand the entire afternoon.”

“When will you make an honest man of me, Eleanor?” Even though he spoke lightly, she knew he would have taken her across the border to marry at a moment’s notice.

She straightened his cravat and steeled herself to confess her fears. He seemed to sense the change in mood and covered her hands with one of his and squeezed encouragingly. “I don’t mean to pressure you, but you know my feelings. I love you.”

“And I love you. You have been wonderful and more than patient, Callum. It’s just that I worry.”

“About me?”

“About whether the excitement of our liaisons will diminish with marriage.”

“Ah, I see.” His face cleared of some of its worry. “There is no need for us to have a conventional marriage where we only share the bed in the dark of night. We can continue to explore.”

“But I enjoy the illicit nature of our relationship now. The danger of being seen or caught can be exhilarating,” Even after all they had done together, a blush rose to her cheeks at her confession.

“That will not change with marriage. Perhaps you won’t be completely ruined if you are caught sucking me off in thestables, but it would be a scandal. Plus, there is a place in London I would like to take you, but we can only travel together as husband and wife.”

“What sort of place?” Her pulse picked up speed with intrigue and excitement.

“It’s called Fieldstones. A club for exploring desires. We can further your research.” Callum’s voice was cajoling.

Eleanor had spent considerable time debating the benefits and drawbacks of marriage. Her first had been unsatisfying in every way, but that was due to the husband involved. Marriage to Callum would be wholly different.

“If we were to marry—” At the sudden excitement in his face, she broke off and raised a hand to stop him. “I saidif. Are you saying that our physical explorations would not change?”

“Of course they will change. They will mature, but you should not view that as a negative. There are many activities and places we will be able to explore with more freedom as husband and wife. Not to mention we will have more time together. Believe or not, I enjoy your company in and out of bed, Eleanor,” he said dryly.

“I enjoy your company as well, my love.” It was true that she enjoyed sitting in front of a fire with her feet in his lap and discussing everything from art to politics to local gossip.

After all the agonizing she had done over marriage, once her heart settled on the decision, she didn’t want to wait for banns to be read. She laid her hands on his chest and looked up at him. “I believe it is time we made it official. Let’s cross the border and marry over the anvil.”

His smile made her heart swell with love and happiness before he swooped in to kiss her, long and thoroughly.

“You’ll have to rename your book.”

Her arms were looped around his neck, her knees weak and her head muzzy with desire. “To what, pray tell?”

“The Wicked Wife’s Guide to Pleasure.”