Page 41 of Two Secrets to Surrender (Blackwood Legacy #2)

“ Come out, come out, wherever you are.”

Stifling a laugh at Conrad’s exaggerated growl, Gigi raced merrily through the maze of hedges. The balmy summer night was made for adventures such as these. The sky was a stretch of black velvet, and the moon was round and bright, lighting her path. Owen had done a spectacular job with the landscaping at Honeystone Hall, and the labyrinth, in particular, was garnering him acclaim. Gigi followed the twists and turns until it took her to the heart of the garden where, at her request, Owen had left an ancient oak standing at its center.

Anticipation sizzled through Gigi when she saw that Conrad had beaten her to their meeting place. He must have taken a shortcut, for he awaited her by the tree, hands braced on his hips. With his shirt untucked and open at the collar, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight, he looked deliciously primal. Her husband, her duke, her mate who owned her heart, body, and soul.

Which was just as well since he’d entrusted her with his. Since their marriage, their bond had only grown stronger. Their love had given them the confidence to share their deepest dreams and desires with one another…and to play out those desires, no matter how wicked they were. To Gigi’s delight, being married had given her more freedom, not less. Her husband encouraged her to shed her inhibitions, which was why she’d suggested their game tonight.

Remembering her role, she pressed her hands to her chest.

“You found me!” she gasped.

She saw Conrad’s lips twitch.

“I’ll always find you, little nymph.” He crooked a finger at her. “Come here.”

She tried to escape (or pretended to, at any rate). It was great fun darting around the tree, keeping just out of Conrad’s reach. By the time she let him capture her, she was breathless and barely holding back her mirth.

“We’ll see who has the last laugh,” Conrad said.

His sternness made her giggle even as he backed her into the tree. She wore a plain chemise—there was no point in wearing anything more extravagant, given her husband’s troglodytic tendencies when it came to her clothing. When Conrad trapped her against the trunk, she trembled at the sensation of being sandwiched between the trunk and his hard length.

“You’re a naughty little tease,” he admonished. “Making me chase you through the garden.”

She batted her eyelashes. “What will you do now that you have me?”

His gaze was smoldering. “Whatever I want.”

Never one to disappoint, he pinned her wrists above her head with one big hand. With the other, he grabbed the neckline of her chemise and tore the garment in half. As he raked a hot glance over her naked form, her nipples budded, her thighs squeezing together instinctively. He touched her with a casual propriety that never failed to stir her. Her breath quickened as he caressed the line of her throat, pressing slightly into the hollow at the base. When he palmed her breast, pinching her nipple between finger and thumb, she couldn’t hold back a whimper.

“I think you enjoy the chase as much as I do,” he said huskily. “I think you are wet, wanton, and ready to fuck.”

Oh my stars. Her knees trembled at her husband’s filthy language. At the filthy intent in his eyes. However, she’d discovered that the game was even more thrilling when prolonged.

“Unhand me, you beast,” she said breathily.

“If I am wrong, I will eat my words.”

With a knowing smirk, he reached between her thighs, and she had to bite back a moan as he took his time fingering her slick crease.

“On second thought,” he murmured. “You should be the one to eat her words.”

He held up his index and middle fingers. She blushed, seeing the glistening abundance of her arousal. When he pressed his fingers against her lips, she went hot all over.

“Open for me, love,” he said.

He thrust inside, and the depravity of tasting her own wanton flavor made her squirm against the tree. Conrad’s plunging fingers reminded her of the other way he used her mouth and the skills she’d learned. Hollowing her cheeks, she sucked on his invading thickness.

“That’s it.” Approval heated his gaze. “Suck my fingers like you would my cock. Show me how badly you want to be fucked.”

Lost in the carnal fantasy, she obeyed, swirling her tongue around his digits. She applied suction, drawing on him, the wet, lascivious sounds making his chest heave. Soon she needed to be filled elsewhere, and her mate’s ravenous expression told her she wouldn’t have to wait long. Sure enough, he released her and unfastened his trousers. Her heart thumped as his thick, meaty shaft slapped into his palm.

In an easy movement, he lifted her against the trunk.

“This is all for you,” he said in guttural tones. “Take me, Gigi.”

He impaled her on his cock.

She moaned at the depth of his penetration, the totality of it. He filled her until there was no room for breath, thought, or anything but the molten craving that forged them as one. He held her aloft against the oak, bringing her down on his massive pole while simultaneously thrusting upward. Her senses overwhelmed, she clung to his flexing shoulders, circling his hard hips with her legs, reveling in his power and stamina. Several strokes later, she came in a flood of bliss.

“Just so,” he groaned. “I love it when you gush around my prick.”

A heartbeat later, he maneuvered her onto the grass on all fours. He entered her from behind, grunting as her pussy continued to spasm around him. Gripping her hips, he pounded into her, the heavy slap of his thighs setting off fresh quivers. Panting, she had the vague thought that this degree of wanting, of passion for another, shouldn’t be possible, but her husband had taught her to expect the unexpected. His strong, relentless drilling brought her pleasure to a crest. As she teetered on the edge, he pressed a wet finger against her secret pucker and pushed.

The incursion, illicit and exquisite, made her gasp and twist her head to look at him.

“I love you,” he said fiercely. “My nymph, my duchess, my every fantasy come to life.”

Her reply was lost as he screwed his finger deeper, the twin sensations of fullness pushing her over. Even as she tumbled into ecstasy, she kept her gaze on his. His lap slammed against her bottom again and again until he bellowed, inundating her with his hot essence. Afterward, he gathered her into his arms, and they floated on a sea of bliss, anchored body and soul, their hearts beating as one.

Steeped in contentment, Gigi gazed at the starry sky. Conrad placed a hand on the small swell of her belly, his touch gentle and possessive.

“I wasn’t too rough, was I?” he asked.

“No, darling,” she said dreamily. “That was perfect. As always.”

His laugh was male and knowing. “Who could have guessed that being with child would make you even more wanton?”

She blushed but had no argument since he spoke the truth.

“Are you complaining?” she asked archly.

“To the contrary. I’m planning on keeping you pregnant so you’ll continue having your wicked way with me.”

She slapped his chest. “Do stop being a beast.”

“Why? You love it.” He captured her hand, kissing it. “Almost as much as you love me.”

Hearing the need beneath his confidence, she stopped teasing.

“I adore you,” she said softly. “And I was ever so proud of you today.”

This afternoon, Conrad had formally presented Mrs. Sommers with the key to her renovated shop. He’d expanded the space to twice its original size and added windows to make it bright and airy. These improvements were among the many he had implemented in the last few months, making him a local hero. When the villagers proposed erecting a tribute in his honor, however, he adamantly vetoed the idea.

“To build success, one must have the proper foundation. My part was easy,” he said with a shrug. “The rest is up to Mrs. Sommers.”

“She is more than up for the task. As are the other good folk of Chuddums.” Shifting, Gigi lay atop him and gazed into his gleaming eyes. “Everything is going so well. Do you think it is possible that we have broken the curse?”

“I know my fortunes have improved.” He tucked a loose tress behind her ear. “Because of you.”

“But what about Bloody Thom? Do you think he’s gone for good? I haven’t had a dream about him and Rosalinda for months.”

“Who knows what the future will bring?” her husband said philosophically. “The only thing I know is this.”

“What, darling?”

“I will love you in this life and beyond.”

Her heart overflowed. “And I, you.”

As they kissed, the moon banished the shadows of the garden.