Page 146 of The Exception

We were nearing the finish line with the roof restoration, and I couldn’t wait for the rest of the scaffolding to come down. In the meantime, Lily and I continued to work on other projects around the château and the grounds.

The garden was coming along nicely, and I only wished Gran were here to see it. She would’ve delighted in such a large space to plant, to grow. I certainly did. Lily and I had tried to recreate some of what the landscaping would’ve looked like when the château was constructed, but we’d also added our own contributions. We had a vegetable garden and were hoping to add some horses to the stables.

Every day, the château presented new discoveries and new challenges. But Lily and I took them in stride—together. Because we were partners.

Our latest project involved preparing the dry moat for restoration. Lily was currently working in one of the caves of the dry moat, cleaning away trash and debris. She used her whole body to attack the ground with her shovel, and I marveled at her strength. Her determination.

She caught sight of me and stilled, smiling. I rubbed at the pang in my chest, even as I smiled back. She was covered in mud and dirt, and she was beautiful.

Lily set down her shovel and removed her gloves before wiping her brow with the back of her forearm. “You just going to watch me, or are you going to help?”

I took a step closer to her, needing to touch her. “Maybe I’ll do both.”

She smirked. We both knew we were no longer discussing the work at the château. I gave her a quick peck on the lips. “Hi.”

“Hey.” She smiled up at me. “How was your call with the board?”

“Good,” I said. Better than good.

Stepping down as the CEO of the Huxley brand had been the right move. For so long, I’d defined myself as the head of the company that I hadn’t let myself consider anything else. Hadn’t allowed myself to want anything else.

I’d clung so tightly to the brand and my control over it that I’d nearly destroyed everything I loved in the process. My relationships with my siblings. With Lily.

“Stock prices are way up, so the board should be happy.”

“Mm.” I placed my hands on her waist. “I love it when you talk dirty to me.”

She smoothed her hands up my chest, my eyes snagging on her wedding band. She wore it every day, and I loved seeing it on her finger. “What else do you love?”

I leaned down, nipping at her earlobe. “That thing you do with your tongue…”

“The—” She bit her lip.

“Yes,” I rasped, my cock already growing hard. “And I love how passionate you are about our projects.”

“Oh.” She palmed me through my pants. “Is that what you came here to discuss?” she teased. “Our projects?”

“Among other things.” I couldn’t help the guttural groan that escaped my lips.

She clutched my shirt, pulling me deeper into the cave with her. It was cooler in the shaded alcove, but my body was on fire for her.

I palmed her breast through her shirt, hating all the layers of fabric separating us. I slid my hand down to her waistband, prying it open, smoothing my hand beneath her underwear until I was cupping her mound.

“Oh god,” she whimpered as I began to tease her clit. “Oh, Graham.”

I covered her mouth with mine in an effort to silence her. I liked when she was loud, but her pleasure was mine and mine alone. With so many artisans and workers always on the property, we needed to be quiet. Though the constant background noise of construction did provide some cover.

“I need you,” she panted. She was already close. “Need you inside me. Now.”

I didn’t withdraw my hand. I didn’t change my pace. “You can have my dick after you’ve come on my fingers.”

She moaned, her eyes rolling back in her head. She let out a string of unintelligible sounds, and I kissed her forehead, her cheekbones, her jawline. Anywhere I could reach.

All the while, she kept pumping my cock, and I was damn near ready to burst. I needed her to come—and soon. I needed to be inside her.

“Please. Please. Please,” she chanted. I wasn’t sure if she was begging to come or begging for me to be inside her. Maybe both. But on this, I would remain firm—I would always make sure she came first and often.

“Tell me what you need,” I said. “Tell me what you like.”

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