Page 122 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

Unbidden, his hand lifted to his chest, rubbing at the strange ache beneath, privileged to have been giving a peek at the vulnerable woman she hid so well.I love you. He mouthed the words silently, hoping it fulfilled his promise to be truthful.

His stomach growled again, and enjoying one lingering look at his wanton goddess, he strode from the room to seek out breakfast.

After confirming Trifle had been let outside to do her business, he satisfied his enormous appetite. Finished, he prepared a tray for Charlotte and returned to their bedchamber.

He smiled.Our bedchamber.

Would she be recovered enough for another session of lovemaking? After she had eaten, of course. Simon wasn’t that selfish. Besides, she would need her strength. He chuckled to himself as he slipped back in the room.

“Charlotte,” he whispered, placing the tray on a bedside table. He pressed a kiss between her shoulder blades. “Wake up, slugabed. I have breakfast for you.”

“Ugh. Go away.” She lifted an arm and waved it at him, then it fell bonelessly onto the mattress.

He kissed her again. Inch by glorious inch, his lips traversed down her back until he reached the bed linens. “These are in my way,” he said, tugging them down. As he placed a kiss on each side of her dimpled bottom, she rolled over, giving him a full view of her voluptuous breasts and thatch of maidenhair.

“Even better,” he murmured against her navel before climbing on the bed and moving southward, completely forgetting his promise to allow her to eat breakfast.

Eyes wide, she looked up. “What are you—oh!” Her head fell back against the pillow as his mouth found the sensitive area between her legs.

Although he’d satisfied his stomach, it would seem his heart would never have his fill of her.

Sweet, the taste of her like honey. How could he have ever thought her a harpy or an ice queen? His goddess was fire, a hellcat, as she grabbed tufts of his hair and held him to her, finally shuddering with her release.

“Good morning.” From between her legs, he gazed up at her, thoroughly enjoying the view.

“Am I to be awoken like this every morning?” she asked, her eyes hazy but not from sleep.

He wiped his mouth on the rumpled sheets. “If you wish. Or”—he grinned—“you could wake me in a similar fashion should you wake first.”

Pink colored her cheeks. “Then I shall be sure to sleep later than you.”

The minx. “No doubt, as I’m an early riser.” He crawled to the other side of the bed and stretched out beside her. “So you enjoyed that, did you? And if you expected to disappoint me with that vow, rest assured, I enjoy doing it as much as you enjoy receiving.”

The blush deepened. “I doubt that.”

He laughed. “Fair point. Although I do hope someday you may find yourself willing to reciprocate. Remember”—he winked—“you would be in complete control.”

“You are in?—”

“Corrigible?”

“I was going to say insatiable.”

“Ah.” He nodded. “That, too.” Hovering above her, he placed a hand against her cheek and gazed into those dark eyes. Lord, he could fall into them if he let himself.

“How do you do that?”

“What?” He grinned—not his usual devil-may-care grin he adorned when flirting, but his I’m-so-damned-happy grin.

“Make a woman feel like she’s the only one in the world?”

Ah, that was easy. “Because, for me, you are.” He kissed her lips. “Now, have some breakfast before you tempt me further. You’re likely too tender for anything else. I’ll call Rose and have water heated for your bath.”

With difficulty, he forced himself to rise from the bed and his beautiful wife. He placed the tray before her. “Now eat before the drinking chocolate grows cold. I know you like it.”

When her mouth opened to a surprised littleO, he knew he’d pleased her.

“After I wash and dress, I’m going fishing. I promised Trifle some fresh fish for being so considerate last evening.”

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