Page 37 of A Wager With A Rake
“She has a point,” Theodosia said, casting Court an amused smile.
“And here I thought your sharp-tongued days were behind you,” Court teased, pulling her into his arms again.
She cast him a heated gaze, hoping he would understand her meaning.“I think not where you are concerned.”
“This is taking an interesting turn,” Harrison said, clinging onto his wife as he raised his eyebrows at her.
Rebecca cast him a sideways smirk and focused her attention on Court and Theodosia.“I trust you’ll both remember my instrumental role in your reconciliation when it comes time to name your children.‘Rebecca’ has quite a nice ring to it, wouldn’t you say?”
Theodosia’s cheeks heated from the direction the conversation had taken, even as Court threw back his head and roared with laughter.“You might be thinking a tad early in that regard.”
“Somehow I don’t think so,” Rebecca said, her lips curled into a playful grin.
Before Theodosia could formulate a suitably quelling retort, Court swept her into his arms, startling a rather undignified squeak from her lips.
“On that thought, please don’t come looking for us,” he said over his shoulder to Rebecca and Harrison.And with that, he carried her from the room, Rebecca’s delighted laughter echoing behind them.
Scarcely a heartbeat later, as the excitement built within Theodosia, they were inside Court’s bedchamber.He closed the door firmly behind them and locked it.Theodosia’s pulse raced as Court set her gently on her feet, his hands lingering at her waist as he gazed down at her with smoldering intensity.
“I love you,” he murmured, the words falling from his lips like a prayer.“I love you so much, Tess.And I intend to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much.”
Theodosia’s breath hitched, her heart swelling with emotion.“I love you, too, Court.More than I ever thought possible.”
His answering smile was the happiest she’d ever seen him, and then his mouth was on hers, his kiss hungry as he massaged his tongue against hers.His fingers made quick work of the fastenings of her gown, and Theodosia shivered as the garment pooled at her feet, leaving her clad in nothing but her thin chemise.
Court’s heated gaze raked over her, his pupils blown wide with desire.“Everything about you is… I can’t believe you are mine,” he rasped, his hands skimming up her sides to cup her breasts through the flimsy fabric.“I want you so much, Theodosia.”He pulled back and stared at her.“Unless you wish to wait until we’re married…?”He didn’t sound as if he wanted to wait at all but was a man honorable enough to at least ask the question.
“Married, hmmm?”she teased, trailing a finger down the front of his shirt.“Why, my lord, I don’t recall being asked to marry you.”
The words had scarcely left her mouth before Court was sinking to one knee before her.“Please allow me to rectify that oversight immediately.”
She brought her hand to cover her mouth, unable to believe she’d finally get the happiness and love she’d longed for.
He gazed up at her.“My beautiful Tess,” Court began, his voice rough with emotion.“You are the love of my life, and everything I never knew I needed.I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my days by your side.So will you please marry me?”
Tears of joy spilled down Theodosia’s cheeks as she beamed at him.“I suppose we could make a wager.”
His lips formed an amused flat line as he stared back at her.
Unable to tease him any longer, she nodded frantically.“Yes,” she declared with complete certainty.“Yes, Court, yes!”
Court immediately rose to his feet and pulled her into his arms, his mouth slanting over hers in a fierce, possessive kiss that left her weak in the knees and aching with need.He lightly bit into her bottom lip.Everything about the kiss charged.“Please tell me you don’t aim for us to wait,” he whispered against her lips.
“As much as I might like to drive you mad with anticipation for a moment longer, I cannot.I need you, Court.”
“You have no idea how much I need you,” he breathed, the words punctuated with soft, suckling kisses.“You have no idea the wicked dreams you have tortured me with already.”
“Show me,” Theodosia whispered, bold in her certainty and her desire.“I want it all, Court.”
Chapter 15
Court
CourtfinishedundressingTheodosia,tossing garments without care, while her delicate fingers unfastened the buttons of his coats and shirt and pushed them off his shoulders.He shifted his arms so his clothing fell to the floor, leaving his torso bare.
Their lips found each other again as her hands moved to his breeches.She broke the kiss as she knelt before him, pulling his breeches down with her.
“Tess…”
