Page 121 of Rules for a Bastard Lord
She twined her legs around him. She was wet and sensitive from five minutes before, but anything that kept him with her longer was fine. “Did he have other friends? Or was it just you?”
“Just me. Our mums were of the same status, you see. Similar protectors, both with young sons.” He pushed his fingers into her, stroking her insides in a way that never failed to make her whole body respond.
“What else did you play?”
He paused, his fingers stilled while she caught her breath. And then he was at her again, stroking her relentlessly. “Cruel games, now that I think on it. He liked to catch stray cats.”
“Cats?” She hadn’t the focus to say more.
“We were both so angry. We knew what we were—”
“Boys,” she gasped out. “You were boys.”
“Bastards with no future. And so we beat on each other. And when we grew tired of that, he would catch cats.”
“And…do…what?”
He shook his head. “I never knew, but I guessed. Even then…I guessed.”
His thumb was on her clit now, rubbing it with vague precision. He was watching her. Or thinking of the past. She wasn’t sure, except that she didn’t like it.
So she surged upward and gripped his hand. “In me,” she said firmly.
He stilled, and then he nodded. A moment later, he had on the French letter. There was no tenderness when he thrust. No subtlety as she welcomed the invasion. He was ruthless as he pounded, and she held on while he took her.
Until they both burst.
And when he collapsed against her side, she realized his face was wet. Tears or sweat, it didn’t matter. She held him against her and kissed the salty taste of him. And when she brushed close to his ear, she whispered.
“I love you.”
He shuddered then. And exhaled a soft, quiet moan.
They lay together like that for an hour. He, so still, while she held him tight. But at the end, he kissed her gently and got out of bed. He was nearly gone when she said it. A whisper, but it was clear.
“I know a way to save his life.”
He froze and turned back to her. “What?”
“If you want to help him. I know a way that gives him a chance. If he’s not too far gone.” She straightened on her elbow. “But he’s not a good man, Bram. Do you want to save his life?”
He hesitated, then slowly eased back onto the bed. “He’s not a bad man. He’s an angry man.”
“If you get him this medicine, will he thank you? Will he keep from attacking you?”
He nodded. “He will stay away.” His voice was strong, but she wasn’t so sure.
“Bram—”
“What is the potion? Do you have it?”
She pushed up. “I don’t have the ingredients. I can mix it, but you need…” She tucked her hands together. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Tell me what you need, and I will get it.”
“I have to find it.” She scrambled out of bed and began pulling on her breeches.
“Don’t be ridiculous!” his voice was sharp, but she ignored him until he gripped her arm. His touch wasn’t bruising, but it was firm. “You cannot go out at night.”
