Page 86 of A Translation of Desire
He lifted his head, looking affronted. “Don’t you dare talk about them that way.”
A giggle escaped her. This man meant so much to her. He moved his head further down, kissing and leaving little bites down her ribcage and stomach. She whimpered and rocked against him. Augustus glanced up at her, grinning wickedly. She suspected no one knew this playful Augustus. Selfishly, she was glad he was hers and hers alone.
His mouth found her core and she moaned, threading her fingers through his hair. His tongue made her quim ache maddeningly as he teased her. Her hips rocked faster, and she whimpered, needing the explosion that she knew she was moments away from.
Augustus’s mouth found her sensitive nub and she breathlessly whispered, “Augustus.”
He drew back to stare at her, sliding his fingers in and out of her quim. Her bucking increased as he ground his hand against her. She tilted her head back and moaned as the ache in herbody exploded. Augustus kissed her hip, her breast, and then her mouth before laying on his side next to her, staring down at her adoringly.
“I could watch you come undone for the rest of my life,” he said.
His words caused joy to course through her. She wanted that—she wanted him forever. They would get through all of this craziness and then have a real conversation about what they could be. She could be a duchess, couldn’t she? They could find a way for Rose to do her work, couldn’t they?
His lips brushed her ear, and he whispered, “I’m going to slide myself deep in you.”
There would be time later for conversations. Right now, she wanted him in her too. Rose pulled him over her, her legs falling open. His shaft slid into her quim, and he said, “How is it that you fit so perfectly to my body.”
It was true, she did. They just fit, and Rose knew that there would never be anyone who would suit her as much.
Their mouths came together as Augustus plunged in and out of her. Her body found his rhythm. With every one of his thrusts, she arched up into him, feeling as if they were never touching enough. His movements were intense and desperate. She clung to him and urged him on while running kisses along his shoulder.
She felt the muscles in his back tense and knew he was close. Augustus grabbed her hips and pumped into her harder and faster. He stared down at her, his face filled with euphoria and desire. His eyes flicked down to her breasts, which shook with every thrust. She arched her back, wanting him to look his fill. He let out a guttural moan before pulling out from her and finding his release.
They both were breathing heavily as Augustus rose and retrieved a cloth, cleaning them up. Neither said anything as heslowly ran his hands up and down her body. The ache in her flared again. She glanced at his face to find him frowning. Rose cupped his jaw and kissed him. “Don’t do that. We have time later to talk about things.”
He looked as if he wanted to argue against her request but nodded. His head dipped down, and he sprinkled kisses along her shoulder and collarbone. Yes, this moment was only about them. The rest of the world and its expectations could wait.
*
Augustus watched asall the board members of the Historical Society for Female Curators fawned over Rose. Devons stood by him, also taking in the bond between the ladies.
“They are terrifying together but also unstoppable,” Devons said, amused.
Augustus smiled. “You would know since you are their silent partner.”
“Rose seems to blend right in.”
Augustus nodded, and Devons’s face filled with a knowing smile. “You do know if thetonknew you had her hidden away at your house, it would be the scandal of the year.”
He glared at his friend. “She is here so I can ensure her safety.”
Devons snorted. “I think that the unobtainable duke has finally been caught.”
He wasn’t sure. Rose giggled, and his gaze swung to her. She was in her element with the ladies. “I don’t want to stifle her.”
Devons’s eyes widened. “You do really like her. Have you spoken to her about a courtship?”
Augustus scowled. “When did you start saying words like courtship? You really are a lovesick fool for your betrothed. It’s good you will be marrying soon.”
His friend simply smiled. “I am, and I have no desire to deny it. It almost destroyed me when I thought I lost her.”
“Do you think it would have been different if she had to give everything up for you?” Augustus asked.
“London’s most proper lady agreed to marry me, the owner of a scandalous gentlemen’s club.”
Still, it wasn’t the same, Augustus thought. Rose was an explorer. Hell, he hadn’t even been out of England. His life was filled with structure and dictated by his responsibilities. Rose was a woman who lived life day by day, going where the next find was. It would destroy him if he took that away from her, so he could have her by his side.
Addie turned to him and said, “When will we know it is safe?”
