Page 36 of A Gentleman Never Surrenders
“No more running off to save people. I’d like to be a little selfish and claim you for myself. We never had a honeymoon, if you recall.” She smoothed her hand flat on his chest above his heart, feeling a warmth so deep it stunned her as she counted his heartbeat.
“No more running off,” he promised. When she looked up, his eyes were dark and fathomless.
“Owen, may I ask you something? I want an honest answer.” His heart began to pound, and she licked her lips nervously.
“Honestly, that I can do. I’ve never been one to lie, except when necessary to prevent harm.” He frowned, then continued. “Whatever you ask, I will always answer honestly.” His arm around her waist squeezed slightly.
“When you realized it was me and not Rowena in the bed, were you very disappointed?” Asking him this felt like a knife was sliding between her ribs to cut her heart to ribbons, but it had been a lingering thought in her mind for a long time.
His heavy sigh filled her with so much dread she couldn’t breathe for several long seconds, but she knew deep down from the start he’d wanted Rowena, not her. What she truly feared more than anything was that he still wanted Rowena but was doing the honorable thing by her and wouldn’t stray, not even if his heart asked him to.
“I had set my sights on her; that much is true. If my valet hadn’t made an error about which room she was in, I’d be with her now.” He paused, his expression so serious that she knew what was coming next.
And here I was foolish enough to ask him to break my heart by telling me the truth.
“You would be happier then? If you ended up with Rowena?”
She didn’t want to look at him, but she couldn’t find the strength to turn away. His eyes softened and a hint of a smile played about his mouth.
“I’m sure we would have gotten along, but she isn’t you. I don’t want to be married to anyone else now that I’ve been with you.”
His response was so unexpected that she blinked owlishly and gaped, openmouthed. He lifted his hand from her waist and used his fingers to close her mouth by gently tapping her under her chin.
“You don’t believe me?” He laughed, sheer delight making his eyes sparkle. At first she used to hate his teasing, but she’d realized now that it was part of how he showed affection, something she’d come to crave in the days they’d spent together. But his admission now, that he really wanted to be with her, filled her with a stirring of hope so strong that she couldn’t speak.
She only managed to shake her head.
“Milly, sweetheart, you’ve seen how stubborn I am, how much help my home needed…I believe there is but one woman on earth who could handle me and my home. That woman is you. Rowena is a dear girl, but I need someone who can brave the wild with me, take me in hand when I act unreasonable, manage my household, see to my…passions.” He added this last part with a little wink.
“You truly…like me?” She had never felt so vulnerable in her life. She’d managed to go her entire life without needing validation from anyone, especially a man, but Owen mattered. She ached to be cared for, liked back, as much as she liked him.
“I do.” He kissed her, in a slow, lingering tasting, and she purred, sidling ever closer. She could have died from happiness. He liked her. It wasn’t love. They hadn’t been together long enough to love, but maybe someday…He was proving he was a partner in their marriage and that affection was growing between them. She’d never imagined she could have been so lucky to end up married to a man like him.
“What about me?” he asked.
“Hmm?” She didn’t want him to stop kissing her.
Owen brushed a lock of hair back from her face. “Do you like me? I imagine you hated the idea of marrying me.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “I thought my life had ended. You were so arrogant, so…full of trouble, but I am happy I was wrong.”
“Full of trouble?” He bit her bottom lip, then kissed her again, flicking his tongue in and out until she was wet and squirming. This discussion was exciting her body all over again. Was it mad to be wildly in love with and hungry for one’s husband? It certainly wasn’t proper, but with Owen she knew she’d have to leave all propriety behind to enjoy life with him.
“Full of trouble sounds like it might be a good thing.” He rolled her onto her back and slid between her parted thighs, thrusting inside hard and fast. The sensation of the sudden fullness made her gasp and arch her back. He didn’t let up, the wild rush of this joining so different from what they’d done a short while ago. Clawing his back, she hissed in pleasure and nipped his neck. He growled and trembled above her, and she laughed against his skin. She never could have imagined this, a mating of two bodies so pleasurable that it bordered on the point of pain. She wanted more, so much more.
“Yes, Owen, yes,” she whispered, her breathing ragged. It wasn’t just the sex she was agreeing to, but something more, something she was so afraid to say except to tell him yes. His answering reply dared to give her hope.
“Anything for you,” he promised. In that moment, she believed him. She could have anything with him, and he with her.
Chapter 13
The morning after Owen had come home, Milly awoke, smiling, and then wincing as her lower body protested with soreness. Last night had been wonderful, explosive, and certain more feminine parts of her were feeling the effects of her and Owen’s bedplay. Despite the discomfort, she still grinned and let out a breathless giggle of pure happiness. She didn’t regret anything. Last evening had been wonderful. Owen was home and they would be working side by side again. It truly felt like her home now, too.
The last week or so she’d worked alongside the staff to make Wesden Heath hospitable again, and the pride from knowing she’d helped to make a difference made her almost bursting with joy.
The bedroom door opened and Owen came in, holding a breakfast tray.
“Morning, sweetheart. I took the liberty of taking this from Constance so she could see to her other duties.” He set the tray across her lap and kissed her lips.
