Page 98 of Ruthless with a Rogue
“You didn’t need to get me food,” she said sheepishly.
Derek arched a brow.“Livy love, I wrang you dry.You needed sustenance.”
Her stomach growled.They grinned.Fine.He was right.She was starving.She waggled her eyebrows.“Apparently, losing your virginity is tiring work.”
Derek choked on…well, he wasn’t eating anything, but he did appear to be choking.
“Derek, are you all right…?”
He waved her off and cleared his throat.“Did you—did you say virginity?”His voice was oddly high-pitched and strained.
“Yes…” She frowned.“Is that…a bad thing?That I was a virgin?”
“Yes!I mean no.No.It’s a great thing.But it’s terrible.”He ran a hand distractedly through his hair.“Bloody hell, Livy.I didn’tknow.I assumed you and”—he grimaced and his whole body recoiled.He took a bracing breath.“I thought you’d already…with—” He huffed out a breath, and his frustrated growl filled the chamber.“That.I assumedthathad already happened.”
His fingers tapped erratically against his thigh.“I wasn’t careful.”His eyes shot wide.“Are you hurt?I didn’t notice any blood, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t painful.Do you need a pillow to sit on?Are you sore?Should I fetch ice?A salve?Fucking hell, Islammedinto you.Forcefully.”
Livy tried really hard; she truly did, but she couldn’t stop herself.She burst out laughing.“I’m f-fine.”She stifled another giggle.“I was extremely satisfied with how forceful you were.”She winked, and he glared at her, but his features softened.
“I would have handled the whole situation differently had I known.”He studied her.“I’m assuming you understood what was going to happen, given your experience in other areas.But I still would have taken more care.At least ensured you were all right at first, before I took you like a beast.”
She crawled over to him and planted a kiss on his lips.“Well then, I’m very happy you didn’t know.Because I’m quite pleased with how it all went.I find I’m quite partial to your…beastliness.”He smiled against her lips and tucked her to his side.“How does it feel?”she murmured, meeting his gaze with what she hoped was her sauciest look.“To know you’re the only one who’s had me.”
His green eyes glinted dangerously.“You have no idea.”His words cut off, and he shivered, something primal emanating from him.Then he pounced on her, and her laughter rang around them.“Mine.”He pressed a kiss against her lips.“Mine.”Her cheek.“Mine.”Her other cheek.“Mine, mine,mine.”Kisses peppered over her forehead.
He grinned down at her, his sharp features framed by wild, roguish waves.And that forest green gaze sucked her in.Like it always did.And in that moment, Livy thought this might be the happiest, freest, she’d ever seen the man atop her.Her smile faded, and her throat tightened.She stroked his cheek.Beautiful.
She had to be his.Needed to be.She wanted this forever.Nights like this.Seeing this man with his walls down.
“About the foundling home…” Livy whispered.
Derek’s green eyes dimmed, and she hated it more than anything.When they’d first met, his eyes had never glowed like they did a moment ago.What had been rare was becoming more and more common.Now, when it vanished, it hit her like a physical blow.He’d lived through enough darkness already.She wanted to shield him from ever feeling that way again.
He rolled off her, and they turned on their sides to face each other.She absently drew circles on the coverlet.“I had an idea to raise funds.”Her gaze flicked back to his.“I met with Lady Rutledge, Lady Pennington, and the dowager earlier in the week.They…they think my idea could be very successful.”
Derek was frowning at her now, and she rushed on, her stomach twisting with nerves.“You had said something in the theater that struck me.People aren’t willing to hand over coin without gaining something in return.And for most, altruism—knowing you are saving children—isn’t enough.”Which was preposterous.“But I thought, what if theydidget something for their donations?”
She leaned forward.“What if we held an auction where all the proceeds went to the foundling home?It would be a matter of finding items we could auction off—and individuals are much more likely to donate an item than funds.And then, we have the advantage of competition.”She tried for a cheeky smile.“Another lesson I’ve learned from you.A man wants nothing more than what another man seeks, correct?We could end up with bidding wars and raising quite a bit of funds that way.”
She paused and tried to catch her breath.Oh, she hoped he would like this idea.And not be upset she hadn’t spoken with him about it first.She’d just…she’d needed to test the viability of the plan, see if there was a chance of success before she brought it before him.Which she just now realized was not something most men would be in favor of…a woman overstepping,excludingthem.
“You…you came up with all this?And met with Dorothea, Lady Rutledge…?”
Livy nodded slowly, biting down on her cheek.His face was expressionless, and she truly couldn’t read him right now.“We’ve also started reaching out to others.They were throwing out names, and I was having trouble keeping track, but Lord Kozington was mentioned.And the Jennings.Oh, and apparently Lady Felicity just married the Duke of Devonford, so we thought we could inquire on him as well.”
Derek blinked at her.
She winced.“Are you mad?”
His mouth popped open.“Am I…am I mad?Why on earth would I bemad?I’m—” His voice cracked, and he yanked her to him, burying his head in her neck.“I’m overwhelmed,” came his muffled response.“That you would do all of this.For me.For the children.And you hadn’t even known about my feelings.Our association very well could have been cut off tonight, given the type of man I am.”He pulled back and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, his gaze settling on hers.“You did it because you’re the most compassionate and kind-hearted person I’ve ever met.”
Livy squirmed uncomfortably, her attention falling to the coverlet.She didn’t know what to do with his praise.She just wanted to help.
A soft pressure on her chin had her stare lifting back to his.“You’re brilliant, Livy,” he said softly.“There is not a day that goes by that you don’t cease to amaze me.This idea… I don’t know if we can raise everything we need, but bloody hell, I think we have a shot.I already have ideas racing through my mind.”
And there it was.The light in his eyes.Back.Her heart fluttered dangerously.“Well, then.Let’s get a quill and ink and write these thoughts of yours down.”
“As you command, Wellington.”He jumped off the bed, and she hungrily watched his bare bottom as he sauntered to his desk.
