Sliding his palm down, he cupped one of her breasts and caressed the peak, making her groan and thrust her hips up to meet his own relentless demand.
She shuddered, needing release so badly she thought she might cry. Seeming to understand her frustration, her yearning, he slipped his hands beneath her bottom and angled her, shifting so that on his next stroke, she had no choice but to take his full and complete penetration.
Her head arched back, a wail echoing from her lips as the world split wide, darkness threatening to engulf her as she plunged into a maelstrom of ecstasy. Quivering, she let pleasure sweep through her in an explosion of light and heat and joy. She didn’t know what heaven was like, but she suspected this must be close.
Above her, Adam continued thrusting, quickening his movements to a frenzied pace until he gave a hoarse shout, his hand clenched in the pillow beside her head as he claimed his own satisfaction.
For long moments, their ragged breathing was the only sound in the room, his body lying heavily on top of hers. But she didn’t mind, nestling her face against his shoulder to savour his scent and warmth.
After less than a minute, he eased away, rolling onto his back. But he wasn’t abandoning her, quite the opposite, Adam reaching out to tug her gently against his chest to cradle her in his arms.
“Get some rest,” he murmured, kissing her temple and cheek.
“Hmm,” she agreed, still floating on a haze of bliss.
“I plan to wear you out again soon, so you’ll need the sleep.”
“Oh. All right.”
Chuckling, he ran his hand over her back and along her arm in a sweeping caress. Half-asleep already, she turned and burrowed even closer.
Not long after, she heard him whisper something against her hair, words sounding curiously of devotion, oddly of love. But she was too drowsy to concentrate, too replete to pay them any heed as she drifted on the brink of sleep.
Vaguely, she sensed him reaching down to pull the covers over them both, brushing her hair back from her face as he kissed her forehead again.
Then darkness swept over her, and she knew no more.
CHAPTER 18
Mallory opened her eyes several hours later to find Adam awake and watching her, his head propped on his bent arm as he lay beside her in bed. Sunlight edged past the curtains, revealing all the corners that had lain in darkness the evening before. A tiny frown marred her forehead as she took a moment to remember the night just past, a faint warmth creeping over her skin when she did.
He grinned, obviously reading her thoughts. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.”
Becoming aware that she was lying naked from the waist up, she reached for the covers.
Adam stopped her with a hand. “No need for that,” he said, his gaze moving over her breasts. “I assure you the view is exquisite.” Eyes twinkling, he flicked a fingertip over her nipple and watched her flesh draw tight. “As I said, exquisite.”
Pleasurable shivers chased over her skin before gathering with a yearning ache between her legs. She shifted against the bedclothes, wondering how she could already want him again after the night he’d just given her. A glimpse at the tented shape of the sheet draped over his hips showed he felt the same. Smiling again, he leaned down and kissed her, his mouth moving in a tender, yet thorough claiming.
“Shall we remain abed this morning?” he asked in a husky drawl. “Or might you be a tad too sore to indulge in any more love play at present?”
Shifting her legs again, she realized she was sore, a pang of discomfort making itself known. And no wonder, she thought, recalling the stunning force and rapture of his possession. Just the memory of it was enough to make her tremble. Theirs truly had been a wedding night to remember.
“From your silence, I can tell I shall have to restrain myself, until tonight at least,” he said. “For now, I think a hot bath is in order. Shall I ring for Penny?”
She nodded, pleased by the suggestion.
“While you’re getting ready, think about what you’d like to do today.”
“Do?”
“Of course. If I can’t spend the day tupping you, as I’d prefer, then we shall be forced to resort to some other means of amusing ourselves. A ride is likely out, so I suggest either a visit down to the beach or else a jaunt into town. I understand there’s a rather decent village less than a mile away.” Kissing her again, he slid his lips across to her ear. “I hear they have shops.”
“Shops, do they?”
“Hmm. Shall I take you on a raid?”
A laugh burst from her lips, a playful sound that left a comfortable glow in its wake. It was a sensation she hadn’t experienced in a very long while—not since Michael…She stilled, waiting for the usual chill to sweep over her. But it didn’t, the warmth of Adam’s gaze, the reassurance of his touch, too strong to let anything ruin the harmony of her mood.
Actually, as she considered the idea, a day spent strolling and shopping with Adam sounded quite pleasant—more than pleasant really. The excursion sounded wonderful. “Well, if you insist,” she told him in a jaunty tone, “who am I to refuse?”
Laughing himself this time, he pressed his mouth to hers for another exuberant joining, kissing her until her thoughts turned hazy, scattering like feathers cast into a swirling breeze.
By the time he eased away, her pulse was thudding madly, her senses energized by a delicious layer of need.
Perhaps they should stay in bed, after all, she thought with a lazy smile. Then she slid a leg upward over his and decided once again that they shouldn’t.
Having apparently noticed her slight wince, he leaned away. “I’ll ring for your maid. Go on, and she’ll be with you directly.”
Dropping another kiss on her lips, he rose from the bed. Tossing back the covers, she reluctantly did the same.
Shrugging into his robe, Adam watched Mallory make her way through the connecting door. For a moment he nearly called her back, wanting to suggest they scandalize the servants and take a bath together. But he stopped himself, knowing he’d never be able to keep his hands off her if he did. Not now, not after he’d experienced the breathless, soul-stealing heaven of her embrace.
He’d known it would be good between them, he just hadn’t realized how good. And to think last night had been her first time. Just imagine what it would be like once he’d had a chance to teach her how to tap into the core of her sensuality. Just imagine the pleasure they would share in each other’s arms, with each other’s bodies.
As for more, she would love him in time, he assured himself. Already, she was laughing and smiling. Only one day of marriage, and she was more like the joyous, playful Mallory he’d once known so well.
Of course there’d been that moment, he remembered as he crossed to ring for his own hot bath, the instant when he’d seen that look in her eyes—the one she got whenever she thought of Hargreaves. But it hadn’t remained long, especially after he’d kissed her, determined to pleasure her until she couldn’t think of anyone or anything but him.
Her husband.
The man with whom she would spend her life, raise her children, grow more and more contented until both of them were old and wrinkled and grey. With each sunrise, the memory of Michael Hargreaves would lessen and grow more indistinct. And with each sunset, the only man who consumed her heart and mind would be Adam.
A knock sounded at the door. Calling permission for the servant to enter, he stood and began to get ready for the day.
“Oh, I cannot decide,” Mallory declared later that afternoon as she stood trying on hats in the local millinery shop. Adam waited patiently nearby, the milliner herself standing at the ready to assist Mallory as she studied her reflection in the mirror.
“The trim on this one is such a lovely colour,” Mallory said, turning her head to get a glimpse of the chip-straw bonnet from all angles.
“Seafoam blue, your ladyship,” the milliner told her with a proud smile. “I dyed it meself to match
the ocean here on our very shores.”
Mallory smiled at the woman’s description, the air inside the shop tinged with the pleasant scents of sea brine, woven straw, silk and ostrich feathers. “Yet the one with the apple blossoms is very sweet as well,” Mallory continued, once again inspecting the selection of hats. “Then there’s the shape of that adorable carriage bonnet. Oh, mercy, I just don’t see how I can possibly choose between them?”
“Nor should you have to. She’ll take them all,” Adam stated, addressing the milliner as he strolled forward. “See to it they are boxed up and sent ’round to the castle.”
“But Adam, that’s six hats!” Mallory protested.
“Which all look beautiful on you,” he told her before turning again to the milliner. “She’ll wear the one she has on now since it reminds me of her eyes. Pray have the bonnet in which she arrived boxed and sent along with the others.”
“Of course, yer lordship,” the shop owner said, smiling as wide as her mouth would stretch. “It will be my express pleasure. I’ll see ’em wrapped m’self and have my son drive ’em over in the dog cart this very afternoon.”
“Adam,” Mallory said in a low voice, as the other woman collected a pair of the hats and stepped away to pack them. “What are you thinking? One, or even two, would have sufficed.”
“Mayhap. But you like them all, so why not indulge? I warned you we’d be raiding the shops.”
Lines of concern formed on her forehead. “Well, yes, but still–”
“Your frugality is appreciated, sweetheart, but entirely unnecessary.” Bending down, he stole a quick kiss that made her lips tingle. “Besides, I don’t believe you ever worried about overspending when your brother was paying the bills.”
“No, but that’s because Ned has more money than most small countries. I suspect he’s as wealthy as the royals.”
Adam sent her a look. “Wealthier, I think. But not to worry, I believe I can still afford to buy you a few bonnets here and there.”
“I’m sorry,” she amended, realizing she might have wounded his pride. “I didn’t mean to imply—”
“I know you didn’t, but you are not to be concerned. I have lots of money these days, and it’s my pleasure to spend some of it on you. Just be glad we’re not at a jewellers, or you’d likely have six new baubles by now,” he teased.
She relaxed, a slow smile curving across her mouth. “Six, is it? Why not seven? One for each day of the week. If you aren’t careful, you know, I just might take you up on that offer.”
“When next we’re in London, it’s off to Rundell and Bridge we’ll go.”
“Adam—”
“Mallory.” Meeting her gaze, he waggled his eyebrows.
A laugh burst from her, loud enough that she clapped a gloved palm over her mouth to muffle the sound. But Adam tugged her hand down to hold inside his own.
“Isn’t there something you’d like to say to me?” he asked.
She knew exactly what he meant, but decided to tease him back a bit. “No,” she replied with mock innocence. “I cannot think of a thing.”
“Can you not?” he growled, clearly aware of her ploy. “If you don’t watch yourself, madam, I may tell the shopkeeper not to box up those bonnets after all.”
“But you’d ruin her day.”
“Most probably her week, since my guess is that it usually takes her that long to sell six bonnets.”
“We can’t have that,” Mallory murmured.
He stepped closer. “No indeed.”
She inched nearer as well. “Thank you, Adam.”
“You are most welcome. Now, what other ways have you thought of to express your gratitude?” he asked, giving her hand a light squeeze.
Her eyes widened. “Nothing I can do here.”
“She’s in the back, packing everything away. We’re entirely alone.”
“But we might not remain that way.” Her heart began to race as memories of their night together flashed in her mind. She met his gaze and saw an answering gleam, suddenly aware that he’d read her thoughts again—a most annoying ability. “I never fully realized before, but you are a wicked man.”
A grin spread across his mouth. “And you are absolutely enchanting. Now give me a kiss before she returns.”
“We ought to simply be on our way. A nice stroll along the beach would be lovely.”
“It would, after you kiss me. Come on, wife, and don’t spare the tongue.”
“Adam!”
“Hurry up. Tick-tock, time’s a wasting.”
“I ought to box your ears, is what I ought to do.”
He took hold of her other hand and pulled her against him. “But you won’t.”
No, she conceded silently. He was in no danger from her. Quite the opposite, in fact, since she was the one whose emotional equilibrium seemed at risk.
Kiss him here in a millinery shop! What other outrageous things will he want me to do?
But as she considered the question, she realized chances were good she wouldn’t refuse him anything, whether they were in public or private, in bed or out.
Flushing over the thought, she cast a glance toward the curtains that separated the front of the shop from the back, then arched up on her toes. “Well, come down here so I can reach you.”
Chuckling, he did as she asked.
She closed her eyes a moment after their lips touched, pressing against him so she could find a good angle. One of his arms curved around her waist, holding her steady as her mouth moved against his with a soft, sweet pressure. Pulse hammering, she pulled away—or tried to since he wouldn’t let her go.
“Where was my tongue?” he asked.
“Where it always is,” she retorted, “in your mouth!”
He grinned. “One more, with lots of feeling.”
“You want feeling, do you?”
“Definitely.”
Glancing behind her again to make sure they were still alone, she arched against him and crushed her lips to his, opening her mouth so she could slide her tongue inside his. She intended to keep this second kiss brief as well, but he tasted too good, felt too intoxicating to stop.
Another few seconds, she mused, what can it hurt?
But a few seconds turned to a minute and before she realized it, she was kissing him as if they were the only two people in the world.
“Ahem,” came a soft voice. “Pardon me for intruding, but your purchases are ready.”
Mallory broke the kiss and tried to step away. Adam refused to let her, though, using the arm he’d looped around her waist to hold her close.
Far from appearing scandalized, the milliner sent them another wide smile. “I heard tell there were honeymooners up at the castle. It does my heart good to see young love in such full bloom if you don’t mind me saying so.”
In love? Is that how we look? Mallory wondered.
She supposed it was, given the fact that she and Adam had just been caught kissing. But looks could be deceiving, as she well knew, since Adam didn’t love her—not in the romantic sense anyway.
And despite her worries last night, their friendship seemed as solid as ever. Adam still liked her, and after last night, he clearly liked having her in his bed, as well. As for any stronger emotions than friendship or passion, she had no illusions. She’d gone into this marriage with her eyes wide open. She knew why he’d married her, and it wasn’t for love.
Rather than disabuse the shopkeeper of her romantic fancies, however, Mallory merely smiled.
“Blessings to ye both on yer marriage,” the milliner continued. “May ye always be as happy together as ye are today.” The older woman gave them another one of her expansive smiles. “Now, is there any other way I can assist ye both?”
“Actually, there is,” Adam said, his words taking Mallory by surprise. “I was wondering if you might direct me to a reputable jeweller here in town. I believe I’m going to buy my wife a new bauble.”
Three hours and two baubles later, he and M
allory returned to the castle. In spite of her assurance that she had no need of jewellery, he insisted, selecting a very fine gold-and-sapphire necklace and a brooch made of emeralds, pearls and yellow diamonds that had been fashioned to look like a basket of daffodils—the national flower of Wales.
Perhaps it was a case of pride on his part, but he wanted to lavish her with more gifts. As he’d told her, he was well able to bear the expense now, and he planned to pamper and keep her in the style to which she had always been accustomed.
“A keepsake of our honeymoon,” he said as he pinned the brooch on her gown. “That way you’ll never forget this day.”
She smiled, eyes twinkling in a way that let him know she was pleased. Unable to resist, he kissed her again, delighting as he watched her cheeks turn pink.
Purchases in hand, he led her outside for their promised stroll along the harbour, then it was time for the carriage ride home.
Dinner that night was the complete opposite of the evening before, the meal one of relaxed conversation and frequent laughter. Rather than picking at her food, Mallory ate with enthusiasm, clearly enjoying the various courses that were laid before them. While they dined, he couldn’t keep himself from touching her, reaching over to cradle her hand or stroke a finger across her cheek.
Rather than remaining behind to indulge in the traditional after-dinner glass of port, he accompanied Mallory to the music room, where he spent an hour listening to her play the pianoforte. It was an experience he found both enthralling and frustrating—enthralling because she played so beautifully, frustrating because he couldn’t stop thinking about stripping her naked and taking her to bed. But rather than seducing her then and there, he let her go upstairs alone, forcing himself to wait a few minutes before doing the same.
Inside his bedchamber, he washed and shaved, then drew on his robe. Impatient, he went to the connecting door, gave a quick rap on the panel, then walked inside.
Attired in her nightclothes, Mallory sat at the dressing table, her maid behind her, brushing her hair.
Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed Page 20