Sutton thrust once more and his breathcame harsh and heavy. He groaned as his body shook with the force of hisown orgasm. His lips pressed a kiss to her neck.“Alex.”
Alexandra ran her fingers throughSutton’s hair, startled by the wonder of their joining. Never would shehave guessed it to be so…amazing. Why did women refer tothis act as a duty? It was certainly no hardship. Perhaps, becauseshe loved Sutton. The dragon’s tail wrapped around her, holding hertightly to him.
Sutton rolled to the side and lay next toher, careful to keep their bodies joined. “I told you itwouldfit.”An angelic smile crossed his face. The green gaze, intense. “It fitsperfectly.”
*****
The tiny bundle next to himstirred. Masses of dark chestnut curls rioted over their bodies likevines spilling down a wall. He adored her hair. He absently twirleda dark strand around his fingers, as he watched Alex doze.Impulsively, he hugged her to him, tightly, against his heart.
Alex grunted and fussed. Prickly littlething. Even in sleep, she was determined to argue with him. Suttonsunk into the pillows, enveloped in the warmth of the bed. For the firsttime since leaving Macao for England, he was blissfully and comfortablywarm. All the way to his toes. He glanced sleepily to the fire,then the mantle above. His parents stared back at him, seemingly inapproval. He felt certain Madeline would have liked Alex.
Alex shook her head, trying to dislodge acurl that tickled her nose. She tried to move and let out a cry when thecurls of her hair remained trapped beneath his arm.
“Be still Badger, let me untangleyou.” He laughed lightly. “Medusa.”
Alexandra frowned and opened hereyes. Her nose scrunched in pretended offense. “Now I am compared to awoman with snakes in her hair? I think I prefer the small, irritablerodent.”
He kissed the tip of her nose andcarefully freed the trapped curls.
She placed her hand on his chesttentatively and traced the tail of the dragon.
Sutton hardened immediately. Hewanted her again, but he needed to restrain himself. Alex would be luckyif she could sit a horse at any point during the next week. He squeezedher fingers.
“I’ll ring for your bath.” Henodded towards the brass tub. “You should soak.” He looked at herwith meaning. “It will help.”
Alex shot him a confused glance.Her brow wrinkled as if she were working out a mathematical problem. Hereyes widened. “Oh!” Understanding spread over her lovelyface. “Yes, a good soak will be most welcome.”
Sutton turned his head quickly before helaughed out right.
“Please, Sutton. I know you arelaughing at me. You must realize that Aunt Eloise’s education waswoefully lacking. She told me to lie still in the marriage bed and tothink of books until it was over.”
“And what book were you thinking ofearlier, Alex?” He turned back to her, not bothering to hide the smirk onhis lips. Alex perched in the middle of the enormous bed with her riot ofcurls covering her naked body. She gave him a mischievous look.
“Animal husbandry.” Her lipstwitched, determined not to spoil the solemnness of her answer.
Sutton’s heart thudded in his chest. Theopinionated, argumentative little tempest before him filled his heart and hismind, as nothing ever had. He saw nothing but Alex. Other womenbecame nameless and faceless. Unimportant. His eyes ran to the miniature of hismother. Madeline smiled at him.
He padded over to the bell-pull.“The water will be here in a moment.” He walked around the bed, releasingthe curtains to create a cocoon for him and Alex, before joining her on thebed.
She snuggled against him in thedark. He could hear her breathing, deep and contented, as shewaited. A discreet knock came at the door.
Sutton poked his head out of the bedcurtains. “Come.”
A parade of maids entered, each lugging apail of steaming water. The tub was soon filled to the brim and apleasant lavender smell invaded the room. As soon as the maids left,Sutton held out his hand to Alex. “Come, Badger.” Suttonpulled back the curtain and stood.
“Turn your back,” she said from thedepths of the bed.
Alex’s show of modesty, considering thetime they had just spent in bed, was oddly amusing. The words tugged athis heart.
“Turn, please.” Prim like agoverness.
He turned his back, grinning to himself.
She came out the other side, pullingbedclothes with her as she approached the tub.
“Do not turn around.” He heard the soundof her hand swish through the water, testing the heat. This was followedby curious grunting noises.
“Bloody hell.”
