“Was it the barrister?” He snapped. “The bloody fool who then didn’t want you?”
“Jonah—”
His eyes closed for a moment. “I like the way you say my name. Do it again.”
“Jonah,” she said in a low, seductive tone. “The barrister doesn’t matter.”
“No, I don’t suppose he does.” He unbuttoned his trousers. “I’ve wanted you since the second you walked into my study. Snarling and spitting like a wet cat. Dripping mud everywhere. Telling me dropping theafrom your name was an oversight.” The trousers were tossed to the floor.
Edwina’s eyes widened. She should have guessed, given the size of his feet.
“Did you use up all your bravery earlier, Collins?”
“No.” She got up on her knees and reached for him.
Bascomb’s mouth fell on hers, hot and possessive, as if he couldn’t wait another moment to have her. The heat of his skin singed the tips of her fingers as she traced the lines of his ribs. The curves of his pectorals. The smooth, taut belly.
He fell on her gently, their limbs tangling, the air filling with soft moans and whispers. As he tore at the top of her nightgown, Edwina heard the cotton shredding beneath his assault, then felt the cooler air of the room on her breasts. His thumb rubbed over her nipple, teasing at the peak before he sucked the tip into his mouth.
“Beautiful,” he murmured against her breast. “Much lovelier than Fielding.”
Edwina started to giggle, but it ended in a moan as his teeth grazed her skin. She pushed her hips up, begging him silently to touch her.
A hand traveled over her thigh before a thick finger traced along her wet slit, gently teasing back and forth, drawing out the wetness.
Edwina gasped as her legs fell apart.
“I think you deserve gentleness, Edwina.” Bascomb’s mouth left her breast. He kissed the line of her jaw, pausing to brush her lips with his. “Maid or not. But possibly not at this moment.” He hissed as her fingers wrapped around the hardness bumping into her thigh. “I want you too much.”
She wanted him inside her. Desperately. A part of her, perhaps all of her, wanted to belong to Bascomb. Jonah. It felt right in a way it never had with the barrister. Edwina squeezed. Stroked. Listened to the beautiful sounds he made as she touched him.
He sunk his finger inside her, his thumb brushing lightly over the pulsing bit of flesh hidden in her folds. His fingers moved over her until Edwina lay needy and writhing beneath him.
“Later,” he said roughly. “Later I’ll worship you properly. Take my time. Feast on every bit of this delicious skin. Possibly for days on end.”
Oh, that sounds marvelous.“Yes.”
Bascomb flipped her on her stomach, pushing her nightgown up over her thighs, and raised her to her knees. Fingers threaded through her hair. He kissed the line of her neck, tugging down the ends of her nightgown until her shoulders and spine were exposed. The heat of his mouth moved slowly down her spine as she panted beneath him.
A cry left her as Bascomb thrust inside her. He was so much larger than the barrister, which she supposed—
Edwina whimpered as his cock hit a sensitive spot inside her. He hadn’t lied. He took her hard. Rough. He moved his hand between her legs with purpose, drawing up her pleasure until she screamed into the pillow.
“I was terrified”—the words came out thick and harsh—“when I found you on the stairs. Never put yourself in such danger again.” Bascomb thrust into her so hard her back arched. “My heart stopped, Eddie. I thought I’d lost you and I’ve only just found you.”
Edwina’s own heart constricted at the nickname.
Her release was so blinding, so brilliant, the room spun. Bascomb’s own climax came a moment later, the warmth of his seed spilling along her thighs. His mouth fell to the back of her neck. Beautiful words fell from his lips. Gorgeous, wicked things.
Bascomb rolled to the side, taking her with him. His arms pulled her close. “Did I hurt you?”
“Only in the best way.”
His arms tightened. They lay quietly together listening to the fire in the hearth. “It looks like rain tomorrow,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
Edwina laced her fingers with his and squeezed.
Chapter Ten
