to overcome her modesty and come to bed that way. Their state of undress proved quite convenient at this moment, for he was hungry to claim his beautiful wife on this cold and dreary morning.
They’d had a long journey back from London and only returned last night. There was no hurry for them to get out of their comfortable bed. “You must bow in my presence and call me sir or your worshipfulness. You must speak only when spoken to.” He suckled lightly on her breast, pleased when she responded by cupping his head and holding it to the spot, an invitation for him to keep doing whatever he was doing. “You must obey my every command without question. And attend to my every whim. You must show me complete and utter devotion at all times.”
“Ever your devoted servant, Your Worshipfulness,” she said, unable to suppress her laughter.
He shifted her under him, propping his weight on his elbows and now smiling down at her. “Or, we can forget about all that nonsense, and you can just love me as desperately and eternally as I love you. Genalynn, I can’t believe you’re mine. All I have, everything I am, I give to you with all my heart.”
She was in a playful humor. “All? Well, then. Give me your hard, muscled body so I may enjoy it before we both grow complacent and fat. I love you, Gideon.”
He needed no further encouragement to couple with her. He undid the braid of her long, dark hair and ran his fingers through the silken strands. He loved the way she looked with her hair unbound and tumbling in waves over her shoulders and across the pillow. He loved the way she felt so soft against him and loved the scent of her, like lemon-scented wildflowers in a summer meadow.
He wrapped her legs around his hips and teased her gently to ready her for his entrance. She ran her hands along his body, liking the feel of his muscles. Then both of them were lost to their passion, their hearts and bodies so responsive to each other, understanding what the other needed. He meant to pleasure her first, loving the graceful arch of her body and the expression on her face as she closed her eyes and allowed herself to be swept away in heightened passion.
He knew her body, knew when she was on the verge.
He increased his thrusts, plunging deep into her core, now feeling the build of his own pleasure and about to tumble over the edge. Another thrust and they exploded together, he spilling his seed and she taking him in with sweet abandon.
Afterward, he held her in his arms and stroked his hands gently along her body. “I love you, Genalynn.” He kissed the top of her head, it was a nothing of a kiss, but not for him. It conveyed that he was home, for Clovelly was now his home as well as hers. It conveyed that he was hers for always, that his happiness was inextricably wound with hers.
She kissed him on the shoulder. “I’m rather fond of you, too.”
She remained in bed and watched him when he finally rose to wash and dress. He found it amusing that she watched him shamelessly while at the same time still shy about flaunting her own body, which was truly exquisite. He liked the fullness of her breasts and her long, nicely shaped legs. He liked seeing her with her hair unbound and cascading down to her waist.
They were a good fit, he realized, and not only in the physical sense. She was modest by nature and he tended to always push boundaries. She reined him in while he brought her out.
His heart thrummed when it was her turn to rise from the bed to wash and dress. He watched her with an equally shameless abandon. But she didn’t mind. “Gideon, would you mind if we visited Throck this morning?”
“No, love. I’m surprised you haven’t requested it sooner. We’ll go right after breakfast.”
After healing from his wounds, Throck had returned to the dower house and Genalynn had arranged for ladies from the village to come there daily to help him with his chores.
As far as Gideon and Genalynn were concerned, Throck could live there for the rest of his days. Hopefully, he would be a kind and attentive uncle to their children. Most of all, Gideon hoped Throck’s love for Genalynn would turn into a brotherly love. Otherwise, the daily sight