Page 64 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

“I was wrong about that. You are full of life,” he said.

That was perhaps the greatest compliment he could give her.

“And I thought you were an immature, hedonistic rake.”

“I dare say, I fear I am those things.”

Mayhap he was. But he was also so much more. She gently ran her finger over the bruise on his chin.

“You are loyal to those you love, a talented artist, intelligent, brave, and the most generous of lovers.”

His countenance lit up as if he’d won a big prize or seen the cutest puppy in the world. “That might be the kindest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

Oh, how she loved to make him happy. How unfortunate that they couldn’t stay in their little love nest forever, saying sweet things to one another. At least they took time to kiss and caress as they dressed.

Thereupon, they tried to keep their hands to themselves as they snuck across town. Once they reached The Crown Jewel Inn, Kat and Evan hid behind an old oak, saying their goodbyes.

Eventually, Evan cupped his mouth to her ear. “I love you, Lady Katrina Harrington, and I shall do whatever I must to prove to your brothers that I am worthy of you.”

“Nothing and no one can keep us apart because I love you too, Evan,” she whispered back.

Chapter twenty-six

July 7th, 1818, After midnight

Damnation! Tossing and turning with a cockstand was excruciating. But rubbing it out after spending the afternoon engaged in the best sex of his life left Evan feeling as if there were a cold stone in his gut. He should be sated. But hell no, he wanted more of his siren. Truth be told, he’d probably never have enough of those passion-filled eyes or her mewls of pleasure. He craved her gasps as she came apart beneath him… above him… riding his face… Her erotic moans were utterly addictive.

A combination of physical exertion and fresh air usually cured Evan’s insomnia. How fortunate he wason the coast, where a sea dip at midnight was possible. Therefore, he retrieved a towel and a lantern and stole into the night.

His trek afforded him time to ponder his situation and come to an unpalatable decision. Despite the web of desire Katrina wove, he needed to keep his prick in his trousers until his brother-in-law—the arrogant arse of a duke—and his best friend—the moody ex-rogue—consented to his betrothal to her.

Once he reached his favorite spot below the overlook, he slipped out of his boots and stockings. After stripping down, he tossed his clothing into a pile. He chuckled as he recalled Katrina’s picture of him naked. Someday, he would ask her about it. However, right this moment, he needed to swim.

The storm had charged the sea with brutal anger. Waves roared and crashed.

Evan dashed into the water, smashing through the breaking waves. As a particularly elephantine crest rose before him, he dove beneath it. He miscalculated, and instead of coming out on the other side, he somersaulted as he was thrown about like a child’s rag doll. No matter. He emerged unscathed and continued to meet the powerful foam head-on.

He was an intoxicated kind of breathless when a bobbing light from the shore caught his eye. It moved closer to the one he’d left beside his clothes.

Someone was watching him. If it was Greyson, he’d carve the man’s eyeballs from their sockets using a broken shell. It would be easy enough since dozens were lying about.

Unless it was his other spy. The beautiful one who kissed like sin incarnate.

He swiped water droplets from his eyes and crept closer to the pebbled shore. The moonlight and the two lanterns illuminated a woman, her dress and bonnet strings blowingin the breeze. Clutching fabric to her chest, Katrina bent forward. She placed her light source beside his, stood, and waved.

He’d bet his dry towel and boots she’d come here looking for him. His heart thumped like the dickens as he waved back.

She spread the blanket and sat.

Who was he to deny her a show? He conjured his agile athlete, leaping over the waves and frolicking like a child. Her cheers, almost drowned out by the rumbling sea, were barely a whisper. Still, he relished them.

Diving deep, he placed his palms on the sandy bottom and pointed his toes to the sky. He stood on his hands until Mother Nature saw fit to upend him. Flipping gracefully, he rode the wave until he almost reached the shore. He popped up. Elegantly sweeping his arm wide, he took a bow, his cock wagging about.

Laughing, Katrina clapped with delight, hopefully at his acrobatics and not his absurdly cold and exceedingly eager prick.

He was preparing to do a backflip when she stood. Spellbound, he watched as she took off her gloves and untied her bonnet. She dropped her accessories onto his pile of clothes. Her dress drifted over her shoulders and slid to the ground.

What kind of garment came off that easily? Perchance, it was one of those new bathing dresses ladies were going on and on about. If so, he’d like to shake the seamstress’s hand.