Page 101 of Tempting the Marquess

“Redecorating is a serious business, wife.”

“So is toy shopping, by the looks of it. How many arrived today?”

“One or two,” he said, shrugging.

Samantha raised an eyebrow. “One or two, or one or two hundred?”

“Now you’re exaggerating.”

“William, I’m standing next to a rocking horse the size of a real pony and an easel with three trays of oils. Why does the baby need those? I can’t claim to be any sort of expert, but I thought infants slept and ate rather than rode and painted.”

His cheeks flushed. Perhaps he had gone a little over the top, but prior to leaving London he’d visited several toy shops after being lured in by their jaw-dropping window displays. How could anyone be expected to choose between lavishly-outfitted dolls, battle-ready tin soldiers, and intricately carved animals?

“I don’t want the baby to get bored,” he replied, trying not to sound defensive and failing utterly.

“Bored?” she said incredulously.

“Yes, bored. When he or she marches up to you aged six months and says rattles are incredibly childish, you will be very glad I planned ahead.”

“Walking and talking at six months? That is…amazing.”

“Not really. All Hastings children have doneso.”

“Oh,” Samantha muttered. “I didn’tknow.”

“It’s documented somewhere. Alongside a proud history of preparing palace architectural designs, and writing Shakespearean prose by our second birthdays,” said William, grinning.

“Why, you...” she growled, her hand flying up and smacking his chest.

“Such violence! I count myself fortunate there is no brandy around.”

“You deserveit!”

“Have mercy, Lady Standish,” he pleaded, almost rocking with laughter as she attempted to cuff his ear. “How would I explain new bruises to the dinner guests?”

“I’ll tell them you drank too much champagne and walked into awall.”

“After recent events, that seems a very tame way to be injured.”

Samantha sighed. “I am strongly in favor oftame.”

“Yes, well, it’s to be expected with aging. You are approaching your twenty-first birthday, after all. Practically a matronnow.”

“I see. Do let me know when it becomes official, as so many things will have to change.”

“Change?” he said, startled.

“Of course. Everyone knows matrons prefer shopping and gossip to being naked with their husbands. Separate beds would be just the start, although I might agree to intimacies on our wedding anniversary, Christmas, and perhaps...your birthday?”

“You misheard me. Not matron, but siren. Sirens are extremely wicked, and naked is their favorite state. They would think nothing of seducing their husbands, or being seduced, any time…any place.”

“Here? Now? But guests are assembling downstairs for dinner,” Samantha protested rather weakly, if he did say so himself.

“They can wait,” he said, ushering her over to the windowseat.

Settling on the thick cushions, he sat her astride his lap, and cupped her face for a long, hard kiss. Samantha moaned, and he trailed his lips across the soft skin of her neck, nipping and tasting until she gasped and arched her back. The movement brought the perfect lushness of her breasts to exactly the right height for dedicated attention, and dropping one hand from her face, he tugged aside the bodice of her wedding gown to bare a taut pink nipple. Leaning forward, he alternately circled it with his tongue and scored it with his teeth before sucking it deeply into his mouth.

His wife whimpered, rubbing herself against his rock-hard erection. He slid a hand under her gown and along her inner thigh, until he reached the crisp hair shielding her quim. She was already hot and damp, but it wasn’t nearly enough. He wanted her soaked and begging. Again and again William rubbed her clitoris with his thumb, while he inched his middle finger inside her. In and out, back and forth, he teased her mercilessly until fragrant juices coated his hand, and she was writhing and panting for breath.

“Please, now,” she gasped.

Groaning, William tore open his trousers, fitted himself to her entrance, and thrust home. Her quim clamped around him, the searing wet tightness so exquisite he had to bite his lip to stop from coming instantly. Samantha rocked against him, and he gripped her hips, plunging harder and deeper inside her until she came, burying her face in his neck to muffle her scream of release. Only then did he give in to his own powerful need, shouting hoarsely as his seed gushed insideher.

“See? Definitely a siren,” he said, kissing her cheek and holding her tightly againsthim.

Samantha laughed. “A siren who will lure you into temptation anyday.”

Christ, he adored this beautiful, brave, giving woman. It might have been a hell of a ride to get to this point, but the prize of having her by his side was worthit.

Life couldn’t get any better thanthis.