Page 40 of Captured By the Werewolf Highwaymen

“I’ve never parted company with a lover before.”

The confession tumbled from her as Des unwrapped the stock from around his neck and used that to clean her. Despite everything they’d just done, watching him wipe his plentiful seed from her sex and thighs sent heat rushing to her cheeks. A swell of burgeoning arousal warmed her quim, to see him gently but attentively dab away the come that he’d filled her with after the most remarkable sexual experience of her life.

Not merely sexual. It was as though parts of her that had long been forced into hiding were finally free to walk in the day, warmed by the sunlight, stretching their limbs and at last able to move as unreservedly and fully as they desired.

Because of him. Des had helped liberate that which she’d been compelled to conceal.

Perhaps…perhaps Arthur had been wrong. Perhaps, as Des had said, there was nothing faulty or wrong with her. She wasn’t abhorrent. Her desires were natural.

And her books, her naughty, forbidden books, they had always promised her a world she’d never truly believed she could have for herself. Today, she knew differently. What she desired, she could have.

“Who says we’ve got to part company?” He looked up at her through the fan of his eyelashes.

“Well, we can’t…that is…” Now that she was relatively clean, though a sticky film still clung to her skin, she tugged her skirts down, covering her sex. She fastened her bodice, as well. “Going back inside together isn’t possible.”

“We’re to be a secret.” His tone was light, and a faint smile touched his lips.

“I’m not ashamed,” she said at once. “But, given the circumstances…”

He bent down and kissed her, then helped her down from the bench. Her legs were gratifying tremulous beneath her. He continued to hold her hands as they faced each other.

“No need to explain, sparrow. I understand.”

“A sparrow’s a rather ordinary bird, isn’t it?” She wrinkled her nose. “Ubiquitous. Some call them pests.”

“Ah, sparrow’s might be overlooked, but that’s where their strength is. Busy creatures, they are, hardworking and diligent.”

She rolled her eyes. “Rather dull.”

“Beautiful,” he corrected. “They’re a sign of joy, too. And hope. Quiet courage.”

Lifting up on her toes, she kissed him. It wasn’t a deep or passionate kiss, but she tried her best to imbue it with all the gratitude that brimmed within her. He returned the kiss.

It turned from sweet to sultry in a moment, her mouth opening to his, and his tongue sweeping in.

Her body went pliant and hot. Her sex, which continued to throb in the aftermath of their lovemaking, grew wet and slick, and her breasts ached for his touch. It didn’t seem possible that she could want him again after only a handful of minutes. Perhaps she was unnatural, even with what Des had said.

A rumble sounded deep in his chest, almost animal in its depth, before he broke the kiss.

“I’m sorry,” she said, hating the contrition in her voice. “If you don’t want to⁠—”

“Sparrow,” he growled, stroking his hands over her face. “More than anything, I would love to fuck you again. In every way you’ll have me. In all the rooms of your sizable house. But we’ll be missed, and I want to keep you safe.”

“I understand.”

He straightened, and smoothed her hair, which was surely a chaotic mess. She tried to do the same for him, her fingers tangling in the thick dark waves. It felt very domestic, only…

“Arthur had a valet,” she murmured. “He would never let me do anything like this.”

“Then he missed out on one of life’s greatest pleasures.” Des leaned into her touch, like a creature being petted, then captured her hand and brought it to his mouth, kissing her palm. “But we’ve truly got to go.”

“Yes. Yes, you’re right.” Reluctantly, she stepped away from him, though she wanted to press her body to his once more.

“Go first,” he said. “Straight to your room. I imagine you’ll want to give yourself a more thorough cleaning. Although,” he added, his gaze heating, “I’d be perfectly content to have you walk around covered in my seed and my scent.”

She very nearly caught fire. “You will surely cause my death if you keep talking like that.”

“Your demise is the last thing I want.”