The Convenient Bride (15 page)

His hands began to
explore further afield now, stroking, caressing and teasing her back, hips, bottom and thighs but it wasn’t enough for him. He rolled them over until Lucy was on her back and took her breast in his hand, rolling her nipple between his finger and thumb. She groaned through their kiss and Max’s hand traced a path lower, over her stomach to her mons, running his fingers gently through the hair, which he knew she loved.

Finally he separated her
wet folds with his finger and began to rub her clitoris.

One of Lucy’s hands was caressing Max’s back while she slipped the other hand between them, grasping his length in her fist and rubbing the drop of fluid into his bell end with her thumb.

Max groaned and dropped his head to her shoulder. It had been so long since anyone other than he had pleasured him, and every sensation was so much more intense because of that.

“I need you,” he told her, his voice husky with desire.

Lucy apparently felt the same way and opened her thighs further as an invitation.

Max didn’t need telling twice and settled between
her legs. As he buried his shaft within her hot depths, he felt as if he had come home and paused to look down at Lucy. It wasn’t the sex so much as they eye contact that moved him.

They had both been completely honest with each other and there were no more secrets that could put distance between them now.

She smiled up at him, reaching her hands up to caress his face for a moment, before pulling him down for a hungry kiss. Max began to thrust into her and Lucy wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly.

To date, every time that Lucy had climaxed, it had been with stimulation from his fingers or tongue, so he was surprised to realise that she
was building to an orgasm just from penetration. He began to thrust harder, hoping to give her more stimulation.

Lucy began to whimper and gasp as she got closer to release and when her
climax finally hit, she cried his name, digging her fingernails into his back. The muscles of her tight sheath clamped down on his member and Max followed her over the edge moments later.

They lay there for a long time, both breathing heavily as they recovered. Lucy came to her senses first and began caressing him, stroking his back, then lightly scratching his rear. Max responded by beginning to nibble her neck, lightly nipping the sensitive skin there and he was surprised to realise that he was growing hard again; he hadn’t even pulled out yet!

Lucy laughed softly. “Someone’s keen.”

“You have no idea,” he whispered seductively in her ear.

He thrust into her a few times, just enjoying the moment, then he pulled out as his mouth left her neck and he crawled backwards, placing kisses over her chest and navel, until his head was between her thighs. He gave her a wicked grin, then passed his lips over her clitoris and began to stimulate the sensitive tip with the rough side of his tongue.

He teased her until she was
writhing in pleasure on the bed, begging him to take her again. He held out though, enjoying teasing her, until she grabbed two handfuls of his hair and literally pulled his head up.

“If you don’t take me right now, I will make you
very
sorry.”

Her pupils were dilated, her cheeks were flushed and her hair was wild; Max didn’t think he’d ever seen a more appealing sight. With a triumphant smile, he acquiesced and guided his length to her entrance. Lucy met his thrusts with equal enthusiasm but apparently he wasn’t hard enough for her and with a little effort, she flipped them over and began to ride him, literally slamming her pelvis into his. She closed her eyes and threw her head back and Max realised that there was indeed a more appealing sight than seeing her
lying passive and dishevelled under him, and that was seeing her aggressive and dishevelled, riding him.

He reached up with both hands and began to lightly pinch and tweak her sensitive nipples. Lucy sped up her movements and began to groan with each thrust until finally, she came, her features squeezed tight, almost as if the pleasure was painful. It only took another two thrusts until Max spilled his seed into her.

“Oh, my word,” Lucy said, collapsing on top of him. “I feel as if I’ve just run ten miles.”

Max wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hair. “
And me, only this was much more enjoyable.”

“Mm
m,” she agreed and he felt her lips turn up as she smiled against his chest. A few moments later, he realised that she was sound asleep.

Now it
may have been her anxiety about their earlier talk which had tired her out. It might have been the time and energy she spent taking care of her guests the last two days, or it might have been the walk she took with some of the ladies today. Max, however preferred to think that he had tired her out, and that thought did wonders for his male pride.

He gently
rolled her onto her side so that she would be more comfortable and after placing a tender kiss on her forehead, soon joined her in a deep slumber.

The g
rouse hunting season began in mid-August so until then, the younger gentlemen had decided that they needed another way to prove their athletic prowess, and so a series of games had been devised, along with a points system. Obviously all of the women were there to cheer their loved ones and the men stripped off their coats, cravats and waistcoats, rolled up their shirt sleeves and prepared to battle for their honour.

They began with a tug of war, with the men who were interested dividing into two teams.

Next came a race; two laps of the garden. No one knew quite what distance that was but with the start and finish line by the house, where the ladies had gathered, no one much cared. This wasn’t about sportsmanship; this was about impressing their wives (or potential wives).

Lucy of course cheered for Max but he came in second to Jon Steadman, who was desperate to impress the young and beautiful Sarah Martin and earned a blush and a coy smile
from her for his trouble.

Once Max had crossed the finishing flag, Lucy began cheering for Giles, who had come alone and didn’t have anyone to cheer for him. The single young ladies couldn’t be so gauche as to cheer for a single man
that they liked, so instead they had to cheer for a father or married man, even if they hoped that someone else would win.

Giles came in fifth, second to last, and Lucy gave him a big smile to try and console him. She got cool drinks for Max and Giles and after giving her husband a congratulatory kiss, approached Giles.

“Never mind, there are more games after lunch.”

Giles smiled warmly at her. “I do seem to have lost some fitness since I left the country. City living is so easy, it makes one soft, don’t you think.”

“I suppose,” she said to spare his pride.

“Anyway, archery is up next, no? That’s far more my game.”

“Good.” Lucy caught Max giving her a dark look but she ignored it. He didn’t like Giles but Lucy knew he was harmless.

Soon afterwards, lunch was served and everyone headed inside.

“I really do wish you’d avoid him,” Max said as he walked Lucy inside.

“Giles is harmless.”

“I don’t like the way he looks at you, as if you are some kind of prey.”

“You look at me that way sometimes.”

“Exactly,” he raised his eyebrows as if he had just made his point.

Lucy laughed. “Honestly, Max, he’s a kind man and after he saw me home
on that awful day, I would expect you to be grateful to him. He went out of his way to make sure I got back safely.”

Max couldn’t argue with that but he knew Giles had dishonourable intentions towards his wife. He knew it because he had those same intentions most of the time, but then he was her husband and allowed to feel that way. He was certain that Lucy would never betray him, she was far too moral for that, but Giles could still compromise her reputation… or worse.

“Please, Max, make an effort to be nice to him? His family is from the north of England so he hardly knows anyone here.”

Max nodded and pulled her against him. “I’ll try, my love, but if he shoots you many more of those looks, I
might just have to hurt him.” His tone was teasing for her sake, even although he meant every word.

“Max, you are bad.” She laughed, wriggling to get free before anyone noticed their
passionate embrace.

“I will not release you for anything less than a kiss,” he stated, which
ceased her struggles for the moment.

“Is that right?” she asked smiling.

“Yes, so either kiss me now or be prepared to remain in my arms all afternoon.”

He liked that she
had to consider her choices.

“But how do you intend shoot a bow with me in your arms?”

“I’ll manage somehow,” he assured her.

The others were all inside now so they had a little privacy.

“Very well then,” she said with a theatrical, long-suffering sigh. “I suppose I must kiss you.”

Max didn’t need telling twice and claimed her lips in a
lusty kiss that when it ended, left Lucy feeling rather impassioned.

‘
Let Giles try to catch her attention after that,
’ Max thought rather smugly.

Lucy stepped out
of his embrace. “Right, well, um…” She smoothed the skirts of her gown, though it was still immaculate. “I suppose we should go inside before our guests miss us.”

“Indeed.” Max smiled, lo
oking very pleased with himself not to mention, far more composed that she felt.

Lucy couldn’t have that and she stepped up to him.

“Unless you wanted to retire to bed for an hour,” she suggested in a seductive voice as her hand discreetly rubbed the bulge in his pants.

“Uh…”

She felt his length swell and with a jaunty smile and cheeky wink, Lucy stepped away and headed into the house. Now at least she wouldn’t be the only one longing for the end of the afternoon, when they could retire to their rooms for an hour. Or perhaps even two.

Max had little choice but to remain outside until the signs of his desire had cooled,
although he intended to make Lucy pay for that little stunt later, as she no doubt planned to repay him for his.

***

Giles had gone first in the archery and he took a seat next to Lucy once he was finished. Max glared at him but went to sit with his parents, choosing not to make a scene.

“You were right,”
Lucy smiled. “You do shoot very well.”

“The result of a misspent youth,” he smiled.

Lucy knew that Max didn’t like Giles but then, he had never really made an effort to talk to him. She knew that Giles probably did have a little interest in her as a woman, she had noticed a few of the predatory glances that Max so disliked, but she was also sure that he was a gentleman and would never act on his feelings.

Plus, h
e was charming and witty company and she saw no need to cut him from her life, especially after he had been so kind to her, so she ignored the looks that Max gave them while they chatted.

They discussed tennis, which was the next game on the agenda, although that would wait for tomorrow when they would hold a miniature
tournament, then the conversation moved onto horses, during which Giles got Lucy to agree to show him around her estate on horseback before he left. Finally they discussed how pleased they were to leave the hustle and bustle of London for a while.

They clapped each archer when he was done, even if they weren’t really
paying attention.

“You seemed to be having fun with Mrs Porter over lunch,” Lucy noted.

“Oh yes. You know, for a married lady, she’s very racy.”

“I don’t believe you.” Lucy laughed, unable to imagine Abigail Porter as naughty. She was still young, perhaps 25, and very pretty but she was such a moral woman that it was difficult to imagine her ever being racy.

“No? Well she told me that her husband recently bought her a series of silk chemises, some white but some… well,” he lowered his voice, causing Lucy to lean in closer to hear. “She confessed that he bought her blue, red and black ones.”

Lucy’s hand flew to her mouth unable to believe
something so shocking. The idea itself was actually rather appealing, and she wondered how Max would react to such a garment. However, the thought that Mrs Porter would ever discuss her undergarments with a man other than her husband, was truly unbelievable.

“Giles, you are awful!”

“No, really, it’s true. I swear.”

“And I’m sure she just blurted this out to you over cold game pie?”

“Last night, actually. After you and Max went to bed, a few of us stayed up talking and playing cards and what not. Come midnight it was just she and I left playing; we were out of earshot of her husband and I think she had imbibed perhaps a little too much alcohol, which helped loosen her tongue.”