Chapter Twenty-Four

Bronwyn shifted in her husband's lap as his lips left her ear. She inhaled deeply. Finally, the tension she had held in her bones these past few weeks eased. Home. Landon was her home and her safe space. She whispered, "And my heart belongs to you." Landon tightened his hold on her, but she placed a hand on his muscled chest, holding him at bay. "I apologize for my hasty departure from Theo's lovely supper."

Landon lifted her chin with a knuckle. "Forget about the dinner. Are you certain your heart belongs to me?"

"Without a doubt." Sheepishly, she met Landon's eyes. "After three days of hard contemplation." Landon's dimple appeared, and she bolstered her courage with another deep breath. "I have a few confessions to make."

Landon's hazel eyes were trained solely upon her. "Before you do, I have a couple of revelations I'd like to share with you first. If you don't mind."

Staring at her husband's lips, Bronwyn slid her arm up and about Landon's neck and pressed herself close. She wanted to taste the lips that she had dreamt of kissing her intimately. She needed to feel them pressed against her neck. Tilting her head, she leaned in.

Landon placed a finger upon her lips, preventing the kiss she longed for.

"If we kiss, I'll not want to stop until I have you atop me, riding me—hard."

The intensity of his gaze set her blood to boil. Heat and desire pooled at her core.

There were truths she promised herself she would no longer withhold from Landon. She needed to clear them from her conscience.

Bronwyn leaned back slightly, leaving her hand on the back of his neck where her fingers stroked his skin. "What are these revelations you want to share with me?"

Eyes shut, Landon said, "Eight years ago, when you walked into my office, I had doubts that a girl from the east side would be wise enough to fill the position of legal assistant."

"I, too, had concerns."

At her admission he asked, "Is that so? I'd have never guessed, for I distinctly remember you brazenly standing before me and claiming there was no one else better suited for the position."

"At the time, I wasn't referring to the role of being your assistant. I was speaking of the importance of someone within the Network keeping an eye on you."

Landon's face became dangerously expressionless. "Explain."

Taking a moment to arrange her thoughts, she placed both hands in her lap and interlocked her fingers. "The Network elders deemed it imperative someone be assigned to your protection as long as you were unmarked. They deemed the probability of you inheriting high, given the tendency of men in the Neale family to leave this earth well before their time. I petitioned for the position and was granted the honor of being assigned to you. I had no idea what was expected of a legal assistant."

Landon's features transformed from a frown into a knowing grin. "Yet you excelled. And that is why I know you will be a wonderful countess."

Grinning, Bronwyn said, "That is the same conclusion I arrived at. Except it took days of sorting buttons and…" Her body shook with a shiver. "And mending, to figure it out."

"I have one more confession." Landon's arm tightened about her waist as if he feared she might flee. "While I was traveling abroad with Mary and Waterford, I realized I'd subconsciously fallen in love with you and simultaneously been callous toward your feelings for me."

Bronwyn couldn't help but stiffen as she asked, "You knew I'd fallen in love with you?"

"For six years, I assumed I was misinterpreting the subtle lingering looks and undercurrents. I persuaded myself that your feelings for me were purely platonic." Landon placed a chaste kiss upon her cheek. "When Mary accused me of already being in love with another, I couldn't deny it any longer."

A knot twisted in her stomach. "Tell me, when did Mary make this accusation?"

"It was while I…" Her husband cleared his throat once more. Not a good sign. Unblinking, he said, "Amidst my attempt to convince her to consider my suit." He quickly continued, "It was the honorable and right thing to do, and I hoped it would spur Waterford to act."

"You did not know they were already betrothed?"

"You did?"

"Aye, the Network is well informed. Waterford signed the betrothal papers before he left for the Continent." Bronwyn frowned. "You had already received the mark. How is it Archbroke did not inform you of these details prior to your departure—unless you were not forthcoming with your own plans."

She had guessed correctly; guilt was plastered across Landon's features. Bronwyn placed a chaste kiss upon his cheek and whispered into his ear, "It's a good thing you married me. This way, I can prevent you from making such mistakes in the future."

Before she could pull back, Landon's lips fastened on her neck. The rogue was going to leave yet another mark. She didn't care, she let out a moan.

The pressure of his lips lightened. Landon asked, "Any other confessions?"

"Two." She wanted to be done conversing. His teasing lips had her rushing to get the words out. "I agreed to marry you because I loved you all those years you were a barrister but also because…" She took a deep breath. "I honestly didn't believe I had a choice despite your reassurances."

Landon ceased kissing her. No longer crushed to his body, the additional three inches of space he placed between them felt like a vast chasm. "You didn't believe me?"

Bronwyn tried to edge closer, but for every inch she moved forward, Landon moved back. She wrung her hands in her lap. "Not until I left, and you didn't come after me."

She regretted the hurt that resided in the depths of his eyes. Bowing her head, she continued her attempt at explaining her thoughts. "I realized it was entirely my decision if I wished to remain married to you—and I do. I've fallen in love with you. Not a barrister. Not an earl. Not the head PORF, but with the man who is amazingly patient, caring, and is…" Despite the heaviness in her heart, her lips curled into a smile as she added, "An excellent lover."

He lifted her chin. "And your other admission?"

She blinked. "I've another?" Her brow furrowed into a frown.

"You said you had two." The mischievous twinkle in his eyes reappeared.

Tilting her head, Bronwyn answered, "Aye. I love you, and I want to be your wife."

He crushed his lips to hers. She threw her arms over his shoulders and about his neck. Her skirts tangled and twisted as she struggled to shift her legs in an attempt to straddle him. Landon's hands moved down to her waist, and he lifted her with him as he stood.

What was he doing? He'd said earlier he wanted her atop, straddling him—her favorite position.

The hem of her dress inched up her leg, the material bunching in Landon's hand. With her legs freed from the material, she wrapped them around his waist.

Winding her fingers in his hair, she said, "I want to make love with you."

Landon lowered both hands to rest on the underside of her bottom. "Loosen your hold on me, love."

She obeyed. Landon lowered her until her hands interlocked behind his neck. How many more positions were possible? Her husband was constantly introducing her to new possibilities, playing havoc with her preferences.

The stiff material of his falls grazed against her core as he ground his hips to hers. She needed him inside of her. She slid her right hand down Landon's glorious chest and stomach, basking in the way his muscles always twitched beneath her touch. It was a heady experience she would never tire of.

He shifted to allow space for her hand to slip between them and unfasten his buttons. Bronwyn stroked Landon's erect shaft as it sprung free. He groaned in her ear as his cock increased in size. The anticipation of having him in her was torture. Finally, he lifted her higher and she positioned his tip at her entrance. She released her hold on him as he lowered her inch by inch, until he was deep inside of her. Incapable of rational thought, she moaned her delight. Her pleasure mounted. Landon set a leisurely pace, long slow strokes in and out. Impatient to find her release, she repositioned her hands to his shoulders to gain additional leverage. She increased the tempo. Landon's breathing became labored, and a burst of worry broke through her dazed mind.

Breathlessly, she asked, "Are you well?" Bronwyn slowed but did not cease her movements. "Should we stop?"

"No." He pumped into her long and hard. "I'm well."

She didn't believe him. Bronwyn circled her hips, squeezing her thighs tight and lifting herself to plaster her chest to his. With the tip of his cock remaining inside her, she said, "Enjoyable, but you know what my preferences are."

"Remind me." Landon's voice was strained, and his stare held a challenge.

Fully aware verbal sparring and sharing her likes in detail heightened Landon's excitement, she ran her tongue along the edge of his ear. "I prefer it faster. Deeper. Harder." Bronwyn relaxed her arms and legs to take all of him in her again. With him deep inside, she flexed the muscles at her core.

"Minx, tell me what you want."

Landon loved clear and succinct answers. Adopting a no-nonsense tone, she said, "I need your hands free to pinch my nipples and slap my bum. I want to ride you."

"What if I suggest an alternative?" Desire and a hint of mischief filled Landon's eyes.

She leaned back. The movement caused his engorged shaft to sink deeper, and she moaned as little waves of excitement rolled throughout her.

Licking her lips, she asked, "Will this new position satisfy all my requirements?"

"Hmm. Yes, I believe it will." Landon's fingers dug into her waist. He slid her higher and ordered, "Lower your legs."

She did as her husband instructed and unwrapped her legs from his waist. He lowered her until her feet were firmly planted back on the floor. Knees weak, she held onto Landon for support.

His hands glided up her over her ribs and down along her arms. He grabbed her wrists and brought them together. Holding her wrists with one hand, he stepped to the side. Landon positioned her hands to rest along the frame of the settee so she stood, bent at the waist. Her husband skimmed his hands over her back and said, "Don't remove your hands."

Landon disappeared from sight. Her hand lifted from the back of the settee as she turned to look over her shoulder. Landon lifted her skirts and, with one hand, held them in place, bunched at her waist. His other hand grazed over her right bottom cheek. She inhaled and waited for the fleeting sting of her husband's hand against her skin that would send moisture pooling between her legs. But Landon was in no rush.

His dimple appeared. "I told you not to move your hands."

Bronwyn's pulse raced at the devilish twinkle in her husband's eyes. She turned back around and replaced her hand where he had instructed to keep them in place. Instead of her husband's palm, the broad tip of Landon's hardened shaft slid down the crack between her bottom and then along her wet slit.

She released a deep, desire-filled moan. Bronwyn's eyes closed, and her head rolled forward. She wanted him inside of her. She rocked her bottom back toward him. His fingers dug into her hips. His cock filled her in one long, hard stroke—exactly the way she wanted him to. Bronwyn cried out in ecstasy.

Landon's hand roamed higher and snaked around to fondle her breast, bringing him deeper within her. Her rake of a husband circled his hips as he pinched her nipple. Shivers ran down the middle of her back. Her back arched, filling Landon's hand with her breast. He responded by giving it a hard squeeze as he began to pump hard into her.

He withdrew his hand. She wanted to plead for it to return but just as she was about to vocalize her wish, his palm slapped against her bottom and her inner muscles spasmed.

"Wife. Tell me…" Landon deepened his thrusts and quickened his pace.

Her fingers dug into the wood frame. "Landon, don't stop." On the verge of release, she began to rock back. The sound of their bodies joining pushed her over the edge. She inhaled and exhaled deeply she basked in the pleasure seeping into her muscles.

Landon continued to make love to her. The man was tireless. A tug on her scalp had her peaking a second time. Blast—she would never be able to claim a singular position as her favorite.

***

After a rigorous night of bed sport, Landon insisted they postpone breaking their fast in favor of a couple of hours of sleep. Now, well past the nooning hour, he was pleased to see his wife's beautiful face devoid of the dark smudges under her eyes. Folding the daily paper, Landon waited for Bronwyn to lift her cup of tea to her pretty lips. If she had a mouth full of liquid, she wouldn't be able to scold him for what he was about to share.

"I forgot to mention last evening that, prior to me leaving Archbroke's dinner, I announced our union and that we would be holding an official ball here to celebrate the occasion of your recovery."

Bronwyn's eyes widened briefly over the rim of her cup. "My recovery? What ailment did you give me?"

He chuckled and lifted his own cup filled with coffee. Thank goodness his wife had a sense of humor. "Nothing deadly." Before taking a sip, he added, "Theo and Mama have offered to assist you with the planning and organization."

"Splendid. That should keep them busy and out of my hair while I attend to matters at the office." Bronwyn sipped her tea and stared at him.

Landon managed to swallow the mouth full of the hot dark brew without sputtering. "Office? Do you mean you intend to return to work for Christopher?"

The corner of her lips twitched as she nodded. "Only while Christopher searches for a suitable replacement."

"Hmph. I suspect Christopher might be of a similar mind as I am. There is no one quite like you." Raising his cup to lips again, he added, "He'll never be satisfied with another." He took a long sip of his coffee.

"You know, Christopher really should receive the mark. In the meantime, I shall see to it that my replacement will be capable of meeting all of your brother's requirements. I'll have everything in place before I begin my lying in."

Coffee spewed from his mouth and flew across the table.

At his side in a flash, Bronwyn pounded on his back as he coughed and sputtered.

"You are enceinte?"

His wife let out a laugh as she rubbed his back. "No, silly. But I can't imagine it will be long before I am, given the frequency with which we engage in marital relations." One last giggle escaped her as she resumed her seat. "Do I have your permission to assist Christopher?"

"Wife, you don't need my permission as to how you go about your day. Do as you wish. I merely ask you reserve the evenings for me."

Bronwyn tilted her head, pursed her lips, and with a decisive nod, said, "I suppose that is a reasonable request. I have a similar one of my own. Will you agree to spend Saturdays with me?"

"All day?"

"Yes—all day until I fulfill my duty and birth a son."

"Hmm…" What a wonderful future he had to look forward to. Revealing his dimple, Landon asked, "And if we are only blessed with girls?"

"Then you shall be spending many a Saturday with your wife."

He winked and nodded. "You, my dear, are a tough negotiator. I agree."

***