Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

He could see the confusion in Caroline's eyes, and he appreciated that she didn't realize that he intended to marry her. Very soon.

It was a conversation that could wait until the morning. There had been enough revelations for one evening.

So instead, he stepped closer, bending down and reaching for hem of her chemise. He had every intention of tucking her into bed right after her bath and allowing her to sleep. In fact, her health was more important to him than any other consideration.

He'd been delaying having children. But he had to confess, knowing that Caroline carried his baby… it had made him feel very protective.

Still, he was going to enjoy seeing this woman bare of her clothing. He slowly skimmed the fabric up her legs, past her thighs, to her waist.

The air caught in her lungs, a hitch in her breathing making him smile even as her eyes widened. "Luke."

"Don't be afraid."

"I've never really…"

He knew and he held the fabric at her waist looking into her eyes. "I already know that I'm going to find you irresistibly gorgeous."

She made a little squeaking noise, her hands coming to his bare chest. "Really? You're certain?"

He pulled her close then, his lips coming to her neck as he nipped at the delicate skin. "I am a man who knows his mind, Caroline."

"You are."

"Which is why I am certain." He settled one hand into the delicate curve of her back, pulling her stomach against his. "You, my sweet, are one of the most tempting women I've come across in some time."

"Really?" He saw the pleased smile that tugged at the corners of her lip. "That is how you see me?"

"It is, ma chérie." And then he stepped back, pulling the chemise up her chest and over her head.

He wasn't disappointed.

She was a feast for his eyes. Had he said she was the most tempting woman in some time? He'd meant ever…

* * *

While she knew this man was too much for her, she had to confess, she was tempted to spend more time in his company. He had a way of making her feel so good. Both cherished and celebrated.

How did he do that? He was the most handsome and powerful man she'd ever met. How was he the one who knew how to make her feel comfortable? Safe?

She resisted the urge to cover herself as he took her hand and led her to the tub. Lifting first one knee and then the other, she stepped in, sinking into the warm water. It was exactly the right temperature and she sighed in contentment, her eyes half closing.

Until a slice of apple appeared right before her face.

"Eat," he murmured softly.

A little laugh bubbled from her lips. "In the tub?"

"Why not? Babies need good food to grow," he rumbled as her jaw dropped. He was concerned about the health of the baby? That was an interesting development.

She took the apple but paused before taking a bite. "I appreciate your help tonight. You've made all of this so much easier. But honestly, you don't have to?—"

"Lean forward."

She did as he commanded. "I am financially independent, provided the details of my marriage?—"

He began soaping her back, the sure stroke of his hand making her forget her words as she sighed with pleasure. "No one will ever hear it from my lips," he said as he continued to bathe her.

And then he began to soap her front. Her body, already turning rosy from the water, turned to flames as his hand skimmed over her belly and then up to her breasts.

"They are as incredible as I knew they'd be," he whispered close to her ear. He crouched just behind the tub, his arm wrapped about her.

She leaned back into him, all her hesitation about being exposed gone. She felt so safe in the warm water with his arms about her.

And then his hand slid lower again, underneath the soapy water, skimming over her belly until he reached the apex of her thighs.

Her eyes popped open again and she partially sat up. But his other arm held her in place. "I'm going to help you relax, get some good rest," he murmured, kissing that sensitive flesh just below her ear.

Slowly, his fingers spread through her womanhood, parting the flesh and finding that nub of her pleasure that had her instantly arching into his touch.

He smiled against her neck, his other hand skimming up her body to hold one of her breasts, lightly pinching the nipple.

If his touch hadn't been so gentle, it might have hurt, sensitive as her breasts had been. But somehow, it was the exact amount of pressure she needed, and she cried out, her arms coming over his as she turned her head to sink her face into his neck.

Held by him, wrapped in his arms, completely secure, her body hummed with pleasure, climbing quickly and powerfully toward her finish.

He whispered in her ear, words she didn't hear or retain but they only added to her feeling of safety and security. She squeezed his arms tighter, breaking apart on his hand as she cried out, pressing her head into his shoulder.

He let her body relax and then he bent over, lifting her from the tub and wrapping her in a large warm blanket before he lay her on the bed.

Then, he stripped off his breeches, climbing into the tub. Her mouth went dry, her body heating again to see him without his clothes. While she'd only gotten the barest hint of his front, his back was… mesmerizing.

Strong muscular shoulders, a tapered, lean waist, firm, round buttocks, and powerful thighs… Luke was everything she'd ever secretly fantasized about. But that was all just fantasy… wasn't it?

Because reality had taught her to be leery of powerful men. And he was the most powerful she'd ever met.

* * *

Luke bathed quickly, aware of Caroline's gaze. He turned to look at her, their eyes locking, hers filled with unabashed lust.

His cock swelled as his jaw hardened. That woman was ruining his best intentions. Didn't she know what that kind of look did to a man?

The answer was no, she didn't. She had no experience, just natural raw sexuality…

that she'd been suppressing.

He rose from the tub and she pushed up onto one elbow, laying on her side, looking like Venus as the blanket slipped off one shoulder barely hanging onto her breast.

He grabbed a blanket of his own, covering his rock-hard cock. His plan was to tuck her into the bed and hold her until she fell asleep.

But she was making that incredibly difficult as her tongue darted out to lick her lips.

"You need your sleep," he rumbled, wrapping the blanket about his waist.

Her bare shoulder shrugged up, her eyes drinking him in. "And what about your sleep?"

"I can wait."

"Oh but…" Her chin dipped even as the blanket slipped another inch, the top of one rosy nipple coming into view. He'd just held that nipple between his fingers. Why was this little sneak peek of it so exciting? And then she lifted her chin again, her eyes meeting his. "I like watching you finish. It's so…"

Her tongue darted out to lick her top lip and every good intention he'd been hanging onto was wiped clean, just like her lip. "You like seeing me fill you with my seed?"

She blinked, laying back. "Maybe you're right. The consequences are going to reshape my whole life. I shouldn't like it so much…"

"That's not what I was thinking at all." And then he dropped his blanket on the floor, stalking toward the bed.

Her eyes went wide. For a moment, her gaze was tinged with something akin to fear, her features tensing as she cringed into herself. He stopped moving. "Caroline?"

It was gone in a flash, a seductive smile pulling at her lips again as she parted the blanket, letting it fall to either side of her naked form.

Pushing aside the moment, he climbed onto the mattress and up her body, easily parting her thighs with his knees. She was soft and languid, as she moved with him. His hips fit in between her thighs, his cock lining up with her channel. Slowly, he pushed inside her, letting himself sink into her soft, wet folds. He kept his movements gentle because she was still so new to this and because… he'd seen her hesitation.

But it was gone now. Her hips tilted up to meet his, her arms wrapping about his neck. Her eyes still held his, the sweet, rich brown of her pupils made even more beautiful by the contrast of the pink tinging her skin. "Luke?"

He loved his name on her lips. "Yes, love?"

"We've never… would you… kiss me?"

He'd sunk all the way into her, his cock wrapped in her tight sheath. Of course he could kiss her. He wasn't sure how he'd neglected it for this long, but he knew he'd have trouble denying this woman anything she wished. "Can I get a please?"

"Please?" she asked and then she made a tiny gasp, as he pulled out and pushed back in, her lashes fluttering to stare at his mouth. She repeated the word. "Please?" But this time, it came out breathy and full of want.

Fuck, he loved the way she sounded. He dropped his mouth to hers, remaining buried inside her, as he brushed his lips against hers. Once, twice, three times before he ran his tongue over the plump flesh.

"Oh," she said on rush of air. "Oh, that is wonderful." Her hips bucked against his, causing him to move inside her, making them both moan.

How… how was this woman—of all women—the most erotic he'd ever known? Her legs wrapped about his, pulling their hips tighter together, even as he plunged his tongue into her mouth.

She curled her fingers into his hair, pressing him closer as he began a slow stroke in and out of her, which should have meant that he was also slow to climb toward his finish. But somehow, the leisure only heightened the excitement as her sheath tightened around him, her legs locking them even closer together.

He deepened the kiss, feeling more connected to her than he ever had to anyone in his entire life as they climbed higher and higher.

Finally, she cried into his mouth, her body spasming once again as she climaxed, her sheath clenching around him. It was the last straw, and with a roar, he came, spilling his seed deep inside her.

He kissed her over and over as they floated down. Rolling onto his side, he pulled her with him, keeping her cradled against his larger frame.

It took less than a minute for her to fall asleep, her features relaxed and so… pure, as her eyelashes fluttered on her cheeks.

He stared at her for the longest time, brushing her hair back from her face. What a night. She'd been right.

He was never going to be the same again.

Tomorrow he'd detail their future. And then he'd quit the club.

Easy.

He'd never been surer of his path forward. He fell asleep with the knowledge he'd worked it all out. Caroline would marry him. Ironheart would take care of the club. And as for the investigation into the murders, another of the members would have to take up the mantel. Luke was finished.

Now, everyone else just needed to fall in line.