Chapter Twenty-Six

F lora and Lennox climbed the stairs to their bedchamber. The last of their guests had departed with the heaviness of a failed plan. However, they had persuaded Sara to remain the duke’s governess. Somerville and Sara would depart for London on the morrow with his daughter. The duke had planned a trip to London for the holiday season to visit his late wife’s family. With any luck, they would find answers about the connection between Sara and the villain who threatened them.

Lennox closed the door and moved to the bed to tug off his boots. “I am sorry I failed you, my love.”

Flora moved between Lennox’s legs and brushed her fingers through his hair. “You have never failed me.”

Lennox scoffed. “More than I care to admit.”

Flora slid to the floor, her dress pooling around her. “Our past failures shall remain in the past where they belong.”

“Still ...”

“Shh,” Flora whispered, sliding the buttons undone on the placket of his trousers.

“Flora,” Lennox growled.

His wife was clear with her intentions when she wrapped her hand around his cock. He was powerless to stop her attention when she raised her head and desire flared at him with a need so powerful it left him shaken under her control. When she flashed him a wicked smile before sliding her tongue along the length of his cock, his growl vibrated throughout his body. He arched his hips when her lips wrapped around the tip and drew him deep inside her mouth.

How he held back from rocking back and forth with an urgency to claim control was beyond him. However, he held himself back from demanding his desire and lost himself in the ecstasy of Flora’s devotion. Lennox wanted to roar with satisfaction, to shake the rafters and pound his chest at her tender show of love. Instead, he sank his hands into her flaming tresses and guided her on how to pleasure him with a gentleness that left him at her mercy. When she licked the juices from the slit of his cock, he tightened his grip.

“Flora.”

Lennox’s gravelly groan of her name stroked the flames of Flora’s desire to a higher level. His sounds of pleasure empowered her. She trailed her tongue around the tip of his cock and savored his desire. She had longed to please him in that manner after the countless nights he brought her to the pinnacle of pleasure with his mouth between her thighs. To listen to his moans as she worshipped him only intensified her need for them to become one.

Flora slid her mouth down his cock, increasing the pressure the deeper she drew him in. With each pull of him in and out of her mouth, his cock grew harder and throbbed against her tongue. She ached to feel the pressure of him inside her as they flew over the edge and into the ecstasy of their love.

Flora rose from the floor and pushed Lennox back on the mattress as she settled on his lap. She tore at her skirts to lift them out of the way as Lennox guided himself inside her. No words were necessary. Their bodies connected in their silent harmony to become one with one another.

Flora sighed as she sank down on Lennox’s cock. He settled in so deep inside her core that she threw her head back at the sheer intensity that shook her soul. Their fears floated away each time she slid up and down on his cock.

Lennox could hold back no more. He needed the softness of Flora’s flesh against his. To feel her lips upon his as her heart beat in rhythm with his. He ripped her dress apart with his control slipping away. The delicate lace she had teased him with earlier taunted him by keeping him away from her soft skin. However, nothing would keep him from what he most desired. The material split apart with one hard grip before he could even tug it away. At Flora’s gasp, he devoured her with a kiss, expressing his ravaged emotions.

“I will buy you a hundred more,” Lennox muttered as his lips trailed a path along her throat to her breasts.

He licked at her nipples, teasing them by drawing them between his lips but not sucking on them. Flora’s pace increased, rocking on his cock with a need she chased to find fulfillment. Her fingers held his head clasped firmly against her breasts.

“Please,” she begged.

Lennox might have been a barbarian, but he was also a gentleman. And if a lady requested an act from him, he would never deny her. He scraped his teeth across her nipple before sucking it between his lips with enough pressure to set her swaying against him with her wetness, coating his cock with her passion. His vexing heathen was close to falling over the edge.

Lennox rolled Flora over on the mattress and stripped his shirt off over his head. Flora kicked at his pants until they slipped off. She wanted to feel every inch of Lennox’s brute strength against her softness as he claimed her soul. Her body ached with an unrelenting need only he could appease.

His cock stroked in and out of her with each demanding slide. Flora wrapped her legs around his waist and pressed her heavy breasts against his chest. She pulled him down for a kiss to express to him how much she loved him. That he was her hero and she trusted him with her heart and soul.

“I love you.” Flora could no longer hold back her desire.

Lennox caught Flora as she lost control and joined her in the throes of ecstasy wrapping around them. Their passion grew stronger with each passing day. He would forever be enamored with the lady he proudly called his wife. He had never appreciated what was before him until it was too late. However, Flora gifted him with her forgiveness and offered him redemption for his past sins.

Flora was a gift he would forever treasure.

Flora nestled in Lennox’s embrace, finding comfort in the simplicity of their love after a passionate exchange. The bond of their affection only strengthened with every touch. Lennox was the man of her dreams even when she thought he had deceived her. He showed her what it was like to love someone with them unaware. The strength of his love kept the bond between them alive, a bond she promised never to break again.

Lennox was a gift she would never take for granted.

~~~~~

F LORA AWOKE TO LENNOX watching her in silent regard. His gaze held a tenderness that warmed her heart.

He brushed the hair from her face. “Good morning, Lady Hepburn.”

“Mornin’,” Flora murmured.

“I love you.”

Lennox’s soft declaration melted Flora’s remaining doubts. “I love you too. I always have and always will.”

He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “Then you will remain my wife?”

Flora cupped his cheeks. “Do you hold doubt, my barbarian?”

Lennox growled at her endearment. “Do you wish to see my true barbaric side?”

Flora waggled her eyebrows. “Perhaps.”

Lennox pulled Flora on top of him. “How soon do you think we can send your brothers and my sister back home?”

Flora laughed. “I thought we might join them.”

Lennox went still with a serious expression. “Is that your wish? Or what your brothers have pressed upon you?”

Flora soothed away his frown. “’Tis what I wish. I miss my parents and my home.”

Lennox closed his eyes so Flora wouldn’t see his disappointment in her not remaining by his side. “I will make the necessary arrangements, if that is your wish.”

Flora frowned at Lennox’s reaction. Then she realized he thought she meant to return to her parents' home. “When I said my home, I referred to the Highlands.”

Lennox’s eyes flew open. “Then you do not wish to return to your parents' home?”

“Only for a visit. My home is with you, my love.”

“As mine is with you.”

Wherever Flora wanted to travel, he would follow.