“Claire, if you don’t stop, I’m going to come.”
This only frenzied her movements. She tightened her grip and sped her fingers, sliding up and down his manhood with his thrusts. She remembered how she’d felt when he’d whispered in her ear about coming and finding that sweet release.
“Come for me, Finn,” she urged, her whisper quiet beside his ear. He shuddered and released his lip long enough to grunt. His release wasn’t at all what she expected. It was a silky thread of fluid that bathed her hand in his warm essence. Finn looked directly into her eyes as he pumped into her hand, once, twice, three times, his grunts at culmination music to her ears. Finally, he stilled. He pulled her tight against his chest and held her there, his essence between them, wetting his clothing.
“Don’t look down,” he warned.
She giggled. “I already saw all your private places.”
She laid her head on his shoulder as he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, reached between them and cleaned her hand of his seed. He closed the fall of his trousers and pulled her back down on his chest. She breathed him in, that scent of the forest now mingled with something else. Heat? Did heat have a smell? If so, that was it.
“Thank you,” he said softly.
“You’re welcome,” she said as she sat up. “Don’t fall in love with me.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t.” She kissed him gently and left the room.
***
Finn cleaned himself up as best he could. Simmons would eat his hat tomorrow when he saw the state of Finn’s clothing. The man would be livid. And Finn didn’t care
. That was the best sex he’d ever had in his life, and he hadn’t even been inside her.
She could unman him with a simple touch, and he couldn’t help but think that, in a perfect world, he would offer for her, marry her, and they could love each other until the end of their days.
But such was not the case. He had better stay away from Claire Thorne. Now, how to manage that when he needed her almost as much as the air he breathed, that was the question.
Sixteen
Finn tromped down the stairs for dinner, his coat pristine and his cravat tied perfectly. But his insides were a muddle. Katherine was gone. He’d seen her off that afternoon and had sent one of his men with her. And a maid to see to her needs. She was gone. And safe, and that was what mattered. The last three days had been a living hell, though. He’d had his former mistress in the house along with the woman he wanted more than anything. It was like dragging flint in a pile of rocks and waiting to see if it would spark.
But finally, it was just Finn and Claire again. And he wanted to see her. He knew he’d pledged to himself that he’d stay away from her, but he couldn’t.
Over the past three days, he’d seen her only at the evening meal, and that was with Katherine joining them. He’d missed her. It was an odd notion. But he had.
Finn sauntered into the dining room and stopped cold. It was empty. “Wilkins!” Finn bellowed.
“Yes, my lord,” the man said as he stepped into the room.
“Do you know where Miss Thorne is?”
Wilkins looked decidedly uncomfortable. “She is in the study with His Grace, my lord.”
“His Grace?”
“The Duke of Robinsworth.”
“Robin’s back?” Why hadn’t anyone told Finn? His brother was back from the land of the fae with his magical wife, and no one had thought Finn important enough to inform?
Wilkins lifted his nose in the air and said, “The Duke and Duchess of Robinsworth are in His Grace’s study, my lord. Along with Miss Thorne.”
Finn stormed down the corridor toward Robin’s study, but suddenly Lady Anne rounded the corner and squealed when she saw him coming. “Uncle Finn,” she cried, just before she launched herself through the air at him. He caught her, unable to keep from laughing at her antics.
“Anne,” Finn scolded as he hugged her tightly and set her back on her feet. “A lady doesn’t fling herself at a gentleman.” He winked at her.
“Sophie flings herself at Papa all the time,” the girl said, her brows drawing together. “And Lady Ramsdale even kisses Lord Ramsdale.” She put her fingertips over her mouth and giggled. “Sophie’s going to have a baby.”
Goodness, a lot could happen in three months. He ruffled her hair with his hand. “I’m glad you’re home.”