Sophie’s heart raced, and sunshine exploded within her. She rose from the tub, dripping, and jumped into Zach’s arms.
Zach laughed. “Does that mean you’re happy about my revelation?”
“Happy? I’m ecstatic. And I love you too, Zach. Completely.”
“Well, since your father has demanded that I do right by you, he shouldn’t balk at us marrying.”
“I love my stepfather, and I appreciate everything he’s done for me, Ally, and our mother. But I am of age, Zach. He can’t force me to marry anyone. I choose you of my own accord.”
“Then you’ll marry me?” he asked.
“Of course I will.” Sophie smiled.
Zach twirled her around, splattering water all over the bath chamber. He squeezed one globe of her bottom and then jerked backward, nearly dropping her. “I’m so sorry. You’re probably still sore.”
“Really, do you think I care? I, timid Sophie MacIntyre, just received an offer of marriage from an amazing, handsome, wonderful man. Zach, I truly thought I was destined for spinsterhood.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it.” He smiled. “I’ll take care of you, my love. Your stepfather may not believe I’m worthy, but the theatre is a good business.”
“Of course it is, and I’ll be happy to perform for you as often as you like.”
“Would you still? After marriage?”
“Of course. Why would I give something up that has brought so much joy to my life? I want to be part of the theatre, Zach. It’s a huge part of your life, and now it will be a huge part of mine.”
“Then we’ll run it together, my charming soon-to-be Mrs. Newland. I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”
She winked. “Not anything?”
He laughed. “Perhaps a few things.” He carried her to the bed, placed a pillow under her bum, spread her legs, and kissed her in her most private area. “I’m going to feast on you, Sophie, my lovely wife-to-be. I’m going to eat you until you come and come again and are begging for me to stop.”
Sophie spread her legs eagerly, and Zach dived between them, sucking on her clitoris, sliding his tongue through her slick folds.
“You taste so delicious. I will never tire of eating you.”
Eating her… Words she’d considered vulgar a mere few weeks ago. Now they aroused her. She wanted him to eat her. She would gladly spread her legs for him whenever he asked.
He pushed her thighs forward and slid his tongue across that most private place. “One day, my love.”
Sophie nodded against the comforter. She had read of the act in the story of Lord and Lady Peacock. Angelica got taken in the arse, and Poppea did it to herself with a… Well, in the story, it was called a glass phallus. Perhaps another name existed for it. She would ask Ally.
“Such a bewitching little puckered hole, my Sophie. It’s a tight heaven, I tell you.” He slid his tongue over it again.
She shivered—such an intense feeling. Who knew such a forbidden place could create so much pleasure?
She felt his tongue probing and even entering it. Then he moved back to her pussy and then up farther, meeting her gaze, his chin glistening. “My love, may I show you the hidden joys of this little gem?”
Sophie nodded. She could not deny him anything now. She had already given him so much more than she’d ever given anyone, had ever even thought of giving anyone.
He smiled. “You won’t regret this, sweet.”
He glided his tongue along her anus again and again, and just when she was getting used to the amazing sensation, his fingertip slid inside the tight hole.
She jerked, the burning pain invading her senses.
“Breathe, Sophie. You will adjust. Give it a few seconds.”
She let out the breath she only then realized she’d been holding.