Jennette relinquished control to him. She needed him to love her with his strong body, to prove there was even a small chance he might love her.
Leisurely, he lowered her to the bed. The dim afternoon light caught the silvery flecks in his eyes as he brought his sensual lips down on hers. Tenderness and passion mixed until desire overtook them both. He moved his lips down her neck to her breasts and suckled deeply until she squirmed and bucked under him.
“Matthew,” she whispered. The words wouldn’t come out of her mouth. Fear of rejection kept her admitting her love.
His lips traveled down her belly, even further until he reached the spot he knew she loved. Her body cried out for his when his tongue rasped against her nub. Feeling the sensations building, she fought against them. She wanted him inside her, filling her, making them one.
“Now, Matthew,” she demanded in a hoarse whisper. She could feel his lips smiling against her thigh.
“Anything you say, my lady.” He rose up, brought her legs with him, and entered her quickly, deeply.
Jennette shut her eyes, feeling the sensations of being with the man she loved.
“Open your eyes, Jennette,” he said.
She blinked to find his face close to hers. Matthew grabbed her arms and brought them over her head, linking hands with her. His body lay atop hers as he slid farther into her and then back out. Pleasure built and she stared into his eyes, watching his expressions.
There was love in his eyes, she was certain. She should tell him. But the pleasure changed to pressure and she had no control. Lifting her legs higher on his hips, he sank in deeper, sending her quickly over the edge.
“Matthew,” she cried but the words she needed to say refused her.
“Oh Jennette,” he thrust once more before stilling his muscles and spilling his seed into her.
She watched as his face contorted in pleasure, and she smiled, knowing she had done that to him.
Matthew awoke slowly. He rolled to his side and watched Jennette sleep. They had a very bad habit of not being able to keep their hands off each other. While this would be a good thing in a wife, she still hadn’t agreed to marry him. Most likely because he hadn’t asked her yet.
He hadn’t wanted to become so carried away with her before they talked. But their lovemaking always amazed him. This afternoon had been different, far more tender and sensual than any other time.
She blinked her eyes open and smiled at him. “I thought we were supposed to talk,” she said softly.
“Hmm, I think we became preoccupied with other things.”
“I think you’re right. We seem to always have that problem.” She rolled to her side and caressed his face. “Matthew, why didn’t you tell me how bad your situation was?”
“I thought I had.”
“I just never imagined you living like this.” She looked around. “I could have at least helped you by hiring a few servants—”
“No,” he interrupted. “I told you before I would not take your money.” Resting against the pillows, he pulled her closer.
“Matthew,” she stared then paused, looking away from him.
“Yes,” he drawled.
“Are you a gambler?”
He chuckled softly. “No, Jennette. I have wagered a few times but I never had the urge to waste my money on a game of chance.”
“What about the wager with Lord Culpert?”
Matthew closed his eyes as his jaw clenched tightly. “It was a silly bet to see who was the better horseman. No money was ever going to exchange hands with that bet. His groom determined later that the horse had a cracked hoof.”
“Oh,” she whispered.
“I’m not like my brother or father. Even if I had a fortune, there are far better things to do with money than waste it on a wager.”
With her silence, he assumed she was satisfied with his answer. Not that it mattered terribly since her brother planned to turn over the will. They would create their own fortune. Once he discovered what she still felt guilty over.