Page 72 of Courting Claudia

“You’re almost there; can you feel it?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t hold back, Claudia. Ride as hard as you like.”

She did as she was told and increased her movements. Faster and faster, harder and harder. She threw her head back and moaned loudly.

“I’m coming with you,” he said.

And just when the waves of pleasure hit her, she felt him spill into her, and he cried out her name. He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw as he continued to shudder.

She leaned into him. She kissed him softly on the neck and then the chin.

“You’re amazing,” he said.

“I never knew.”

He chuckled. “That you’re amazing?”

“No. That this could be pleasurable.”

“It would be quite unfair were it only pleasurable for men. Considering the women actually go through childbirth.”

She smiled. He had such a unique way of looking at things. She inhaled his scent, earthy and male mixed with the musky smell of their lovemaking.

“We’ll be at the house soon.” His voice rumbled against her. “I hope you like it.”

“I know I will.”

Chapter 16

“So that was the grand tour.” Derrick led her into the front parlor, which was richly decorated in burgundy and gold. It had always been one of his favorite rooms. It was so warm. Shortly after he’d bought the house, he’d decided that should he ever marry again and have a family, this would be the room where they would celebrate Christmas. He sat next to her on the settee, then leaned back. “What do you think?”

“The house, like this room, is really quite beautiful. Very well taken care of considering only a handful of servants live here full-time.”

“I visit often, at least once a month to see that everything is running smoothly.”

She rubbed her hand across the brocade fabric of the settee. “Did you select the decorations and color schemes yourself?”

“I decided to stay with the original decor, but had some pieces of furniture restuffed and upholstered. I liked the look and wanted to maintain it.”

“How did you acquire the house?”

“I bought it. The Earl of Limewood wanted to live full-time in London and had no heirs for his estate, so he decided to sell it. I’d been looking for someplace in the country where I could get away when needed, so when this property came available, I bought it.”

“It’s perfect.”

“I want to show you the grounds as well. I know you saw them on our ride, but now this is your home too. I had the cook pack us a lunch. We can eat it outside.”

“A picnic?”

“Yes. I believe everything is waiting for us by the pond.”

She smiled up at him, and his heart nearly stopped. Lately everything she did gave him pause. Making love to her had not quenched his desire for her even a fraction; if anything, he wanted her more.

But she still was holding back, nervous that he might not approve or perhaps that he would reject her. He wasn’t sure what stopped her, but he intended to change it. The carriage had been the closest he’d come to seeing her while making love, and they’d both been fully clothed. He had plans to remedy that this afternoon, but it would be a challenge.

He threaded his fingers with hers as he led her outside and across the gently sloping hill. They walked in silence, and he waited for an awkward feeling to settle over him, urging him to break the reverie. But it did not come. Instead, he found a comfortable silence between them as they crossed his lush green lawn. They reached an area covered in trees, and he spotted the pond glistening ahead. Beneath the willow tree, a blanket was spread with the food for their picnic.