Free Jilted in January by Kate Pearce Page B

apologizing to you.”
    “Perhaps we should start again.” Colin paused and placed his hand on her knee. “I do not wish to get out of this marriage, do you?”
    “No. But—”
    He held up a finger. “No buts. If we wish to be married to each other, then nothing else matters, does it?”
    “I suppose not.”
    “Then shall we agree to go forward?”
    “I would like that.”
    He kissed her hand. “Then it is settled. Your brother and my father can go hang themselves.”
    She cupped his cheek, her hand warm, and it felt like a benediction. “You are a very worthy man, Mr. Ford.”
    Rising slowly, he drew her to her feet and kissed her trembling mouth. “I’m sorry, my darling girl. I never meant to start an argument with you on the first full day of our marriage.”
    “Neither did I. I suspect this marriage business will take some getting used to, don’t you?”
    “Then we’ll learn together. Perhaps being friends first will give us an advantage.”
    He kissed her again, wrapping one arm around her hips to keep her close. With a soft sound, she reciprocated, her fingers on the back of his neck, stroking his skin, making him shiver. He was hard in an instant and attempted to draw back, but she kept following him, filling the space between them with her lush curves and…
    “Rose?”
    “Hmm?”
    “Did you lock the door when you came in?”
    “Why on earth would I do that?”
    “Because if we keep this up, I’ll be inside you soon.”
    “You will?” Her eyes widened, and he recognized the leap of excitement in their brown depths. “Here? In your office ?”
    He kissed her again. “I must confess that I have had more than a few idle thoughts about sitting you on the edge of that big desk, pulling up your skirts, and having my way with you.”
    “Even before we were married?”
    “Naturally.” He backed her toward the desk and set her on the edge. “It is very sturdy. You will be quite safe.”
    “Colin…”
    He hesitated. “Are you too sore? Did I—?”
    “Hurry up.”
    She grabbed two fistfuls of his hair and kissed him hard. With a happy sigh, he folded back her muslin skirts and petticoats, baring her stockings and garters. He paused to kiss the ribbons at her knees and then straightened, unbuttoning his straining breeches. He planted one hand on the edge of the desk and leaned in to kiss her, palming her between the legs as he did so.
    She was delightfully wet for him as he eased one finger deep and a groan shuddered through him. She was still new at this; he should be careful and respectful and…

    He yelped as Rose enclosed his cock with her fingers.
    “Is this not permitted?” she asked. “I couldn’t resist the opportunity to touch you.”
    “Everything is permitted,” he promised her, his voice hoarse. “Just relax your grip a little, or I will be coming before we are properly joined.”
    “Coming?” She worked out how to slide her fingers up and down his hard column of flesh, and he was now bucking against her hand.
    “Ejaculating, spilling my seed… God …”
    He gently removed her hand and pressed his cock forward, easing his way inside her. “All right?”
    “Mmm.” She sighed against his throat and locked her arms around his neck. “This is equally remarkable.”
    “Good.”
    He seemed done with talking as he advanced and retreated, keeping up a steady rhythm that had her clinging onto his neck and losing the ability to breathe other than gasping his name. His hand came under her bottom, lifting her into each thrust, mashing their flesh together in such a pleasing way that the tendril of excitement she’d first felt the previous night blossomed again.
    Rose concentrated on it, opening herself wider, forgetting all decorum and just seeking the carnal satisfaction he offered her so willingly. With a soft curse, he drew her slippered feet up until they were planted on the edge of the desk.
    “Oh yes,” she breathed as the tightening sensation increased, becoming