Page 110 of How to Ruin a Rake

“I assumed the duke knew about the innkeepers’ murdering ways, but he was unaware of our peril,” Allegra continued, as if nothing was untoward. “I was just telling him how we had to escape through our window and flee into the night.”

“It was something of an adventure,” Max said. “I’m glad that you woke up and heard them plotting our demise.”

“And I’m glad that you helped me climb down the ivy and found me a safe hiding spot while you attempted to retrieve the horses.” Allegra smiled at him.

“Good lord,” the duke said faintly. “I had no idea.”

“What else did your private investigator find out?” Allegra asked the duke, as if they were old friends.

“That your journey was somewhat more convoluted than you claimed,” the duke said.

“I didn’t see the necessity of worrying you, sir,” Max said. “Things were bad enough as they were.”

Max helped himself to several dishes and concentrated on eating while the duke and his wife moved on to discussing the current theatrical offerings in London. He still had the sense that he was living in something of a dream, but as it included Allegra, he didn’t particularly want to wake up. She’d come to London—presumably to see him—which gave him the opportunity to have a discussion about his true feelings and how their marriage might go forward.

As someone who had never acknowledged having “feelings” before in his life, he wasn’t quite sure how to proceed, but he’d find a way.

The duke excused himself after dinner, leaving Max and Allegra at the table. Max looked over at his wife and raised his eyebrows. “Well?”

“Well, what?” She raised her chin.

“Might I ask why you are here?”

She met his gaze. “I came for you.”

Something inside him relaxed. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to stay away from me for long. I truly am irresistible.” He rose to his feet and held out his hand. “Shall we go upstairs? We can speak more privately there.”

She came with him, her hand resting in his. After she went past him into their suite, he locked the door behind her. She swung around to look at him.

“I wasn’t planning on escaping, Max.”

“I don’t want to be disturbed.” He allowed his gaze to travel over her body. “I’ve missed you in my bed.”

“We’ve scarcely been apart.”

He walked over and cupped her cheek. “True, but I find I no longer like sleeping alone.”

She leaned into him, her cheeks flushed. “It is rather … lonely.”

“May I help you out of your gown?” Max asked.

She looked up at him. “Don’t you think we should talk first?”

“Not particularly.” He bit her throat, and she shivered. “I want you naked and screaming my name first.”

She sighed, her fingers already busy on the knot of his cravat. “As you wish.”

He cupped her bottom, bringing her tightly against his already erect cock. “I’m hard for you.”

She rolled her hips in a most provocative manner, and Max decided he didn’t have time to undress her after all. He placed his hands around her waist and sat her on the side of the high bed. He shoved up her skirts, knelt on the floor, and applied his tongue to her most sensitive parts, licking her lavishly until she gasped his name, and came against his mouth.

With a growl, he stood up and released the buttons of his breeches to expose the hot, hard length of his cock. He pushed into her and held still to experience the pleasure of her body tightening around him.

“God,” he said as he started thrusting. “I’ve no time for finesse.”

“Don’t stop,” Allegra ordered him as her feet climbed to his hips and held on. “Don’t you dare stop.”

She came again and it took all his willpower not to join her. He eased his thrusts, but she kicked him like a horse until he sped up and then screamed her approval as they came together in a frenzy of pleasure that he’d never found with anyone but her. After he’d come, he stayed where he was, just holding her until his cock slipped free.