He pulled from her and she gasped softly. Her core was achy and tender.
“Did I hurt you?”
She found it hard to meet his eyes. “No.”
He straightened himself and fished a handkerchief from his pockets and pressed it to her. Livvie fought a blush, staring into the fireplace. They had consummated their vows on a desk in his library. He removed his hands and the cloth and gently tugged her nightgown down so it fluttered to her ankles. At the silence, she turned her head to him. He was staring at her, and Livvie could do nothing but return his regard. His arms went around her waist, gathering her close. Her heart tripped in delight and she all but melted against his bare chest.
“Hello…wife,” he said softly, a decidedly puzzled and fascinated vein in his tone.
“Hello…husband,” she replied even softer, biting her lower lip to stop its tremble.
His forehead dropped against hers. “My behavior is inexcusable. I pounced on you like a starving man. I should have escorted you to our chambers and—”
“Is there a rule that says wedding nights are most enjoyable in one’s chambers?”
“No.”
“Then I think we are doing well.”
A slow, lazy smile swept across Tobias’s face. “You are beautiful, wife,” he said, quite unexpectedly.
It felt as if a fist closed over her heart. “I…thank you.”
He skimmed his fingers over her cheek almost tentative in his exploration. Then he pressed a kiss to the corner of her lips. It was light, tender, sweet, and soothing. Emotions clogged her throat and a craving for something more surged through her.
“I find I do not want to release you.”
Her heart kicked into a furious rhythm. “Then don’t.”
His eyes bore into hers. “Normally, I would be writing, practicing my fighting arts, or if in Town, visiting one of my clubs.”
“I would be painting. I want to paint you…as you are now, so raw and beautiful.”
Another slow grin, heartbreakingly sensual, tugged at his lips. Livvie was at a loss as to what was happening…but it felt as if invisible strings were drawing them closer together. She was still seated on the edge of his desk and he was wonderfully close. The intimacy of their situation had a sweet tension pooling through her veins.
“Would you like to play a game of chess?”
Pleasure filled her. “Are you not afraid I will trounce you?”
His left brow climbed arrogantly. “I accept this challenge.”
He lifted her from the desk.
“I was quite capable of dismounting without assistance.”
“I like touching you.”
“Oh.” The very notion pleased her to her toes. There was hope for their marriage after all.
With a grin, she sauntered over to the small table that held the chess set and sat. He joined her and in short order they were engrossed in the game. Thirty minutes later, she murmured, “Checkmate.”
Tobias chuckled. “I am fascinated by your strategy. At times reckless, and at other times masterfully brilliant.”
The praise stunned her, and acting on instinct, she leaned over and kissed his chin.
They both went absolutely still.
“Did you by chance, countess, miss my lips?”
“No…this arrogant cleft is right where I wanted my mouth,” she said huskily.
He smiled and her heart lightened. She wasn’t about to wallow in misery. Life could only move forward and she resolved to make the best of her marriage. In time, affection and trust would surely develop between her and the earl. In fact, she would work to ensure it.
Chapter Thirteen
Tobias dipped the tip of the quill into the inkwell for the last time. Deep into the fictional world he had created, it took him a few moments to realize there was a steady knocking at the door of his library. He frowned. The entire staff knew that right after breaking his fast, he ensconced himself in his library for at least two hours writing his novels, before facing the duties he had to deal with for his many estates. “Who is it?”
“It’s Livvie.”
A blast of pleasure filled him. He froze. Unusual indeed. He had been trying his damnedest to not recall their wedding night and the depth of strength it had taken not to lose himself in her as he had done in the closet. Her fragrance lingered on his fingers, her taste on his lips, and in the deep recesses of his heart, he wished he had been untamed with her. “Enter.”
The handle twisted and when she appeared, his mouth dried. Her loveliness was very fresh and appealing. Her dark red tresses were caught in a simple chignon, and a few tendrils caressed her cheeks. She wore a pale blue high-waisted dress, and she had a book clasped in her hands. His heart jolted when he saw it was a copy of In the Service of the Crown. “You read the work of Aikens?”
A wide smile stretched her lips. “Yes, do you?” she asked excitedly. “It’s clever and intriguing, and I highly recommend it.”
He grunted noncommittally, but raw pleasure blasted through him. She liked his writing. “I see.”
“Aikens’s work is quite wonderful,” she gushed, more earnest than ever. “I urge you to read In the Service of the Crown. I have the first eight volumes with me, if you wish to borrow them.”
Masking his delight at her praise, he casually leaned back in his chair. “I’d not thought such books were suitable for a young lady.”
She rolled her eyes. “I daresay if men can read it, women can. There is nothing there to shock and traumatize us delicate young ladies. Unless you count the few kisses and seduction Wrotham has employed to retrieve secrets?”
Good God. Kisses and seduction? Tobias knew damn well he wrote more scandalous encounters than mere kisses.
“Which volume are you?”
“I am at volume seven.”
It was volume eight and nine that dealt with the ruthless art of seduction. Should he allow her to read further? He recalled promising not to censure her reading choices.
“What are you writing?”
He glanced down at the loose sheaf of papers and quickly organized them into a pile, then opened his top drawer, laid them down neatly, and locked it with a key. He did not share his writing with anyone but his publisher. He did not consent to interviews, nor to public appearances. He was truly anonymous and his publisher was bound by a very strict and ironclad contract to never reveal that the Earl of Blade was Theodore Aikens. As a child, he’d been desperate to escape the violence in his home, and he’d found his sanctuary in books. When the stories in his library had no longer offered Tobias the comfort he sought, he’d created the world he craved, a world where he had complete and utter control of all characters, emotions, and situations. It was such a private part of him, he wondered then if he would ever be able to share such an intimate side of him with his countess. Perhaps never.
After pocketing the key, he glanced up.
Wicked laughter danced in her eyes. “It’s a secret. I like secrets, and it’s quite evident, my lord, you possess one.” She sauntered over to the desk, trailing the tip of her finger across the hardwood desk.
Just looking at her made him ache to touch her, to take her. He pushed from the chair and stood. “Then it’s best I take care to hide my key.”