He leaned over her and dragged his tongue along her neck. “Come for me, Evie. Hard.” He pulsed in and out of her with relentless thrusts.

She buried her face in the coverlet and cried out as she clenched around him. Gregory followed her into ecstasy, his orgasm racing over him. He closed his eyes and cast his head back, surrendering completely to bliss.

“Ash!”

Gregory’s eyes snapped open. Ash was on the bed in front of Evie’s head, licking her face. She laughed. “Curious, naughty boy,” she said between giggles.

Withdrawing from her body, Gregory couldn’t help laughing too. He needed to tidy himself—and her—which only added to the humor of the moment. “Don’t move,” he said, rushing to fetch a cloth from the washstand on the other side of the room. Grabbing two, he hurried back and gave one to her.

“Thank you,” she said, still laughing. Ash now sat on the bed and looked from her to Gregory and back again, his expression one of absolute inquisitiveness. “He would like to know what we are doing.”

“Clearly.” Gregory finished cleaning up and refastened his breeches. Taking her cloth when she was finished, he returned them to the washstand.

She turned a circle as he walked back toward her. “No damage done, I believe?”

“None. You’re a bit flushed, however.”

“That will fade shortly, but the memory will not.” She gave him a wicked smile.

How was he going to survive without her? He’d never felt so wonderful. So alive. His gaze settled on her mouth. “We didn’t even kiss.”

“No, we didn’t.” She rose on her toes and pressed her mouth to his. He’d no idea if she’d intended it to be chaste, but he was incapable of that. Though they’d just coupled rather satisfyingly, he clasped her to him and kiss her ravenously. He kept it short, but by the time they parted, she was breathless.

“Careful, or we’re going to be gone much longer than we should,” she murmured.

He was so very tempted. Alas, they needed to get back to the party. Or, at least he did. “I realize I can’t see you tomorrow with the holiday, but can we meet at the cottage the following morning?”

“Christmas morning?” she asked, sounding hesitant.

“I have a gift for you. Since I can’t give it to you tomorrow, Christmas morning is the next best thing.”

Her eyes rounded briefly. “Oh, Gregory. You shouldn’t have done that. I don’t have anything for you.”

“That doesn’t matter to me. I would have given this to you even if it wasn’t Christmas.”

“Well, now I’m intrigued,” she said softly. “All right. I’ll meet you.”

Happiness bloomed in his chest as he gave Ash a farewell pat. “Be a good boy,” he said.