“The former. I leave the latter entirely up to you.” Only he hoped she wouldn’t end it too soon—not before he’d gotten enough of her, which he was beginning to wonder if that would ever happen.

There was something so alluring about her, about the combination of sensual freedom and bold conversation wrapped up in the most desirable package he’d ever seen. She was so similar to him—both of them were strongly opinionated, independent, and refused to do what they were supposed to do. But she was also a good mother, an excellent friend, a vibrant companion, and wasn’t afraid to stand up to him.

Very few people countered his opinions. Only Clark and to some extent Hyland had ever successfully argued with him about anything. Frederick had tried to talk him out of running off to sea so long ago, but had eventually succumbed to his arguments, even helping him out with money for the journey.

But she would likely attempt to stare him down and refuse to budge an inch. And he, intrigued as he was, would likely agree to anything she wanted, as long as she continued to spend time with him. Either in bed or out, although he definitely preferred the former.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked suddenly, making him start.

You.

Only he couldn’t and wouldn’t tell her that—he wouldn’t want to scare her off. Nor did he want to admit it, even to himself.

Even though he had just done that.

She was turning him upside down.

The feeling started slowly, but once it started, it built until she knew she couldn’t lie there any longer.

“You’re getting up?” he asked.

She nodded, her back turned to him, leaning over to pick her corset and shift off the floor. “I should get back.”

He slid his palm on her back, and she shivered. His touch almost—almost relieved the panic, but not quite.

“But you can stay here if you want. I can get home on my own.”

She heard his body move, and then he was curled around her, his front to her back, the hair on his chest tickling her skin. “I don’t want to stay here. Not without you. I’ll get dressed, I can have you back in half an hour.”

He kissed the top of her head and then got off the bed. She busied herself with putting her shift on, then her corset, and then got up to hunt for where she’d flung her dress.

He was just adjusting his smallclothes, and her breath caught as she saw him. It wasn’t fair he was so spectacularly gorgeous all the way through, from his handsome, compelling face to his strongly built body to his beautiful penis.

“What are you staring at?” he asked, his tone making it perfectly clear he knew the answer, and was more than happy for it.