With great care, as though she were spun glass and easily shattered, never taking his mouth from hers, he lowered her to the Aubusson carpet that dominated this particular sitting area. With a lifting of her skirts, an unfastening of his trousers, he could claim her here, now. Recklessly. With no sheath about to offer her protection, before he fully decided if he would take the risk of bringing a child into the world. Her sighs and moans inflamed his desires. The manner in which she writhed beneath him as though she were desperate to have him closer fueled his body’s needs, leaving them wanting, wanting of her and the hot, velvety slickness that had encased him the night before, that had driven him nearly mad. He’d wanted to stay buried in her, to pour his seed into her, as much as he’d wanted to leave and spare her the possibility of giving birth to his progeny. But it was what she wanted, and he imagined her swelling with his babe.

Bracketing her face between his hands, he deepened the kiss, his tongue imitating the primal motions his cock longed to make, thrusting, parrying. Why did she have to taste so damn good? Why did it have to feel as though her hands belonged on his back, stroking, caressing, urging him ever closer? Why—

A loud clearing of a throat had him jerking his head up to glare at Beast, who stood just inside the doorway, holding a box. Selena gave a little mewl of distress, clutched his shirt, and buried her face against his chest. While being caught in such an intimate position was embarrassing for a woman, he couldn’t help but wonder if being caught with him specifically added to her shame.

“Fancy’s bringing the sisters up to see the reading salon.” Beast’s voice was quiet, even, gave no hint that he was surprised by what he’d witnessed. But then his brother had always had a knack for seeing things as they were, had never been one to judge.

“I thought she wanted them filling the shelves downstairs.” It’s what they’d been doing when he’d left them.

Beast shrugged, walked in, and set down the box. “She decided they needed a break from their labors.”

After tapping Selena’s hand gently to get her to release her hold, Aiden shoved himself to his feet, reached down, and assisted her up. She began frantically patting her hair. He took her hands, stilled her actions. “You look fine.” Except for the red blossoming over her cheeks, indicating her mortification. “Beast is skilled at holding secrets and forgetting things he sees.”

She gave Beast a furtive glance. “Thank you for the warning.”