Reese’s voice, deep and gravelly, sent a delightful shiver over her skin, and she whirled to face him. She wanted to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him till the world around them faded away. But instead, she properly introduced him to her friends, who smiled warmly, immediately accepting him into their tight circle.

“Gray introduced us a bit earlier,” Fiona said. “We’re so happy that all has ended well.”

Reese surreptitiously reached for Sophie’s hand and laced his fingers through hers. “There are still a few matters to be resolved,” he said. To Sophie, “Is there any chance you could slip away tonight?”

The moment Sophie gazed into his heavy-lidded eyes, she felt herself drowning in a sea of longing and love. “I might be able to arrange that,” she breathed.

“Good.” His voice vibrated through her, and every nerve ending in her body came alive. “I’ll be outside in my coach, waiting for you.” He pressed a lingering, sensual kiss to the back of her hand, then bowed and strode away, leaving all three women fanning themselves. Vigorously.

“Well,” Lily said, a bit breathless. “I can’t imagine what you’re waiting for, Soph.”

She watched Reese walk away, and the sight of his broad shoulders and taut backside made her insides flutter. “Neither can I.” She shot her friends a mischievous grin. “But I might need a bit of help.”

Chapter 37

Reese sat in his coach, rapidly tapping the heel of his boot against the floor in an effort to expel his excess energy. While he waited for Sophie, he mentally rehearsed all the things he wanted to say to her. Wondered if she’d ever realize just how much his chest ached every time he looked at her.

She emerged from Singleton’s house a few minutes later, the starlight gilding her blond hair and illuminating her delicate features. His heart pounded with anticipation as he hopped out of the cab, met her on the pavement, and quickly helped her step into the coach.

He closed the door and turned to drink in the sight of her face. “Thank God you’re here,” he breathed, and before the words were even out of his mouth, she’d climbed onto his lap, her knees straddling him.

As the coach began rolling over the cobblestone streets, their mouths collided in a raw, ravenous kiss. His teeth tugged at her bottom lip, her nails dug into his shoulders. He speared his fingers into her hair and grabbed a fistful of silken strands. She ground her hips against his cock, and he thrust back.

“Reese,” she murmured against his neck, “I need you. I need this.”

Sweet Jesus. He’d never made love in a moving coach before. Or a stationary one, for that matter. But he was definitely up for the challenge—as soon as they resolved one small matter.