heaven.”
And he would spend the rest of his days in hell.
She moaned as vibrations from her inner walls quivered along his shaft, taking him deeper while her hot folds tightened on his rod. His balls tingled, drawing close to his body. His engorged shaft hardened to near discomfort. This time he’d go with her.
Gripping her waist, in frenzied thrusts he plunged his cock into her pussy in rapid strokes.
“Fuck,” he groaned.
She creamed around him, heightening the slick friction. Spasms rippled her walls. She screamed. Taran exerted every ounce of strength. Muscles in his arms burned, his thighs trembled, but still he pumped his shaft in and out. Faster, harder. Sweat dripped down his chest. With a primal cry, he erupted. Hot jets of fluid bathed her channel. Each spurt surged with energy yet left him weak. He wrapped his arms around her and locked her close, buried to the hilt in her delicate folds.
Chapter Five
Caroline collapsed against her lover. Her cheek met his bare flesh, damp with sweat. The heavy rise and fall of his chest matched her breathing. Gentle caresses along her spine comforted, but she cared nothing for his concern. His cock, still buried inside her, felt slick, hot and wet with his seed. The heavy musk of their joining scented the air.
Tears stung her eyes. Quick blinks halted the flood that threatened. Gratitude, not sorrow, filled her. This memory would remain in her heart forever.
Caroline straightened and touched his cheek. “Thank you.”
He pulled her face to within an inch of his. Warm breath fanned against her skin when he said, “Return home with me.”
Her heart wrenched. “I cannot. We are strangers.”
“After tonight, we are no longer strangers.”
The vehemence in his voice startled her. She lifted off him and his cock slipped from her body as she swung her leg over his hips. Back straight, Caroline settled against the cushion beside him.
“We must say goodbye.”
“The damage is done,” he said, then added before she could reply, “do not fear, I shall honour our agreement.”
Pain twisted her heart, but she couldn’t deny the relief. “If we had more time.” She trailed a finger across his abdomen.
His muscles quivered and tightened beneath her touch.
“Several hours yet remain before dawn,” he said in a hoarse voice.
Caroline let her palm relax on his stomach. She had considered this, but… “We already want more than either of us can give. However, pleasure does not negate responsibility. If I linger even a moment longer…” She lifted his hand and brushed her cheek against his knuckles, then kissed them and set them back at his side.
“This is goodbye, then?”
The formal note in his voice nearly undid her. “Yes.”
He groped the opposite seat and, a moment later, fit the mask over her face and secured it into place. Her heart wrenched at the chasm the simple action created between them.
Caroline sat motionless as he collected the dress and slipped the garment over her head. She didn’t miss the trembling of his fingers when he straightened the costume on her shoulders. How easily she could lose herself in the arms of this man again tonight, and tomorrow, and the next day. A man like him, I could want forever, her heart whispered. He slipped the sash over her head and she forced back a sob.
Her wedding day was tomorrow—no—today. Mabel would already be up and about. Soon, the old housekeeper would come to her room to wake her in preparation for the wedding.
Her lover shifted and Caroline realised he was buttoning his shirt. She remembered her wig and pulled it from the opposite seat, then slipped it over her hair. A moment later, he reached for his own mask. Before he could find it, she touched his cheek for the last time.
“Swear you will think of me”—she bit back tears—“not as a ruined woman, but as a lady without regret.” She turned his face towards her and kissed him. Dear God, she must leave before her