“Shh.”

“How can I?” Guy grumbled banding his arm tighter around Julia’s waist. “When all I want to do is...” He burrowed his face against her neck and kissed her there.

Summer had been and gone but the autumn had remained dry and pleasant. Thankfully this meant the ground was dry and not at all boggy. Perfect for otter spotting.

Julia pushed up onto her elbows and turned to peer at her husband. The daylight was fading, giving way to amber streaks that dripped in through the leaves and highlighted his features. She brushed a finger over his jaw and pressed it to his lips.

“Shh,” she told him again, “we shall never see them if you do not be still and remain quiet.”

Guy released her and rolled onto his back, placing his hands behind his head and staring up at the leafy canopy. “I knew this was how it would be.”

Julia rolled her eyes at his dramatic tone. “Did you indeed?”

“Absolutely. I knew it would only take a while before I was utterly neglected in favor of those otters.”

“You poor dear man. How you suffer,” she said dryly.

“I do.” He rolled onto his side and skimmed a hand down her shoulder and along her spine before letting it rest curving just slightly over her rear. “I suffer terribly. I am sure I can say with great confidence that I am the most neglected husband in all of England.”

A giggle escaped her. She shook her head and followed his suit, rolling onto her side and taking in the sight of him. She had to admit, it was hard to concentrate on looking for otters when he was next to her, his shirt sleeves rolled up, his collar undone and his hair disheveled from a long day.

“I suppose I ought to do something to remedy that.” She shifted closer.

Guy pressed a hand to the base of her spine and inched her near. His thighs brushed hers. “I really think you ought to, yes.”

She leaned her head back to look at him. Brushing a hand across his forehead, she let it come to rest on his jaw. “What can I do to salvage this awful situation then?”

His grin turned lascivious. “I think you know.”

“You really are the most scandalous, wicked man.”

“I am indeed. However,” he leaned in and let his lips tickle across her, “I am your scandalous, wicked man.”

And he really was. Since their marriage one month ago, he had taught her exactly how to be scandalous and utterly wicked just like him.

She sighed. “What can one do with such a wicked man, though?”

“You can touch.” He shifted a hand around to undo the buttons at the back of her gown. “You can taste.” He kissed her chin and her jaw while his hands worked quickly down her dress, revealing her skin to the night air. He gave a moan. “No stays.”

Julia grinned. “None at all.”

“Christ.” He kissed her hard, forcing her mouth open to him and delving deep with his tongue. He had her breathless and ready for him within moments with such a kiss. “If I had known that,” he said when he pulled back, “I would not have been so patient.”

“It is a fine job you did not know then.”

“You are just as wicked as I.”

“Perhaps.” She flicked open a shirt button. “But I learned from the best.”

He moved over her, pressing her against the ground and dragging her dress down around her shoulders. Revealing one breast and the next, he palmed them, drawing her nipples into tight peaks, making her moan. He dipped his head and took a nipple in his mouth. The hot wetness made her gasp.

Guy’s fingers slipped up her skirts, fast and impatient. He gave her no time to prepare, thrusting two fingers deep inside her. She stiffened and closed her eyes at the sudden pleasure that burst through her. He stopped moving and she opened her eyes to find him staring at her.

“What is it?”

He shook his head. “I was wondering what I had done to deserve a woman like you.”

“Nothing good I should imagine.”

He chuckled and flicked a thumb across her nub in revenge. “Cheeky wench.” He moved his fingers slowly out then eased them back in, watching her closely as her lips parted. “You are so beautiful.” He repeated the movement. “So clever.” In and out. A small moan escaped her. “So fierce and courageous.”

“Guy,” she pleaded and wriggled against this hand.

“My world,” he murmured before kissing her lightly. “You are my world, Julia. Never forget that.”

She shook her head. As if she could. The way he looked at her on a daily basis reminded her of that. It had not changed since their brief courtship and quick wedding. When she was in his arms, she felt as though only she existed.

He moved his fingers quickly now, flicking his thumb over her sensitive spot. Her legs shook. She gripped his arms and closed her eyes, taking full advantage of the pleasure he brought her. The first wave hit, followed quickly by the second. Her body spasmed around his fingers and she let her legs fall to the side.

The world came back in fragments. Cool ground beneath her. Golden rays flickering through the trees. A bird fluttering its wings.

Guy. Her beautiful, handsome, wicked man.

When she found her strength again, she pushed on his shoulder and urged him to lie back. “I think I know what to do with wicked men like you.”

“Oh good. I was hoping you would figure it out.”

Julia straddled him and pulled apart a few more buttons so she could spread his shirt apart and run her fingers down his muscular chest. She traced the ripples of his stomach and flicked a finger over each of his nipples.

She opened the fall of his breeches and pressed against the hardness there. Guy groaned and closed his eyes. She gave a smug smile.

“You have taught me a lot about dealing with wicked men.”

His eyes snapped open. “Only one wicked man, I hope.”

“Naturally.” She bent over and kissed him, long and slow, teasing him with her tongue then nibbling on his bottom lip. “Who else would go otter-watching with his wife?”

“Well, I must confess, I was rather hoping we would do more than otter watch. After all, this does seem to be our spot for...um...shall we say, getting heated?”

Julia straightened and eased his erection fully out of his breeches. “Yes, this does seem to be the place for that. After all, it was here that I decided you were the most rude and arrogant man I had ever met.” She gave him a long stroke. The tendons in his neck tightened. “I was certainly hot with anger.”

“And now? Do I still make you hot with anger? Do you still think I am the most rude and arrogant man you have ever met?”

“Absolutely.” She lifted her skirts to settle over him, sucking in a breath at the feel of his cock near her entrance. “You have not changed one bit.”

She guided him into her and closed her eyes as she sank down. When she opened them, he was looking at her with that look. That god-like one that made her feel like a precious gem or a rare treasure. Julia sucked in a breath and lifted then lowered herself.

Relishing the feel of him pressing deep inside her, she put her hands to his chest. “I am glad you have not changed.”

“Good. Because I fully intend to be as rude as I can be with you. Every damn day of our lives if I can. You will have to tie me to the bed when I’m old and infirm to keep me away from you, Julia.”

He put his hands to her hips and set the pace. The time for talking was gone. Now she enjoyed each flex of his muscle and the way his hungry gaze lingered on her bared breasts and her face. He pulled her down onto him hard, slamming up with his hips to meet her. Fire raced through her body and made her skin hot. A sheen glistened on his chest.

“That’s it.” He groaned. “Good God, Julia, you’re amazing.”

Her orgasm struck forcefully and she flopped forward. Guy smoothed his hands up and down her back while the ripples dashed through her, making her fight to catch her breath. When the last ebb rolled through her, she relaxed against him. He pounded up into her, using her body to milk himself. He gripped her tight and cursed into her hair as he spilled into her.

His heart hammered against her ear and she waited for it to slow before lifting her head and looking up at him. “That was wonderful.”

“Well, of course it was.”

“I shall give you some credit I suppose.”

“I think I should get more than some. I did most of the work.”

“Hardly. You think sitting on top of me takes work? I have to try to maintain control while you’re bouncing around, looking beautiful and insanely desirable. Now that’s hard work.”

“Is this what I have to look forward to with our crop? Me doing all the work and you taking all of the credit?”

“Not at all.” He put his hands to her back, kissed her head, and held her close. “Everyone knows it is my wife that is the genius behind my ideas. I could not take the credit even if I wanted to.”

“Good.” She froze at the sound of a splash. “Oh, Guy, they’re here.” She scrabbled off him, readjusted her dress and leaned out over the river to watch. Two otters were in the water, swimming upstream. “Are they not wonderful?”

Guy came to her side and sat next to her. “They are mated for life, yes?”

“Yes.”

“Sounds like a good way to live.” He pulled her close and pressed a kiss to the side of her head. “Christ, I love you.”

Julia could not help but smile and nuzzle into him as the otters swam past. “I love you too.”

THE END

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