and laid her upon the bed.
Raw desire sparked in his eyes. “If it weren’t for your shoulder—”
“My shoulder need not factor in.” She ached far more in other places. Rusty in the art of flirting, she quirked what she hoped was a saucy grin. “I’ll just lay here and enjoy.”
“Sweet Christ.” Simon blew out a breath, then pulled his shirt over his head. “I’ll be gentle.”
“I was hoping for spectacular,” she said whilst ogling his magnificent bare torso.
He grinned at that, tripping her pulse further as he peeled off his trousers. They had never made love in the light of day. She had not realized the thrill she’d missed out upon. Simon Darcy’s body was a work of art much like the engineering marvels he designed.
“I’ll save spectacular until you are fully healed. For now,” he said whilst skimming his hands up her thighs and hiking her nightshirt to her waist, “you’ll have to settle for skilled.”
She parted her legs, expecting him to enter, to ease her ache, but instead he lowered his head between her thighs and pressed his mouth to her intimate juncture. Oh, aye, this was new. This was scandalous. Yet she had no wish to stop him as his lips and tongue worked astonishing magic.
His palms branded her quivering thighs. His mouth drove her to distraction. She scaled passionate heights she’d yet to experience. She felt positively dizzy. Deliciously wanton. Clutching his broad shoulder, she cried out his name as her body trembled, then shattered with glorious, heart-pounding release.
Bleary-eyed, Willie stared up at the cracked ceiling. “Oh, aye. Most skilled,” she managed, her chest and lungs burning, her body sated.
Simon moved over her, on top of her, his gorgeous face looking down at her. “There’s more. If you deem yourself able.”
She would not have thought it possible, as she was fully satisfied, but she experienced a desirous pang. Living in the moment, she held his gaze, trailed her left hand down his strong back, and wiggled her hips. “Do not disappoint, Mr. Darcy.”
“Challenge accepted, Miss Goodenough.”
She was slick with want, delirious with need, and yet he hesitated when he breached her womanly walls. She surmised he was surprised by the tight fit, but then he kissed her wantonly and plunged deep.
Willie’s emotions danced as Simon reawakened the woman she’d abandoned long ago. So beautiful, so exciting . . . so
“Willie,” he bade as he rocked her to orgasm. “Open your eyes.”
But he would then see her as a Freak. She ignored his command until he stilled.
He smoothed his thumb across her cheek, nipped her lower lip. “I want to see you when I come. The real you,” he emphasized.
That caught her off guard and her lids flew open.
Simon cradled her face and held her gaze as he resumed his skilled and sensual mating.
Mesmerized, enchanted, and seduced, Willie climaxed in tandem with the love of her youth.
“Sweet Christ,” he whispered as he collapsed upon her.
CHAPTER 13
Simon had enjoyed many a tryst. Numerous alliances far more risque than this recent dalliance with Willie. Yet his mind and body reeled in the aftermath. Never had he felt so focused, so driven, so
Lost in the moment. Lost in her beauty. Lost in the passion.
Mystifying.
Terrifying.
Was it possible that he’d never fallen out of love with Wilhelmina Goodenough? Even though she’d broken his heart? Even though twelve years had passed and she was nothing like the young girl he remembered?
She was, in fact, more. Vastly complicated and assured trouble. Life with this woman would not be easy. Or boring.
Simon stared up into the darkening room, contemplating the future. Typically his mind churned with visions and calculations. Advanced designs that were not only functional but impressive. He had goals, monumental goals, and though he felt compelled to marry Willie—indeed, he
Simon thought about Willie engaged in a heated protest and frowned. Just because she didn’t advocate violence, that didn’t mean she wouldn’t get caught up in a ruckus and hurt. Or worse.
“What troubles you?” Willie asked in a scratchy voice.
Simon turned his face into the pillow, toward the woman who’d been sleeping in his arms. “You’re awake.”
She looked at her wrist, then frowned. “I feel at odds without my timepieces. What hour is it?”
“Close to dinnertime.”
“I can’t believe I slept into the evening,” she said, pushing upright with her good arm. “My stamina is lacking. How frustrating.”
“In light of the severity of your injury,” he said, smoothing a comforting hand down her back, “I’d venture exhaustion is natural. Look at it this way, the more you rest, the faster your recovery. Perhaps we should not have—”
“I’m glad we did.” She looked over her shoulder at him and smiled. “You did not disappoint, Mr. Darcy. Indeed, I can’t imagine spectacular.”
“Rest and recover,” he said with a wicked grin, “and you will not have to imagine.”
She instantly sobered. “I’m not sure it is wise for us to persist as lovers.”
“Nor am I. What I’m sure of is an attraction, a connection that has gone unbroken in spite of the years. In spite of the misunderstandings. I’ve no intention of running from this. From you.”
Cheeks flushed, she looked away. “I’ve changed, Simon. I am not the carefree girl you fell in love with. In fact, I don’t know how to behave like a proper lady anymore. I don’t know how to live life as a woman whilst maintaining my career—a career that allows me to support, not only my father, but a cause I deeply believe in.”
“Ah. The Freak Fighters.” Simon sat up and swung his bare feet to the chilly floor. “Just how involved are you?”
She dragged a hand through her rumpled hair, shrugged. “Only as an anonymous voice to date. I pen articles under pseudonyms, draft pamphlets to distribute to the masses in an effort to properly educate Vics regarding our race. Old Worlders tend to circulate ignorant propaganda in hopes of suppressing our rights as a way of keeping us down. What they don’t seem to understand is that suppression and intolerance are fueling discontent amongst Freaks. Causing some to branch out as mercenaries—using their supernatural gifts for dubious gain. Whilst others—like the Freak Fighters—band together to instigate change for the better. The remainder