The Unexpected Wife(44)

Matthias reached inside his pants and pulled it out. For a moment she could only stare in shock and wonder. Though she understood the logic of what was about to happen, in truth she couldn’t imagine how it was going to fit.

Matthias pushed up her nightgown. He draped his body over hers, only this time the tip of his manhood pressed against her soft, moist opening.

Deep in her heart, she understood that once they joined, they would in some way be bonded forever. There would be no going back for Abby.

This moment was nothing like she’d ever imagined, and yet it was better. There were no soft words or poetry, only a raw need. But she needed something from him. She wasn’t naive enough to expect words of love, but she needed to know it was her he was making love to.

She stroked the hard muscles of his buttocks. “Say my name,” she whispered, her voice so husky she barely recognized it.

The lust in his veins had stolen his voice, his ability to speak in clear sentences. He pressed his arousal against her opening, poised to thrust.

She wriggled, so that he fell away from her opening. “Say my name.”

The corded muscles in his neck strained as he repositioned himself. Sweat dampened his brow. Closing his eyes, he began to push inside her.

Her body wanted to feel him inside her. Her heart needed to her him say her name.

He pushed inside her. She felt the searing pain as her maidenhood tore, and all reasonable thoughts vanished. Her entire body tensed. He paused, realizing what he’d taken from her.

He began to move inside of her, his movements slow at first but quickly building to a fever pitch.

Raw need pulsed inside her.

Dear Lord, what was he doing to her? Sweat formed between her breasts.

“Wrap your legs around me,” he whispered.

She complied, taking him inside her fully. Her body stretched and molded around him. She didn’t think she could feel more alive. Then he reached for her moist center and began to stroke.

She hissed in a breath. “What are you doing to me?”

“Shh, it’s all right.” He continued to stroke, circling her softness with expert precision. The fever inside of her grew. Her senses reeled. She teetered at the cliff of an unknown abyss.

And then, in a flash, her body exploded in sensations. She moaned and arched her back, letting the ripples wash over her body.

Mr. Barrington withdrew his hand and began to pump harder. And in the next instant, his body tensed and as he found his release, he moaned. “Elise.”





Matthias knew his blunder the instant he’d whispered Elise’s name. A bucket of cold water couldn’t have made Abby’s languid body tense faster. She went rigid.

She pressed her palms against his chest. “Get off me.”

Her voice seemed to come from a very far-off place though her lips were just by his ears.

But as he felt her struggles underneath him grow in strength he forced himself to roll off her.

Immediately, she scrambled out from under him and tugged her nightgown over her legs, now tucked under her. “You called me Elise.”

Lying on his back, he stared up at the barn’s rafters. “It was an accident.”

Tears burned her eyes. “Some accident.”

He stabbed his hands through his hair. “It’s been six years since there’s been another woman.”

Her long hair cascaded over her shoulder draping breasts he’d just suckled. “You don’t want me. You wanted to use my body.”

Though Abby’s body felt nothing like Elise’s, he couldn’t deny her words. A part of him had wanted to resurrect his old love. He tugged up his pants and fastened the four buttons. “I’m sorry.”

Unshed tears glistened in her eyes. “I thought for just a few moments it was just you and me. I was wrong.”

He shoved impatient fingers through his thick hair. “I’m sorry.”

Slowly, she rose. Moonlight cascaded on her gown. That’s when he noticed the streaks of blood. Earlier, he’d felt her tightness, but his befuddled mind hadn’t fully processed the consequences. Now the full weight of his mistake sank in.

She lifted her head high, like a proud warrior goddess. “You win. You were right. I don’t belong here.”

Abby started to move past him. He sprang to his feet and grabbed her arm. She looked up with eyes filled with sorrow and shame.

“It’s not that simple anymore,” he said. Even now, touching her sent desire ricocheting through him.

She jerked her arm free of his hold. “It is for me, Mr. Barrington.”

“I think you should call me Matthias now.”

“I’d rather not.” Her prickly tone reminded him of the first time he’d seen her in the stage—Society Miss.