he kissed her. “You are a goddess among women.” He pushed her back to the bed. “And I will cherish every blessed inch of you.” They removed their clothes and embraced , naked. Even though Andrew had just cl imaxed, his length had already begun to harden again. His warm hands roamed Mary’s skin, caressing the side of her ribs down to the curve of her hips and up to cup her breasts. He teased each nipple into stiff prominence with his tongue and Mary’s head we nt back with a sigh, her hands running through his thick hair. Spreading her legs wide, Andrew knelt between them and sucked the sensitive nub at her core until she reached the heights of pleasure. She was still thrashing from the orgas m when he slid into her, pumping her with long strokes. She moaned each time he sank into her soft, wet heat, hands gripping his shoulders and her body shuddering as sensation built up within her. He reached down with a finger and pressed the sensitive spot at her core . His length pushed against her walls, his hand worked her into a frenzy and she shrieked as she lost h erself in sensation once more. He groaned his own release, biting her shoulder as he did so, as if trying to anchor himself further in her flesh . They rested for a moment after that, laying side b y side, hands idly traveling each other’s curves. Mary delighted in the smooth hardness of his body, the way the strong muscles jumped under her touch. Andrew reveled in her softness, the way her flesh yielded to hi m . “Should we get ready to go?” He captured her lips for another kiss, unable to resist their temptation. “In a while. First...” He trailed off and his hands took over as his touch became more urgent. “Again?” She laughed, her blue eyes flashing with amusement. “Yes. Again and again.” He rolled her onto her stomach and helped her up to her hands and knees. Positioning himself behind her, he rammed into her. Mary yelped and met him with eager thrusts of her hips , stroke fo r stroke . Andrew massaged her back, pushing her face down into the mattress to force her backside higher. Mary gasped into the bedcovers, her nipples pebbling into hard points and her legs trembling at the force of Andrew’s penetration as well as the burgeoning pleasure his shaft elicited from her core. He came with a guttural moan and Mary grunted her own release into the bed, her body quaking with the force of desire Andrew had unleashed. Spent, they cuddled together on the bed, both lethargic. They were on the cusp of sleep when the front door to the house opened and slammed shut with a loud bang. Andre w sprang out of the bed. His expression grew more and more alarm ed as heavy footsteps mounted the stairs. Mary drew the bed sheet up to cover her nakedness and watched the door, her stomach filling with dread. “Where is she? Where is my daughter?” snarled the voice of her father. “Andrew Smith, you’re a dead man.” A gun cocked, the sound of cold steel ringing out in the air. Mary put her hand over her mouth, smothering a cry of terror. Andrew looked at her, his eyes wide. She made a frantic motion with her hand, making the outline of a gun, but Andrew shook his head. “It’s downstairs,” he said softly as he pulled on his clothes . “Get dressed. I’ll try to head him off.” Mary nodded as Andrew left the bedroom, shutting the door after him. She quickly put on her dress and then crouched at the door, wanting to hear everything that was said. “Mr. Holmes, what are you doing in my house?” Andrew’s voice was cool and calm. “I don’t believe you’ve been invited.” “ Where’s Mary?” “Why would I know where Mary was? You have refused my marriage offer.” “That hasn’t stopped her whoring around according to the house servants. I’ve had them watching her for weeks and she came here today. I know it for a fact because the maid followed her.” His voice became even louder. “I’m tired of her lies. She’s