A wave of excitement sent a flurry of butterflies loose in Mary's abdomen as John dragged his lips down her neck, chasing goosebumps across her skin. She wasn't entirely sure what he planned, but she certainly was in no mind to stop him. Once she had allowed herself this time with him, nothing would keep her from enjoying everything she could.

She loved the heat of John's bare skin against her own, and while she probably should have felt self-conscious about lying naked on the bed, she felt so comfortable around him—so at ease—that it only felt natural. As natural as loving this man had become, once she allowed herself to admit to it. Her grip on his hair tightened for a moment as if never wanting to let him go.

All thoughts fled and heat pooled between her legs as John reached her chest, took a nipple in his hot mouth and sucked. Alternating between licking, sucking, and nipping, he stoked the fire further, and she shifted beneath him, wanting more. His hands wandered down her side, along her ribs and waist, settling on her hips, before he kissed a trail down her stomach. When his chin brushed against her nether curls, her fingers curled in his hair. Could she really allow him to do something so deliciously wicked?

She suspected her cheeks were as red as they felt when he placed a soft kiss just above her curls before looking up. A smile curled the corners of his mouth.

"Mary?" he queried softly.

Her newfound boldness had abandoned her. "I..." Apparently, so too had her words. Her cheeks felt as if they were the colour of beets.

"I have never done this," John admitted honestly, while his fingers drew invisible patterns on her hip, sending tingles all the way to her core. "But I always wanted to try. I had hoped you would indulge me."

How could she resist that earnest look? And it wasn't as if her body wasn't screaming for him to touch her. She nodded jerkily, then inhaled sharply as John's lips descended on her. Desire raged inside her as he explored her using his lips and tongue, testing what made her squirm, what made her moan, and what made her gasp his name aloud. Her hands grasped the bedsheets as he pushed her higher and higher, her excitement building until it was almost unbearable.

John's hands on her hips angled her towards him, allowing him a better angle as he worshipped her, pushing her desire further with every stroke of his tongue. Her hands were back in his hair, even if she wasn't sure if she wanted to push him away or pull him closer. Her body burned and her world was aflame. With a loud sound that may have been a moan or may have been his name, her world exploded as a wave of pleasure crashed over her.

Coming back to her mouth, John kissed her deeply as he covered her body with his. With hurried movements, he unbuttoned his trousers and settled himself between her legs. She buried her face against his shoulder as he entered her, loving the feeling of him inside her, above her.

Right now. At this moment. He was hers and only hers. No one else mattered.

They moved in unison, their hands and lips searching, exploring, memorising every inch, every gasp, every movement. As she gazed into John's grey eyes, the heat and longing in them mesmerised her. He made love to her the way she had always dreamed a man who loved her would. Thoughtfully and intent on her pleasure in any way he could bring it. It didn't take long for the fire inside her to burn hotly once again, fuelled by his every stroke. When she came undone this time, she definitely called his name, and he followed not long after before collapsing next to her.

Pulling her into his arms, he nuzzled her neck and shoulder. "I love you," he mumbled against her skin. "I wish I could make you understand how much."

She wished she knew. Maybe she was being unreasonable, but the idea of allowing herself to hope only to be disappointed... She just couldn't do it. Better to walk into this with open eyes. This way, her heart shouldn't shatter—at least not completely—when he chose Olivia in the end.

Leaning back slightly, he looked down at her, his face soft. "Despite our differences in the past, there is no one I feel as comfortable with as I do with you. No one I trust as much."

She lowered her eyes to stare at the dip at the bottom of his throat. He trusted her. How could she not return the sentiment? Why could she not trust that he was honest?

"I trust you," she mumbled. "I believe you feel this way now. But this is but a brief span of time compared to the years you have loved Olivia. Feelings like that don't go away."

"It was an infatuation." He tucked a finger under her chin and lifted her face to his. "This is different. I know myself well enough to see that this is nothing like my immature—dare I say, juvenile?—feelings for Olivia."

His lips brushed against hers, and she rested a palm against his cheek. She wanted to believe him. She did.

"Do you love me?" he asked quietly.

She wanted to deny it, to spare herself future heartache or pity, but she suspected he already knew. Even if she had not said the words outright, she had said enough. She nodded.

"Do you trust me?" He held her gaze, and she could not look away.

Again, she nodded.

"I trust you too." A smile curved the corners of his mouth. "And I will prove it by telling you something very few people know. Certainly not Olivia. But you may never tell a living soul."

She frowned. "I already know you work for the Rose Agency. We met at their offices, remember?"

The curve of his lips deepened. "We did," he agreed. "But I don't work for the Rose Agency."

Now he wasn't making any sense. Had someone hit him on his head when she wasn't looking? He was literally working on her case with the Rose Agency.

"I'm assisting the Rose Agency because your case coincided with a case my superiors wanted me to work on." John's hand moved along her side and hips as if he couldn't quite bring himself to stop touching her. "The War Office employs me. Occasionally, we work with the Rose Agency when we cannot be directly involved."

"You..." Her jaw must have dropped as she stared at him. Dull Osborne apparently held more secrets than she ever would have guessed. "You're a spy?"

"We don't use that title, but in a sense." His face grew serious. "You truly cannot tell anyone. Not even my family knows exactly what I work with. But if you are to be my wife, I think you ought to know."

She swallowed back a lump in her throat. He trusted her enough to share his most significant secret. That must account for something. Unable to find her words, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her mouth against his in a fervent kiss. With a groan, he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.

A knock on the door made them freeze and look at each other. John frowned before disentangling himself from her limbs. Pulling his trousers back on, he padded over to the door as she pulled the bedsheets up to cover herself. When he opened it, there was no one there, but the gust of wind from swinging the door open made a sheet of paper flutter on the floor. He picked it up before closing the door again and returned to bed.

They sat next to each other as he unfolded the note. Only two sentences graced the white paper.

'Meet me in the library in ten minutes. Mary alone.'

John stared at the words, his frown deepening.

"Dash?" he said. "I met him recently, though. I cannot imagine he has heard any news since. And surely he would simply barge in here like he did last time."

Mary tilted her head to the side. She couldn't be certain, but the shapes of the letters looked awfully familiar.

"I think it might be Jane's handwriting."

Their eyes met. This was their first sign that Jane might truly be in attendance.

"I guess you're going to the library," John said with a downward twist on his lips. "I don't like the idea of you going alone. What if it's a trap?"

"A trap for what?" Mary couldn't help smiling. "It's a house party. Nothing much could happen here."

John didn't look as if he agreed. Lifting her hand to smooth the lines on his forehead, she said, "If it makes you feel better, you could wait outside the library."

He nodded. "I will."

Excitement bubbled inside her. Was this finally a sign that Jane was here? Would she finally know for sure?

~~~~~~