“But what transpired between us last night has nothing to dowith us as husband and wife,” she persisted, needing to resist him for the sakeof her self-preservation.
“Perhaps,” he agreed, still toying with her breast andproducing maddening results. “Or perhaps not. You’ve questioned me as youliked. But I have yet to ask you whyyou’vecome here, Maggie.”
She froze, a flush instantly warming her cheeks. She lookedaway from him, staring at her dressing table at the far end of the chamber.“We’ve been married for a year, and I’ve scarcely ever seen you. My dearestfriend recently reconciled with her husband, and I suppose I envied her. Iwanted to become a woman at last.”
“We came here, I suspect, for much the same reason,” hemurmured, his voice silken. “For a taste of distraction.” He lowered his headuntil his lips nearly grazed hers. “For the pleasures of the flesh.”
She swallowed, falling back into his gaze. “I will admitthat I was curious, yes.”
“Of course you were. You were untouched.” He gave her awhisper of a kiss. “I have a proposition for you. Let me slake your curiosity.For the next two nights, let me bring you passion. We’ve barely touched thesurface. There’s much, much more I could show you if you’ll but say the word.”
It was a tempting offer to be sure. “I don’t think it wouldbe wise,” she forced herself to say.
“Few pleasurable endeavors are ever wise,” he pointed out,smiling. “Drinking too much wine? Great fun but great misery the next morning.Overindulging at table? Delicious but the older you get, the more it landsround your middle. I’m afraid wisdom had very little to do with anythingworthwhile, my dear.”
He was once again speaking undeniable truth. But still,where the notion had once held endless appeal for her, it now seemedtreacherous. She couldn’t afford to become more involved with a man who hadproven himself unreliable and downright unfeeling. She’d suffered too muchheartache already, and surely he could only bring her more.
“And after the party is over, what is to happen then?” shedemanded. “Are we to simply go our separate ways as if none of this has everoccurred?”
His gaze became shuttered. “I don’t know, Maggie.”
Not particularly reassuring. She frowned, disentanglingherself from his arms with a heavy heart. “I’m afraid that isn’t good enoughfor me.”
“But you suggested just such an arrangement earlier today.”He was beginning to sound vexed.
Of course she had, but that had been before, when he hadbeen a dream rather than a reality. When making love with him and never seeinghim again had been far simpler. She wondered why this sudden scheme oflovemaking mattered so much to him. He had shown more concern for her in thelast twenty minutes than he had in the last year. Was he that desperate foranother woman in his bed? No. She instantly discounted that thought. Nellherself was lusting after him and other ladies in attendance had been open intheir admiration. He was a very handsome man. He could have his pick of anyother woman so inclined.
“Why?” she couldn’t help but ask. “Why are you so determinedto have me back in your bed?”
“Damn it,” he growled. “Why must you ask so many bloodyquestions? Why can’t you just let me take off your gown and make love to youuntil you’re senseless?”
Oh dear. His forthright speech made her mouth go dry. She mustbe an inner minx at heart, she thought, for whenever he said sinful things toher, all she wanted to do was throw herself into his arms. Of course, he hadn’tanswered the question he’d been lamenting. The omission hadn’t escaped hernotice. Did it hold significance? She couldn’t be sure.
It occurred to her suddenly that for the first time in theirunion, she was in a position of power over him. He wanted her in his bed. Shewanted to be in his bed as well. But the last thing she wanted was for him toonce again leave her, only to return in a year. She couldn’t bear anotherabandonment, not after the way he had held and kissed her. Not after the wayhe’d brought her back to life.
“Very well,” she said slowly, formulating her strategy. “Iwill agree to your madcap plan.”
“Thank God,” he all but groaned, pulling her against himonce more.
“But,” she added, tipping her head back to avoid his kiss,“it must be on my terms.”
“Your terms.” His voice was flat.
“Yes. My terms.”
“Christ, you’re a cock tease.”
She didn’t think she approved of that particularappellation, even if she wasn’t entirely certain what he meant. But she forgedonward, choosing to ignore him. “My terms are simple. I don’t want a mere twodays. I want a month of your time. During that time, you may not pursue anywoman but me.”
“A month?” He raised a brow, his eyes hot on hers.
“That is correct.” She took a breath before continuing. “Andafter the month is over, we are both free to pursue anyone we choose.”
He didn’t appear pleased with that idea. “Both of us?”
She would not budge on this. She had no intention of everbeing miserable and lonely again should he once again favor another. “Both ofus.”
“Promise me you won’t pursue Ravenscroft,” he muttered. “Icouldn’t bear it.”
