His mouth traveled along her throat, and he pressed a kiss to the hollow at the base, then trailed more across her collarbone, following it to the curve of her bare shoulder. One of his hands cupped her breast, his thumb stroking over her hard nipple, sending sensation shooting through her.
She clutched at his muscled upper arm for purchase in the slippery tub, deciding he should not be the only one exploring. Her other hand trailed down his chest, then lower, dipping under the water. She waited for the fear to intrude, for the panic to assail her, and yet this time, it did not. Because she was not alone and her body was humming with reawakened need. Her fingers trailed down his abdomen until she found what she was looking for, and they curled around his thick, heavy length.
“Fuck, Vivi,” he muttered as she stroked him with a tight grasp he’d shown her before. “You’ll unman me.”
His words, coupled with his soft groan and the way he hardened beneath her touch, spurred her on. She sought his mouth, kissing him again, their tongues writhing against each other, the meeting of lips turning wet and carnal as her hand moved on his lengthening shaft below the water. He plucked at her nipple, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger, before giving it a soft pinch that sent exquisite pleasure unfurling through her. The persistent ache between her thighs intensified as he fed her voracious kisses and plundered her mouth.
They parted for air, their breathing ragged, and he caught her wrist in a gentle grip, disengaging his cock from her grasp. “No more, or I’ll not last. This isn’t what I intended when I invited you into the bath.”
“I suppose we should bathe before the water grows too cold,” she agreed, although she wanted nothing more than to continue touching him, kissing him.
“We should.” He kissed her again, swift and hard, as if he couldn’t resist.
They made short work of washing each other using the soap and shampoo Nelson had left for her, before rinsing and rising from the bath to soft towels. They dried themselves, and then Court took her hand, wordlessly guiding her from the bathroom, through her dressing room, to the bedchamber.
“Sit, and I’ll brush your hair,” he said, gesturing toward the chair positioned before her mirror, where Nelson had also laid out her hairbrush.
With the towel wrapped around her, their shared bath leaving her warm and relaxed, she did as he requested, staring at her reflection, Court hovering over her, a solid presence at her back. His towel hung low on his hips, and she couldn’t help but admire his broad, bare shoulders and his muscled chest. He took up the brush and slowly ran its bristles through her wet hair. The steady, rhythmic strokes calmed her.
“That feels lovely,” she admitted, trying not to sigh in contentment.
“I’ve always loved your hair,” he said, taking her by surprise.
“You have?”
He’d certainly never told her as much.
“Mmm,” he murmured, working the brush through her wet tangles. “It’s like sunshine on a flawless summer day, golden and bright.”
Was he trying to woo her? Because if so, it was working. Her anger and bitterness were steadily being burned to ash by the flames of desire.Mere days, she reminded herself.He has only been home for days after a year’s absence.
“I always wished I had dark hair like Clementine,” she said, trying to keep her mind occupied so that her body’s restless yearning might be quelled.
“Lady Clementine has dark hair? I couldn’t see it under that monstrosity of a hat.”
“She does, and it’s beautiful.” Vivi couldn’t seem to look away from the mirror, from the sight of Court standing handsome and strong behind her, gently guiding the brush through her hair. “Mine is pale and boring.”
“I can assure you that nothing about you is boring,” Court said, his gaze lifting to meet hers in the mirror. “And you are perfect exactly as you are.”
“Far from perfect,” she denied, but his praise sent warmth cascading through her just the same.
“I’ll not hear otherwise.” He swept her hair to one side, leaving her throat exposed.
Holding her stare, he pressed a kiss to the place where her neck and shoulder met.
Her determination melted.
“Court.” His name left her, and she wasn’t sure whether it was in protest or plea.
“Do you want me to stay, Vivi?” He kissed her throat, the sight mesmerizing. “Or do you want me to go?”
How could she want him to go when his mouth was on her skin? It was unfair, the effect he had on her. The way he made her feel.
“Stay,” she said.
* * *
A surgeof desire so overwhelming that it almost knocked him on his arse hit Court at that one word.Stay.He closed his eyes and remained as he was, face buried in Vivi’s neck, the flutter of her pulse beating fast beneath his lips. He’d been too afraid to hope that she would want him. Christ knew he wanted nothing but her. Had longed for her every day he’d been gone from her side.
