She shook her head. “Is anyone out there?”
Tristan looked around. “No. The hall is clear.”
She opened the door wider. “Come in. Quickly.” She grabbed him by the sleeve and tugged him in. Closing the door, she leaned against it as Tristan pretended to look around her small room and not stare too intently at her. Since the moment she’d asked him to help her feel passionate intimacy, he’d been in a steady state of fever. He didn’t know when or where their proposed arrangement might begin, but his body didn’t seem to care. He wanted. He craved. Hesufferedin need of her. He’d told her to think about it and he meant it. As for him, he’d done enough thinking about her already and didn’t need a second more consideration. He’d take anything she offered, give her anything she wanted, and he’d deal with the heartache later.
“I thought about what we discussed last night,” she said.
“Good.” He steeled himself for disappointment.
She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I sent Milly to tell Mrs. Dove-Lyon I wasn’t feeling well and that I’d take the evening off.”
“That seems wise.” Tristan tugged at his collar. This room was getting smaller, and he was overheating. He glanced at her. She was in a dressing robe and her hair was down around her shoulders. His banked desire roared to life as he took in her lovely, disheveled state. Was she wearing anything under the robe? Wait, she said she was unwell. He shouldn’t be thinking about her naked. But she didn’t looksick. She looked soft and seductive.
“I told Milly I did not want to be disturbed all night.”
“Forgive me then. I just wanted to check on you, but I can go.”
She pushed away from the door, closing the small distance between them. She studied his face, fidgeting with the tie of her robe.
“I don’t want you to go.”
His blood heated, but he tried not to read into what she was saying. “What is it you want?”
“I want to... I’d like you to begin to teach me what we discussed last night.”
Now his blood boiled with need. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Yes, as ludicrous as that sounds, I am. I’ve thought about it like you said. I promise I did. I’m not a rash person. I don’t behave impulsively, except...”
“When you’re running for your life? That’s hardly impulsive—that’s instinctual.” He stepped closer and took her hands. His heart was pounding but his head was clear. What was it about this woman that made him feel so... certain?
“If this is what you want, then I’m with you,” he said.
She searched his eyes. “Where do we begin?”
“Well”—he had to keep his passion in check—“we’ll start slow. Simple touches. Flirting caresses on safe areas like the hands and arms.”
She frowned. “My hands?”
He smirked. “Every inch of skin can be used for pleasure, Flick.”
Her breathing hitched and her cheeks turned red. “Do we start right now?”
“If you’d like. No one knows I’m in here and we won’t be disturbed, but it is up to you.”
She nodded. “I want to start now. The anticipation is like ants under my skin.”
Tristan smiled. “Then turn around.”
“Why?”
“This first lesson will be sensory. Close your eyes and just feel. I’ll only be touching your hands and arms.”
“Very well.”
She turned and Tristan stepped close to her back and took her hand. He could feel the slight tremor in her body but then she took a breath and stilled. He brought her knuckles to his lips and softly kissed the pale skin. Her hands were lightly calloused from years of sewing, baking, tending to the ill, and generally giving herself to others and not taking anything back. Flick looked frail, but she was hewn from stone and service to others.
She gave and gave. This time, she would take. Tristan would give her all the pleasure she deserved. In any way she needed it. But it would have to be slow. He brushed her hair back to watch her face. The pulse at her neck bounced rapidly. Tristan turned her hand over and kissed her palm, slowly, languidly, with just a brush of his lips, no tongue, no assertive press of his mouth. He wanted to show her how light and effortless pleasure could feel and that at any moment she could pull away if she wanted. He nibbled his way down to her wrist and she giggled.
