“You saved us today, Benedict,” she said. “If you had not understood what that click meant when you stepped on the carpet...”
“I’ve spent years designing and experimenting with various types of mechanical devices. I know the click of a switch when I hear it.”
“Yes.” She took a few steps toward him and then stopped, uncertain how to proceed. “Definitely something to be said for your knowledge of engineering and... other matters, as well.”
He frowned. “You refer to mathematics?”
His genuine bewilderment gave her some confidence. She took a steadying breath and went to stand directly in front of him. She was aware of the warmth of the fire and another kind of heat, as well.
“Not mathematics,” she said. She drew her fingertip along the hard edge of his jaw. “I was referring to your expertise in the art of kissing.”
He raised his hands slowly and cupped her face between his rough palms. “If I am any good at kissing you it is because it comes naturally to me, as naturally as breathing. There is nothing I want to do more at this moment.”
She caught her breath. “There is nothing I want more at this moment than to be kissed by you.”
“Are you certain?” His voice was ragged now.
She flattened her palms on the fire-warmed skin of his chest and thought about the nights when she had touched him to see if he was feverish. She had been so worried those first few days on the ship. There were certainly other things to concern her now, but she did not want to think about them until morning. She remembered the question that had been in his eyes earlier when she had gone to the room’s only bed and he had spread the quilt on the floor. She had not known how to answer him then. But now she did.
“We have tonight,” she said.
She stood on tiptoe and brushed her mouth against his.
And that was all the answer he needed.
He pulled her to him and took her mouth with a fierce tenderness that thrilled her senses. She gripped his shoulders and hung on for dear life.
He deepened the kiss until she was breathless; until she could not think about anything else except the deep, aching urgency that was building inside her.
He unhooked the rest of the fastenings on the bodice of her gown. The dress fell away, pooling at her feet. She was left in her stockings, drawers and chemise.
“At least tonight we have a bed,” he said against her throat. “Not a pile of straw.”
“Yes.” She sank her nails into the muscles of his broad shoulders.“Yes.”
He lifted her, cradling her in his arms, and carried her the short distance to the bed. He set her down on top of the blanket and straightened long enough to strip off his trousers and drawers.
The rigid length of his erection fascinated her even as it made her wary. She remembered how uncomfortable it had been to take him inside her that first time in the stable. She reassured herself that it would be easier this time.
“We will go slowly tonight,” he promised.
He put one knee on the bed, testing to make sure it would take his weight. Her nerves were in such a jangled state that she actually giggled.
“The bed seems sturdy enough,” she said. “I don’t think you will send us crashing to the floor.”
He smiled in the shadows. “I hope you are right.”
Cautiously he lowered himself along the length of her, cloaking her in the heat of his body. He braced himself on his elbows to keep from crushing her into the mattress and bent his head to kiss her.
Everything inside her quickened. She gave herself up to the embrace. The sense of urgency coiled and tightened into a demanding ache. Impulsively she lifted her hips against the rigid thrust of Benedict’s erection.
He wrenched his mouth away from hers and kissed her throat.
“I love the smell of you,” he whispered.
She gripped his shoulders. He caught hold of the hem of her chemise and pushed the garment up to her waist. He slipped one hand inside the open center seam of her drawers and found the part of her that was melting.
“So warm,” he said. “And so ready.” He kissed her breast through the fabric of the chemise. “For me.”
