“Yes,” she managed, her throat constricting with the sheer, overwhelming force of the whirlwind threatening to sweep her away. “For you.”
He kissed her mouth again—not in a sensual manner this time but rather as if sealing a solemn vow. She was still struggling to comprehend the meaning of the kiss when he eased two fingers inside her.
She flinched, but not from pain. Instinctively she tightened herself around his gently probing fingers. She was so sensitive now that every touch sent little shocks through her.
Benedict stilled and raised his head. “Did I hurt you?”
“No.” She pulled him back to her. “No, please. Whatever you do, don’t stop.”
“I have to stop.”
“Why?”
“Because your sister warned me that if I got you pregnant she would have my head on a platter.”
“What?Penny said that? I don’t believe it.”
“Those may not have been her exact words, but as I recall it was something along those lines. The point was to make certain that I used a condom.” He paused. “But given your lack of experience, you may not understand what I am talking about.”
“I may lack experience, but I do not lack medical knowledge,” she said primly. “My father explained the use of condoms to me.”
“Of course he did.” Benedict sounded torn between amusement and chagrin. “I don’t suppose you carry a spare in one of the pockets of your cloak?”
She flushed. “Now you are teasing me.”
“Yes, I am.” He shifted his weight. “Hold on. I’ll be right back.”
He got up off the bed and went to where his overcoat hung on the wall. She levered herself up on one elbow to see what he was doing. In the firelight she watched him take a small leather case out of one pocket.
“Do you mean to say that you brought one with you?” she asked, dumbfounded. “On a journey to investigate a murder?”
He froze, evidently uncertain of the correct answer.
“Ah,” he said. He stopped and then came to a decision. “I have been carrying it everywhere since I bought it.”
“That would have been when, precisely?”
“Shortly after your sister gave me the lecture.”
“Good heavens.” She realized that she was not sure what to say. After a moment’s reflection, she smiled slowly. “It would appear that I am not the only one who travels prepared for any eventuality.”
He laughed—a husky rumble that was clearly fueled by relief—and came back to the bed. He opened the leather case and took out the condom. Amity watched, fascinated, as he sheathed himself in the little sack.
He leaned down to kiss her.
“This time you will enjoy the experience, I promise,” he said against her mouth.
“I believe you.”
He did not enter her immediately. Instead, he stroked her until she was once again throbbing and desperate. He found the exquisitely sensitive place just inside her and the nubbin at the top of her sex. He focused his attentions on those regions until she could not think of anything else.
When her release pulsed through her, she gasped, cried out and gripped Benedict’s shoulders tightly.
He pushed into her slowly, deliberately, riding the hot currents of her climax. There was no pain this time but the too-full, too-tight sensation set off another series of rippling little pulses. She was utterly breathless now.
She heard his hoarse groan. His back was a solid wall of muscle beneath her hands.
He reached down between their bodies. She realized that he was using one hand to secure the condom while he thrust into her. At the last possible instant he pulled out of her. She held him close while he spent himself into the condom.
