She nodded, seemingly transfixed by their reflection.
“I want to be that lover,” he whispered.
She whimpered. Then, her weapon-eyes returned to his. “Only my hat? You promise?”
“Yes.” For now.
“Very well.”
So prim. So proper. Soon, he’d coax open those tight little lips, and urge them to speak very improper things.
He pulled the string securing her bonnet. Her hat tumbled to the ground. He held her from behind, leaving one hand where the ribbon had been tied, and resting the other lightly on her hip.
He inhaled her scent as he swept his cheek from her crown to her ear. Her hair was smooth, but it had been stretched, twisted, and pinned into a bun far too severe for her face. He longed to free her locks. He also longed to stretch and twist and pin her other parts, to make his sheets a canvas, and her body, the art.
He would not subject his angel to his most prurient desires. She deserved his best.
He brushed a few fallen strands of hair from her neck. While holding her gaze in the mirror, he touched his lips to the flesh above her shoulder. Her shudder passed from her body to his. She moaned, a sound like water on parched clay.
“Shh,” he crooned.
Gently, he urged her to relax against his chest. Her weight was as every bit as exhilarating as he’d hoped. He kissed her on her crown and cradled her close. Then, intentionally, she rubbed her cheek against his arm.
He hardened further.
Hewouldhave her, even if he must swear she would be the last woman whose body he’d ever worship.
“You have had the marriage without the sanctity,” he spoke against her skin. “I offer you the sanctity without the marriage.”
“What do you mean?” Breathless.
“I cannot,” he paused to correct himself, “Iwillnot marry again. But if you come to me, I will promise you fidelity, even after we part.”
She met his eyes in the mirror. “Devil,” she accused.
“I have been told I dwell in darkness.” Her scent was blossoming gardens and light. “And I think, love, that you wish to join me, if only for a time.” His fingers caressed her hip. “Permission. That’s all it will cost.”
With a rush of hot breath, she turned in his embrace. “I want to say yes, but I cannot.”
Her lips were saying one thing. Her eyes, something else.
“When you come to my bed, I will touch you in any way you wish to be touched, kiss you every place you wish to be kissed.” The pressure in his balls intensified. “I ask only three nights, after which you may return to your world, reputation intact.”
“Iwill know,” she repeated, this time in a whisper.
“Yes, you will know,” he replied. “And I swear you will never forget.”
He resisted the overwhelming urge to claim her lips.
First, she must agree.
“Passion for three nights,” he said. “Fidelity forever.”
He meant the promise with all that was left of his ravaged heart.
What did it matter if he never coupled again? He’d sacrifice anything for her intimate touch. For a look of sensual wonder on her face. For the chance to find that too-brief oblivion and shudder helplessly in her embrace.
“Your Grace—”
