He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in the crook of her neck. His hand swept up her back, over her shoulder, and down her arm in a light caress that summoned a sigh of sweet exhilaration from deep within her. In his arms, she’d found confirmation of what she already knew. That there was beauty in the world to outweigh the ugliness. Pleasant memories to be made to override the bad. What more could she ask for than to revel in all that he’d brought into her life for as long as she could?
Urging his head down, she kissed him, pouring her heart and soul into it until her head swam. She paused, gasping for breath, and he took advantage of the moment to sweep his tongue between her lips. Tasting, teasing until her pulse raced.
Could he see it? Understand it?
Once upon a time, she would have thought nothing could banish the darkness in her life. Then Connor had come like the morning sun, bright and dazzling. He’d chased away shadows and brought the dawn of optimism to her heart and mind.
As for her body…
Well, he hadn’t necessarily proven to her something she didn’t already know on an intellectual level—that all men were not the same, that the joining of two bodies did not have to entail pain and distaste. She’d known as much in theory. What he’d done was encourage her to explore the possibilities for herself. He’d shown her the way to unimaginable rapture.
He inspired her to take what she wanted without hesitation, but in doing so conversely demonstrated that in sharing both mind and body, there was something far greater than ecstasy to be found.
Catching his hand, she guided it to her breast. He drew back, brows aloft. “Are ye certain,mo chridhe?”
Chapter 27
In the light of day, my new cottage is a haven where I can live some semblance of a normal life. In the dark of night, I’ve learned that there are worse things than being alone. Like being lonely.They are not at all the same thing.
~ from the diary of Piper Brudenall, July 1893
“I’m happy enough to hold ye in my arms, lass. It needn’t be anything more than that.”
“We should all be able to make our own choices,” she told him. “However, if that’s what you decide, I’ll be most put out.”
At long last, Connor smiled and the corner of her lips twitched with the beginnings of one in response. Because how could she not smile when she beheld him? Not love watching the emotion in his expressive eyes and know he cared about her?
His mouth returned to hers, continuing his leisurely exploration. The smoldering heat of his kiss laid her bare, scoring her heart more than he already had. She’d never known such undeniable intimacy. Her soul wasn’t simply touched by him. It was lured by some unassailable power to dance with his.
A more profound surge of bliss suffused her when he cupped her breast. She let it all go. Come what may, she was his. Anticipating a visit from him this morning after the passionate night they’d shared, she hadn’t worn a corset today. The heat of his hand seeped through her blouse and chemise, her flesh pliable under his kneading fingers.
The brush of his palm over her nipple made her breath catch in her throat. Connor’s slight hitch echoed it. His mouth left hers, returning to draw lightly on first her upper lip, then the lower. His slow exhale brushed like a whisper across them.
His fingers ran along the buttons of her blouse, and releasing them, slipped inside. Her breath paused in wonder, every touch—even the most delicate brush of skin against skin—did the same. Perhaps it would always be like this. She hoped so. For now, each caress roused a moment of surprise. Astonishment sent her pulse racing and delicious shivers down her spine.
Connor ducked his head and the rough, wet stroke of his tongue replaced his fingers. He drew her nipple between his lips, flicking it with his tongue. Pleasure streaked down to her core and she couldn’t bite back a throaty cry.
“Ye’re so responsive,mo chridhe,” he murmured in his husky brogue. “I cannae tell ye how it delights me.”
He rolled her turgid nipple between his fingers and Piper gasped. “I can’t tell you…how it…delightsme.”
Her halted confession elicited a low chuckle that shook his chest. Another softer cry escaped her as his rough palm glided up her leg, teasing behind her knee until she bent her leg to trap his fingers. With a silky laugh, he watched her as he continued his path upward between her thighs. She hadn’t donned her typical layers of undergarments, either, and was glad for it now. His fingers grazed the curls between her legs, barely brushed them, yet she flinched anyway, enthralled by the power he held over her. A light circle traced around her pulsing core. Heart pounding, Piper held her breath.
“Look at me, lass,” he demanded hoarsely.
Opening her eyes, she met his hot gaze. His eyes dark, swirling with passion. With a groan, he dipped his head and kissed her with an open mouth as if he were as helpless against the pull of their desire as she.
“What ye do to me,mo chridhe.” He shifted, precisely what she had done to him apparent by the hard length straining against her bottom.
Piper couldn’t help but squirm. “What I do to you?” Her huff of laughter ended in a groan. She tangled her fingers in his shaggy hair and tilted her hips, eager to hurry him along. “Within a matter of minutes, you have me helpless and begging for you.”
Connor lifted his head, the fire in his eyes scorching her before they grew heavy. Labored breaths expanded his chest. “I’ve no’ heard ye beg.”
“Do you want me to?” His eyes flared in response. Wetting her lips, she whispered in his ear. “Please.”
With a sob of relief, she clenched around his finger as he pushed inside of her. A savage rumble reverberated in his chest and through her. She clamped down when he withdrew. With gentle thrusts, he returned then retreated. A desperate moan worked its way up her throat. A second finger joined the first, curling inside of her. His thumb circled her throbbing nub until the heat coiled there spread like wildfire.
Her head fell back. Her lustrous tresses spilling over his arm in a soft caress. Every moan and sob to pass her kiss-swollen lips licked at his desires. Each cry she strove to subdue was heaven to his ears. They drove him mad with lust and wanting. Her sweet body began to convulse around his fingers, and for an instant, Connor thought the force of her orgasm would ignite his own.
