“I certainly wouldn’t want you to be scared,” he answered, leaning toward her. “Maybe I should stay, just to ensure all is well while you get settled.”
Priscilla noticed they were both breathing more heavily, the air in the enclosed space thick with anticipation. West tentatively raised a hand and brushed a few stray tendrils of hair off her temple before cupping her cheek. He waited for her to broach the space, allowing her to set their pace and initiate the next step in the relationship they were building. Consumed with the desire to kiss him again, she closed the gap and settled her lips on his.
The same warmth she had felt when first kissing him moved through her, but this time she had the presence of mind to enjoy it. He kissed her gently, but repeatedly. She strained forward inan attempt to be closer but stumbled and had to catch herself as her backside slid off the edge of the bench. Pushing herself back up, she sent her forehead straight into West’s chin, and he burst into laughter.
“I suppose a carriage isn’t the most convenient of places for sharing intimacies, though I’m sure many have tried,” he said through gasps of laughter. Priscilla was mortified but soon found his mirth at the situation contagious and joined him, laughing at herself.
West swiftly pulled her onto his lap before she had a chance to compose herself, and as they both took a minute to regain their breath, she leaned into him, letting herself be supported by his strong chest. Tipping his head to the side, he rested his cheek on the top of her head and wrapped his arms around her. It was the most secure she could ever remember feeling in her life.
It was at that moment the carriage slowed and came to a stop in front of the townhome where she was now to resided. Priscilla took a breath before pulling away from West, finding just enough courage to look up at him and ask, “Would you like to protect me tonight?”
He grew a wolfish smile. “Yes, I believe I would,” he replied.
She disentangled herself from his arms and West helped her down from the carriage after stepping out himself. Taking another breath, she squared her shoulders and walked ahead as he gave instructions to his driver. When the carriage pulled away, he silently followed her up the stairs.
Priscilla was all too aware of his presence behind her, buffering her from the spring wind. Fumbling in her reticule for the key to her new home, she found that her hands were shaking. She no longer felt as brave as she had just moments before now that reality was upon her.
Without a full staff, no one was waiting to welcome her in. It would just be her and Hampton, along with her maid, who she’dinstructed earlier not to wait up for her. Priscilla knew she was in no danger from him, but she had absolutely no idea how to go about seducing a man. Even so, as an affair had been her own brilliant idea, she felt she should be the one to take control of the situation.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to settle. A second later, her hand found the key and she pulled it out triumphantly, reveling in the fact that she would now live without anyone to dictate her daily schedule or comment upon her actions. Freedom was a blessed gift indeed.
Priscilla inelegantly stumbled over the threshold, the door sticking slightly. West grabbed hold of her arm to balance her, and its warm weight was more steadying than the actual support it provided. On a side table by the entrance was a lamp that Emma had kindly left lit. Seeing no reason to dawdle and stall the inevitable, Priscilla picked it up on the way to the staircase.
As they mounted the stairs, she was equal parts nerves and excitement. For years since her marriage, she’d heard friends discuss how enjoyable lovemaking could be with the right partner, and her attraction to West was obvious. Though she was certainly no blushing virgin, she still felt very much like a novice. And if there was one thing Priscilla hated, it was not being able to excel at something.
West held the door open once they reached the main bedroom at the top of the landing, allowing her to set the lamp down. While Hampton prodded the low fire back to life, she shrugged out of her pelisse and set it aside with her reticule. Once tall flames were dancing again, West peeled off his own jacket and she admired the way his back moved beneath his waistcoat. There was something about seeing a man in his shirtsleeves that felt intimate, making her pulse race.
He turned back to her, and their eyes locked. She felt a blush creep up her neck and her hands began to fidget of theirown accord, not sure what to do next. West must have sensed her unease for he stepped towards her gently, like he was approaching a horse he was afraid might startle. Taking one of her hands in his own, he stroked the back with his thumb. She felt instantly calmed.
“If you’re uncomfortable, we certainly don’t need to do this,” he said, completely sincere. “It’s hardly the part of our agreement that is necessary.” His flirty smile as he attempted to lighten the mood caused a flurry of flutters in her lower abdomen, pulling her invisibly toward him even as she didn’t move.
“I’m not uncomfortable, I . . . I’m just not sure how to begin.”
“I think we made rather a good start of it in the carriage, don’t you?”
West was right, she’d felt just fine kissing him in the carriage. Stepping further into his space, she angled her head up and brought her hands around his neck. “Should we recommence then?”
The question was barely out of her mouth before his hands were on her back, pulling her possessively against the strong line of his body as his lips crashed down onto hers. This kiss was not gentle like the last, but hungry. Priscilla reveled in it, parting her lips so the kiss might deepen, and West answered. Time lost meaning. She may have stood there for mere seconds, or a quarter of an hour may have passed as their lips and tongues danced together and their hands began to explore, sending shivers up her spine.
One of West’s hands began to slowly climb her side, his fingers counting every rib on the ascent. But as his thumb brushed the underside of her breast, it suddenly all felt too fast.
CHAPTER 14
West was drowning in Priscilla when she suddenly went rigid. Knowing something wasn’t right, he immediately pulled away.
“What’s wrong? You’re trembling.” She wouldn’t look at him, but he could feel her shaking as he held her arms. Oh, god. Had he done something wrong? “Did I hurt you?”
She shook her head, and he let out a breath he was unaware he’d been holding. The fear that had overtaken him in just one moment was overwhelming. The last thing he wanted was to harm her.
“I’m so sorry.” She spoke so quietly that he had to tilt his head closer to hear.
“What are you sorry for?” He was genuinely confused, as she’d done absolutely nothing wrong.
Priscilla brought her hands up to cover her face and let out a strangled laugh. “This is a situation entirely of my own making. I’m the one who made an affair a condition of our arrangement. I felt so confident, and I was so curious. But imagining something, thinking you’re bold enough to take it on, is quite different from reality.”
She was still trembling and refused to look up at him, leaving West unconvinced he wasn’t to blame for her distressed state.
“Come,” he said, gently tugging on her arm, “let’s sit by the fire.”
