He should not be shocked or even scandalized to awaken to discover that she’d climbed into his bed. She wasn’t some debutante trapping a helpless man, she reminded herself again. She was a grown woman—a widow, attempting to seduce her intended.
Hardly scandalous at all, really.
Not at all.
Her breath hitched.
She could not help but remember the last time she and her husband had made love. Lawrence had already been weakening but he’d not completely taken to his bed yet. He hadn’t been able to hold himself above her. They had switched their position so that she was on top. He’d felt fragile beneath her.
Mr. Kirkley was a larger man than her husband had ever been, even before he had taken ill. Her intended was tall but also brawny and managed to appear quite vigorous.
She inched herself in his direction, and then halted, inched and then halted, over and over again until she was not quite touching him. Her breath fluttered when she was close enough to feel the warmth emanating from his skin onto the bedclothes around him.
I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.
In one determined motion, Margaret jumped off the cliff and pressed herself against him. He was not wearing a nightshirt. Oh, my.
Oh, my!
He was as naked as she was. He wasn’t as hairy as she’d imagined. His skin was taut and silky… Despite all the fears she had, she couldn’t help but relish this physical touch. It was as comforting as it was arousing.
And it felt…
Wonderful.
“Ummm…” he murmured and kissed the top of her head. “I thought you would make me wait, tease me a few days longer.”
He was not disappointed. Relief swept through her.
She slid her arms around his waist. Smoother than she expected, although tufts of hair on his chest and… lower… sent the most delightful sensations running through her.
“You are not upset? That I have come to you?” she whispered against his chest. She had not expected her reaction to his male hardness to be so powerful.
“I haven’t the discipline to turn down one as sweet as you.” His lips trailed from the top of her head to behind her ear. “You are soft. And warm. Does it feel as though I am upset?” He pressed himself against her.
She did not have to ask what he meant. She would most definitely not be forced to use her hands to ensure his enthusiasm.
Her own body might as well be singing and her mind—which had only hoped that he would consent to her seduction—rejoiced. Not only did it seem like he wouldconsent, but, she noted as one of his hands trailed along her hip, he was doing so quite enthusiastically!
He worked his mouth away from her jaw to the corner of her mouth. “Such a lovely surprise.” His tongue slipped past her lips.
This kiss was nothing like the one he’d given her after she’d accepted his proposal. It sent heat spiraling to her breasts and between her legs.
Lawrence had only allowed her to kiss him with an open mouth on a few occasions.
George had never even hinted that such intimacy could be possible between them.
Margaret’s tongue swirled inside of his mouth of its own volition. He tasted of mint. He tasted healthy and clean and masculine and…
She strained even closer, resisting a most ridiculous sudden urge to cry.
This was what she’d imagined lovemaking would be. She’d loved her marriage bed with Lawrence, and she felt guilty for making a comparison. But it had not been quite like this. Rarely in her life had she ever experienced such mutual desire. Already, over the course of just a few minutes, she felt wanted, cherished, sensual.
A warm, knowing hand explored her skin.
When his palm covered her breast, she gasped against his mouth. When his fingers and thumb massaged her and then squeezed the tip, her gasp turned into a small cry.
All along, the pressure of his member—of his cock, dear God—ensured her that this hunger building between them would be satisfied.
