Dismayed by her thoughts, she practically threw the rag at him and then stumbled backward. “It’s… hot in here. I think I’m just a little overheated.”
“I’ll get you some water.” He was narrowing his eyes now as he climbed down, the leak momentarily forgotten.
“No. Don’t bother.” She backed toward the door, refusing to meet his gaze. “I’ll check in with Ester and get it myself. Please, don’t concern yourself. I’ll be right back.” Or not at all. Not, at least, until she could get these inclinations under control.
“Perhaps you ought to lie down for a spell,” he suggested.
“Yes. Yes.” Anything to curtail these yearnings. Because the thoughts that had begun to cross her mind were unthinkable.
She missed the intimacy she’d experienced withArthur. That was all.
That was all!
Naomi rushed out of the room and into the foyer and, instead of seeking out Ester, scurried into her bedchamber and immediately closed the door behind her.
If she was to be strictly honest with herself, the facet she’d loved most about her marriage had been the lovemaking. It was nothing she could ever admit to anyone. Whenever she’d overheard older ladies speak of the marriage bed, they’d complained that it was something to be endured, to be tolerated. It was meant only for the procreation of children.
But… Arthur had awakened something inside of her and now…
Now he was gone.
Standing with her back pressed against the door, she moved the hand resting on her belly to just beneath her breast.
“Arthur,”she whispered, imagining it was her husband’s hand. Only he’d also used his mouth. He’d laved his tongue gently around the tip. He’d been learning what she liked. Both of them had been. The first few months of marriage her husband had only begun to allow her a glimpse into the pleasures they could share with one another.
And then he’d left.
Naomi massaged the sensitive flesh that weighed heavily in her own hand. As she increased the pressure, she fantasized a man suckling and even biting softly. Heat rushed to her core, and she resisted lowering her other hand to offer herself some relief.
“Mrs. Gilcrest.” Ester’s voice from the other side of the door had Naomi jumping guiltily. “The major asked me to bring you some tea and a bite to eat. Are you unwell?”
“I’m—I’m fine.” Naomi opened the door. Tea was an excellent idea. She obviously needed… something. Although a niggling voice in the back of her head assured her that whatever it was she needed, it definitely wasn’t tea.
Chapter Six
Luke sighed and climbed down the ladder. With each repair he made, he seemed to find a dozen others that needed to be addressed. Weather permitting, he’d have to get on the roof again tomorrow.
He couldn’t help but wonder that the house hadn’t already fallen down around her. She’d wanted to paint the room, but it wouldn’t do any good to do that until the leak was repaired.
He turned his head when the door, which had been left partially ajar, pushed all the way open.
“I don’t know what came over me.” Naomi paused, looking hesitant. Her color seemed normal again, although her cheeks still held a soft pink rosy glow.
He’d caught her staring at his behind and although he was tempted to tease her about it, checked himself. Now wasn’t the time.
It wasn’t as though he hadn’t ogled her a time or two over the past week. And it wasn’t as though he didn’t experience a pang of sickening guilt afterward either—for yearning after her, with Gil barely dead a month.
It was the only reason he’d been able to recognize the expression on her face so easily. He’d been fighting the same desires himself.
And then a horrid thought turned his stomach. Had she imagined that he was Gil? He swallowed hard.
Unlike him, she’d had absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. Her housekeeper-maid, Ester, had commented more than once how sensitive expectant women were. Carrying the baby affected Naomi’s emotions, it affected her physically, it even affected which foods she could eat. Naomi had said she used to like beef in stew but on the one occasion Ester attempted to serve her red meat, she’d turned a pale shade of green and hurried outside.
Of course, carrying the baby would affect other appetites as well.
“Luke?” Her voice broke through his thoughts.
“I’m sorry. Woolgathering, I suppose.”
