When the warmth of his hand skimmed the bare skin of her thigh, sensual heat surged to her core where only a few hours before…
She resisted the urge to raise her knee up onto his hip while he curved his hand around her back and then over her belly. “So precious.”
Resisting her own desires grew more and more difficult.
But he’d told her already that he wanted to wait.
“I want you, sweet girl, so much.” She could hear his breaths now, laboring almost to match her own.
“But you said—”
“I’m an idiot.”
“So…?”
In answer, he lifted his hand and covered her breast. His touch wassomuch more satisfying than her own had been. Incomparable.
He squeezed with just the right amount of pressure and then tweaked the tip. The combination of this man, the rugged soldier in him but also his dedication to honor and good manners, melted her heart like butter.
Need dissolved into surrender.
His eyes flared, reflecting the moonlight and in an impatient movement, he pushed the counterpane down and then used his feet to free himself from the covers. At the same time, she drew her night rail up and over her head.
She meant to toss it aside but froze at the sight of him.
“Luke.” Her gasp was partly from need and partly in awe.
Watching him, appreciating the filtered light of the moon slanting across his form, she couldn’t move her gaze away from the perfection of this man. Shadows revealed contours she’d only imagined. A short but jagged scar ran down one side of his torso and a second one curved over his shoulder.
This man. He was a soldier, a brother, a friend. She would have him for a lover. Could she have more?
Tears stung the back of her eyes. Was it possible? Weretheypossible?
When she finally met his eyes again, she recognized the same need. Even as his gaze settled on the bulge of her midsection.
“Does it bother you?” She had to ask. She needed to know. She didn’t want him to make love to her out of pity.
“God, no. Naomi. You’re incredible. Being with you like this is a miracle.” His throat moved as he swallowed hard. “I wish she was mine. I won’t lie. But she is a part of you.”
And Arthur. Would he always be between them?
He countered the question without her having to voice it. “We won’t always be defined by his choices. We will make our own.”
And tonight would be theirs alone.
They would not speak his name again.
“I don’t want to hurt you.” He oh-so-gently drew her against him again and it was he who lifted her knee and settled it onto his hip.
“Touch me,” she begged. She did not need to ask a second time.
He fondled her softly at first, but then slid his fingers along her crease. “You’re so wet for me.” His palm floated up to just below her belly and then down again, around. “You like this.”
“So much,” she moaned.
“And this?” He entered her with one finger, stretching her wider as he added another.
“Mmm...”
