Violet had promised herself she would not allow matters to proceed until she had some real answers from him, and yet…
She kissed him back anyway.
He tasted of something spicy, and port, with a hint of mint and just…Simon. And when his hands smoothed over her gown, and then her skin, she had no will to stop him.
None.
He had come. And when he’d climbed into bed and simply held her, she had known.
Butler or highwayman or crime boss, or whatever this man was, she loved him. And despite all the contrary evidence that ought to send her running, she trusted him.
Because…
She loved him!
Fiery bursts of warmth filled her at the realization.
“Simon.” She grabbed his jacket to slide it down his arms and realized the sling he’d been wearing hung loose around his neck. “Your wrist. We need to be careful.”
“It’s fine,” he breathed, shucking his jacket behind him, and then claiming her mouth again. “I just need you.”
She’d once believed it would be foolish to fall for him. But now… she knew she’d be a bigger fool to live a life without knowing him like this.
He whipped her night rail over her head, and the cool night air kissed her bare skin.
“You’re the one.” He hovered over her and then slowly lowered himself, pressing her into the mattress so their bodies touched everywhere. “You’re the one.” Her breasts muffled his voice. “I need you, Violet. You’re everything.”
His words rendered her speechless.
“Simon.” She cradled him between her thighs, her knees wide. Take all of me. Not only her body, but her heart, her soul, her past, her future.
How had this happened? How had she found someone that she’d sacrifice everything for?
He filled her emptiness—in more than a physical sense.
The intimacy between the two of them had been daring and exciting, but it had grown into something more. This. Tonight. It was more than physical pleasure. She would make love with him.
Their breaths mingled in staccato bursts and hers hitched when he settled his cock at her entrance.
They’d waited long enough for this. She’d waited a lifetime to find him. “Yes,” she breathed.
He thrust inside and the world shifted into place. He was home. This was right. This had been meant to be all along.
“God, Violet,” Simon breathed, his forehead resting on hers. He withdrew and thrust again.
There was a flash of stretching and the most exquisite, beautiful pain as her body accommodated his girth, softening—welcoming all of him.
And again.
Deeper.
She had been walking through life only half alive. Violet tensed her arms around him and thrust up with her hips. She never wanted to let go.
Because she knew now.
She finally knew.
All her life, she’d been living with half a heart—his was the silent beat she hadn’t realized was missing.
