“Hardly any clouds this morning. With any luck, it’ll stay that way, and we won’t have to stop another night. Not that the carriage isn’t well-sprung, but traveling certainly does tire one out,” Nia rushed to keep him from apologizing. And realized she was babbling.
Nia had never babbled a day in her life.
The events of the past few days flashed through her mind. The flooded river. The highwaymen. The carnival.
Last night.
Last night!
She didn’t know what to say to him. She didn’t know what she was supposed to say to him. He stepped inside at the same time she moved to exit. And feeling his body connect with hers, a thousand different sensations barreled into her. Embarrassment. Anger. Desire.
Need.
Instead of allowing her to move around him, he drew her into the room and closed the door behind him.
“I’ve upset you,” he said.
“I—” Her gaze shot around the room as though it would suddenly inspire the perfect words.
It didn’t work.
“I… Why… After…” She exhaled, finally meeting his eyes. Dark circles etched beneath them proved that he’d slept in the taproom rather than stay with her.
“You left.”
She just wished she knew what he was thinking. Ever since he’d walked out of her room last night, she’d gone through a thousand scenarios wondering why. Had he regretted it? Had she done it wrong?
“I didn’t want to,” he said.
He didn’t want to?
She studied his expression. He looked tortured.
Because of her! It was worse than she’d thought!
Nia pushed her way past him, but he caught her from behind, drawing her back against his front, cocooning her into his arms and chest.
“I didn’t want to leave you.” His voice sounded husky near her ear, and she felt his breath warm against her skin. “I wanted more. And already, I’d taken too much.”
Nia closed her eyes, close to tears in her relief. And feeling more confused than she could ever remember feeling.
“You didn’t take anything that I wasn’t willing to give.”
She couldn’t have given herself to just any other man. Only him.
Only Jasper.
“I’m sorry.” With his hands resting on her arms now, he nuzzled the spot between her shoulder and her neck. “I… You… It’s never been like that before.”
His admission hung in the quiet of the room. But she required clarification. “In a good way?”
“It was so good, Nia.” He pulled her closer and wound his arms around her front. “Too good. And none of this was supposed to happen. It just did. I nearly barged back in here about a hundred times, only to remind myself that you’d been untouched and might need some time…”
His words reminded her of the stain she’d discovered on the linen. Her blood. Not much, but a reminder of the significance of what they’d done.
“You should have asked me,” she said. “You’re supposed to ask.”
“I should have asked,” he agreed, and only then did he turn her to face him, sliding his feet wide so his eyes were level with hers. “I’m sorry. You will forgive me for being such an ass?”
