“Do you want assistance, or would you like to try on your own?”
“I can do it.”
“Very well,” I offered with a gesture toward my neck.
Her delicate hands slid up my chest, burning a path toward my neck. She gently began to tug at the knot until it gave way. Unwrapping it once, twice, before she pulled it free from my starched collar, dropping it aside.
“I’m going to take off your waistcoat now.”
I offered a nod of agreement before her hands traced their previous path. Starting from the bottom, she worked over the series of buttons. Once she reached the top, she pushed it off my shoulders.
“Your shirt?”
She tugged it loose from my breeches before I could respond. I helped her tug it up and over my head.
“Oh!” Her eyes were wide and beseeching, her mouth still rounded on the sound. She was staring at my chest with what I was fairly certain was a mixture of arousal and confusion.
“Good oh?” I questioned with a crooked grin.
She nodded absently, dragging her eyes back to mine. Her hands hovered no more than an inch off my chest. The not-quite-touch was more arousing than any actual touch I had ever received. Finally, when I could take no more of the exquisite torture, I caught one of her hands in mine. Lacing our fingers together, I pressed them over my heart. The fierce pounding beneath was all her doing. She needed to know the havoc she wrought.
With my unoccupied hand I tipped her chin back. “You can touch, Duchess. If you want.”
“Anywhere?”
She was eager now, less tentative. That was how I wanted her, free to explore. The thought was unbearably arousing, and I could barely suppress a groan at the image of her hot hands on me.
“Everywhere,” I promised solemnly. “Anywhere you want, I’m yours.”
She surprised me by sliding her free hand to my wrist, pulling it free for inspection. Trailing delicate fingers up my forearm, I swallowed against the onslaught of unidentifiable emotion.
“Do you remember? That day at the bridge? It was so hot, and you rolled up your sleeves? It was most improper.”
“I remember every minute at that bridge, but I only recall your actions. I assure you, that particular moment of impropriety was unconsciously done.”
“I had… feelings about it. I didn’t understand until that day in the rain, when they were so magnified. But that was the first moment I can recall experiencing them.”
“You were… aroused?”
“Yes, I suppose that’s the word for it.”
“At the sight of forearms?”
“Your forearms. Not just forearms in general. Is that wrong?” Her brow furrowed with concern at the thought of her attractions being incorrect.
I rushed to correct her misconception. “No! No, certainly not. I quite like the thought of you being aroused by any part of my person. I’m excited by every inch of you. It’s only fair.”
She tightened her hands around said forearms. Even this innocent touch was unbearably affecting.
“You’re excited by me?” Her expression was eager, charming. My heart warmed at the sight and I couldn’t help but press a quick kiss to her smile.
“I wasn’t aware that was in question. My most sincere apologies, Duchess. The very thought of you enflames me.”
Her answering shimmy was pleased, a little cocky. She dragged her hand up my arm to caress my bicep and shoulder. Her tentative exploration stirred both affection and lust in equal measure, more than any skilled lover’s touch ever could. She gave my upper arm a delicate, testing squeeze before continuing on to my chest.
“Are there places you like best?”
“I wasn’t aware that a simple touch on my forearms could be arousing until you discovered that a few moments ago. I suspect the places I like best are whichever ones your hands are on at present.”
