Her heart stopped.
He smiled a little.
Relief dared to begin.
Their gazes held. His was, she realized, searching. “Did I hurt you?” he asked quietly.
Perhaps, just perhaps, this was a new beginning.“No,” she whispered.
He smiled just a little again, then turned and pulled her across his chest and into his arms. And he kissed her temple.
Virginia almost fainted with disbelief and relief.
“Are you uncomfortable?” he asked after a moment.
Her cheek was on his chest, his arm draped over his abdomen, his other arm around her. Virginia was afraid she might cry with happiness if she spoke. It took her a moment to say, “I am fine.”
He hesitated, then his fingers moved up and down her forearm. And he kissed her temple again.
Virginia was afraid to move—afraid to break the moment—afraid that if she did, it would vanish, as if it had never been. So she froze there in his arms.
“Maybe I should sleep in the sitting room,” he said.
She jerked, looking up at him and meeting his gaze. It was grave—but it held a gleam she instantly recognized. “Why?”
His mouth twisted in self-deprecation. “I am afraid once was not enough, little one. I want you again, but I refuse to abuse you.”
She saw what he meant and her heart tightened. She smiled at him, uncertain, and very daringly she swept her hand across his taut belly and lower still.
His eyes widened. “Virginia?”
She caressed the velvet length.
He choked.
“You won’t abuse me, Devlin. I may be petite but I am not porcelain.”
He didn’t speak.
She was somewhat fascinated by what she had dared to do, nevertheless, she did look up.
His eyes were squeezed closed. He was beginning to breathe hard. She saw a bead of sweat on his brow. She became very intrigued. “Devlin?” she asked, moving her hand to lightly touch his chest.
He seized it and replaced it. “Don’t stop,” he said, his voice thick.
And Virginia suddenly had an inkling of the power that might be hers. “What?” She became still, stunned. Was it possible that a mere touch could so immobilize him?
He seemed to fight to speak. “Virginia, do not stop,” he said, and his tone was so thick she could not tell if it was an order he gave—or a plea.
Virginia was in disbelief.
“Please,” he said thickly.
He was beggingher?
He stared—she stared back. Then she smiled a little, made absolutely breathless by the fierce blaze in his eyes, and she stroked him again, now carefully, and he gasped and reared up, his chest now heaving.
“Oh, my,” Virginia said, elation beginning. She smiled slyly at him.
