She was disappointed. “Does that apply to every man?”
“Gads, no, only someone as jaded as Rathban. I, for one, don’t think I could ever have enough of you.”
He did it again! And he didn’t even notice what those words did to her, he went right on with his lesson, saying, “Keep in mind that if he does resort to crudeness, it could well be his defense, an effort to shock you into retreating from your pursuit of him. So you will want to ascertain whether it is a defense or an actual overture, albeit a clumsy one, before you respond.”
“How can I tell the difference?”
“You could try kissing him at that point.”
“I’d rather not.”
“If he’s to be your husband, you may want to get used to it.”
“Shall we practice kissing then?”
She wasn’t really teasing, and he didn’t react with annoyance this time. With one step he gathered her in his arms and was kissing her. If this was just practice, she would clobber him. But she felt as if she were in the meadow again, this was hot passion springing up wildly between them.
“I thought I could manage this, but I want you too much,” he said against her lips. “Tell me to leave.”
“This is your room.”
“Then get out.”
But he didn’t stop kissing her! She felt like laughing, but she wanted to kiss him more so she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. He wouldn’t be able to stop what he was doing even if he tried, but he didn’t. He put a hand at the back of each of her thighs and lifted her legs off the floor, placing them around his hips. So she wrapped those tightly around him, too, and he carried her to his bed. It wasn’t far.
On the bed, with him! The fluttering inside her went a little crazy as he settled himself mostly on top of her because his position assured her that this wasn’t part of any lesson, this was him giving in to his desire for her and her feeling thrilled that he was.
She groaned as his lips moved across her cheek, then the side of her neck, his warm breath near her ears tantalizing her not once, but several times. And when he finished kissing one side of her face and neck, he moved to the other. But his mouth kept coming back to hers. And he must have been lifting her skirt so slowly that she didn’t notice until his hand brushed over her mound, paused, and came back to it.
“Good God, sweetheart, do you always flit about without your drawers?”
She chuckled at his surprise. “No, of course not, but I donned my nightgown so I would look prepared for bed in case my sisters paid a late-night visit. When I was certain everyone else was abed, I dressed rather quickly and snuck over to your room.”
“I’m afraid it’s too late for an explanation. I’m always going to imagine you without them now, no matter what you’re wearing.”
“No you won’t, that’s just silly.”
“Men can be silly—especially when they’re thinking about women.”
“If you imagine I’m not wearing any, I promise I’ll imagine the same about you.”
He groaned and kissed her deeply again. She plucked at the back of his shirt to get it out of his trousers. He wouldn’t pause long enough to help. It was utterly frustrating because she so wanted to touch his bare skin but didn’t actually want to stop kissing him, either. Time seemed crucial, fleeting, and yet, good God, she wanted this night to last forever.
And then he rolled over on his back, taking her with him, lifting her on top of him. Now she had access! She settled herself on his hips and sat up to pull the rest of his shirt loose, then quickly unbuttoned it and ran her hands slowly up his chest.
She grinned when she saw him avidly watching her. “Your shirt was a nuisance.”
“Was it? So is this,” he said, and pulled her dress up and over her head. Then he groaned once again. “No chemise, either?!”
“I told you I was rushed in the matter of dressing,” she said, and leaned down to embrace him, pressing her bare skin against his. “Ohh,” she sighed blissfully against his lips. “Much better kissing this way, don’t you think?”
“I think you’re going to be the death of me—and we’ve gone too far in these lessons.”
“The lesson ended a while ago,” she said, kissing his neck, then nibbling on his ear. “I wasn’t teasing earlier.” And then in the softest voice, “I do want you.”
He rolled over again, this time so fast she couldn’t help laughing. And she didn’t need to mention his pants. He rolled to the side and disposed of them so quickly, she barely got to watch. But then he was back, covering her with his long body, and she savored every inch of him.
“I must have died. This can only be heaven.”
