“May I make you more comfortable?”
After coming to her senses, she met his eyes, satisfied that they appeared as unfocused as her brain. The black circle in the middle had expanded so much that the sea-foam green almost vanished, his gaze unfocused and dusky.
“What?” Raspy and dry, she almost didn’t recognize her own voice.
“May I remove your gown?” His fingers played with a lace on the back of her gown.
The images in Alice’s book flashed in Anne’s mind. If Colin’s kisses could befuddle her so, she’d surely lose her mind when they became more intimate.
But oh, how she wanted to find out.
CHAPTER 20
When Anne finished fantasizing about all the things Colin could, and probably would, do with her, she met his gaze.
He studied her. His beautiful green eyes searched hers but held a patience she didn’t expect from a man so typically irritable.
What had he asked? Those kisses had driven it right out of her mind.
“Anne? Your gown? You would be more comfortable if I removed it and loosened your corset.”
“Is that the real reason, or are you trying to get me naked?”
He blinked, and a slow smile crept across his face. “I should have known you’d be direct. Although it’s true you’d be more comfortable, I won’t deny I have selfish motives.”
“Good.”
“Good?” He shook his head. A low chuckle rumbled against her hand on his chest. “That I have selfish motives?”
“Good that you want me.”
“How could you have any doubt? Now, since I have your permission.” Pure masculine desire brewed in his green eyes. With deft hands, he unfastened her gown until it dropped haphazardly down her shoulders.
Grateful when he unlaced her corset and removed it, she drew in a much-needed breath and hoped more air would help her spinning head. Yet, as he trailed kisses along the newly bared skin, her thoughts remained muddled.
With each sensual touch of his lips, her skin tingled with electric excitement, and when he stopped, she protested.
“One moment.” He rose from his seat beside her and made quick work of removing everything but his shirt and trousers.
Placing his hands on either side of her hips, he knelt before her. “I know ours is not a love match, Anne, but if you will allow me, I will show you it can still be enjoyable.”
If it were any more enjoyable, Anne thought she might explode, but she was more than willing to test her limits.
The white linen of his shirt gaped at the neck, exposing a smattering of dark auburn hair. Her fingers itched to touch it.
As if reading her thoughts, he pulled the linen over his head and tossed it aside.
Curious, she ran her fingers across the hard planes of his chest and through the sparse hair. “It’s soft. I thought it would be prickly.” It trailed down his abdomen, growing narrower until it disappeared beneath his trousers. Her face heated, knowing exactly where that trail led.
His gaze locked with hers. Those green eyes of his mesmerized her so thoroughly, she didn’t even realize he’d lifted her skirts and removed her slippers and stockings until she felt the touch of his bare hands running up her calves to her thighs.
Oh, my goodness.Had her eyes rolled back in her head?
Rising, he kissed her again while gently pushing her back and lifting her legs onto the bed. His gaze captured hers with predatory focus as he settled next to her. How had he managed to slip her gown off entirely?
Rain continued to patter against the windowpanes. One window remained open a crack, and even on the summer day, a breeze chilled the room. Left in only her chemise, Anne should have been cold, but the heat from Colin’s body next to her warmed her.
“Don’t be afraidto touch me, Anne.”
