She tried to remain calm and keep her voice steady as his hands brushed across the tops of her legs. She was acutely aware of his arousal now as it pressed against the apex of her thighs. For the moment, she regretted continuing to wear her modern lingerie. Evie told her she had ditched them several weeks ago when she decided to stay in the past. But Chloe was unable to part with them yet.
“And what was yer plan when ye snuck into my room?”
He continued to caress her with gentle touches. Her heart flipped as her eyes fluttered closed. Did he have any idea whathe was doing to her? Yes, he probably did and that’s why he continued to do it.
“The keystone,” she said, her voice a breathy whisper.
What the devil was wrong with her? She wasn’t the type of girl to get lost in her own emotions. She was cool, controlled, confident. She never let herself get so carried away. But there was something about the way he touched her, the way his deep, sexy voice rumbled through his chest under her hands, and the way he kissed her. Oh, yes, definitely the way he kissed her.
His hands moved under her skirt to cup her bottom and then he paused.
“What’s this?”
Her eyes flew open as she gazed down at him, realizing he wouldn’t understand why she had cloth covering her bottom. He looked genuinely intrigued.
“It’s, um…” She bit her lip, unsure how to explain. “Maybe I’ll show you.”
A dark brow lifted, amusement flickering over his features.
As much as she hated to, she pushed off him and stepped off the bed. First, she kicked off her shoes. He sat up on an elbow and watched as she pulled off the wool overgown and dropped it to the floor. Then the shift, revealing her boring taupe colored bra and panties. She was never one for satin and lace, after all, because she was a practical girl.
He eyed her with some curiosity before he pushed to the side of the bed, the blankets still bunched around his waist, which gave her some relief. She wasn’t sure she was ready to see him in all his naked glory.
“What are ye wearing?” He hesitated, as if he wanted to reach for her but was unsure.
She stepped closer, the chill in the room skittering up her exposed arms and legs, leaving gooseflesh in its wake.
“In my time, this is what ladies wear.” She motioned up and down her body.
His appreciative gaze flickered over her cloth-covered breasts then downward, pausing for a long moment before lifting back up to her face. Another step closer and she was inches from him. His body heat was so intense, it radiated from him, warming her.
Shouldn’t she feel timid and shy? That was how she always was when she was about to be intimate with someone new. She had allowed Bruce to take the lead, to undress her, to set the pace of their lovemaking.
But now, as she stood before Malcolm, she wanted him to see her. She reached behind her and unclasped her bra, letting the material slide down her arms. She dropped it on the floor at the edge of the bed.
He said nothing as he looked at her, not moving, an unreadable expression on his face.
“Should I go then?” She started to reach for her discarded bra.
He reached for her, taking hold of her wrist. “Dinnae think of leaving me now.”
“You wish me to stay then?”
Her words were surprising. She didn’t recognize this wanton woman she had become.
He tugged her closer, his other hand sliding around her waist. His heated breath breezed over the skin between her breasts.
“Och, aye. I wish ye to stay for as long as ye want.”
His mouth landed on one dusty peak. She sucked in a breath, her body rigid as his mouth did wonderful, lovely things to her. Chloe slid her arms around him, her hands tangling in the length of his hair. She arched her back into his tender kisses, enjoying every moment.
When she thought she might unravel at the seams, a knock sounded on the chamber door.
He released her, but she held him in place.
“Don’t stop. Maybe they’ll go away,” she whispered.
But another knock sounded on the door. He growled, deep and low in his throat, and nudged her to the side. As he stood, and the blankets fell away from his hips, it took every ounce of strength to keep her eyes on his face.
