“Because I wanted to see you.”
“Give me a moment.” She then shut the door in his face and rushed to her bed and pulled on her dressing gown and secured it at her waist before opening the door again.
“Have I disturbed you?” he asked with a frown as he entered.
He, too, had bathed because his hair was still damp.
“I was bathing.” She gestured to the tub.
“Do not let me stop you from doing so.” Sterling grinned. “I can even be of assistance in helping scrub the places that you might not be able to reach.”
Her body warmed at the very idea of him assisting her, but that would be too intimate. Which was a strange thought since they had already seen each other completely unclothed.
“I thought for certain that you would be asleep by now,” she said again.
“Because I am a pampered earl who is not used to hard work?” he countered.
“Because you are a gentleman who has never taken part in harvesting grapes before. It is hard work and no doubt several people who were beside us today are already asleep.”
“Not you,” he reminded her.
“Because I had duties when I returned home. Only after Livia was asleep was I able to take a bath.”
He nodded and stalked toward her. “What were you wearing when you answered the door? You hid yourself.”
“A towel,” she answered.
“Is there anything on beneath your robe now?”
“That is a rather personal question, Lord Wyndham.”
He grabbed the tie at her waist and pulled her forward until she was pressed against his body as his mouth devoured hers. Heat swept through her entire being.
His nimble fingers untied her dressing gown and pulled it openthen brought his hands to her breasts before one hand caressed down her stomach until he reached her curls and then he touched her.
Caroline’s knees nearly gave way and she had to clutch his shoulders to keep from collapsing. She thought they would move to the bed but he turned her away from him and brought her back against his chest. As he kissed her neck, he caressed a breast and teased a nipple while his other fingers brought waves and waves of pleasure until a release so powerful that swept from her womb and through her entire body. Only then did he sweep her up and place her on the bed.
She lay there with no strength to move and tried to catch her breath as Sterling stripped every piece of clothing from his body and came over to her. Caroline parted for him and gasped when he filled her with one thrust.
For a moment, he didn’t move. She stared up and into his blue eyes and then Sterling kissed her. So gentle, sweet, and caring that her soul ached from the beauty of it and her heart swelled further with love. Then he moved, but slowly, deliberately, and watched her face and eyes until she once again reached the heights of passion that sent her soaring again, her body splintering right before he groaned and withdrew.
Only then did he fall away from her, breathing deeply.
Once she recovered, Caroline turned her head to look at him.
“I did just bathe.”
He chuckled then swept her up in his arms before crossing to the tub and lowering her back into the water.
“Then I suppose it is my responsibility to bathe you all over again.”
Chapter Forty-One
The next morning,Sterling was awake before the sun. He was not going to be late again. In fact, he arrived before Caroline.
“Did you oversleep?” he asked quietly.
“No. I needed to take my daughter to your mother and break my fast,” she returned. “I am surprised you are here so early.”
