He kissed her, tenderly, so tenderly she thought her insides might melt from sheer love.
And then he began to move in her. Long, languid thrusts, in and out, again and again. His breathing grew ragged and the muscles of his back under hands felt tense as a bow string.
“Georgina, you feel so good. So good,” he murmured, his voice sounding almost pained.
Her heart swelled ’til it seemed nearly too large for her chest. And something magical was happening—inside her. Pleasure, similar to before, when he touched her, was unfurling within her, only this time it was more like…a flower, nearly coming to bloom.
She clutched at him, as if, by holding him close, she could reach that place only he could bring her. She had to kiss him. Had to hold him. Tighter. Closer. “Oh, Teddy,” she breathed.
His eyes, brilliant with heat, found hers. “Sweetheart, yes, yes, come for me.” Jaw clenching, his hips swiveled faster as he watched her, seemingly utterly enthralled.
“Oh…Teddy. Oh my God, Teddy.” Yes. Like before. Only this time, something more. Like a bottomless, fathomless tenderness that shot her to the very stars above.
She arched up, shuddering. “Teddy, I love you, I love you, I love you,” she practically sobbed, unable to restrain her outpouring as the dam of passion within her burst.
Her release seemed to snap Teddy’s control. He gave a harsh cryand his expression turned to one of desperate agony. Breath hissing through his clenched teeth, he reared up, torso swiveling, hips pumping, until, with an exultant cry, he convulsed above her.
Afterward, he sprawled on top of her, his weight pressing her into the mattress in the most wonderful way.
He toyed with her hair, twining strands around his fingers, sighing repeatedly as if utterly replete.
Happiness filled her to overflowing. One day, she might regret the choice she’d made tonight. But for now, everything was right in her world.
“You love me, aye?” he murmured, his lips brushing her neck as he spoke.
Tears, happy ones, blurred her vision. Why bother to deny the truth now? “More than you can possibly know,” she whispered.
He kissed her shoulder and she felt his mouth curve into a smile, then he slid his arms around her and rolled onto his back, taking Georgina with him.
“No getting rid of me now, pet. You’re well and truly stuck.”
She nestled into him, hoping he did not notice the tears leaking from her eyes and down his chest. His, forever. She could not imagine a more wonderful fate.
He was lyingon his back, midday, at the park at Hampstead Heath, eyes closed, arms folded under his head. Birds chirped in the surrounding trees, and a soft, summer breeze riffled his hair. He must’ve napped. No surprise there. Georgina’s silken fingers, playing in his hair, had the most extraordinary effects on his senses, arousing him, comforting him, relaxing him, enthralling him.
But she wasn’t touching him now. Why had she stopped? Greedy sot thathe was, he wanted her hands on him constantly. Without opening his eyes, he felt around, encountering the picnic blanket first, then her silk skirts.
Silk skirts for an outing at the park? That was distinctlyun-Georgina.
He opened his eyes, and saw the cool, willowy beauty, Lady Catherine, sitting beside him—and looking impatient.
“You said you’d row us out, Teddy. I’m ever so bored. Frankly, I don’t know why we always allow her to tag along. So much more fun when it’s just the three of us.”
He turned his head and saw Georgina. She sat under a shade tree some distance away, scrawling in one of her notepads. She’d removed her bonnet, silly goose, and would surely wind up with pinked cheeks.
Lady Catherine tugged at his shirtsleeve, and bent to whisper in his ear. “Come on, darling. Forget that wallflower. Take us out and I’ll let you do that thing you did last time.”
His eyes snapped open. It wasn’t midday, and he wasn’t at the park.
Nor was he in the villa’s guest chamber.
Satisfaction lanced through him.Ah, yes.He stretched, luxuriating in a mound of sweet-smelling bedding a-la-Georgina in her large four-post bed. Someone had drawn the curtains, shuttered the windows, and doused all the candles. Only one oil lamp burned, and it was turned down to a mere glow.
Too bad. He would’ve liked a bit of light. All the better to watch Georgina as she came apart beneath him—again.
A helpless smile curved his mouth as he reached for his wife and found only vaguely warm, empty sheets. He lifted his head from the pillow searching the shadowed chamber for Georgina. Where could she possibly have got off to?
As if he’d conjured her, the door from the antechamber opened and Georgina crossed the threshold. She carried something—a tray, on which a lone candle burned—which forced her to balance on one foot to use the other to kick the door shut behind her. He grinned, watching her wobble.
