Roman’s kisses kindled feelings she had trouble defining and yet she yearned for more. They were actually quite pleasant.
She was very conscious that he was doing his best to not frighten her. She could feel the tension in him. He was probably driven with the same intensity that Arthur had been—except Roman would never hurt her.
And it was that knowledge that unwound the anxiety inside of her, that freed her to discover she enjoyed his kisses. When he had breathed into her ear, she’d thought she would melt into his arms.
Now, she could begin to understand why her mother liked doing this so much.
Now, she found herself liking it, too.
She also wanted to give as much as she received. There was something about his body heat and the scent of his skin that made her move as close as possible to him. Roman’s kisses also promised that there was so much more to experience and enjoyifshe would allow him a bit more freedom.
It had been this last kiss that had convinced her. When she’d opened to him, it had been as if their souls touched.
She could have laughed at the poetry of the moment, except the description fit. She was seeing Roman’s soul and it was generous, affectionate, and kind.
Taking off her nightdress was a bold move. It was also a sign of trust.
Everything they would become to each other would start with this night.
The room was warm but that didn’t stop her flesh tightening at the exposure to the air. Leonie shook her hair down around her shoulders. She didn’t drop the gown to the floor but held it in front of her, a bit shy about being so forward.
Roman beheld her as if she was a work of art. His mouth curved into one of his smiles that she was beginning to adore. His eye met hers. “You are lovely.”
“Even now?” She knew men thought her a beauty with her clothes on. Clothes hid flaws.
His response was to take the nightdress from her so that she was completely open to him. “Yes, now.” He dropped the gown to the floor, gathered her in his arms and, sitting on the bed, brought her to his lap. He kissed her with such passion she could barely think, let alone breathe.
And when he was done, she kissed him back in the same way. She was becoming quite good at kissing.
Then again, who knew kisses could be as heady as the richest brandy? She could kiss this way forever, morning, noon, and night. No interruptions. No meals. Just deep, satisfying kisses—
His hand ran along the inside of her thigh. Her initial reaction was to close her legs. He didn’t move his hand. He just left it there. His tongue found hers, coaxing her to taste him the way he was her, and her legs opened.
He kissed her cheek, her neck, her shoulder. His hand found her most intimate places. “Is this all right?” he breathed against her ear.
Leonie discovered she’d found anewfavorite intimate place. The response to his breath on her ear could only be second best to where his hand was now.
Delicious hunger unfurled inside her. She would have let him do anything. When his thumb stroked her, she sang her delight in a soft sigh of enjoyment.
“Did I hurt you?” he asked anxiously.
Her answer was to grab his face with both of her hands, press her breasts, which had suddenly grown full and tight and lusty—yes, lusty!—against him, and kiss him with everything she had.
Her assault surprised him. He teetered back on the bed and then rolled the two of them onto the mattress. Now, he was kissing her and she was kissing him and his amazing hands made her feel more alive than she’d ever thought possible.
Leonie had her arms around his neck. She ran them down his back, delighting in the play of muscles beneath her palms. She could not have enough of the warmth of his body. Her hand slid under the waistband of his breeches. The tips of her fingers pressed in the hard flesh of his buttocks—
He slid his fingers inside her.
Her instant reaction was to tighten in alarm.What was he doing?
“Does this hurt?” She lay on her back and he was on his side over her. His fingers were still there.
Leonie waited for pain expectantly.
There was none.
She looked up at him and shook her head.
