Her fingers discovered his navel. He gave them a playful slap.
She walked them lower, and he stirred. She watched, fascinated.
“You are certain you are ready for more?” His brows lifted.
“We can do that?” she asked, delighted with the possibility.
“We can,” he assured her. “I could make love to you all night. Although it would be best to wait. We were strenuous and I don’t want you hurt.”
She understood some of his caution. She was feeling places in her body where she’d never experienced even a twinge before.
However, she wasn’t ready for this night to end. What had happened between them was more than just the act of joining. It magically bound the two of them together forever.
Even the setting was enchanted. The pond was a silvery disk with the darkness of the forest allaround. Their own little heaven, and Elise had a sudden inspiration. “Come,” she said.
Without waiting, she stood and walked toward the water.
“What are you doing?” Kit called.
“I want a swim. The night is warm.”
Kit came to his feet. “You swim?”
Elise swung around to face him. “Our father taught us. He said children in the Indies swam all the time and so his daughters would as well.”
Her father. The betrayal no longer rankled. Kit’s kisses had given her the sense of belonging she’d always longed for.
She waded into the water. It was cool against her skin. She took a few experimental strokes. The pond was not that deep—
A huge splash washed water over her. She turned. “Kit?” She didn’t see him and then she felt a tap on her shoulder.
Elise flipped around to see him right behind her. She reached up and pushed his head down. He let her. There wasn’t any possibility that she could have matched his strength.
Then she felt him come up between her legs. Elise screamed and tried to get away. He grabbed her ankle, almost upending her, but he caught her in time.
He would always catch her in time.
Kit set his feet on the bottom. For a long moment, they held each other in the pond. Kit swayed with her and she put her legs around hiswaist. Her heels pressed against his buttocks.
That is when she felt him stir against her.
Elise combed her fingers through his thick hair. She tucked a lock behind his ear and moved against him.
“You are incorrigible,” he said, his tone low and warm.
“How else am I to get what I want?” she asked.
“No complaints in the morning,” he warned her.
“Oh, I’ll complain,” she said. “Happily.”
Kit kissed her. They made love in the water with the moon and the stars shining down on them.
When they were done, they fell upon the grassy bank, entwined in each other’s arms. Elise had thought she would fall asleep. Instead, they talked. They laughed over their journeys and she dared to tell him, “I want my sisters to meet you.”
His answer was a kiss, and then he said, “I will do whatever you wish, Elise.”
She sat up. “I will hold you to that promise.”
