"He'll wake soon enough, and when he does, he'll make good on his threat. We need time to think."
Without waiting for her response, Charles pulled her across the lawn, away from the house and toward the stables that bordered both properties. The night air was cool against her heated skin, dew soaking through the thin fabric of her slippers. She should have been terrified, should have been pulling awayand running back to the safety of her bedchamber, but all she felt was exhilaration coursing through her veins.
The stable door creaked as Charles pushed it open, the familiar scent of hay and horses enveloping them. Moonlight filtered through the high windows, casting silver shadows across the stalls. He led her to the back, where a ladder climbed to the hayloft above.
"Up," he said, his voice rough.
Felicia gathered her nightrail and climbed, aware of his gaze on her as she ascended. The loft was warm, fragrant with fresh hay. Charles followed quickly behind her, pulling the ladder up after them.
They stood facing each other in the dim light, both breathing hard. His cravat was askew, and his dark hair tumbled across his forehead, making him look younger, more vulnerable. The moonlight caught the sharp angles of his face, the strong line of his jaw still tight with anger.
"He had no right to speak of you that way," Charles said, his voice low and dangerous. "No right at all."
Felicia's heart hammered against her ribs. "You didn't have to defend my honor."
"I did." His eyes burned into hers. "I would do it again."
The heat between them was palpable, crackling in the small space like lightning before a storm. Charles took a step toward her, then another, until she could feel the warmth radiating from his body.
"Loxley is a snake," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "He's been stealing from your father for years. And now he dares to insult you? To threaten your reputation?" His hands clenched at his sides. "I should have done worse than knock him senseless."
"Charlie," she whispered, reaching for him. “What are you doing here? Tell me the truth.”
He caught her hand, his thumb tracing circles on her palm. "Do you know how long I've wanted you? How many nights I've lain awake thinking of you?"
Her breath caught. "I thought you hated me."
"Hate?" He laughed softly. "Is that what you thought this was? This fire between us?"
His free hand came up to cup her face, his touch gentle despite the strength she knew he possessed. Felicia leaned into his palm, her eyes fluttering closed.
"Look at me, Felicia."
She opened her eyes to find his face inches from hers, his gaze intense and searching.
"I have wanted you since I was sixteen years old," he confessed. "But our families—"
"To hell with our families," she breathed. "To hell with all of it."
His kiss was different this time—not desperate or furious, but deliberate, as if he were memorizing the feel of her mouth beneath his. Felicia wound her arms around his neck, pressing herself against the hard planes of his chest. His hands spanned her waist, fingers digging into the fabric of her nightrail.
When he lifted her, she went willingly, wrapping her legs around his hips as he lowered them both onto the soft hay. His weight above her was exquisite, pinning her in the most delicious way. She arched against him, drawing a groan from deep in his throat.
"Are you certain?" he asked, his voice tight with restraint.
In answer, she pulled him down to her, capturing his mouth with hers. Her fingers found the buttons of his waistcoat, fumbling in her eagerness to feel his skin against hers. Charles helped her, shrugging out of his coat and waistcoat before returning to her with renewed fervor.
His thumb caressed the soft swell of her breast where it rose above her nightrail. His fingers worked at the ribbon ties, loosening them with deliberate care until the fabric parted, revealing her to the silver moonlight. The air caught in Felicia's lungs as his gaze traveled over her exposed skin.
"Beautiful," he breathed, his voice thick with desire.
Heat bloomed across her skin, spreading from her cheeks down to her chest. She should have felt shame, should have covered herself, but instead she reached for him, pulling him closer.
His mouth found her breast, and Felicia gasped at the sensation, her back arching off the hay. His tongue circled her nipple before drawing it between his lips, sending shocks of pleasure coursing through her body. She buried her fingers in his hair, holding him to her as he lavished attention on first one breast, then the other.
"Charlie," she whispered, her voice breaking on his name.
He raised his head, his eyes dark with need. "Say it again."
