“I will have to leave your bed well before dawn, so you are not found with me there. No one will be fooled, but appearances matter.”
He looked down to where her left hand rested on the blanket. His fingertips stroked its back. “Instead of barging into your chamber and ravishing you, I should probably seduce you.”
“I thought you do not believe in seduction.”
“I never thought it worth my time before.”
“Does that mean we will also forgo those other negotiations that you consider so efficient?”
He looked at her hand while he stroked it. His fingers meandered up her arm. “We did not need them last night.”
“I suspect what happened last night is not why you make your expectations known with those mistresses.”
That amused him. “You are too clever, Padua. But I do not want to make a list with you. It seems cold-blooded, and inappropriate.” He rose up on his arm, so he warmed her side. “If I request a favor you do not want to grant, you must say so. If I assume too much, you must stop me. I think you will do that, and I will never be disappointed if you do.”
It sounded fair enough. She wondered just what kind of favors he required of those mistresses, however. Just how bad could he be at times?
A kiss on her shoulder distracted her from that thought. Warm breath on her neck raised trembles she knew well now. She closed her eyes so she felt each delicious shiver. His fingertips feathered along her bodice’s edge, then lower until they brushed against her breast just enough for the sensation to penetrate her garments and arouse her.
“Are you practicing at seduction, Ives?” She enjoyed the little teases. She hoped he continued a long time.
His kiss warmed her ear. “It is a well-known fact that one learns from doing.”
“I would say you have a natural talent for it.”
“It runs in the family, I am told. It has been perverse of me to deny the legacy.” He turned her head, and brushed her lips with his. Such a soft touch, barely there, but breathlessness claimed her.
“I am honored that you think me worth the effort,” she whispered.
He rested his palm against her cheek and looked in her eyes. “I am the one who is honored, Padua.” The kiss he gave her made her believe he meant that. It was deep, soulful, and very, very seductive.
They lay in an embrace on the blanket, warmed by the sun and cooled by the breeze. They shared the sweetest kisses and a passion different from the night. Deeper somehow, and drenched with a different intimacy. And yet, despite their interfering garments and for all of the slow building of desire, she found herself on the edge of total abandon again and wishing they were back in bed where there could be more.
As if he heard her mind, his caresses on her leg raised her dress’s hem. She felt the fabric inching higher, and his palm against her bare skin. Higher yet, so that the air cooled her legs, and the dress no longer constricted her. He left her embrace and moved to kneel between her knees.
“Up.” A pat on her hip showed what he meant. She raised her hips and he pushed the dress up to her waist, so her lower body was exposed.
She looked up at him. He appeared so stern in his passion, his jaw tight and mouth hard. Except his eyes showed depths and hot lights while he kept his hand on her, giving her pleasure. The mere sight of him entranced her, and she could not know any embarrassment.
He came over her, braced on his taut arms. His head dipped down and he took her mouth in a deep, tense kiss. “I am going to finish what I started in London. You did not allow it then. Will you now?”
She realized what he meant. “You intend me to have the most wicked twenty-four hours, it appears.”
He just waited, persuading her with touches that left her desperately needy.
A magical place. Another world. She would dwell here for only a few days. She doubted she would deny him anything, since she had so little time.
She nodded. He lowered his head for another deep kiss. Then he moved down her body.
She looked up at the sky and clouds, at the leaves moving above her on the breeze. She became breathless with anticipation.
The touches became very specific. Devastating. Pleasure screamed through her. She clutched at the blanket, twisting her hand in its wool so she might not thrash the way she wanted to. A new stroke, gentle enough, made the sensations sharpen even more. The intensity frightened her. He bent her knees so his mouth might have better purchase.
He took advantage of her openness. She felt his tongue enter. She thought she would die from pleasure right there. She lost hold of herself after that. Her consciousness spiraled down into a single point of physical need. It became almost painful, until incendiary release exploded.
CHAPTER15
“The women must have been sewing all day.” Padua looked down at her ensemble while Eva stood back to assess it. The red overdress had been lengthened with a broad panel of lace. The cream dress beneath it sported rows of lace, too, showing below. Bits of lace had been cut and attached to the low neckline.
