He pulled her against him. “That sounds threatening.”
She laughed. “It’s only fair to warn you.”
He tilted up her chin. “Ah, but you are not fair.”
“Why am I not?”
“The way you look at me when I want you so.”
Her hand at his nape, she pulled him down for a kiss.
“Hetty,” he murmured when they parted. “Don’t torture me. Let’s examine the rest of the house.”
She smiled and took his arm. “Yes, I’d love to.”
Guy threw open another white and gold paneled door. “This will be our bedchamber.”
Hetty found it difficult to breathe. The room was empty of furniture but was carpeted in the pinks and blues of a rosy dawn. Another handsome fireplace where she could visualize flames crackling cozily in the grate as they lay in bed together. The thought thrilled her.
She pressed her hands together and gazed up at her handsome fiancé.
Hetty was determined to have Guy make love to her today. Her breath quickened as she walked to the window. “We overlook the garden.” She pulled off her lilac pelisse and kid gloves and began to untie her bonnet strings.
Guy came to stand behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders. “What are you doing, Hetty?”
“I’m a trifle warm.”
Aunt Emily wished her to act with decorum, but her aunt wished she’d experienced love with the man she adored. It seemed to Hetty that Aunt Emily compensated for a life not lived by immersing herself in poetry.
Hetty turned into his arms. She reached up to slide a black lock back from his forehead as his eyes roamed her face.
So much had happened. It seemed irrational, but Hetty feared he’d be snatched away from her. He was tense, she could sense it when she touched him, and she wondered why. He was withholding something from her. Perhaps if they became lovers, he might tell her, although she doubted he would listen to her and stay safe.
“Shall we view more of the house?” When he drew her away toward the door, she silently took his hand and tried to pull him down with her onto the dense carpet.
“What mischief are you up to, Hetty?” Guy said, removing his hand as if he’d been burned.
She sank down. “Lie with me.”
He shook his head, doubt in his eyes. “We should wait.”
Afraid he might not desire her after all, she tucked her legs beneath her, suddenly foolish.
Guy laughed and sat beside her. “I swear I’m never sure of what you’ll do next.”
Hetty hesitated. She wasn’t entirely sure how to proceed but determined they would not leave there today without making love. She trusted Guy to keep her safe from scandal. Now that she’d made up her mind, her senses were on fire. A twist of desire curled deep inside her.
Guy eyed her cautiously but kept some distance between them. She reached out to him. “Kiss me.”
He leant over and gave her a gentle kiss, pulled away, then with a soft moan, moved closer, and kissed her again. One kiss turned into many, and his tongue thrust against hers, teasing, taking. Desire built to a heavy throb low in her belly. Her nipples tingled.
He drew away. “You are playing a dangerous game,ma cherie.”
Something odd had happened to her breath, she was gasping, her heart pounding. “I know, but it’s worth it, isn’t it?” She ran a finger along his bottom lip.
Guy kissed her throat and untied the strings at the back of her gown to lower it, kissing the swell of her breast. A delicious ache spread over her breasts, and her nipples tightened into rigid buds.
She shivered with expectation at his deliberate movements. He seemed a different person as her shift was pulled down to expose her breasts. Suddenly shy, she put an arm across her breasts.
