“And then I swooned but for the wrong reason. I hate that I was such a nuisance. If I’d stayed at home and listened to what Papa wanted to tell me instead of interrupting him?—”
He kissed her forehead. “Then you wouldn’t be here with me. In fact, given the snowstorm, we wouldn’t have had an opportunity to speak to one another yet.”
She frowned, hating that thought.
“We’re not going to make love right now, Millie.”
She wanted to protest. She’d spent the past year thinking this man hated her but unable to ignore her growing feelings for him. Now that she knew he cared for her, that he wanted to marry her, she couldn’t stand the thought of putting off that glorious future.
Before she could say anything, he kissed her. She threw herself into returning it, hoping he would get carried away. But all too soon he pulled back and stared at her.
“Please don’t stop.”
She willed him to move over her, or perhaps start removing some clothing. Instead, he rolled onto his back. He brought her with him and she found herself draped over his body.
She frowned. Why was she on top of him, and fully clothed? They couldn’t make love like this.
He cupped her backside with his hands. “We won’t make love, but I don’t intend to leave you unsatisfied.”
He shifted her so her legs draped around his hips, and then pressed her down so that she was pressed intimately against his arousal. He ground up into her.
“Oh,” she gasped when a shock of pleasure raced through her.
She arched into him, rubbing herself against him with wanton abandon. His groan of pleasure told her he was enjoying this as much as she was.
She fused her mouth to his and kissed him, even as her body chased something she couldn’t name.
“You’re going to unman me,” he said against her mouth.
She had no idea what he meant by that, but if it had anything to do with continuing along their current path, she was all for it.
His hands pressed her body more securely against his as he continued to push up into her. Before she realized what was happening, her entire body stiffened, and then a wave of unbearable pleasure rolled through her.
He was holding her securely against him, and a corresponding shudder wracked his body.
“Millie, you are incredible.”
He kissed her again, but this time the urgency was gone. Finally, after several long minutes of languorous kisses, he shifted until they were on their sides again, facing one another.
She snuggled into him, enjoying the way he held her securely against him. She would have fallen asleep that way if he hadn’t dropped a kiss on her temple and spoken.
“I need to leave. If I stay here, I won’t be able to keep from taking you fully.”
She loved the fact that he wanted to behave honorably, even when it was clear that was the last thing he desired.
She looked up at him. “I love you, Carlisle. I have for some time now.”
He cupped her cheek. “I love you too, Millie.”
She smiled and watched him rise and cross to the door. Somewhere along the way he’d removed his coat, which meant she had a nice view of his backside. She couldn’t wait to see it bare.
He stopped and looked back at her. “After I take you home, I’m heading straight to the vicarage to ask for the banns to be read.”
Joyous laughter bubbled out of her as he left, closing the door softly behind him. She supposed it was for the best that the snow prevented him from riding to London to procure a special license. The reason for doing so was not a conversation she wanted to have with her parents.
EPILOGUE
Christmas Eve
