“I know just how to take care of that.”
He then moved closer to Loretta and slowly reached for her. He lifted one foot by her ankle onto his lap and slipped off the soggy, satin slipper. Laying it close to the fire to dry, he rubbed her cold foot in his warm hands before he put it down and treated the other the same way. He then grasped her ankles again and positioned her feet up tight at the junction of his legs and gently closed his thighs around them. From the bottom of her feet, Loretta felt the hardness beneath his trousers grow firmer. Her breasts tightened and a quiver started low in her stomach.
The warmth from his body permeated all through her, instantly bringing her comfort. She was certain that his heat was hotter than the now leaping flames of the fire he’d built.
His gaze caressed her face. “How does that feel?”
“Heavenly.”
He smiled. “For me, too,” he said, slowly rubbing his hands up and down her ankles and lower legs.
“Do you have any regrets about what you did in the church?”
“No.” She shook her head emphatically, inhaled deeply, and let her breath out slowly. “It’s not that I hadn’t thought about being free of the oath. I wanted to be free of it. I just didn’t know how to do it and be able to live with myself after. I have no regrets about what I did, and though I still have some unsettling feelings swirling inside me to sort out, I know I’m free of the vow.”
“What troubles you now?” His hands slid farther up her legs. “Is it me, Loretta?” he asked huskily. “Are you conflicted in your emotions for me?”
Without the slightest hesitation, she answered, “No. I know exactly how I feel about you. I meant it when I said to you, with love.”
“Good. Because I know exactly how I feel about you, too.”
Though it was so enticingly warm where her feet rested, she pulled them out of Hawk’s grasp and scooted between his knees. Looking into his glorious blue eyes, she said, “I have no doubts about what I want right now.”
“Neither do I.” He pulled a pin from her hair. “It will dry faster if it’s down.”
She smiled. “Then let me help you.”
“You do understand this means you belong to me, don’t you?”
Loretta nodded, enjoying the soft stroke of his hands in her hair and the warmth of the fire to her back.
“Not as a lover or a mistress, but as my wife, my duchess. Forever.”
“Yes,” she whispered as the last pin and lock of hair fell around her shoulders. She just didn’t know if her uncle would. But that thought was for another time. Tomorrow. Not tonight.
Hawk’s strong, masculine arms slid around her back. He caught her up tightly to his chest, and tenderly covered her mouth with his.
Loretta leaned into him and wound her arms around his neck. His lips moved smoothly, tenderly, and effortlessly over hers, slanting first one way and then the other as their bodies strained to get closer. Their tongues swirled and plundered deftly in each other’s mouths. He tasted of brandy, smelled of shaving soap. They kissed over and over again before his lips made a trail of light, delicious nibbles down her neck to the base of her throat and back up to her lips once more.
When she felt him trying to shrug out of his coat, she grabbed the lapels, shoved it off his shoulders, down his arms, and helped him fling it away. He then pulled on the bow of his neckcloth and started unwinding it from around his neck. Though she wasn’t sure why, it seemed natural for her to unbutton his quilted waistcoat, tug the tail of his shirt from the waistband of his trousers, and slip her hands underneath the front his shirt. His skin was warm, taut; rippled muscles covered his ribs and upper chest.
His loud intake of breath pleased her and he murmured a husky, “Yes, that feels good.”
His tongue continued to explore inside her mouth while his hands pulled and loosened the laces at the back of her bodice. Desire settled low in Loretta’s abdomen, between her legs, and she moaned softly against his lips as their kisses and caresses became more frantic.
The bodice of her dress slipped off her shoulders. Hawk kissed his way down her neck, across each bare shoulder,and along the swells of her breasts. He pulled the top lower. Eagerly, she helped him slide the long sleeves down her arms and off her hands, leaving the fabric to fall around her waist. Working together they did the same with her shift, all the while kissing passionately, desperately, as if they might never have opportunity to be so intimate again.
Hawk’s hands moved up her rib cage to fondle her breasts, lift them free of her stays, and cover them with his mouth. Loretta moaned softly and gave herself up to all the glorious sensations his gentle touch spread throughout her. She savored every tingle that rushed through her body and every sigh and endearment she heard whispered past his lip. The impatient but tender gliding movements of his hands and mouth thrilled her. Over and over again he favored her breasts. She delighted in every touch, every taste, and every moan that came from him while she enjoyed exploring the expanse of his muscular back. She felt power in his firm, broad shoulders.
Even though she was still delirious with pleasure, Hawk stopped kissing her. With one easy movement, he rose to his knees and gazed down into her eyes. “Are you warm now?”
“Oh, yes,” she whispered.
“So am I.”
He shrugged out of his waistcoat and threw it aside. He pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it to the floor, too.
The fire was the only light in the room, but it was enough. Loretta’s breaths quickened at the sight of his bare, masculine chest so close to her. It amazed her at how firmly his muscles filled out his skin from the top of his shoulders to his flat stomach.
