“You owe me no explanation.”
She shook her head. “But my behavior.” Her eyes squeezed shut. “I don’t know what you must think of me. And perhaps none of this will dawn on you until after you are no longer under this curse.”
His heart pinched at her words. “Esme-” he tried to interrupt her, but she held a finger to his lips.
“Please let me finish. Under normal circumstances I would never have behaved so brazenly.” Her eyes met his and the honesty he saw there nearly brought him to his knees. “You must believe me when I say that.”
Again he cupped her face. “Esme, do I look like a fool?”
“No, of course not.” Her expression was so earnest, so heartfelt.
“There is nothing you’ve done, nor could do to ever make me believe ill of you. You are a brilliant scholar and you are brave.” He tilted her chin up so he could see her face. She tried to argue, but he stilled her hands. “I don’t give a damn what your foolish family says about you.” He grabbed hold of her shoulders. “Curse be damned.” His hands ran up and down her arms. “You still want me, don’t you?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “Of course.”
He pulled her to him. His mouth met hers in a hungry kiss, and he forgot all about curses and bracelets and quests. In that moment there was only Esme. Pure, sweet, hot, lovely Esme.
His hand dipped into the front of her bodice and found her nipple. She was safe, and in this moment, she was his.
She cried out and arched against him. “Oh, Fielding.”
His hand continued to rub at the aching nub all the while he nibbled on her collarbone. Her bodice dipped low, and in an instant his mouth was on her breast, soft, round, and sinful. There was no time to think. He wanted only to touch, to feel.
While his lips and teeth made love to her left breast, his hand weighed her right carefully, his thumb rubbing back and forth over the nipple. She bucked against him. He knew she was looking for her release, trying to feel him through the layers of her skirts.
“Easy, love. We’ll get there. I know what you need.”
“Touch me, please.”
He pulled her to him and suckled hard on her breast. Her cry nearly pulled him right over the edge.
Then his hand was on her thigh, warm and strong. His finger slid up inside her and she bucked against him. His mouth returned to her breast, and he suckled, all the while moving his finger inside her.
“You are the most beautiful woman in the world,” he whispered.
She parted her legs, further opening herself to him, and the last shred of his restraint dissolved. He had to have her right then. In one swift movement, he’d unfastened his trousers and positioned himself at her opening. She didn’t give him warning or time to think before she’d slid herself down on top of him. She was slick for him, and sitting atop him drove him deep inside her.
His control had disappeared, but she didn’t seem to notice or care. Instead she took the reins and set her own pace as she rocked herself over him again and again. She fit him so tightly, and the friction built his climax so quickly he could scarcely breathe.
“Oh, God, Esme,” he panted.
Faster and harder she rode him, until she tossed her head back and yelled his name. Her body shook with her release. It took only one more thrust before he spilled his seed.
Their labored breathing filled the interior of the coach. He held her tight, not yet wanting to relinquish the moment. Right here in his arms, she could be his.
She put her hand over his wrist, directly on the band. “When did you do this?” she whispered.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Why, Fielding? Why would you risk your life like this?” Her green eyes searched his.
“I won’t allow you to face this alone. I’m with you in this, Esme, until the end.”
When they reached Max’s house Fielding found he still hadn’t had enough of her. Their time together was nearly over and he wanted to get his fill. So he’d asked her to come to his bedchamber after she’d readied for bed.
It was a foolish thing, he knew he was only getting more and more attached. But he wanted to hold her, touch her.
He had already downed one drink and was waiting in his room for her. He stood near the window wearing just his trousers. That damned gold band encircling his wrist seemed to wink at him, mocking him.
