Isabella smiled at the old man who no longer seemed to frighten her. “Luciano said I was pretty,” she confided.
The old man laughed out loud. “Why, so you are, little one. So you are.”
Castellimonte’s unexpected kindness sustained Nora through the interview and a light dinner, hastily eaten in the nursery. They walked home in silence, accompanied by Wat and a Castellimonte guard. Jamie looked grim, and Nora could think of nothing to say.
Nora heard Isabella’s prayers and tucked her in while Jamie and Wat checked locks and reviewed security. Her husband hadn’t said one word to her directly since they left the palazzo. She paced across the sitting room, dreading the conversation she knew was coming.
Jamie slammed the door when he came in. He stalked across the carpet until he stood in front of her.
“What were you thinking?” he demanded.
“Please Jamie, I know,” she begged. “I’ll never let her out without Wat again.” She wished he would hold her. She needed to feel him close.
He took her shoulders and shook her. “We were lucky today, Nora, that Isabella sustained no harm. Your position hasn’t been shaken…yet.”
“You aren’t helping me,” she spat back. “You keep things from me and expect me to make good decisions in the dark.”
“Damn it, Nora, I gave you clear instructions. I told you to keep Wat close. What didn’t you understand?”
He glared at her, breathing heavily. “You could have lost her!” he exclaimed.
Nora’s world crashed in. “Lost her!” she cried. “How could I be so careless?” Once tears started, she couldn’t hold them back.
Jamie’s hands softened, one rose to caress her face. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he said. His thumb wiped tears from her cheek, while his other hand slipped around her back.
She looked up through watery eyes to see that profound sadness marred his face.
“You’re safe. We’re safe,” he murmured, pulling her into his arms. When her head lay on his chest and she could feel the steady beat of his heart, she believed him. She snuggled closer.
A deep groan echoed in his chest under her ear. She felt it ripple through her body and send eddies of heat from her cheeks to her knees. One of his hands turned her face up toward his. She thought perhaps his eyes had a question.
She stood on her toes and drew her mouth to his and hoped it was the answer he sought. It seemed to be enough. She fell into his kiss and let fear slip away.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Avoice in Jamie’s head demanded to know what he thought he was doing. His mind churned with questions, but his body knew exactly what it was doing. He bent down, wrapped his long fingers around her little chin, and slanted his mouth across hers to deepen the kiss. She let him.The little fool.He tasted deeply.
Nora reached up and put her arms around his neck. She opened for him and attempted to return his kiss, her tongue shyly meeting his. If he didn’t know she was a widow, he would think her inexperienced.
Too damned much thought. I’ve had enough of it.He let the taste of her drive all thought from his head. He put an arm beneath her trim bottom and lifted her up for better access. He could feel her breath come fast where she clung to him. She kissed his lips and licked the corner of his mouth.
He stepped forward until he had her pressed against the door, her feet inches above the floor, and her sweet face even with his. Better. Released from the need to hold her with both hands, Jamie began to explore the body that had haunted his nights for weeks. His hopes and fantasies didn’t come close. Tiny, but perfect, Nora curved in the right places. When his hand slid up to cup one firm breast, her moan shot fire through him.
He caught her moan with his mouth, and she kissed him fiercely, running one hand through his hair.
“Wait!” Nora broke the kiss. He buried his mouth in the curve ofher neck and began to kiss his way to her ear. Nora dropped her head back to give him access.
“Wait,” she said more weakly, pushing against him.
“What?” He should think about what they were doing. He didn’t want to think; he wanted to continue.
Nora pulled one hand down, groping around behind her. She confused him, but the taste of her skin made coherent thought impossible. He leaned in to run his mouth up her neck and fell forward.
They stumbled into her room when her hand found the door latch. Startled, he let her slide down his body to the floor. The feel of her sliding over the bulge in his trousers almost undid him. He grabbed her to keep her from falling.
When she took a step away, he felt like she had dumped ice water over him. She stepped toward her bed and looked back at him, her eyes black with desire in the flickering candlelight.
What have I done?
