Good heavens, but she wasn’t going to get any sleep in this state!
She dipped a finger between her legs in the hope it would take the incessant ache away, then instantly withdrew it because it did not feel as intoxicating or as sensual as Harry’s decadent touch.
It was in that moment that she realized that no matter how impossible their situation was, or how transient, Lottie was right.
Georgie was resigned to waving him goodbye.
Resigned to him sailing away to more naval greatness, because that was his destiny. Resigned to never seeing him again. Resigned to him forgetting her even if she knew she would never forget him. She was even resigned to meeting her maker without ever having a ring onher finger, as that was the governess’s lonely destiny, but it genuinely would be a tragedy if she went to heaven in a package markedUNOPENEDtoo when he was mere feet away.
Perhaps still as aroused as she was.
Was she really prepared to waste that precious gift when her ripe body wanted his so very much—and might never have the opportunity to ever feel this way ever again?
ChapterTHIRTY-ONE
Harry lay flat on his back, staring at the ceiling and stroking the snoring Cuthbert’s soft ears when he heard Georgie’s bedchamber door open. His stupid heart soared and his cock hardened with renewed hope, even though he actually held out none that she was headed his way. He strained his ears to listen for her approach and almost jumped out of his skin when his door handle turned.
And then she was there. Standing in a loosely tied robe in his doorway with an odd expression on her lovely face.
He almost knocked Cuthbert to the floor in his haste to sit up. “Is everything all right?”
She nodded and closed the door. “I don’t want us to waste time fighting, Harry. Not about things that make us fundamentally you and me, under circumstances neither of us can change.”
“I don’t want to fight either.”
Her lovely face blossomed into a nervous smile and she edged closer. He could tell by the gentle movement beneath the fabric that her breasts were unbound before she stopped awkwardly. He couldsee the shadowy outline of her nipples through the soft linen thanks to the flickering candle on his nightstand; the flame wove its magic with the copper and gold in her hair.
“Then I wondered if you would allow me to spend the night with you?” Her fingers went to the knot in her belt and, as the air whooshed out of his lungs, she clumsily undid it. “If you still want me, that is?”
Harry didn’t even have the wherewithal to choke out one of his erudite “ums.” Could barely breathe. Barely blink.
Her smile was shy. “Because I know that this can go nowhere, but I still want you.” With a swallow, she let the robe fall open enough to display the naked valley between her breasts and thighs. “Do you still want me?”
He nodded as his gaze hungrily raked the length of her. There was shimmering copper between her legs too, although the rest of the soft curls on her womanhood were darker. He couldn’t fathom why that was the singularly most erotic thing he had seen in his life, but it was.
He sucked in more air as he’d forgotten to breathe, and her smile altered. It wasn’t one of Georgie’s usual smiles—although he had always found those intoxicating enough—this one was sultry. It grabbed him by the balls and mercilessly teased his shaft, rendering him so speechless, he couldn’t have uttered a cohesive sentence if his very life depended upon it.
As if she knew she had him enthralled, Georgie slowly eased the robe from her shoulders and let it fall, and he was powerless to do anything but stare, transfixed. Acres of alabaster skin. Two perfect, pert breasts tipped with saucy raspberry nipples that tightened to tantalizing points beneath his captive gaze.
“Would you make love to me, Harry?” Words he had fantasized about since the first day she had upturned his life.
“I would love nothing more, Georgie, but—” She pressed a finger to his lips as she sat on the mattress beside him.
“There are no caveats, Harry. No ulterior motives. Certainly no expectations beyond me leaving on the London post before the week is out and you sailing away from me forever. I want no promises, nor need any. I want no guilt nor recrimination from you either. You are an outstanding sailor who deserves to climb to the very top of the rigging and I am a governess who has never expected marriage. But if I’m destined to die an old maid, I’d rather not be amaidin every sense, and I’d never forgive myself if I denied myself you tonight when I want you so very much.” Her mouth whispered over his with a boldness that matched her new temptress’s persona, and he knew he couldn’t resist her. He kissed her back and she stayed his hungry mouth with her index finger again. “Although I would rather it was just me who leaves here on the post next week, so I hope you know how to prevent us making a child together. Employers tend to frown on such things.”
He nodded as he mourned that child they would never have when a mixture of her and him toddling around their feet appealed so very much. She watched him frown, and the smallest crack in her seducer’s façade showed.
“Are you sure you want me?”
“More than I’ve ever wanted anything.” There was no point lying about it. No point trying to deny himself of things he didn’t have the strength to fight.
“Then have me.” She pressed her body against his and his flesh rejoiced at the contact. Because it wasn’t enough, he hauled her into his lap and then lowered them both onto his bed as his mouth plundered hers. And would have continued kissing her until dawn had he not felt the weight of a pair of curious eyes staring.
He rolled to glare at Cuthbert, who was still sitting on the bed, head tilted as he stared. “You need to sleep somewhere else tonight, young man, as I have a much better proposition and do not need an audience for it.”
As Georgie giggled, Harry swung his legs out of bed, picked the puppy up and marched him to the door. “Go sleep with Norbert.” He deposited Cuthbert out on the landing and closed the door. As he turned, she was staring at his fully erect cock in fascination.
“Does that hurt?”
