Page 57 of Claiming His Christmas Angel

“We should probably leave first thing in the morning, just in case the weather changes unexpectedly.”

Octavia didn’t reply, she simply nodded and continued wiping off the kitchen table with a damp cloth. Atticus frowned. Damnation, was she regretting her decision? He closed his eyes for a brief moment, then opened them as she moved to the sink to wash out the cloth and hang it on a hook next to the dish towel.

She stood with her back to him, her spine ramrod straight. The tension in her was an almost tangible sensation on his skin, and his heart sank. She was reconsidering. Atticus cleared his throat, but before he could speak, Octavia spun around to face him, her face pink with color.

“Make love to me, Atticus. I don’t think I can bear another second of this ache I feel inside me,” she whispered in an almost inaudible voice. “I want you to pleasure me in every way possible, no matter how hedonistic or epicurean.”

Stunned by her fervent plea, Atticus swallowed as he worked to remove the sudden knot that had formed in his throat. The moment her expression started to become one of embarrassment, and the color in her cheeks deepened, he closed the distance between them in two quick strides. His fingers tipped her chin up, and he captured her mouth in a hard kiss.

God, how he loved this woman. Tonight, he intended to make her realize she couldn’t live without his touch. He would make love to her with his whole heart. In a swift movement, he lifted her up into his arms, and he scowled down at her the instant she murmured a protest. A remorseful expression softened her features, and he nodded with silent approval. Seconds later, he carried Octavia out of the kitchen and up the stairs to her room.

Chapter 16

Octavia breathed in Atticus’s warm male scent as he set her on her feet in her bedroom. An awkward sensation sped through her, holding her stiff as Atticus moved to stoke the fire until it was a steady blaze. When he turned around, his eyes narrowed at her, and Octavia averted her eyes. Dark shoes came into view a few seconds later, and a firm hand lifted her chin so she was forced to look at him.

“Are you having second thoughts, Aphrodite? If so, I’ll leave you to your rest and see you in the morning.”

The soft question was accompanied by an emotion that flashed in his gaze for a brief moment, then disappeared. It was almost as if he was afraid to hear her answer. She swallowed the knot of uncertainty that had formed in her throat. Was she having second thoughts? She mentally shook her head. No, she wanted Atticus. Her desire for him was stronger now than it ever had been.

What troubled her was the uncertainty of what tomorrow would bring when they returned to Stapleton Hall. The thought alarmed her, because something deep inside said her father would approve of her marrying Atticus. When that happened, she would have to abide by her agreement to marry him.

The thought made her nibble at her lip. But what troubled her was the question of how long the desire burning between them would last? And when Atticus’s desire for her faded, what would happen then? The answer wasn’t a pleasant one, and Octavia pushed the thought aside. Tonight she would live in the moment. Tomorrow would bring whatever it chose to bring.

“No, I’m not having second thoughts,” she whispered.

Stepping forward, she reached out and began to undo the buttons of his shirt. Atticus inhaled a small breath as she parted the garment, while tugging it out of his trousers. A second later, her fingers glided across his chest, her touch tentative as she explored his hard muscles. He didn’t stir at her touch, but she could feel the tension flowing through him. Steely muscles flexed against the pads of her fingers, his breathing accelerating as she mapped the hard contours of his upper body.

She darted a brief glance up at him. Eyes closed, his features were taut with pleasure. The instant she paused in her exploration of him, his gaze met hers. Desire had turned his eyes a dark stormy blue, and her heart skipped a beat.

Spice mixed with bergamot created a scent that emphasized the tantalizing maleness of him. It wafted beneath her nose, and she dragged in a deep breath, pulling him into her senses. God, he smelled heavenly. Her breathing became as uneven as his, and she rolled his shirt off his shoulders, removing it with his help. Suddenly feeling daring, she bent her head to press a kiss to his chest, following it with another before her tongue flicked across his nipple. At her caress, a low, primal noise echoed out of him.

The sound sent pleasure rushing through her as she realized he liked the way she was caressing him. Long male fingers moved through her hair, pulling it free of its upswept coiffure until it tumbled down her back as she continued her exploration of his body.

Sliding her hands up over his arms, she marveled at his well-toned muscles. The tight, corded muscles beneath her fingertips emphasized his strength. Every part of him was glorious. Dear Lord, how could this beautiful man want her above all others? Almost as if he could read her mind, his fingers dug into her waist, and he pulled her into him to press his forehead against hers.

“Do you have any idea how beautiful you are, Aphrodite? There’s a raw sensuality about you that drives every rational thought from my head the moment you enter a room.”

His voice was rough with an emotion that sent a frisson dancing across her skin. There was something stronger than desire in his words, but she didn’t dare consider what it represented. He dragged in a harsh breath as his mouth brushed across her temple to glide downward to her ear.

“Ever since that night in the garden, I’ve dreamed about exploring every sweet, fragrant inch of you.”

Bending his head, his mouth set her skin on fire as he kissed his way down the side of her neck. With each passionate caress, his kisses dragged her into a whirlpool of ever-increasing delight. Beneath her fingertips, she could feel the rapid beat of his heart, and it sent elation sailing through her. She excited him.

It was a heady sensation, and as her thumb rubbed over his nipple, a wicked sound rumbled in his chest. The sudden touch of his warm fingers running across her bare back made her draw in a quick breath at the realization he’d undone her gown. A second later, the dress pooled at her feet, leaving only her corset covering her.

Breathing hard, he stepped back from her, and she watched in fascination as he removed the remainder of his clothing to stand naked in front of her. Her mouth went dry as her gaze swept over his tall frame, before her eyes focused on the size and thickness of his erection. Earlier, when she’d watched him stroke himself, she’d not seen how splendid he truly was.

Unfamiliar sensations spun their way across her skin and down to the apex of her thighs. A small shudder rippled its way through her, and she jerked her gaze up to his. Had he seen her reaction? Blue eyes met hers, and she saw a tic in his cheek as his jaw was a hard line. He had seen her tremble. A look of fiery hunger darkened his gaze. It stole her breath away, making it difficult to breathe as his gaze fixated on her corset for a few seconds before their gazes locked again.

“I want to see all of you, Aphrodite,” he said in a voice hoarse with need.

Yielding to his demand, she reached behind her back and undid the ribbons of the corset until it was open, and she had to press the silk-covered whalebone into her chest to hold it in place . Hesitant to reveal herself completely, she watched his throat bob with what she was certain was excitement. He stretched out his hand to pull the confining undergarment away from her with a gentle tug. The dark groan that escaped him made her cheeks burn.

“My God, I knew you would be exquisite, but you take my breath away, sweetheart.”

A warmth spread its way through her as she heard sincerity mixed with raw passion in his words. He didn’t move, his eyes studying her with an intensity that sent a rush of excitement through her veins until she was hot everywhere. As his gaze caressed her, she studied him with equal fascination.

Everywhere she looked, he was the essence of steely male prowess. Only God could have created such an incredible male form of perfection, and she wished she could paint him as he was now. As she continued her detailed examination of his tall frame, her gaze took in his erection for a second time.