Page 72 of Tamed By Her Touch

“Of course, my dear.” Maera smiled warmly at her. “Well, I wish you a good night and pleasant dreams.”

“Good night,” Clair said.

“Rest well,” Kaelus added in a strained voice.

Maera smiled one last time. Then she shut the door and finally left them alone.

For several seconds, neither Clair nor Kaelus moved.

Clair was still plastered against him, and his body was still stiff as a board. Also, her nipples were still rubbing against his chest.

“Well,” she said eventually. “That was close, but I think we fooled her.”

Kaelus looked down at her, his eyes narrowed.

“Yes.” His voice was a hoarse growl, but he made no attempt to move.

Neither did she. The warmth of his body felt wonderful, and his spicy scent surrounded her, making her want to breathe more deeply. Clair became aware of the slow rise and fall of his chest beneath her cheek and the steady pounding of his heart.

Actually, perhaps not entirely steady—it seemed to be beating rather quickly.

She smiled and snuggled closer.

“You’re tense.”

“I am aware,” he growled.

“You can relax now.” Clair patted his chest. “She’s gone.”

“That will not be possible.”

Clair tipped her head back to look at him.

“Why not?”

Kaelus stared down at her. His golden eyes dropped briefly toward her breasts, then came back to her face.

“Clair,” he said in a low voice. “Do you truly wish me to explain?”

She opened her mouth to answer…then she realized the problem.

“Oh,” she said, feeling her cheeks get hot with a blush.

Kaelus closed his eyes briefly.

“Yes. Oh.”

Clair suddenly became very conscious of her thin nightgown again…and her nipples…and the fact that they were pressed firmly against his chest.

“Sorry,” she muttered. She started to pull away but Kaelus’s arm tightened instinctively around her waist. Clair wiggled and somehow one of her breasts ended up in his hand.

She froze and looked up at him again. Their eyes locked and for a long time it seemed like she’d forgotten how to breathe. For a moment neither of them spoke. Then Kaelus released her as though her skin had burned him.

“My apologies,” he muttered. “I did not mean to grope you.”

“You don’t have to apologize,” Clair said quickly.

He shook his head.