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She had not been expecting that.

The smile never left his face, and as Reid moved a finger inside her, she continued to watch him. When she arched up toward his hand, the water moved with them. And though she should probably be considering the consequences of being caught in such a compromising position, Allie concentrated instead on the feel of his strong, powerful hand so delicately caressing her very core.

“Reid, I—”

She spoke even though she had no words.

“I know,” he said.

What did he know? What was happening?

She moved her hips to the rhythm he set, slow at first and then faster and faster.

Part of her wanted to close her eyes, but she could not stop looking at Reid’s secret smile, the one that told her she was close to something wonderful.

“That’s it,” he said. “Come for me, sweet Allie.”

The words meant nothing.

And everything.

She could no longer control her eyes and they slammed shut just as she tightened and shuddered against him. As she gripped the side of the tub with one hand and his arm with another, Allie’s world changed forever. The glorious sensations continued to roll through her until she finally opened her eyes, her heart swelling as warmth spread through her entire body. Reid appeared as pleased to have given her pleasure as she was to be reveling in it.

“Alas,” he said. “I do believe your soap is lost forever.”

He began to pull his hand away, but when she felt her hip knock against something solid, Allie grabbed it and placed the bar in his hand.

“Perhaps not.”

He took it from her and glided it across her waist, her chest. His hand dipped underwater and up again as he traced her body with the soap.

Allie closed her eyes and laid her head back against the tub’s rim, giving herself over to Reid completely. Her eyes flew open when a groan—a deep, guttural sound—met her ears.

Pulling his hand out from the tub, Reid offered the soap to her. “More of this, and I will be joining you in there, maid or no.”

The thought of Reid bathing alongside her in the small tub made her giggle. “I’m sure you would not fit in here with me.”

“Tempt me to find out, and Gillian will find her sister’s wedding as hastily planned as her own.”

Allie shivered. The thought of being found like this and forcibly wed to Reid was . . . oddly exciting.

“The lady thinks I jest.”

Reid flicked his fingers, splashing water on her cheek. She answered with a much larger splash of water that forced him away from the tub.

“I concede,” he said, standing. “Will you come down tonight?”

“Nay, I—”

“Not even to see me?” he said, clutching his heart as if she wounded him.

Allie smiled.

“Come,” Reid said. “I will not make any advances. But know, when I look at you”—his wicked grin warned her of the naughtiness of his next words—“I will be remembering the feel of you beneath my fingers.”

And so it was that she found herself dressing for the meal not long after Reid left her chamber. The power of that man’s persuasive skills would lead her to trouble yet.

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