“May I come in?” she whispered, casting her gaze either way down the hall as if checking that no one was watching.
“Please do,” Gray told her, then stood back to let her inside.
When she strode to the center of the room but said nothing, didn’t even turn to face him, he approached.
“Evie, what is it? What’s upset you?”
“Gray, there are things I want to tell you.” She spun to face him, and a few strands of her hair escaped their pins. The glossy strands glinted in the firelight.
She was so damn beautiful that she took his breath away.
“Of course.” He dared lifting a hand to run his fingers lightly over the high edge of her cheek. “You can tell me anything.”
“I know.” She drew closer, her gaze locked on his.
“And I do have something rather crucial to ask you.” She had to know he’d come to ask for her hand in marriage when he’d sought her out in the conservatory.
To his surprise, she shook her head at that.
“No,” she said in a low voice. “Perhaps talking isn’t what we need.”
Gray disagreed, but he wanted her so much, he would have given her anything she asked.
“Make love to me.” She stared at him squarely, all the distress of a moment ago washed away. She looked resolved, confident. Then she lifted her arms and began pulling pins from her hair.
“Evie.” Gray was amazed he managed to speak because all the air had whooshed from his lungs.
After she’d loosed all the pins, she stroked her fingers through her hair all the way to the end of the strands and then let her fingers hover over the buttons of her day dress.
“You haven’t agreed yet,” she whispered.
“Yes,” Gray managed with a deep rumble.
She smiled triumphantly. “Good.”
Gray watched transfixed as she worked the first few buttons of her gown.
“You should undress too,” she said teasingly. Then she tipped her head, assessing him. “On second thought, I’d like to help.”
Like a dream coming alive before his very eyes, Evie approached and began working the buttons of his shirt. When she smiled up at him, he could take no more.
Gray reached for her, sliding a hand around her nape and drawing her in for a kiss.
Evie kissed him but kept her focus on his clothing. Gray helped. Their fingers tumbling over each other as they rushed to free buttons and fasteners and peel clothing away. Soon, he stood in his trousers, and she’d shed her blouse, skirt, and corset.
“I need to taste you,” he whispered against her lips.
Evie responded by kissing him again. She didn’t know what he was asking, but he was determined to show her. Stepping back, he placed his hands on either side of her waist, holding her gaze while he lowered himself to his knees.
She wore only her chemise and drawers, and Gray slid his hands down over the lush curves of her hips and then down her hips until he could slid under her chemise and feel the fabric of her drawers.
“These need to go,” he told her before tugging the tie loose and then gripping the fabric near her thighs to pull her drawers down.
His mouth watered at the sight of her auburn curls, covered only by the gauzy fabric of her chemise.
He couldn’t wait, he placed his hands on her hips again, pulled her near and pressed his tongue againt the fabric.
Evie gasped and ran her fingers through his hair. “What are you—” She gasped.
