She squirmed against him, and a low, animal-like growl vibrated in his throat. He wanted his hands on her skin. Needed hers on his. Breaking off their kiss, he looked down at her. Her lips were swollen and moist, her color high, her eyes glazed with arousal. Her chest rose and fell with her rapid breaths, no less frantic than his own.
Reaching up, he cupped her face between his none-too-steady hands. "Allie…" Bloody hell, he barely recognized that rasp as his voice. "I want to go slow, gently, with you, but God help me, I don't know if I can."
Her warm breath puffed over his lips. "I don't recall asking you to go slow. In fact…" She lowered her hand down his body and stroked her fingers over his straining erection.
He sucked in a sharp breath and managed a jerky nod. "Right. We'll save slow for another time." He took one step back and set to work unfastening his shirt with an impatience he could not control. She immediately busied herself undoing the row of buttons on her dressing gown. He mourned the fact that he wasn't removing her clothing himself, but damn it, this was faster. And he wanted, needed, them skin to skin as quickly as possible.
In spite of his shaking hands, and his attention diverted by the arousing sight of her robe slipping off her shoulders, he managed to strip off his clothing in record time. He tossed his breeches aside just as her gown slithered downward to pool at her feet.
For the space of several heartbeats, they stared at each other. She was incredible. Round and womanly, soft and fragrant. Her breasts were high and full, her coral nipples pebbled with arousal. His gaze wandered downward, touching on her curved waist, then the triangle of chestnut curls nestled between her shapely thighs. By God, the instant he did not feel so desperate and about to explode, he would take the time to savor every delectable inch of her.
They reached for each other at the same time, arms going about each other, skin pressed to heated skin from chest to knee. At last. She felt so damn good… so soft and warm. He captured her mouth in another searing kiss, slipping his tongue into the silky heaven behind her lips. With his mouth fused to hers, he cupped her buttocks and lifted her up against him. She instantly wrapped her legs around his hips, opening herself, her moist feminine flesh pressing against his arousal. Bloody hell, he wasn't sure he could make it to the bed. Determined not to disgrace himself, he headed swiftly across the room, tumbling her onto the mattress, then following her down.
Again his inner voice yelled for him to slow down, that his performance here was sadly lacking, and perhaps, if she'd been docile, he might have succeeded. But she clearly was as impatient and frantic as he. Spreading her legs wide, she surged her hips upward, and he sank deep into her body in one smooth, heart-stopping stroke. Her inner walls clutched him like a tight, wet, hot velvet fist, and a long moan of pure feminine satisfaction rumbled from her throat.
She undulated beneath him, rubbing her aroused nipples against his chest, and he lost any semblance of control he might have imagined he still possessed. His world narrowed to the place where their bodies were intimately joined. Nothing existed except her… her skin against his, his heart pounding against hers. Mindless, his muscles moving of their own accord, he thrust into her with long, hard strokes, touching her deeper and higher each time. Her hands clutched at his shoulders, and he was vaguely aware of her fingers digging into his skin.
He felt the spasms pulse deep within her, and her low, guttural growl of pleasure vibrated against his ear. Helpless to contain his own release any longer, he buried his face against her neck and throbbed inside her for an endless, intense moment, spilling his seed, and what felt like his soul, inside her.
God help him, he could not move. Could not so much as flex his fingers. He did not know how long it took sanity to return, but when it did, it smacked him like a brick to the head.
What the devil had happened to him? What had come over him? He'd totally, completely, lost control of himself. Of his mind and body. In a way he never had before. He'd shown her a completely appalling lack of mastery and finesse, and certainly less consideration than he'd ever shown any previous lover, a fact which filled him with self-disgust and guilt.
Summoning what strength he could, he lifted his head and propped his upper-body weight on his forearms. He gazed down at her, and caught his still-not-fully-returned breath.
Her eyes were closed, her sable lashes resting against smooth cheeks hectic with color. Her shiny hair lay in tangled disarray on the sheet, her braid completely undone. Her lips were parted, and he gave in to his urge to drop a soft kiss upon them.
Her eyes opened slowly, and heat rushed through him at her dazed expression. The tip of her tongue peeked out to moisten the lips he'd just kissed. She said nothing, just stared up at him, a kaleidoscope of impossible-to-read emotions flickering in her rapidly clearing eyes.
Unease pulled at him. Damn it, what was she thinking? He knew she'd found her release. He'd felt her orgasm shimmer through her, pulsing around him, driving him mad. But was it possible she had not felt the same magic, the same intensity as he? Everything inside him protested the mere thought. No. She had to have felt it… that same fire that had damn near incinerated him.
A jumble of feelings crowded into his brain, declarations that demanded to be verbalized, but he pushed them away. For now. It was too soon. He needed to take one step at a time. So far, lacking finesse or not, he'd engaged her body. Her heart would soon follow. He refused to consider anything else. Yet he could not deny that he'd employed all the expertise of a green boy.
Clearing his throat, he said, "I'm afraid I quite lost control of myself. Next time will be better for you. I promise."
Allie's heart lurched at his words, and she remained silent for several breathless seconds, studying him. His hair was disheveled from her frantic fingers, one dark lock dipping over his forehead in a way that begged her to touch the soft strands. His cheeks were ruddy from his exertions, his mouth slightly reddened from their devouring kisses. And his eyes… they were so dark and intense, steadily regarding her with a potent expression she'd never seen before. One that made her feel so… she didn't know.
Could this-whatever it was-be that elusive something she'd unsuccessfully sought during her marriage? The question raised an onslaught of unwanted emotions she was not prepared to examine now. Later… she would think later. There would be plenty of time… later. Right now, all she wanted to do was feel… experience more of the magic he'd wrought with his hands and body.
She stretched like a contented cat beneath him, reveling in the glorious sensation of his weight pressing her into the mattress, his crisp chest hair grazing her sensitive nipples. That brief glimpse she'd been treated to of his naked form, before they'd fallen upon each other like starved creatures presented with a feast, had turned her insides to porridge and shot liquid heat directly to her womb. Tall, muscular, broad shoulders… and that fascinating ribbon of dark hair that bisected his ridged abdomen, then spread to cradle his most impressive arousal. A shiver of anticipation skittered down her spine, and a smile born of all the wicked delight coursing through her pulled at her lips.
"Better for me?" she repeated. "Oh, my. I wouldn't have thought such a thing possible… but if you insist it is, I shall anxiously await next time. Have you any idea when that might be, Sir M.M.Q.?"
"M.M.Q.?"
She brushed a fingertip over his bottom lip. "Makes Me Quiver."
Lowering his head, he traced the sensitive shell of her ear with the tip of his tongue, then whispered, "Actually, I have a very good idea when the next time might be."
Another delicate shiver ran through her. "Hmmm. I hope it's soon."
"I was thinking about now."
"Now sounds lovely."
"Indeed it does."
Pushing himself up, Robert settled back onto his knees between her splayed legs and took the time he'd been too impatient to take earlier, to savor the sight of her.
She looked like a golden-bronze temptress, bathed in firelight, her skin glowing with the e
xertion of their frantic mating. His gaze leisurely appreciated her dusky nipples, her abdomen, the charming indent of her navel, then the alluring dark curls between her thighs. He inhaled, and the musky scent they'd created together filled his head.
She regarded him with a half-serious, half-playful sinful expression that fired heat straight to his groin. Reaching out, he touched one finger to the delicate hollow of her throat, then dragged his fingertip slowly downward, arousing one plump nipple, then the other, with a feathery caress, his hand a dark contrast against her pale skin. When her breathing turned into a series of long sighs, he leaned forward and replaced his fingers with his tongue, slowly laving her breasts, then drawing the taut peaks into his mouth. The scent of honeysuckle rose from her damp flesh, mixing with the musk of their joining, intoxicating him.
Her sighs turned into moans, and she combed her fingers through his hair, thrusting her breasts upward, encouraging him to take more into his mouth. Her hips undulated, rubbing her inner thighs against his legs. He discovered an enchanting trio of freckles just below her left breast that occupied his lips for several minutes. Then he explored further, running his tongue slowly downward toward her stomach, savoring every quiver of her skin, every hill and valley of her feminine form, along the way. When he dipped his tongue into her navel, she responded with a husky groan that notched up his temperature several degrees.
"Robert…"
Every nerve in his body caught fire at the sound of his name coming from her lips in that passion-roughed whisper. He straightened, settling back on his heels, then looked into her eyes, which seemed to breathe golden-brown smoke. Need, hot and strong and impatient, clawed at him.
Gliding his palms over her smooth thighs, he gently pushed her legs wider apart, revealing her glistening feminine flesh to his avid gaze. Reaching out, he caressed her wet, swollen folds with a gentle circular motion, his gaze alternating between his fingers and her expressive face. Her body writhed sensually beneath his touch, and her uninhibited response aroused him to the breaking point. And that's where he wanted her-at the breaking point. The instant he sensed she was there, he withdrew his hand. Her sharp groan of protest filled the room, spiking his now nearly desperate need.
Leaning over her, his weight supported on his hands, he lightly teased her with the head of his arousal. The satiny, wet feel of her, coupled with her gasp of pleasure, arrowed sensation through him. He looked down, between their bodies, watching as he slowly entered her, sinking into her snug, moist heat.
Her purr of satisfaction brought his gaze back to her face. Their gazes met and held, and he knew that the naked need and want in her eyes was mirrored in his own.
"Allie." Her name whispered past his lips like a prayer, unable to be contained. She reached up, running restless fingers over his face, his lips, before pulling his head down to hers for a deep, intimate kiss. She raised her hands above her head, and he ran his palms up her arms, entwining their fingers. Then, breaking their kiss, he watched her as he moved slowly within her, withdrawing nearly all the way out of her body, only to glide deep again. A dozen expressions of pleasure and wonder flitted across her face, and he mentally recorded each one, as he memorized each of her breathy sighs.
When he increased the depth of his thrusts, her eyes slid closed. "Look at me," he whispered. Her lids fluttered open, and with gazes locked, he stroked her harder, faster, until she tensed beneath him, arching her back, moaning out her release. With a final deep thrust, he buried his face in her fragrant neck and followed her over the edge.
*******
Robert came awake slowly, his senses rousing themselves one at a time. Sprawled on his back, the first thing he noticed was silky, warm skin pressed against his side. Allie. Satisfaction eased through him and he drew in a deep, contented breath. A hint of honeysuckle, mixed with the erotic redolence of spent passion, brought his sense of smell to life, filling his head with images of their night together. Opening his eyes, he looked at his lover.
His heart swelled at the word. Lover. His lover slept next to him, on her side, her head nestled in the crook of his shoulder. One of her slender arms was thrown across his chest, her hand resting above his heart. The weight of a shapely leg curved to rest over his thighs.
Her long hair fanned out like a chestnut halo, spilling over her shoulders, onto his chest. He gently rubbed the silky strands between his thumb and forefinger. Like the rest of her, her hair was beautiful. And satiny soft.
Her warm breath puffed against his shoulder, filling him with a rush of possessiveness unlike anything he'd ever before experienced. This woman was his. They belonged together. After the passion they'd shared during the night, the emotional and physical bond they'd forged, she could not possibly refute it. When she awoke, she would know. With the same certainty he did.
The sound of rain lashing against glass drew his gaze to the windows. The storm that had threatened earlier was upon them. He looked at the mantel clock and sighed. Almost dawn. The household would soon stir. As much as he hated to leave her, he needed to return to his own bedchamber. Now-before he was discovered in a manner that would impinge her honor and reputation. Now-before he gave in to the temptation to kiss her awake and continue their sensual exploration of each other.
Easing himself from the bed, he quickly gathered his clothing. With one last look at her sleeping from, he slipped silently from the room, secure in the knowledge that he would not have to leave her bed like this for much longer. For soon she would be his wife.
********
Lester Redfern looked out the dingy window of his small room and uttered a curse. Here it were, rainin' like to make up for a century-long drought. He ground the stubs of his teeth together. He should have left London yesterday, but he hadn't wanted to miss the cockfight at The Hound's Tooth last night. He'd won five quid, but now it seemed liked a poor wager. How the bloody hell were he supposed to know the skies would open up? Now how were he supposed to get to Bradford Hall? The roads would be nothin' but wheel-eatin' ruts. The only other choice were horseback, but he didn't own a bloody horse, and he hated the beasts besides. Nasty, ill-tempered, stupid brutes that bit him and smelted. Not to mention the poundin' his arse would take ridin' all that way. Could things get any bloody worse? The instant the question popped into his mind, he shoved it aside. With the way his luck were run-nin', it were best not to ask.
But, if he didn't go, didn't get the earl's bloody note from that bloody woman… his eye twitched and he swallowed hard. No, not goin' to the country weren't an option. Rain or no, he had to go. Had to finish this damn business once and for all.
Today.
Chapter 16
Late in the morning following her night with Robert, Allie stood in front of the cheval glass and examined her reflection. Even with the meager light due to the gray, drizzling skies, even garbed in her usual black, she could discern the unmistakable glow. It sparkled in her eyes, glimmered on her flushed cheeks, announced itself in the small, secret smile she could not erase from her lips.
She had not felt so wonderfully alive, so vibrant and exhilarated, in three years. Her body hummed with pleasure, her pulse jumped every time she thought of the previous night… which was constantly. Turning, she looked toward the bed, now neatly made. But she instantly visualized herself and Robert among tangled sheets, their limbs entwined, touching, tasting, exploring. And God help her, she could not wait to do it again.
Surely everyone would guess. How could anyone look at her and not know? The look of a well-pleasured woman rested upon her like a cashmere shawl, and nothing-not the long bath she'd indulged in, or the gray weather, or her somber attire diminished it. She did not regret her actions, yet she needed to employ caution. Discretion. It was one thing to take a lover… it was quite another to have his entire family know about their liaison.
But how could she hope to be in the same room with him and act normally? Now that she knew how firm and smooth his skin felt beneath her fingers? Now that she'd seen h
is eyes darken with passion and need as he buried himself in her body? Knew the sound of his voice as he groaned her name in release?
You won't be able to, you fool. You never should have-
Squeezing her eyes shut, she bludgeoned back her inner voice, as she already had more times than she cared to count since she'd awakened. Robert was her lover. Nothing more. They would enjoy the pleasure they brought each other until it was time for her to leave England. And then it would be over.
Once again her inner voice tried to interject, but she forcibly closed her heart and mind to its unwanted warnings. It was time to venture downstairs… to visit with Elizabeth's family. And face her lover.
With butterflies of anticipation fluttering in her stomach, she turned toward the door. Before she took one step, however, someone knocked.
Good Lord, could it be him? "Come in," she called, pressing her hands to her midsection to calm her jitters.
Caroline entered, her face wreathed in smiles, her arms wrapped around a large rectangular box. "Good morning, Allie… or rather afternoon." She walked to the bed, where she deposited the box. "Did you sleep well?"
Heat rose in Allie's cheeks. "Very well. Just later than I expected."
Caroline waved a negligent hand. "Lounging about in bed until early afternoon is what rusticating in the country is for. I ventured downstairs myself only a few minutes ago, where I discovered this"-she pointed to the box-"waiting for you. According to Fenton, it had just arrived from London. Since I could not wait to see what you'd purchased from Madame Renee, I brought it up to you. Her creations are simply divine."
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