She never been naked in front of a man before, and the inclination to cover herself flared deep within, only to be extinguished by the appreciation in his eyes. She pulled air into her lungs and stood up straight, fighting against the impulse to close her eyes as his gaze swept her from head to toe once again. Truthfully, she was glad she fought the urge and kept her eyes open. If not, she would have missed him unbuttoning his trousers and letting them fall to the floor, the proof of his desire for her evident.
He laid her gently on the bed, then joined her, stretching out against her side. He had promised to make this special for her, and she believed him, trusted him to make it so. His fingers caressed her face before he dipped his head and kissed her, his tongue entangling with hers. Again, his hands roamed over her body, touching her with the lightest of caresses, smoothing over her breasts and belly and thighs.
Her legs opened of their own volition, and he slid his hand between them.
Ryleigh sucked in her breath, unable to help the gasp that escaped her as his fingers slid through the springy hair protecting her secret place. She’d never been touched so intimately, certainly not there, not even by herself, and yet, she didn’t care. It felt too damned good to even be embarrassed.
There were no words to describe the sensations that made her limbs languid and her heart race, no thought in her head aside from how wonderful his touch felt, how incredibly amazing. Her thighs clamped together, trapping his hand between them, but it didn’t stop his fingers from moving against her, teasing her, as his mouth took possession of hers, then moved lower to capture a nipple between his lips. His teeth grazed the sensitive peak, and her hips rose off the bed, pushing closer to his hand between her thighs, moving instinctively against the pressure he exerted.
Her breath came in short gasps as an expectant heaviness centered in her belly and there. He eased a finger into her while his palm pressed against her, moving in and out of her in a steadily faster rhythm until suddenly, her body shattered into a million little pieces, the shards of her existence glowing like stars against her eyelids.
“Goodness!” she breathed, and her eyes flew open as sweet ecstasy rocked her to her very core, her body pulsing around his fingers. He laughed against her throat as he moved his hand, his fingers lightly caressing her inner thighs, then sweeping up to cross her belly and splay beneath her breast.
Ryleigh let out her breath, her body still throbbing. “What did you do?”
“I gave you pleasure.” His voice was a low purr in her ear as his fingers lightly stroked her nipple, bringing it to a point once again. Those new and wonderful sensations began to build the more he caressed her.
“We can stop, Ryleigh, if you want,” he whispered in the same low voice, sending shivers down her spine and gooseflesh popping up on her skin. “We haven’t gone too far yet. There’s still time.”
“Stop? Why would we . . . ” Oh, she’d known what a good man he was, but this just proved it to her again. He had given her bliss but would deny his own to keep her unsullied. She shook her head. “Oh, no, I don’t want to stop.” She pressed her hands to either side of his face and pulled him closer, her lips touching his, then she gazed directly into his eyes as her leg trapped him against her. “I want this, Teague. I want you to make love to me.”
“Gladly,” he whispered then moved over her, his hips settling between her thighs.
He pushed into her, slowly, so slowly, she thought she would die. There was a pinch, a small one―nothing like she’d been told to expect―but it quickly dissolved into something else, something definitely more pleasurable as he moved inside her and out and back. It was the most natural thing in the world for her to wrap her legs around his hips, and dig her heels into his behind to pull him closer.
Of their own accord, her hips rose off the bed, meeting him thrust for thrust as his mouth lowered to hers, swallowing her little cries and moans. The weight in her belly and between her thighs built, stronger, heavier than before. Her nails dug into his shoulders and scratched along his back as she held on, tense, on the precipice, waiting for that moment when she would shatter again and soar upward.
He pulled away, the muscles in his arms stiffening as his hips ground into hers, and his movements became smaller, more concentrated, deliberate, as he pushed into her deeper and deeper before he shouted, filling her with his essence. The heat of him within her, the sound of his voice, pushed her over the edge, and once again, she was flying, weightless, touching the stars.
The rain continued to pound against the side of the house, coming down harder than before, slashing against the window. Water shimmered on the glass as he moved off her and drew her close. Ryleigh laid her head on his shoulder and concentrated on getting her breathing and her heartbeat back to normal, whatever normal was.
So that was making love. The thought rambled through her head, the first coherent one she’d had since he kissed her.
“Are you all right?” he murmured against the top of her head.
She nodded against him, not trusting her voice to speak. How could she? She hadn’t known, hadn’t even imagined, how incredibly amazing making love would be.
Or how emotional. A lump formed in her throat, and tears misted her vision. She blinked, forcing them away, then swallowed hard. She didn’t know why she wanted to weep. True, she was so overwhelmed by so many different sensations, she couldn’t quite keep up with the way they careened through her mind and body, but the last thing she wanted was to cry in front of him. She didn’t want him to think she regretted making love with him. She didn’t. Not at all.
She inhaled instead, holding her emotions in check, and smelled his masculine scent of soap and pipe tobacco. Another thought occurred to her and made her smile, despite the feelings warring deep within her. Was there a rule of etiquette for when one made love? Should she thank him for keeping his promise and making this, her first time, special? Did she stay until morning? She knew nothing . . . except that she felt wonderful. Though wonderful, as a description, left so much out.
She listened to the sound of his breath coming in a steady rhythm, felt the warmth of his body next to hers, and closed her eyes.
• • •
“Teague.”
Rain still pattered against the window, though it was beginning to taper off, as Teague opened one eye and saw that brilliant smile that made him feel like the sun shined only on him. Ryleigh’s long legs straddled his waist, the curtain of her silky hair tickling his chest, the warmth of her pressing against his stomach nearly searing his skin.
“Are you awake?” She leaned forward and kissed him, then ran her tongue along his lips.
“Yes, I’m awake.” He grinned, opened his other eye, and wiggled his eyebrows. “All of me is awake.”
“All of you?” Her eyes widened and twinkled with a mixture of innocence and wickedness as she rested her hands on his bare chest, her fingers running through the light dusting of hair covering it. She moved a little lower, scooting her luscious backside along his body until she rested atop his manhood and flashed a radiant smile at him that was full of naughtiness.
He’d been right. Her eyes did darken with passion, becoming more violet than blue. He licked his lips as his hands reached for her breasts hiding beneath her silky hair. Her breasts were round and heavy, her nipples already puckered as they rested in his palms. She inhaled, bringing a smile to his lips. Making love to her had been . . . He couldn’t even begin to put into words the emotions that had swirled within him. The only thing he knew for certain was that there had been a flash of brightness, like her smile, that lightened the darkness hiding in his heart. He wanted to feel that again, wanted her radiance to shine on him as he caressed her warm skin, wanted to sink himself into her hot, slick sheath and forget everything.
Mentally, he shook himself and tried to ignore the blood rushing through his body. “Ryleigh.”
“What?” she breathed and stopped moving, her gaze boring into his, her eyes more violet than blue
.
“We shouldn’t,” he said, even though he was still caressing her breasts. “You might not be feeling it now, but you’re going to be sore.”
“Sore? I don’t understand.” She sat back, pressing her weight on the most sensitive part of him. Her hands never left his chest. In fact, she lightly pinched his nipples between her fingers then wiggled her bottom. “I’ve never felt better.”
Teague let out a groan, torn between the desire to fulfill her wishes to take her again and knowing that no matter how she felt at this moment, a little later, she would feel the effects of what they’d done. He glanced at the clock on the bedside table and let out a sigh as he moved his hands to her shoulders. There wasn’t time, even if he didn’t have concerns about her welfare. “Mrs. Calvin and Desi Lyn should be home soon. Too soon.”
He grinned as a blush rose to her cheeks, but his smile didn’t last long. She wiggled her behind again, then leaned forward, crushing her breasts against his chest and took possession of his mouth.
“Ryleigh!” he laughed as she pulled away, then planted small, light kisses all over his face. “As much as I’d like to make love to you again, I think we should get dressed.”
“Are you sure?” she whispered, close to his ear, then grabbed his lobe between her teeth and skimmed it with her tongue. A shiver raced through him, and gooseflesh rose on his skin. His body responded in other ways as well, and blood rushed through him. If he thought he was aroused when she first woke him, he’d been wrong. He was more so now, almost painfully so as she sat up and started moving her hips in a slow back and forth motion atop him. She was hot. And so very wet on his hard shaft. All he’d have to do is shift beneath her, just a bit, and he’d once again be buried deep inside her, giving in to both their desires.
God, he loved her boldness, that spark of mischief that made him feel so damned good. “Ryleigh!” He laughed again and grabbed her hips, whether to stop her or encourage her, he couldn’t decide. “There’s nothing I’d rather do than spend the rest of the afternoon exploring your body and making love, but we really can’t. We’ll have another time like this. Better yet, we’ll have a whole night to learn about each other.”
Ryleigh blinked and seemed to focus on him. She finally nodded. “Promise?” she asked as she moved off him and climbed from the bed to stand beside it. She wobbled a bit and reached out for a bed post to steady herself. A pinkish glow highlighted her cheekbones. Actually, her entire face was flushed, evidence of how excited she’d become rubbing against him. He knew a moment of regret, wishing there was enough time. He would have loved to have her ride him, her hands on his chest, her head thrown back as ecstasy claimed her once more.
“I promise.” He rose from the bed as well and grabbed her, pulling her close and tasting her mouth once more. He broke the kiss long before he was ready, then retrieved her pantalets from the floor, amazed at how soft and supple they were.
Amid giggles―he loved the sound of her laughter―and kisses and long, loving caresses, he helped her dress, though it seemed to take longer than when he’d undressed her. He touched every part of her body with his lips or hands as each article of clothing covered her. “These buttons are going to be the death of me,” he whispered in her ear as he buttoned her corset cover and felt her shiver. When she stood in front of him, dressed except for her gown, he grinned. “Um, your hair.”
She turned her head to glance in the mirror over his bureau and laughed out loud, her face animated, her eyes aglow as she faced him once again. “I look like a mad woman!”
“You look like a woman who’s been well loved.” He wrapped his arms around her and dropped a light kiss on her still swollen lips.
“I feel like a woman who’s been well loved.”
He retrieved his brush from the bureau and started to hand it to her then thought better of it and kept it for himself. Turning her until she faced the mirror again, he moved behind her and applied the stiff bristles to her hair, watching with amazement how the silky strands curled and shimmered.
“Goodness! My dress is still downstairs in the kitchen.”
“I’ll get it.” He handed her the brush, then picked up his trousers and slipped into them. “Finish your hair.” She gave him a nod before he slipped through the door and raced downstairs, buttoning up his trousers as he did so. Grabbing Ryleigh’s dress from the chair where he’d left it to dry, his gaze fell on the window over the kitchen sink, and his stomach tightened. Panic stiffened his muscles as he spotted a wagon coming down the puddle-ridden road. His eyes narrowed as he recognized Mrs. Calvin sitting on the bench beside Mr. Shaunessy. He couldn’t see Desi Lyn but knew she’d be in the back of the wagon. “Ah, hell!”
With her dress in his hands, he rushed back upstairs, taking the risers two at a time. “We have to hurry. They’re almost home. I’d say we have five minutes at the most before they come walking in the back door.”
“Goodness!” Ryleigh exclaimed, her cheeks flaming with color. He shook her dress then held it low and open. Ryleigh stepped into it, and he pulled it up, settling it over her hips, then helped her to slip her arms into the sleeves.
“Can you manage?” he asked as he picked up his shirt and slipped it on.
“Yes.”
“Hurry!” He laughed as he buttoned his shirt and tucked the tail into his trousers. Excitement filled him, and something else, something he didn’t want to define, but felt very much like happiness.
“I’m trying! Stupid buttons!” She giggled, and the warmth of her laughter settled in his belly despite the fact that they could be caught any moment. “Okay. I’m ready.” She patted her hair, which she’d tucked behind her ears, leaving the rest to curl down her back, and ran out of his room, though she did glance back at the bed with what he assumed was longing.
“It’s a good thing I don’t have shoes on!” she exclaimed as he followed her down the stairs. “Otherwise, I’d be tumbling down instead of running!”
He hid his smile and leaned against the door frame as Ryleigh nearly fell into one of the kitchen chairs, breathless from their mad dash on the staircase, her face flushed, her eyes wide and sparkling. The back door opened a second later. Shotgun came in first, his nails clicking on the floor, tail wagging back and forth. He made a beeline for Teague, his nose poking at his hand. Teague snapped his fingers, and the dog moved away, but only as far as Ryleigh.
Desi Lyn came in next, her mouth turning up in a huge grin when she spotted Ryleigh. “Miss Ryleigh!” She launched herself into the woman’s arms for a hug, then pulled away and hugged him as well. “We had a good time, Uncle T! Mr. Shaunessy brought us home ’cause the streets are flooded.”
Mrs. Calvin came in last, closing the door behind her, sewing basket slung over her arm. She took in the scene in the kitchen in a split second. Her eyebrows rose, and she bit her lip to keep from smiling. Teague followed her line of vision and smothered a groan. Her eyes were on Ryleigh. More specifically, Ryleigh’s dress. She hadn’t buttoned it correctly. The high collar had one side lower than the other.
The woman knew exactly what they’d been doing!
“We . . . uh . . . we got caught in the rain,” he explained, trying with every fiber of his being not to blush. He failed.
“Did you now?”
“I’m going to walk Ryleigh home.” He glanced in her direction and met her gaze straight on. As much as his face burned, he was certain that hers burned hotter. Her cheeks were emblazoned bright red. “Unless you’d like to join us for dinner?”
She looked down at her dress and shook her head. “I think I should just go back to the Prentice.”
Though it had dried while they’d made love, it was now stiff and dirty. And he wasn’t the only one who noticed. It hadn’t escaped Mrs. Calvin’s attention, either.
“Nonsense!” Mrs. Calvin objected with an impish gleam in her eye. “Stay. The roads are still a muddy mess. I’ll just whip up some bacon and eggs, and we’ll have breakfast for dinner tonight. Or I cou
ld make some omelets. It won’t take long at all.” She turned her attention to her charge as she removed the sewing basket from her arm. “Desi Lyn, would you bring this into my room, then set the table?”
“Okay.” She took the basket and skipped down the hall, Shotgun on her heels, returning in moments to set the table.
Ryleigh glanced at him as she rose from her seat and gave him a helpless shrug. He understood. It seemed neither one of them had a choice.
“Go ahead into the parlor,” Mrs. Calvin directed as she busied herself starting a fire in the stove. “I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”
Teague extended his hand and escorted her down the hall into the parlor. “Fix your dress,” he said once they were safely away from prying eyes.
“What?”
Ryleigh looked down and ran her fingers over the buttons, following them up to her throat, her face turning pink then red when she encountered the uneven collar. “Goodness! Do you think Mrs. Calvin knows what we were . . . what we did?”
Teague grinned. “I do believe she does. Nothing much gets by Mrs. Calvin.”
“Oh my goodness! What she must think!”
He gathered her in his arms and smiled into her flushed face, hoping to reassure her. “You don’t need to worry. Mrs. Calvin understands more than you think. And she would never gossip.”
She relaxed against him, resting her head on his shoulder, apparently satisfied. “I’m so glad to hear that.” She held him tighter, her breasts crushing against his chest, her thighs even with his. “Teague?” she whispered before she pressed her warm lips to the place where his pulse beat in his neck, causing a shiver to race down his spine and gooseflesh to pop out on his skin.
“Hmmm?”
Her voice lowered, becoming sultry and provocative. “When you walk me home later, will you stay?”
Hell and damnation!
A Kiss in the Sunlight Page 19
