Page 268 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

“Ask away.”

“Would… Could we…”

At her continued dithering, he encouraged, “Speak freely, if you would. Have we not done so since meeting each other?”

“I confess, I am worn to a frazzle this eve. Likely became anxious over naught…a candle, mayhap? A lantern?” She shifted within his arms, pulled back to meet his eyes in the flickering candlelight of their own, hers looking boldly abashed, if that were possible. “But would it be… Feasible…in any way…for us— For you—” She ducked beneath his chin once more and finished in a rush. “For you to hold me tonight? While we sleep—sleep—together? But not, not do—”

“Not do anything more thanhold?”

Her head bumped his chin when she jerked a nod.

“’Twould be my honor.”

It also might be the death of him. Would he even sleep? Doubtful, the idea of keeping her close throughout the night hardening him like a metal rod, something he would disguise with plenty of blanket bulked between them.

Because he wouldn’t abandon this opportunity, not for all the unbreakable white porcelain horses in the world.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING; OH, WAIT. IT ALREADY CAME!

A slight tensingwas his only warning.

“Know you’re awake,” Brier whispered against the wispy strands of Luce’s hair, resting against his lips. He willed his prone body to remain as still as hers. “Please don’t be afraid. Or scream. I won’t—”Try anything.As though she would believe that. “Do anythingmore.”

Dawn approached unrelentingly…but wasn’t here in full, not yet, all dark grey shadows beyond the windows. Would she spring from him now? See his treacherous, unconscious movements during sleep as reason to no longer trust?

Angst clutched at his heart for he wasn’t ready to release the night, much less the female against him. The woman previously replete and slumberous within his embrace, now clenched head to chilled toes in the quiet of his abode.

No wind howling, no rain spattering, for the first time in what seemed an age. The winter storm had passed, then? Leaving him snuggled around the female in his arms.

In his bed.

Her back to his front.

Her innocence yielding to his illicit actions…

He started to retrieve his fingers from where they nested, splayed at the top of her pubic mound.

She gave a squeak and clasped his forearm.

Ack.Had his motion only just told her where his traitorous hand had ventured?

Beneath the bed coverings, his bare feet shifted, causing him to groan when he nudged one of hers. “It was there when I awoke. My hand.”

As though curving his slumbering body around the warm female in his bed was the most natural thing in the world…despite the years since he had done so…

As though his mental yearnings had coalesced into physical actions, he had, during the night, rucked the hem of her night-rail and placed his open, relaxed hand upon her abdomen, sliding downward until the very tip of his middle finger rested in the hollow just above her pearl. The tiny nub he would give his right ballock to search out, to stroke…

But he had no right. No right to nudge his needy fingers along the warmth of her folds. His fingers—entire hand—now aching from holding so very still.

Without volition, his fingers twitched and he bit back a second groan at the warmth of her. “Was afraid to startle you if I moved it earlier.”

“Please.” It was a sighed breath of wonder, of awe. “Do not.”

His, of a certainty. Awed at the invitation he heard.

He flexed his hand, amazed at how well the pad of his finger fit, nestled within that warm, welcoming hollow, his other fingertips spread and lightly grazing the softly crisp hairs guarding her entrance. “Don’t…move?” He sought to confirm. “Are you positive?”

Her body strained against his in a long stretch though she kept her clasp firm upon his forearm, kept his fingers anchored. “I confess to wishing for just such a touch.” Her words were as froth, airy in the predawn light surrounding his bed. “Or if not such a touchexactly”—the clutch on his arm eased and she reached for his hand, twining her fingers within his—“then something similar. Not having any…well, direct experience beyond that of my own.”

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