Page 38 of The Copper Heir
He went deathly still at her words as if he couldn’t believe they meant what he wanted them to mean. She couldn’t blame him for his confusion. She’d been the one putting distance between them, but she was tired of fighting, tired of listening to that rational voice that always made sense but never got her anywhere.
“Emmy...” His breath stroked her ear, making her shiver.
“I do, Hunter. Tonight. Tomorrow. Whatever time we have left, I want you.” She closed her eyes because she couldn’t say those words with them open.
His breath came out in a low curse and his arms tightened around her so that she savored his hard chest at her back. She wanted this. Him. While she could have it. He turned her in his arms before she could protest, but when he would have covered her mouth with his, she pressed her fingers to his lips.
“The children.”
He cursed again and she spared them a glance. They had stopped running and watched them curiously.
“Don’t children nap?” he whispered.
“They’re too old for naps.” She laughed and wiggled away.
“Tonight then.” He said it like a warning, making her laugh again. There was no way she could bring herself to stay away from him. No warning required.
After their picnic they had started back for home. It took them over an hour, but despite the fact that he was a vastly better rider than all of them, he had never once seemed impatient. Hedid fall back once or twice to give her a lingering glance that set her body on fire. Once they reached the stables, a stable hand came out to help her sisters, leaving her to the mercy of her captor. Hunter helped her down much as he had the first time, but boldly cupped her bottom with one hand and held her close as his mouth closed over hers quickly. It wasn’t more than a moment, but it left her breathless as she watched him walk away.
They spent the rest of the afternoon touring the property. They played in the loose hay of the barn and then fed corn to the chickens. After dinner, they retired to the nursery to play board games and then Emmy read stories aloud, taking requests from each of them, even Hunter who had apparently memorized every title at their disposal. When she kissed the girls good-night, he met her in the hallway, taking her hand and giving her a wicked smile as he led her to his bedroom.
“I should freshen up.” She pulled her hand away, suddenly nervous now that the time had come to be alone with him. She’d washed before dinner and changed back into the blue dress she had borrowed from Glory.
He only shook his head and put his arm around her, pulling her close when they reached his door. “You smell good,” he whispered into her hair. “I swear I can still smell you on my skin.” His hands settled on her hips and his lips brushed her temple.
“So do you.” She knew that she’d never get enough of his smell, that spice that was uniquely him beneath the leather and outdoors scent that clung to him. If she leaned up on her toes, she could press her face into the hollow of his warm neck and breathe him in. So she did, clinging to his shoulders so she wouldn’t wobble. Then she pressed a kiss there, allowing the tip of her tongue to taste him before pulling back to meet his gaze.
“Is this what you want?”
She nodded and reached for his doorknob, surprised when his hand covered hers and stopped her.
“If you say yes, this won’t be just for a night.”
“What do you mean?” Her gaze met his.
“It means that I hope you’ll share my bed the entire time you’re here.”
“Can’t we just take one night and see what happens?”
Taking a deep breath, he studied her face for a moment before answering her with a question. “Why are you so afraid of me?”
“I should think it’s obvious.” Didn’t he realize how he could crush her without even meaning to do it?
Her words startled him and he set her back away from him. “Dammit, Emmy, you know that I wouldn’t force you. That’s not what this is to me. I’m not your captor anymore—”
“No, that’s not what I meant.” Grabbing his hands, she put them back around her and stepped close in the loose circle of his arms. “You forget that I was given an armoire full of other women’s clothing.”
He let out a frustrated breath, but he tightened his arms so that she was against him once more. “That’s why you haven’t worn them? You’re jealous.”
“No.” She bristled immediately, but couldn’t think of a better term for her feelings. “I just don’t want that to be the way it is. I don’t want to be your mistress. I want things to be more...more equal than that.”
“I don’t have mistresses, Emmy. Even if I did, you wouldn’t be one of them.” He smiled.
“But the gowns? The bedroom?”
“Women have stayed here from time to time, but not in that bedroom. My father had it decorated after graduation in the hopes that I would promptly install a wife. The dresses are for various women who have stayed here, yes. My father entertains and, because we’re out of town and guests generally stay a nightor two, we found it necessary to have extra clothing on hand. There’s an armoire of men’s clothing, too, if you’re interested.”
“Why wouldn’t I be your mistress?”
