Page 79 of Tempting the Highland Spy
Chapter Twenty-One
Sunlight streamed through the small gaps in the curtains, rousing Grace from what had been a thoroughly sound, thoroughly restful sleep. She stretched drowsily, turning her head to the man who lay beside her. The even rise and fall of Harrison’s chest betrayed he was still asleep.
Drowsily, she curled up against him, pillowing her head on his shoulder, bare skin to bare skin. He stirred, muttered something that sounded loving but was not quite intelligible, and drew her closer to his body.
She snuggled closer. Given her heart’s desire, she would have stayed with him for ten thousand nights…perhaps more. But she had this time. Little more.
With a sigh, she drifted off again. Later, when she stirred again, she wasn’t sure if she’d dreamed of him, or if she’d dreamed at all for that matter. She watched him through eyes half-veiled by her lashes, still savoring that pleasant haze of not-quite-awake, not-quite-asleep.
Funny how she’d never noticed how dark his eyelashes were until now, or the small scar on the side of his jaw where no stubble grew. Taking care to be still, she studied him at her leisure, drinking in every contour of his face, every tiny flaw, every tiny perfection.
Unwilling to chance breaking this pleasant spell, she gently pressed a hand to his chest, feeling the throb of his heart beneath her palm. The steady rhythm was oddly comforting, like an assurance that all was right in her world. At least for now.
His lids lifted, and he met her gaze.
“Good morning,” he said, his voice rough with sleep.
“Good morning, Harrison.”
“Harry,” he murmured, still drowsy.
His desire that she use his nickname pleased her beyond reason.
“Very well,” she said with a little grin. “Good morning, Harry.”
He rolled onto his side, opening his eyes wider. “I trust you slept well.”
Her grin widened. “When we did finally sleep, yes.”
He leaned forward, brushing his mouth over hers. Affection and desire blended in the light caress. My, she could get used to this.
“You are beautiful,” he said, the simple words infused with emotion. With his head propped up on one hand, he traced the curve of her mouth with the pad of his thumb. A familiar, wickedly delicious gleam lit his eyes, and his hand disappeared beneath the covers, slowly skimming the curve of her hip. “I’ve half a mind to stay in this room all day, mission be damned.”
What a marvelous thought. Delightfully decadent, yet sadly unattainable. After all, she could not afford to compromise her role in this mission. She’d far too much riding on the outcome.
“I’m nearly convinced you mean it,” she said.
“I am.” He looped his arm over her, caging her close to him.
“I don’t believe you,” she whispered, not sure if she secretly wished he were serious.
His smile was subtle and unreasonably seductive. “You should believe me. Every word.”
A low pulse between her legs stirred her desire. His lovemaking had left her thoroughly sated the night before, but she suspected that she’d never entirely get her fill of Harrison’s touch.
His arousal pulsed against her belly in unspoken demand. Her heart raced with a sudden excitement. How she wanted this. How she wanted him.
A muffled sound made it through the door to their chamber. Was that the chambermaid in the corridor? “I suspect we’ll soon have company,” she warned.
“What better way to convince her we’re truly married than to catch us in the act?”
“You do make a convincing argument. One could reasonably say it’s for the sake of our mission.”
“Indeed—for the sake of duty.”
Claiming her mouth in a slow, sultry kiss, he drew her closer. His large, warm hands cupped her bare bottom, holding her so close, there seemed only a hair’s breadth between their bodies.
The touch of his lips was a heady pleasure. She sighed, relaxing into his caress. Ah, she could spend every morning and every night of her life in his arms and never tire of him.
