Page 78 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
He moved to stand in front of her. Not quite blocking her from the door, yet making it clear he wanted her to stay.
“Ye came here tonight of yer own free will. And ye’ll leave of yer own free will.” He stepped to the side. “But I am asking ye to give me time... time to explain.”
“Very well.” She forced out the words.
He took her hand within his and led her to the bed. “Shall we sit?”
“Aren’t you afraid of the scandal? A virgin sitting with a half-clothed man on his bed?”
“I don’t give a damn about scandal.” He studied her with hooded eyes as his thumb caressed her palm. “Ye’re all I give a damn about, Macie.”
She met his eyes, even as she struggled against a fresh wave of feeling. “Is that so?”
The fine lines around his eyes crinkled in what seemed genuine confusion. “Why do ye doubt it, lass?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I came to you.” She dropped her gaze to the braided rug beneath their feet. “But you rejected me.”
“Ye’re wrong, my sweet lass.” He swept his lips over the back of her hand. “I want ye... more than ye can imagine. But yer first time with a man should be special.”
Macie’s heart raced. She turned to him and caressed his cheek. The dark-brown stubble on his jaw was rough and crisp against her fingertips. With a little sigh, she relaxed.
“It will be special, Finn,” she said. “Just being with you... being held by you... is special.”
“Ye deserve fine sheets and luxury. Ye deserve to awaken in my arms in the morning without fear of stirring a scandal.” The faintest of grins tugged on his mouth. “Ye deserve to be kissed to distraction. Not stolen moments with the sound of Mildred Tuttle’s snores and gasps in our ears.”
“Oh, dear, that is a valid point, now isn’t it?” Macie said, just as Mrs. Tuttle cried out for someone named Phil.
“I told ye, lass, and I meant every word—tonight is only the beginning.” He drew the pad of his finger over her bottom lip. “Someday, when the time is right, I will teach ye how good making love can be.” His small grin broadened. “For now, I’llteach ye a bit about pleasure. If ye still want my touch.” He hesitated for a heartbeat. “If ye still want me.”
Macie’s breath caught in her throat.Oh, my.
“I do like what you are up to.”
“Do ye now?” he teased.
She nibbled her lower lip. “Indeed.”
“First things first.” He untied the ribbon on her dressing gown and opened the robe, revealing the nightdress that hid little from his heated gaze. “May I?”
She nodded, and he slid the dressing gown over her shoulders. It pooled behind her on the mattress.
“And now, shall we free yer hair from this braid? It’s lovely when it flows free and loose down yer back.”
“Yes,” she murmured.
With great care, he freed the strands in the carefully woven plait that reached past her nape. Her unbound hair fell free to her back.
“Beautiful,” he murmured. “So blasted beautiful.” He touched the lace at the collar of her nightdress, then released the tiny mother-of-pearl button at her neck. “I’d like to see ye, love. May I?”
“I’d like that,” she whispered as his fingers skimmed along the sensitive column of her throat.
Taking his time, he freed the column of buttons, parting the lacy cotton fabric a bit more with each until he reached the fastener at her waist. And then, he eased the dress from her shoulders, baring her to his gaze.
As she met his eyes, a shiver of awareness ran through her body. No shame. No fear. Simply awareness of his intense male gaze taking her in. She saw the passion in his eyes. Saw the way his amber-brown irises had darkened with the force of his desire for her. Suddenly, she felt a power unlike any other she’d ever felt.
“My God, ye’re lovely.” His husky rasp unleashed a current of pure yearning through her—heart and soul. And in that moment, she felt truly, utterly beautiful.
He drew her close, kissing her with a burning heat. “I want to feel ye, my sweet.”
