Page 59 of The Miracle of Love
Since he had encountered the maid walking out, he assumed Grace must have finished dressing. “Grace, I–”
His heart stopped.
She was wearing nothing but a thin chemise and her hair was a wild, golden tumble spilling wet over her shoulders and clinging to the sheer undergarment which hid nothing of her exquisite curves.
What in blazes?
Is this how she had spent her time? Washing her hair?
His eyeballs bounced like pebbles hurtling down a cliff because he could not take his eyes off her scantily clad body, and yet knew he must…and yet, he could not.
What had she said about the male eyes needing to see their fill?
Oh, he was looking.
Gawking, to be precise.
His organs exploded when he caught an eyeful of the dusky peaks of her breasts. Droplets of water had fallen onto her chemise and dampened the fabric around her bosom to reveal two stiff, rosy buds.
Sweet Lord in heaven.
“Why aren’t you dressed?”
She grabbed her robe and began to fumble with it. “I did not realize you would return so soon. Suzie went to refill our ewer with fresh water.”
“I saw her as I walked in.”
Grace licked her lips, a gesture meant to calm her nerves, but it had the opposite effect on him, inflaming his already heightened senses.
He needed to dive out the window and bury himself in an icy bank of snow.
Roll around in it.
Pack it on his privates.
She was still grappling with her robe. “We were not going anywhere today and since you did not want me leaving the room, I thought…”
Her voice died out as he tossed the books and games onto the small table where they’d just shared breakfast, then strode to the door to close and latch it firmly. “Don’t cover yourself up, Grace.”
Was this his voice? Raspy and ragged.
He took a step toward her. “Let me see you.”
Her face was on fire, but she slowly lowered the robe and placed it on the bed. “Now you know what I look like under all the layers. I don’t suppose my chemise hides anything of me.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. She trembled as he approached. “This ought to satisfy you and you won’t need to look anymore.”
“It doesn’t work that way. I don’t think I will ever be satisfied now.”
“What do you mean?” The chemise slid off one shoulder, and both of them glanced at it. Deklan realized she was too frightened tug it back up.
Her eyes were wide and she dared not move a muscle.
“You are beautiful, Grace,” he said, nudging the sleeve back into place and doing his best to ignore the molten ripples of desire coursing like volcanic waves through his body.
The chemise would have been off her in a trice had he not been bound by his oath of honor.
If only he were a cad and had it in him to break his word.
No, he could never hurt this innocent girl.
