Page 50 of Temptress in Disguise
Her gaze met his and held him riveted. “I knew I wouldn’t be wearing it for long and couldn’t imagine myself in something frivolous. You accept me as I am. I saw no need to play the coquette.”
“So you mean to sleep naked?” he teased.
She arched a brow. “Isn’t that what happens when a couple make love? If you’d prefer, I keep it on until?—”
“No.” Every muscle hardened at the thought of setting his hands to her soft skin. He’d never made love to a woman. He’d never allowed his emotions to run free. In one respect, they were both virgins. “If I may, I shall remove it myself.” After he’d untied her braid and kissed her while fisting his hand in her silky locks.
“Is that before you bind my wrist to the bed with iron shackles?”
He laughed, though quickly dismissed the idea. “I wouldn’t dream of doing anything to suppress your passionate nature and feminine instincts.” Nothing about this night should be sordid or staged. Regardless of what happened next week or next month, he knew the memory of having her would always remain with him.
She placed the pistol on the chair. “I’m glad you said that, though it poses a small problem.”
“Which is?”
“What if I want to touch you?”
Jacob Adams’ ugly grin burst into his mind.
For the pleasure of her touch, I’ll make you suffer, lad.
Naomi must have noticed him stiffen. “You can trust me. I will abide by any decision you make. But I will be forced to suppress a part of myself if you insist on setting boundaries.”
“As I said, we’ll muddle through.” The thought of having half of her, not every delightful morsel, was enough to make him consider his position. “And because I want you with a desperation that defies logic, I’m willing to make concessions.”
Fear raised its head again.
He liked this cosy intimacy. He liked the intense hunger beating wildly in his blood. He liked the unfamiliar glow of happiness warming his chest. What if having her ruined everything? What if he was too damned rough in bed?
But the fae had the power of enchantment. A means of making a man’s woes disappear with one sinful suggestion.
“Then you won’t mind if I undress you while we talk. I’ve poured clean water into the washbowl and noticed oil of frankincense next to your shaving soap. It might help to ease the tension in your shoulders.”
Her eagerness to please hardened his cock. “The oil softens the tight skin on my forearm, but I’m sure it has other uses, too.”
“Then sit while I remove your shoes.”
“You don’t need to do that,” he said, but this woman intrigued him, so he perched on the edge of the bed.
She knelt on the floor and undid the buttons on the blucher boots he favoured. “Appease me. It may sound silly, but if we’re to do more than kiss, I need to feel close to you, Aramis.”
It didn’t sound silly. Whatever happened in this room tonight would amount to more than mere gratification. If anyone was out of their depth, it was him. Since gaining his scar, he’d become immune to seduction. But his wife was a temptress in disguise.
“Relinquishing control must be difficult.” She smiled as she tugged off one boot and massaged the ball of his foot with her tiny thumbs. “Don’t be nervous.”
Nervous? He might have laughed, but there was truth to her statements, and the neckline of her nightgown gaped, giving him the first glimpse of her soft breasts.
Saints and sinners!
He’d never witnessed a sight so arousing.
“You’re one of the few people whose commands I’d follow.” In his present state, he’d run naked through the streets of London if she so desired. Indeed, he wondered when she’d notice the hard length throbbing in his trousers.
“You would?” she said proudly. “Because I believe our time would be better spent at the Belldrake than at Lady Stretton’s ball. All the suspects, bar Edwin Budworth, will be gathered under one roof.”
The suggestion should have doused lust’s flames, but she rose between his parted legs like a goddess from the sea and pushed his coat off his shoulders.
He tugged his arms free while watching her unbutton his waistcoat. “We’ll discuss our options during breakfast tomorrow,” he said, determined nothing would spoil his current mood.
