Page 19 of Caroline Saves the Blacksmith
And, worse, even more appealing.
No men, Caroline! No men!
But she found herself utterly captivated by the heat blazing in his eyes. The desire to join the large, muscular blacksmith, to feel his hard body beneath hers, was intoxicating.
The air flickered with electricity, similar to working with woolen garments. She continued to shift back, but in her fascination, she had taken too long.
A powerful hand reached out to gently take her by the wrist, and he pulled her inexorably until she fell against him to watch in raptures as he raised his head toward her own.
* * *
William leaned up,his lips meeting hers, and fire was born. Passion, as hot as the coals of his forge, erupted as he tasted her soft mouth. Caroline released a gratifying moan, her reciprocation of his desire clear. His tongue found its way into her mouth to confirm she tasted of tea. And woman. Sweet, soft woman.
William’s fingers found their way to wind through her hair, relishing the silky length. Bringing the plait up, he breathed in deeply to find that she smelled of vanilla and peppermint.
My God! She is not just the embodiment of sunshine; she is Christmas itself!
She was in his arms. He had never beheld such a magnificent female, and now she was in his arms, moaning with her obvious desire for him.
Through the thin linen of his shirt, he could feel her unbound breasts pressed against his ribs. His lust mounted as his hands explored the shape of her delicate head, running over her cheeks and down her throat as their tongues licked and tangled as if they were starving for each other.
Caroline’s delicate fingers combed through his hair, setting off streaks of pleasure that arrowed down to gather in his groin. William groaned, ever more hungry for her with every passing second. She was gorgeous, and soft, and responsive. And it had been so long since he had allowed himself any feeling or pleasure of any sort.
This incredible woman had unlocked him from the cell of his regrets, and he was utterly fascinated. He wanted to kiss her. Lick every inch of her body. Get inside her to sip on her very essence of sunshine and optimism.
He ran his large hands over her slight back to reach down and cup her buttocks and squeeze. Then he pulled on her rail to raise the hem.
Caroline moaned and gyrated against him. Once her rail bunched at her upper thighs, she parted her legs to straddle him. William’s head fell back in ecstasy as her sweet, womanly mound made contact with his hardened length. He growled his approval as she squirmed against him.
* * *
In a daze,Caroline realized William was no longer kissing her. His head was rolled back on the settee arm as he panted for air, holding her head tenderly to him with a large hand that covered most of her skull. He was so powerful; she felt like a delicate fawn in his arms.
Listening to the thudding of his heart in his chest, she was amazed at what had just happened. She had never felt such intense excitement, scarcely able to grasp that he had stopped.
Was he regretting their passionate embrace? Or was he attempting to be a gentleman by halting his passionate assault to the wall of chastity she had built around herself?
Caroline did not know what to think. Her test of her resilience had not proven her moral fortitude had improved these past years, but she could not bring herself to regret these past few moments in William’s arms.
She knew the regret would come, but right now, she wanted to enjoy being embraced by a virile man whom she admired and liked.
There would be time to regret this in the morning, or the next, but for now she listened to the crackle of the fire and William’s heart beating wildly with passion for her. It was the closest thing to contentment that she had ever experienced.
As they caught their breath, Caroline realized it was time for her to rise and move away from the blacksmith. How had such a fine specimen of manhood remained single? Why was he not married to an attractive young woman with several children already? She guessed he was a few years older than herself; old enough to be settled and young enough to enjoy it.
If William was married, you would not be lying in his arms on Christmas Eve.
She shut her eyes in painful regret. That might not be true, given her past mistakes.
With that reminder, the past came rushing back and Caroline recalled why she must stay away from virile men. She was not to be trusted. She did not trust herself.
Caroline pushed against him and made to rise, breaking their embrace. William allowed her, a fact which she did not know how to react to. Was she pleased or disappointed?
Bloody hell, this was why she stayed away from men. Because she turned into a dithering twit, as Lord Saunton had proved, and did stupid things because she received a tidbit of male attentions.
Caroline managed to get to her feet and walked away to stand in front of the fire. There she stood, staring into the glow as if she would find answers to her character flaws somewhere in the faint light.
Finding her voice, she finally spoke. “Would you like some tea?”
