Page 109 of Three Weeks with a Princess
“So, we have amber, to begin with,” he said, combing his fingers through her hair. “The first precious jewel in the box of riches that is Lia Kincaid. Shall we go on to the next set of gemstones?”
She tried to stifle a laugh. “You’re talking nonsense.”
He gently kneaded her hips through the thin material of her chemise. “No, I’m keeping an accounting of all the riches you will bring to our marriage.”
“But—”
He cut her off with another kiss that quickly turned damp and heated, and Lia could do nothing but sigh with pleasure. When he finally drew back, Jack’s eyes were gleaming. “May I now continue with the accounting?”
Lia could hardly breathe, much less articulate sensible arguments to the contrary. “If you insist.”
“I do.” Gently, he traced a fingertip along her eyebrow. “Your eyes are next and they are infinitely precious. They’re sparkling sapphires, Lia, full of brilliance and light.”
It took a few seconds for Lia to answer. “Dear me, Lord Lendale, I had no idea you could wax so poetic.”
He smiled. “I find the subject matter very inspiring.”
“Very well, what’s next?” she said gruffly, trying to exert some control over her emotions. He’d barely touched her and she was ready to dissolve into a puddle and give him everything he wanted.
“Your skin.” He trailed a hand down her neck before skimming slightly rough fingertips along the top of her chest. It was so light a touch and yet it left delicious fire in its wake.
“Not a gemstone, obviously,” he said, “but exceedingly like the most precious porcelain. Chinese, I think, so smooth and delicate.” He inched the other strap off her shoulder, then kissed the hollow above her collarbone. “And so pure,” he murmured against her skin.
When he took a little nip, a lightning bolt arced to the very center of her core. Her knees wobbled, forcing her to grab his shoulders for balance.
“I’m hardly what anyone would call delicate,” she said breathlessly. A sturdy country girl was how people saw her. “Or pure,” she added as an afterthought.
Jack had been licking her collarbone, but his head reared up. “Youarepure, Lia. It’s ridiculous of you to think otherwise.”
She grimaced, hating that she’d ruined the moment, but there was little point in mincing words. “Aside from my scandalous background, you’re forgetting what happened between us at that ball. That was hardly an innocent encounter.”
“I’ve not forgotten one second of that encounter,” he said, “but that’s not what I’m talking about.”
“Then what?”
He placed his palm flat over her heart. “I’m talking about what’s in here. It doesn’t matter to me what your background is, or even what you’ve done with me or anyone else.Thisis what is pure, Lia—your heart. It always was and I know it always will be.”
At the moment that particular organ was pounding so hard she could have sworn it was reverberating against his hand. “That’s . . . that’s incredibly kind of you to say.”
“I’m simply being truthful. Now, may I continue?”
She smiled and briefly pressed her hand on top of his. “As you wish, my lord.”
“Good. Next up, your lips. That one is easy, of course. They’re rubies, precious and delightfully red. But unlike gemstones, they’re delicious to taste.”
He captured her mouth in a kiss that made her head reel. It went from teasing to possessive in an instant, so hot, wet, and stimulating it made Lia squirm and softly moan. When he eased back, she could barely remain upright.
Jack was rather short of breath, too. His sharp cheekbones had flushed under his tan and his eyes glittered with barely leashed desire.
“I must say I do like rubies,” she managed.
He laughed softly. “As do I, love. So much so that I want more of them.”
Jack lifted her arms, then bunched up the hem of her chemise and whisked it over her head. Lia emerged from the garment clad only in her garters, stockings, and shoes. A fiery blush swept from the crown of her head to her toes. Her dazzled brain put up a brief, incoherent debate as to which part of herself she should attempt to cover first. In a halfhearted compromise, she clamped her thighs together and crossed her arms tightly over her breasts.
“Are you quite certain the door is locked?” she blurted out, casting a nervous look over her shoulder.
“Positive.” Gently, he pulled her arms down to her sides. “Besides, Smithwell knows I would murder him if he let anyone in here.”
