Page 108 of Three Weeks with a Princess
He again pushed her hands aside. “I don’t know what else you’d call it.”
“A complete failure, actually,” she said with a sigh.
“Not a complete failure.” He eased her stays down to her hips, then stroked the tip of his finger over one of her nipples. It hardened into a little peak, pushing against the soft linen of her chemise. “In fact, I recall that parts of it were very successful.” His voice had taken on the low, rumbling quality that made her insides quiver.
“Jack . . .”
“God, you’re so beautiful,” he whispered as he gently rubbed his palm across the sensitized tip of her breast.
Lia felt as if she was teetering on the edge of the most wonderful experience of her life—or the most miserable, if she had to walk away from him.
When he pushed down the strap of her chemise, exposing one of her breasts, she had to swallow hard to get words out of her throat. “I think this is a mistake. A very large, very dangerous mistake.”
His fingers closed possessively around her breast, searing her with heat and sensation. If she hadn’t been sitting down, she would have instantly collapsed because it felt so wonderful. It took every ounce of willpower not to lean into him.
“This is the opposite of a mistake,” he said. “This is perfect. You’re everything I want, Lia. Don’t doubt that.”
“I must doubt it.” Weeks of pent-up emotion forced out the words. “I would bring so little to a marriage between us. I have absolutely nothing to give you.”
For a moment he looked genuinely shocked. Then his gaze took on an expression of such tenderness that it made her want to weep. He cupped her cheek. “You have your own sweet self, love.”
She gnawed on her lip, buffeted by conflicting emotions and a desire as strong as a fierce summer storm. When he swooped in, nipping her lower lip before kissing her, Lia shuddered and her body went soft and wet in response.
“Shall I show you all the wealth you would bring to our marriage?” he murmured against her lips.
Lia was too muzzy-headed to fully grasp what he meant. But she managed a jerky nod.
His eyes sparkled with both lust and amusement as he straightened up. “Very well, madam. Let’s get started.” He surprised her by standing and pulling her up. Her loosened stays fell to the floor.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings, so I’m going to enumerate your good points, one by one.”
“That sounds embarrassing and silly,” she grumbled as he pulled the pins from her hair and tossed them onto a side table. Then he struggled out of his coat and casually dropped it on the floor.
“You’re the one who insists on a strict accounting,” he said as he shook out her hair. “You were always better at numbers and keeping accounts than I was, now that I think about it.”
“That partistrue,” she admitted. “As your estate manager will tell you.”
“Excellent. Then you can handle the books from now on, which is an added bonus for me.”
She rolled her eyes. “This is becoming more ridiculous by the minute.”
“Patience, love.” He turned her to face the chaise. Then he sat down, leaving her standing before him, as if ready for inspection.
“Don’t I get to sit down?” she protested.
“No. You’re going to stand there like a good girl and let me illustrate the many assets you will bring to our marriage.”
Lia blushed, feeling too exposed and yet excited by the heat in his gaze as it roamed over her body.
“Starting with your hair.” Jack drew the thick locks over her shoulders. Lia’s hair was longer than the current fashion and it tumbled in a silky fall over her breasts. “I love your hair,” he said as he stroked it. “It’s like satin, and when the sun hits it, it glows like polished amber. I’ve had many a fantasy about you lying naked in my arms, covered only by your glorious hair.”
“Really?” she whispered.
His sensual smile sent butterflies wheeling through her stomach. “I’m happy to say that particular fantasy is about to come to life.”
He tugged her closer, positioning her between his spread thighs. Lia couldn’t help glancing down to inspect the healthy bulge that pressed against the fall of his trousers.
