Page 106 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
He took her mouth with a kiss that ignited fire in her veins. When she opened to him, he growled low in his throat, the sound raw and seductive as it reverberated through her.
Victoria slid her hands around his neck, lacing her fingers through the silky hair that curled over his collar. Then she wriggled, snuggling deeper into his embrace. He groaned and flexed his hips as he nudged his erection against her bottom.
It shocked her how much she wanted to feel him—all of him. She’d never wanted that before, but she did with Arnprior, and with a reckless desire that made her shift restlessly on his lap.
He kissed her until she lost all sense of time and place, endless, luscious kisses that had her trembling in his arms. Then he slowly pulled back, when all she wanted was more.
She opened her eyes to meet his molten gaze. “Why are you stopping?”
His smile looked more like a grimace. “Lass, if I don’t slow down, I’m going to have you flat on your back with your feet in the air. That is not what I have planned for you tonight.”
She blushed at the graphic description, mostly because it sounded so enticing. “I . . . I wouldn’t mind.”
“God, don’t tempt me,” he said, flexing his hips. “I don’t want to frighten you, my sweet.”
Her gown and chemise provided only a whisper of protection as his erection rubbed her most sensitive part. She was tempted too, wanting him to assuage the delicious ache building deep inside her body.
Victoria kissed him with a provocative pressure that was new to her. When Arnprior responded by slipping his tongue between her lips, she boldly sucked him into her mouth. She could no longer doubt his feelings for her, or the shared intensity of their desire. Arnprior wanted her as a woman—hiswoman—not as a helpmate or useful convenience.
He’d shared his deepest sorrows and secrets. He’d shared his soul, making himself vulnerable to show the depth of his need for her. To say no to him now would make her a coward, pretending to be sensible when what really held her back was fear.
Victoria was tired of being afraid, and tired of denying what she truly wanted.
She retreated from the kiss but slid her hands around to cup his face. His blue eyes were stark with a passion that all but scorched her.
“I’m not afraid,” she whispered. “I want this too.”
One corner of his mouth tipped up in a wry smile. “You’re not afraid of anything, are you? But your first time shouldn’t be like this. We’ll need more privacy. And we’ll need the entire night, since I want us to sleep together.”
Victoria blew out an aggrieved sigh. Now he was saying no to her?
He caressed her thigh. “Don’t worry, lass. I’ll take care of you.”
“I do hope so,” she said, before she could think better of it. She winced at his delighted chuckle.
“Very well, madam. Tell me what you want.”
She wasn’t sure how to put it into words, so she turned the question back on him. “What doyouwant?”
One of his dark brows went up at the challenge. “For starters, I’d like to see more of you.” He traced a fingertip along the top of her bodice, leaving a trail of heat across her skin. “I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time fantasizing about your breasts.”
“That’s ridiculous,” she said, trying to repress a smile.
“You asked.”
“Help me sit up,” she said.
He supported her as she squirmed fully upright. That was actually quite delightful, since it pressed his erection against her sex. When he nudged her, she couldn’t help wriggling a bit more, gasping at the small spasm that pulsed deep between her thighs.
“We won’t get very far if you keep that up,” Arnprior said in a strained voice.
“I’m not doing anything,” she said.
When he narrowed his eyes and gave her a mock growl, she couldn’t hold back a giggle. She’d never imagined this could be fun, but teasing him was both amusing and exciting.
Victoria reached around to unbutton the top of her gown, then slipped the short sleeves off her arms, letting the bodice sag to her waist. The hitch in his breath bolstered her courage to keep going, so she pulled down the straps of her chemise, pushing that down to her waist too.
That left her covered only in stays, an exceedingly plain set that laced up the front. It certainly wasn’t a garment designed for seduction.
