Page 52 of A Tempest of Desire
“Not like this. I carried you as I would a sack of potatoes, over my shoulder. I could have kissed your bum, it was so near.”
She released an indignant squeak, and he laughed, definitely glad he’d brought her to the other wing and not to his bedchamber. He had no desire whatsoever to keep her quiet. He wanted her squeals, sighs, and moans. He wanted her calling out his name. He wanted to be surrounded by all the sounds they could elicit together.
If this was to be their only night together, he wanted nothing held back. And if he could convince her to give him many more, he wanted tonight to be the start of it all, to begin as he intended for them to continue.
Having finally reached the landing, he turned into the first bedchamber, kicked the door closed, and set her on her feet. He took the lamp from her and placed it on the nearby dressing table. It revealed a room that was more shadow than light. She was limned by moonlight pouring in through the large window.
If she wasn’t still healing, he’d take her in his arms and slash his mouth over hers.
“Would you care for a fire?”
She shook her head. “I have a feeling you’re going to be warming me.”
“I intend to set you alight.”
He heard a rush of breath escape her. “I know I shouldn’t be nervous.”
He stepped forward until the toes of his boots touched the toes of her slippers. “You have held me enthralled since the first moment I saw you. You have fueled my fantasies.”
As if in disbelief, she shook her head. “I’m likely to disappoint, then.”
“I very much doubt it.”
And he lowered his head.
She didn’t know how it had come about, but as he laid his mouth against the curve of her throat, it was hotter than when they’d been outside. Wetter. More intoxicating. Of its own accord, her head dropped back, giving him easier access, as her hands slipped inside his jacket and slid up his chest, over his waistcoat and shirt.
She rather wished they were back on his island, where neither of them would be wearing much in the way of clothing. His mouth trailed down and followed the outline of the path designated by the low cut of her borrowed gown. Her breasts seemed to swell, reaching for his attentions. Her nipples puckered and became far too sensitive, begging for release and not to be flattened against the irritating fabric.
While she suspected he was accustomed to being in control, she couldn’t imagine that he wanted a docile coupling from her. He would want an equality between them. To give and to take similarly.
Therefore she didn’t hesitate to skim her fingersalong his waistcoat buttons and begin giving them their freedom. She took satisfaction in his encouraging groan. His hands left her as he shrugged out of his coat and then his waistcoat. She unknotted his neckcloth and pulled it free. Then she went to work on the buttons of his shirt. She’d barely seen to three of them before he was tugging his shirt over his head and casting it aside.
He spun her so her back was to him and he draped her hair over one shoulder before he began loosening the lacings on the gown. His mouth took a journey over her nape before he shoved the shoulders of the gown down her arms, then down her body until she was able to step out of it.
Her petticoats and underthings came next until she was soon covered in only moonlight. He placed his hands on her shoulders and slowly turned her around.
In spite of the shadows surrounding them, partly layered over him, she could read the appreciation in his eyes. She thought of all his books. Her memories would be like them, stacked and scattered about, and she’d often return to those from this night, but she thought the way he was looking at her now would always be her favorite moment. She didn’t know how anything could make her feel more... fancied. She dared not considerlovedbecause a woman who had traveled along her path was certain to be denied such an incredible gift. But it didn’t mean her own heart wouldn’t fall. And she was beginning to fear that where he was concerned, it already had.
“My God, but you are lovely. Perfection.”
“You really didn’t look the night you found me in the storm?”
“I saw bits. There was no way to avoid it. But not the whole. And the whole is... remarkable.”
He reached for her, and she jumped back. He stilled, his face suddenly somber. “You’ve changed your mind?”
“No. NowIwant to see the whole.” She arched a brow. “Although I did get a view of your lovely backside when I awoke on your settee that first night.”
He laughed. Deeply, richly. “I had a sense I was being watched.”
“But when you turned, the front was already covered so”—she waved a hand impatiently—“get on with it. Show me what I’ve yet to see.”
He dropped into a nearby chair, tugged off his boots, and tossed them aside. He shoved himself to his feet. With arms outstretched, he approached. “You seem to enjoy loosening buttons. Have at mine.”
She swallowed hard.Let him give you what I, of late, have failed to deliver, Hollie had told her. She’d been frightened then and angry. But hurt, so hurt when Langdon had tossed down his cards, and she’d realized what he’d done. To avoid being with her, she’d thought. Yet here he was, confessing the loveliest of accolades. As she slowly ran her hand up the fall of his trousers, she realized his body was offering its own accolades to her.
He’d wanted her then and he wanted her now. And perhaps in between. And he’d resisted until this moment. And now she was his. Completely. Absolutely. At least for tonight.
