Confessions at Midnight

She couldn't hide her surprise. 'You did? When?'

'About five years ago. I was across the street and saw you and Edward leaving Gunter's. You were both smiling. You looked very happy.'

'Is that why you brought me here-because you knew I'd like it?'

'Partly. But also because in keeping with our conversation at the masquerade ball, the highwayman wanted to give Galatea something that reminded him of her.'

'And that something is a fruit-flavored ice?'

'Yes.'

'Because I'm so… tart and frosty cold?'

His gaze remained serious. 'No. Because when I touch you with my tongue you melt.'

Oh, my. She recalled the delicious sensation of his tongue touching her, and her heart seemed to trip over itself. He did indeed make her melt. In a way that made her not only want to experience that magic again, but to also affect him the same way.

Before she could respond, he reached out and lightly squeezed her hand. 'Would you prefer to go somewhere else?'

Good heavens, he could make her melt even without benefit of his tongue. Clearly all he had to do was look at her. Touch her hand. 'No, Daniel. I'd prefer to go to Gunter's. It's been a very long time since I've enjoyed a flavored ice. I think it's time to make some new memories.' She squeezed his hand in return. 'With you.'

What looked like relief flashed in his eyes. 'I look forward to sharing those memories with you.' Then one corner of his mouth curved upward in a sinful grin. 'I'll do my utmost to see that you're not disappointed.'

After helping her alight from the carriage, they entered the shop. The delectable scents of sweetmeats, pastries, and fresh baked biscuits assailed her.

'Is an ice your pleasure?' Daniel asked. 'I see that they're featuring blueberry today. Or would you prefer something else?'

She offered Daniel a smile. 'A blueberry ice sounds divine.'

They sat a small round table in the corner of the shop and enjoyed their frozen treat. After spooning a small bit into her mouth, Carolyn confided in an undertone, 'This is so delicious. I want you to know that it's requiring a great deal of self-control for me not to moan out loud with every taste.'

Daniel's leg shifted beneath the table and his knee pressed against hers, shooting a spark up her leg. 'I want you to know that it's requiring all of my self-control not to press you up against Gunter's counter and really give you something to moan about. Suffice it to say that I intend to hear those delightful sounds you make as soon as possible.'

Heat whooshed through her with such force she was amazed she didn't burst into flames. And how did he manage to appear so calm and collected when she felt incinerated by the furious blush scorching her entire body?

She glanced around at the other patrons, relieved that none of them appeared to be paying any attention to them. 'If you keep looking at me like that, people will suspect that we're…'

'Lovers?'

'Yes.'

'And how am I looking at you?'

'Like you'd rather be licking me than your blueberry ice.'

Not a hint of repentance gleamed in his eyes. 'I would rather be licking you.' After spooning up another bit of ice, he added, 'I think you'd prefer that as well.'

The degree to which she'd prefer that actually frightened her. 'You're melting my blueberry ice,' she warned with a breathless laugh.

'Good. The sooner it's gone, the sooner we can leave.' He pressed his leg more firmly against hers. 'And the sooner I can make you melt.'

She spooned a bit of the delicious ice between her lips, reveling in the rapt manner his avid gaze devoured the movement. Something about the contrast of their outwardly polite demeanor and the sensual undercurrents throbbing between them excited her in a way she'd never before experienced.

After she swallowed, she said softly, 'And the sooner I can make you melt.'

He went perfectly still, his spoon suspended midway between his bowl and his mouth. He drew in a slow, deep breath, then carefully set his spoon back in his still half-full bowl. 'Let's go.'

'Go?' She adopted her most innocent air and batted her eyelashes. 'But I haven't finished my ice.'

'I'll buy you another one tomorrow.' He stood and held out his hand. The smoldering look in his eyes left no doubt that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. And as soon as possible.

She intended to see to it that he didn't have long to wait.

She gave her lips a dainty pat with her napkin, then placed her hand in his to arise. Surrounding herself with her usual air of proper dignity, she allowed him to escort her to his carriage. With his gaze never leaving hers, he took the seat opposite then gave the driver the signal to depart. As soon as they began to move, he flicked the velvet curtains closed.

'Come here,' he said, his voice a low growl.

Instead of complying, she reached out and unfastened his breeches. He watched her through half-closed eyes, his chest rising and falling with his rapid breaths. When the buckskin placard opened, she wrapped her fingers around his erection and gently squeezed.

He sucked a harsh breath. 'Carolyn…'

A pearl of fluid glistened on the tip, and with a single fingertip she slowly spread the moisture over the head. Never had she behaved in such a bold manner outside the bedchamber. But something about this man and his passionate reactions to her brought out a daring, adventurous spirit she hadn't previously known she'd possessed. An untouched spirit whose emergence was clearly aided by the sensual images her readings of the Memoirs had embedded in her mind. The Anonymous Lady had described, in detail, the joys of making love in a moving carriage. According to the Memoirs, it was an experience not to be missed, and Carolyn had no intention of doing so.

Keeping her gaze locked with his, she brought her finger to her lips and brushed her tongue over the tip, tasting the salty tang of his essence. Her womb clenched at the fire that blazed in his eyes.

'Carolyn…' Her name was a harsh groan filled with need and want. 'Come here.'

This time she complied, and rose from her seat. Before she so much as blinked, his hands slipped beneath her gown and skimmed up the backs of her thighs to cup her bare bottom and draw her closer. She gasped at the contact, at his kneading, caressing fingers. Bracing one hand on his shoulders, she straddled his thighs, used her other hand to guide him to the opening of her body, and slowly rubbed the velvety head of his erection along her wet, swollen folds. The musky scent of her arousal and his heat filled her head, along with his low growl of pleasure.

Unable to wait any longer to feel him inside her, she sank down, a slow, slick impalement that pulsed sweet, hot pleasure through her. When he was buried to the hilt, so deep she swore he touched her heart, his splayed fingers clenched on her bottom, pressing her tighter against him.

'Carolyn…'

The way he said her name, a cross between a prayer and a growl, touched something deep inside her. And there was only one response.

'Daniel.' She shifted against him. 'You feel so… oh, my.' Her words dissolved into nothingness when he flexed his hips and embedded himself deeper.

'You feel so… incredibly good,' he whispered, leaning forward to graze her neck with his teeth.

Spurred on by his words, she slowly rose, then sank down again, her movements aided by the gentle rocking of the carriage. And then she was lost in the pleasure of her downward strokes and his increasingly demanding upward thrusts. Their pace quickened, both of them straining, panting, seeking the deep next stroke. Her climax exploded, and with a cry she couldn't contain, her body arched as the tremors throbbed through her. With a fierce groan, Daniel ground his hips into hers and she felt him pulse inside her.

Limp and breathless, with delightful ripples still shivering through her, Carolyn melted against him. She rested her forehead against his, and their rapid breaths mingled, fanning her overheated face.

'I give you my word,' he said, his words husky and unsteady, 'that I will, very soon, seduce you slowly. I swear