Love and the Single Heiress

breeches, and he cursed the barrier of the clothing between them. Another low moan rumbled in her throat, and she rubbed herself against him, stripping away another layer of his rapidly vanishing control.

While his lips and tongue explored all the velvety delights of her mouth, one of his hands came forward to palm her breast while his other hand slid down her back to cup her rounded bottom. She gasped, and her head fell limply back, presenting him with the delicate, vulnerable curve of her neck, a delicacy he instantly took advantage of.

Catherine strained closer, thrilling to the feel of his hard, aroused body. Closing her eyes, she clutched his broad shoulders in an effort to remain upright against the storm of sensations battering her. His lips and tongue blazed a trail of fire down her neck, fanning the flames already burning her. One strong hand kneaded her breast through the material of her gown, tightening her nipple and shooting shards of sharp want down to her womb, while his other hand massaged her buttocks with a slow, hypnotic motion that forced a long, need-filled moan from her throat. The feminine flesh between her legs felt swollen and heavy and moist, and a mounting desperation edged through her.

He lifted his head, and a groan of protest vibrated in her throat.

“Not here,” he whispered, his breathing as ragged as hers. “Not like this.”

Her heart tripped over itself at the naked hunger in his eyes. At the waves of desire all but emanating from him. He looked as if he wanted to devour her, and everything feminine in her thrilled at the thought.

“You deserve more than a quick grope against a tree, Catherine.”

God help her, but a quick grope against the tree- indeed anything to relieve the sweet ache imprisoning her- sounded like heaven. But he was right. This was not the place.

She was about to grasp his hand and lead him toward the gazebo, when he grasped her hand, and headed in that direction.

“Come with me,” he said, his voice an aroused growl. She fell into step beside him, excitement and anticipation coursing through her. “Where are we going?”

“The gazebo. It’s closer than the house. And more private.”

“How do you know about the gazebo?”

“I came across it while riding Aphrodite.”

She was glad the darkness cloaked the satisfied grin curving her lips. Not only would they end up at the gazebo, but he would think it had been his own clever idea. Wouldn’t he be pleased to discover when they arrived that the enclosed structure wasn’t completely empty-it contained the supplies she’d smuggled out of the house and left there earlier this afternoon. She’d longed to bring more, to turn the space into a cozy haven, but hadn’t dared risk anyone discovering her leaving the house carrying more than a basket. That would have led to questions she did not want to answer. After all, she could not very well say that she was preparing the gazebo for a tryst. And while the setting was admittedly rustic, according to A Ladies’ Guide she’d have all she needed for a memorable night-a cozy quilt, a bottle of wine, a wedge of cheese, and… herself and Andrew.

They rounded a corner in the path, and the gazebo came into view. Nestled in a small clearing, the octagonal structure with its domed roof gleamed white in the moonlight, the aged, peeling paint not discernible from a distance. She’d always wanted to refurbish the gazebo, but somehow hadn’t found the time.

Andrew’s footsteps slowed as they approached the structure, and she gave thanks for the sturdy wooden shutters that covered the floor-to-ceiling French windows comprising the gazebo’s walls, as they would provide an intimate cocoon of privacy for them.

A cloud obscured the moon, and Catherine looked down, concentrating on her feet so as not to trip over a branch or stone. Andrew’s hand tightened on hers, a wordless promise that he wouldn’t allow her to fall.

When they reached the door, he turned the brass knob and slowly pushed the heavy oak panel inward. “The door squeaks horribly…”she began, but her words trailed off into nothingness. The door did not squeak at all as it opened wider to reveal the inside of the gazebo.

Catherine gasped, and, clasping her hands to her chest, gaped in wonder. The cozy interior was gently illuminated with the flickering light from a half dozen hurricane lamps set in a wide semicircle around the perimeter of the floor. She inhaled, breathing in the delicate scent of flowers, and saw that a blanket of rose petals was strewn across the wood floor, lending beauty and fragrance to the small room.

The coverlet she’d smuggled from the house was arranged in the center of the otherwise bare room. Two enormous pillows, one maroon, the other dark blue, rested on one end of the cover. Off to the side sat a silver tray holding a bottle of wine, two goblets, a bowl of strawberries, and the wedge of cheese she’d pilfered from the kitchen.

As if in a trance, she entered the room and turned in a slow circle. A soft click echoed behind her, which she recognized as the door closing. Then she heard Andrew step up behind her. Strong arms encircled her waist from behind, gently hugging him to her. She laid her hands on top of his and drank in the seductive feel of him surrounding her, enthralled and touched by the romantic hideaway he’d created.

“When did you do this?” she asked in a hushed voice, afraid to speak too loudly lest she break the magical atmosphere.

“Just before dinner.” His lips brushed her temple as he spoke, his warm breath gliding over her ear, shivering a delighted tingle down her spine. “I was very surprised- and pleased-to find the basket of items you’d obviously left. Are you pleased?”

Her eyes slid closed and she breathed out a lengthy, feminine sigh. Then she turned in his arms and cradled his smoothly shaven cheeks between her palms.

“You went to a great deal of time, effort, and expense to plant my favorite flowers, and to create a private, romantic place for us. Yes, Andrew. I am pleased. And touched. And flattered. I started out this evening hoping to seduce you, yet here I find myself thoroughly seduced.”

“I started out this evening hoping to court you, yet here I find myself thoroughly seduced.”

Heat rippled down to her toes. “We started out with different objectives, yet here we are, with the same results. Although I wonder how that can be as I’ve yet to try to seduce you.”

He turned his head and pressed a heated kiss against her palm. “If that is so, then God help me should you put a bit of effort into it. But fear not. You’ve thoroughly succeeded without expending any effort.”

“Indeed? How? What have I done?” Lord knows she wanted to know so that she could do it again.

With his gaze steady on hers, he clasped her hand, pressed another kiss against her palm, then touched his tongue to the spot. Her breath caught, and her eyes widened.

“That,”he whispered. “The way you respond to my touch. The way you breathe in, and the heat that flares in your eyes. Very seductive. And this…”He drew her into his arms then leaned forward and flicked his tongue over her earlobe. A shudder ran through her. “… the way you tremble when you find something pleasurable. And this…”His lips skimmed across her jaw, before his mouth settled on hers for a soft, teasing kiss that had her lifting her face for more. “… the way your mouth feels against mine. The way you want more, just as I do.”

He reached up and slowly pulled the pins from her hair. “The way your hair feels sifting through my fingers.” Catherine felt her hair fall loose from its chignon and tumble down her back and over her shoulders. After gathering a handful of long, loose curls in his hand, he buried his face in the strands. “The scent of flowers that clings to your hair and skin. Ah, yes, then there is your skin…”

He brushed her hair over her shoulder, then trailed his fingertips slowly down her neck. “The pale perfection. The velvet texture. The alluring fragrance… that teasing hint of floral that makes me want to remain no more than an inch away from you so as not to draw a single breath that isn’t scented with you.” He lowered his head and brushed his mouth over the sensitive juncture where her neck and shoulder met. “Pure seduction.”

Her fingers clenched against his jacket, and a low rumble of pleasure trembled in her throat. “That sound you make when you’re aroused,” he said, his words vibrating against her skin, “is one of the most seductive things I’ve ever heard.”

“One of?” she asked in a breathless voice she barely recognized. “What is the most seductive thing you’ve ever heard?”

He lifted his head and stared directly into her eyes. “Your voice. Asking me to make love to you.”

Warmth filled her cheeks. “I’d never said those words before.”

“Just one more of the countless ways you seduce me, Catherine. You know how I like being first.”

“Then you’d best prepare yourself, because I’ve a feeling I’m going to experience many more firsts tonight.”