Whirlwind Affair

insides to porridge and shot liquid heat directly to her womb. Tall, muscular, broad shoulders… and that fascinating ribbon of dark hair that bisected his ridged abdomen, then spread to cradle his most impressive arousal. A shiver of anticipation skittered down her spine, and a smile born of all the wicked delight coursing through her pulled at her lips.

'Better for me?' she repeated. 'Oh, my. I wouldn't have thought such a thing possible… but if you insist it is, I shall anxiously await next time. Have you any idea when that might be, Sir M.M.Q.?'

'M.M.Q.?'

She brushed a fingertip over his bottom lip. 'Makes Me Quiver.'

Lowering his head, he traced the sensitive shell of her ear with the tip of his tongue, then whispered, 'Actually, I have a very good idea when the next time might be.'

Another delicate shiver ran through her. 'Hmmm. I hope it's soon.'

'I was thinking about now.'

'Now sounds lovely.'

'Indeed it does.'

Pushing himself up, Robert settled back onto his knees between her splayed legs and took the time he'd been too impatient to take earlier, to savor the sight of her.

She looked like a golden-bronze temptress, bathed in firelight, her skin glowing with the exertion of their frantic mating. His gaze leisurely appreciated her dusky nipples, her abdomen, the charming indent of her navel, then the alluring dark curls between her thighs. He inhaled, and the musky scent they'd created together filled his head.

She regarded him with a half-serious, half-playful sinful expression that fired heat straight to his groin. Reaching out, he touched one finger to the delicate hollow of her throat, then dragged his fingertip slowly downward, arousing one plump nipple, then the other, with a feathery caress, his hand a dark contrast against her pale skin. When her breathing turned into a series of long sighs, he leaned forward and replaced his fingers with his tongue, slowly laving her breasts, then drawing the taut peaks into his mouth. The scent of honeysuckle rose from her damp flesh, mixing with the musk of their joining, intoxicating him.

Her sighs turned into moans, and she combed her fingers through his hair, thrusting her breasts upward, encouraging him to take more into his mouth. Her hips undulated, rubbing her inner thighs against his legs. He discovered an enchanting trio of freckles just below her left breast that occupied his lips for several minutes. Then he explored further, running his tongue slowly downward toward her stomach, savoring every quiver of her skin, every hill and valley of her feminine form, along the way. When he dipped his tongue into her navel, she responded with a husky groan that notched up his temperature several degrees.

'Robert…'

Every nerve in his body caught fire at the sound of his name coming from her lips in that passion-roughed whisper. He straightened, settling back on his heels, then looked into her eyes, which seemed to breathe golden- brown smoke. Need, hot and strong and impatient, clawed at him.

Gliding his palms over her smooth thighs, he gently pushed her legs wider apart, revealing her glistening feminine flesh to his avid gaze. Reaching out, he caressed her wet, swollen folds with a gentle circular motion, his gaze alternating between his fingers and her expressive face. Her body writhed sensually beneath his touch, and her uninhibited response aroused him to the breaking point. And that's where he wanted her-at the breaking point. The instant he sensed she was there, he withdrew his hand. Her sharp groan of protest filled the room, spiking his now nearly desperate need.

Leaning over her, his weight supported on his hands, he lightly teased her with the head of his arousal. The satiny, wet feel of her, coupled with her gasp of pleasure, arrowed sensation through him. He looked down, between their bodies, watching as he slowly entered her, sinking into her snug, moist heat.

Her purr of satisfaction brought his gaze back to her face. Their gazes met and held, and he knew that the naked need and want in her eyes was mirrored in his own.

'Allie.' Her name whispered past his lips like a prayer, unable to be contained. She reached up, running restless fingers over his face, his lips, before pulling his head down to hers for a deep, intimate kiss. She raised her hands above her head, and he ran his palms up her arms, entwining their fingers. Then, breaking their kiss, he watched her as he moved slowly within her, withdrawing nearly all the way out of her body, only to glide deep again. A dozen expressions of pleasure and wonder flitted across her face, and he mentally recorded each one, as he memorized each of her breathy sighs.

When he increased the depth of his thrusts, her eyes slid closed. 'Look at me,' he whispered. Her lids fluttered open, and with gazes locked, he stroked her harder, faster, until she tensed beneath him, arching her back, moaning out her release. With a final deep thrust, he buried his face in her fragrant neck and followed her over the edge.

*******

Robert came awake slowly, his senses rousing themselves one at a time. Sprawled on his back, the first thing he noticed was silky, warm skin pressed against his side. Allie. Satisfaction eased through him and he drew in a deep, contented breath. A hint of honeysuckle, mixed with the erotic redolence of spent passion, brought his sense of smell to life, filling his head with images of their night together. Opening his eyes, he looked at his lover.

His heart swelled at the word. Lover. His lover slept next to him, on her side, her head nestled in the crook of his shoulder. One of her slender arms was thrown across his chest, her hand resting above his heart. The weight of a shapely leg curved to rest over his thighs.

Her long hair fanned out like a chestnut halo, spilling over her shoulders, onto his chest. He gently rubbed the silky strands between his thumb and forefinger. Like the rest of her, her hair was beautiful. And satiny soft.

Her warm breath puffed against his shoulder, filling him with a rush of possessiveness unlike anything he'd ever before experienced. This woman was his. They belonged together. After the passion they'd shared during the night, the emotional and physical bond they'd forged, she could not possibly refute it. When she awoke, she would know. With the same certainty he did.

The sound of rain lashing against glass drew his gaze to the windows. The storm that had threatened earlier was upon them. He looked at the mantel clock and sighed. Almost dawn. The household would soon stir. As much as he hated to leave her, he needed to return to his own bedchamber. Now-before he was discovered in a manner that would impinge her honor and reputation. Now-before he gave in to the temptation to kiss her awake and continue their sensual exploration of each other.

Easing himself from the bed, he quickly gathered his clothing. With one last look at her sleeping from, he slipped silently from the room, secure in the knowledge that he would not have to leave her bed like this for much longer. For soon she would be his wife.

********

Lester Redfern looked out the dingy window of his small room and uttered a curse. Here it were, rainin' like to make up for a century-long drought. He ground the stubs of his teeth together. He should have left London yesterday, but he hadn't wanted to miss the cockfight at The Hound's Tooth last night. He'd won five quid, but now it seemed liked a poor wager. How the bloody hell were he supposed to know the skies would open up? Now how were he supposed to get to Bradford Hall? The roads would be nothin' but wheel-eatin' ruts. The only other choice were horseback, but he didn't own a bloody horse, and he hated the beasts besides. Nasty, ill-tempered, stupid brutes that bit him and smelted. Not to mention the poundin' his arse would take ridin' all that way. Could things get any bloody worse? The instant the question popped into his mind, he shoved it aside. With the way his luck were run-nin', it were best not to ask.

But, if he didn't go, didn't get the earl's bloody note from that bloody woman… his eye twitched and he swallowed hard. No, not goin' to the country weren't an option. Rain or no, he had to go. Had to finish this damn business once and for all.

Today.