Christmas Eve dinner with Lily, Devon, Annie, and Jordan had been wonderful, though she’d barely been able to meet Lily’s eyes, let alone James’s. They’d all talked, laughed, and had a wonderful time, but Kate hadn’t been able to concentrate on anything other than James’s promise to visit her room later. She’d hardly eaten a thing even though the meal had been outstanding. Seven courses, meat, duck, jellies, puddings, breads, desserts. All sorts of rich sauces and gravies. It had been a meal fit for royalty and it had been spent with the very best of company. But when James had glanced over at her from behind his wine glass, Kate’s insides trembled, and she had no appetite. She had been forced to apologize to her hostess for not eating much of the delectable courses that had been placed before her.
If Lily thought Kate’s lack of appetite odd, she didn’t say a word. And little wonder. After witnessing Kate’s completely improper display of passion with James earlier, Kate wouldn’t have blamed Lily for tossing her out into the snow. Apparently, she was unfazed by what she’d seen. But would Lily blame her if she knew what she was up to tonight? Kate bit her lip. What her friend didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her, correct?
Very well. Kate had decided weeks ago that she intended to live and living was exactly what she was up to tonight. Of course there was every possibility that James did only wish to speak to her and that he would not kiss her or touch her as he had in the snow-covered gardens earlier, but … she desperately hoped he would. She couldn’t have a future with James. It would be putting him and keeping him in too much peril. But she could have one night with him, and it could be wonderful, magical, something for her to dream about and remember on all those long lonely nights on the Continent.
The light knock sounded again, and Kate crossed over to the door to her room, her white sheath of a night rail barely covering her. It was mostly see-through. She’d discovered that in the looking glass earlier. Halfway indecent. She smiled to herself. It was perfect. She’d let her hair down too, plucking out the pins one by one and shaking the red-gold mass until it shimmered over her shoulders and flowed down her back like fire. James would like it. He’d like it very much.
Pinching color into her cheeks, she hurried to the door, took a deep breath, and opened it with a sly smile on her face.
James stood there with his shoulder propped against the frame. He’d removed his cravat, but he still wore his black evening attire, his snowy white shirt, his black coat, his superfine trousers. One hand was shoved negligently into his pocket, and his dark hair was perfectly in place as usual.
She opened the door wider and stood aside. “Come in, James.”
He straightened up and walked past her into the room. When he turned and saw what she was wearing, his eyes went wide. “Kate.”
She closed the door behind him. She’d already planned exactly what she would do. She moved slowly toward the bed and slid atop it.
He swallowed audibly. “Kate?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“What are you … doing?”
“I thought you wanted to talk, James.”
He moved toward her, stood next to the bed, and reached out and touched her face. She closed her eyes and rubbed her cheek against his hand.
“Yes, I did,” he said softly. “Do you intend to talk here?” He motioned toward the bed with his chin.
“Yes.” She looked up at him through her lashes. She was vulnerable. So vulnerable. And she was offering herself to him. He only had to reach out and … take her. “Among other things.”
His eyes were smoldering green. He leaned down, his lips hovering over hers. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she repeated.
He kissed her then. He touched his mouth to hers, so sweetly, so softly, and Kate knew in that moment that he was giving her that instant to pull away, say no. But if she didn’t, if she kissed him back with all the passion she felt for him, they would do this, spend the night together and then perhaps nothing would be the same. And she was all right with that.
She’d already made her decision. She moved up to her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck. She slid her lips near his ear. “I have to tell you something.”
His answer came through clenched teeth. “What?” She could tell he was fighting with himself, intent on not touching her until they established what would happen between them tonight.
“I don’t feel much like talking.”
His mouth hovered above hers. His sensual lips slowly formed a smile. “Neither do I.”
He braced his hands on either side of her hips and leaned over, over, over, until she was lying completely back on the mattress. Then he moved up and placed his hands on either side of her head and he lowered his mouth and kissed her. He kept himself above her, hovering over her, not touching her. He stared down at her body. His eyes raking her from the tips of her toes to the crown of her head. “Kate, you look like a dream,” he whispered.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and tried to pull him atop her but he wouldn’t allow it. She arched a brow.
“No hurry.” He gave her a mischievous smile that she felt all the way to her toes.
“Mmm,” she murmured. “James?”
“Yes?” He kissed her again. His tongue met hers.
“This time will you let me take your clothes off?”
A shudder passed through him. “Absolutely.”
“Oh good.” She smiled against his cheek.
He pulled away from her briefly, sat on the edge of the bed, and quickly shucked his boots. Then he lay on the bed next to her, his back completely against the mattress. He crossed his arms under his head. “I’m yours to undress.”
Kate smiled a catlike smile. “Excellent.”
She rolled over and threw a leg across his two, then sat up, bracing her knees on either side of his hips. She watched him. His green eyes grew wide. He was obviously trying to keep his face blank. She’d just see about that. Excitement and anxiety raced through her entire body. They were really going to do this, the two of them. She’d been waiting for so long, dreaming about this moment. She didn’t want it to end. She needed to remember it forever.
She reached out and ran a hand down his muscled chest. His shirt was open at the neck, revealing a bit of dark chest hair. He shuddered again, and she let her fingers trail from the patch of warm skin at the V in his neck to his waist. His muscles rippled under her fingertips, and she longed to tear the white shirt from his body and fling it to the floor.
“James?”
“Yes, love?” His voice sounded a bit strained, pained.
“How does it make you feel when I … touch you?”
“It’s just like…” He closed his eyes. “Torture.”
She yanked his shirt from the top of his breeches, and James sat up straight, helping her. He tugged it over his head with both hands. She took it from him and soon discarded it by tossing it to a heap on the floor. Then she sat back and reveled in the unadulterated view of him from the waist up. He was lean and muscled and perfect- looking. Lord Colton and Lord Ashbourne had spoken of their love for boxing when they’d all gone to the farm, but James hadn’t mentioned his favorite sport. “How do you stay in such good … form?” she asked a bit hesitantly. “Surely not boxing?”
He smiled at that and shook his head. “No. I prefer fencing. I do it every day at the club. In addition to riding in the park.”
She bit her lip. “I had no idea you were so…” Her fingers glanced off the six muscles that stood out in sharp relief on his belly. “Well made.”
He closed his eyes, a grin on his lips. “By all means, look all you like.”
Kate smiled at that. She intended to. Frankly, she’d never seen her husband entirely naked. Oh, he’d been nude with her, certainly, but she’d never actually … looked. Instead she’d been too frightened and shy, and their interactions had been over too quickly. This time, with James, she intended to look her fill and perhaps learn a thing or two, and with James she knew the view would be an absolute delight.
