He lifted a shoulder. “The chance of that happening at this early hour is incredibly unlikely. Especially with the assembly going on. Besides, a smart person locks the door.” He pivoted to set the lock, then faced her once more as he drew his gloves off and tossed them toward a table. “Now, where were we?”
Waggling his brows at her, he took her hand and removed the glove. Then he moved to her other hand and did the same. Tugging her against him, he kissed her again, this time taking his time exploring her mouth and stripping away the last of her defenses.
Well, if she’d had defenses, he would have stripped them away.
Ending the kiss abruptly, he took a step back. “I don’t want to muss your gown. Please tell me this isn’t a nightmare to remove.”
“It’s not exactly a nightmare, but I will require your assistance with the buttons on the back.” She turned her back to him, which forced her attention to the primary piece of furniture in the room—a large four-poster bed. Covered in a lush, dark purple coverlet, the bed looked fit for royalty.
There were only five buttons, and Fiona felt each one as Tobias plucked them open. Then he loosened the tie that cinched the dress around her middle until the fabric parted in the back. He lowered the gown, and she carefully stepped out of it.
Turning her head, she saw him gently lay the garment over a high-backed chair. “The best I can do, I’m afraid.” His gaze swept over her. “You are so beautiful.”
Fiona pulled the tie at the back of her petticoat and slid the narrow straps from her shoulders. She was not quite as cautious as she let the garment fall to the floor before stepping aside and plucking it up.
“Allow me.” Tobias took it to the same chair and laid it atop the gown. “I suppose we should leave your corset in place.” He sounded disappointed.
She pulled at the laces until the garment was loose and she could push it down over her hips. “Too late.” Keeping her gaze locked with his, she kicked her shoes from her feet. “I’m about to be nearly nude, while you are completely clothed.”
He scrambled to remove his coat, letting it fall to the floor unheeded before moving on to his dancing slippers and stockings, which required him to perch on a chair.
“I’ll just wait over here,” she called, climbing onto the bed where she sat back against the headboard.
A low growl crept across the room from his lips to her ears. His body followed as he prowled toward her, discarding his cravat and waistcoat along the way. When he reached the side of the bed, she met him there, first on her knees, then putting her legs over the side of mattress on either side of him.
She reached for his shirt, pulling it from his waistband, and he hastened to help, casting the garment away before she could blink. Then she couldn’t because her gaze was transfixed on his bare chest. She splayed her hands over his flesh, her fingertips pressing into him. “A new map,” she murmured.
He cupped her head and kissed her, claiming her mouth and her utter surrender. He had that and more—everything she could offer.
She fell back, pulling her chemise up until he took over and tore the garment over her head, flinging it away. Before he could kiss her again, she touched his cheek. “I love you too, Tobias.”
“Oh, thank God.” His mouth met hers once more as he caressed her body, trailing his hands across her shoulders, down and around her breasts, pulling at her nipples until she whimpered into his mouth. Then his hand was between her legs, stroking across her sex, gently at first before becoming more insistent, his thumb and fingers finding those sweet spots that made pleasure unfurl inside her.
Desire pulsed within her, centered in her sex where he worked her flesh, driving her toward that unfathomable ecstasy. “More,” she urged him, clutching at his shoulder and his waist. She ran her hands over his bare back, glorying in the muscular terrain and anticipating more time when she could explore every peak and valley.
He settled himself between her legs, forcing them wider. His cock, hard beneath his clothing, pressed against her sex. A jolt of pleasure shot through her, the promise of what was to come.
Fiona slipped her hand between them, trying to find his buttons. He rose up and unfastened his fall. “Take them off,” she ordered. “Completely.”
“You’re still wearing your stockings.”
“Then take those off too. I’ll wait. But not long. If you dally, I’ll pleasure myself.”
“Bloody hell, Fiona. You know how to do that?”
“I’m not as accomplished as you.” She put her hand on her sex. “But I think I’ve learned a thing or two.” She rotated her fingertips over her clitoris.
“God, stop, please. I’m going to embarrass myself.” He worked to remove his breeches and smallclothes as quickly as possible. When he settled back between her legs, he put his hand over hers and pressed her finger inside her, making her gasp. “To hell with your stockings.”
He thrust her finger into her twice, three times before lifting her hand and lowering his head simultaneously so he could suck her digit into his mouth. She felt the vibration of his groan along with another pulse of need.
“Please, Tobias.” She reached between them and found his cock, closing her hand around the warm flesh.
He closed his eyes briefly. “Move your hand. Just for a moment. Please.”
She slid her palm up and down, reveling in the hard yet silken feel of him. “Like this?”
“Yes. Just like that. Faster. No, don’t. I won’t last.” His hand covered hers as he opened his eyes. “Ready?” He put the tip of his shaft to her sex.
She looked up at him, losing herself in the piercing pewter of his eyes. “Now.”
He pushed inside her, his flesh stretching
