He slid her mouth open and probed her tongue with his. He heard her gasp as her hands slid about his neck.
Inside, he cursed himself a thousand times. He was supposed to keep his distance. Instead, he had her flattened to his chest, her tongue dancing with his.
He ought to give up the fight.
She was too tempting, too strong. He was falling in love…
One of his hands crept up into the silky mass of her hair, his fingers winding into the soft strands. Everything about her was so pleasing.
She pulled back, staring up at him. “Noah.”
Damn it all to hell. His name on her lips sent a riot of feeling coursing through him. He ached with passion and he hurt with love.
How could he risk losing her after this?
Because he most certainly would lose her. If not physically then emotionally. He should tell her now. Tell her that they had to marry. That he’d always known it was true. Even with Ewan, he’d pretended.
Instead, he kissed her again. Touched her with all the emotion he’d been holding back, all the desire he’d told himself he shouldn’t feel.
Her fingers danced over the bare skin of his neck, her lips moving with his.
He didn’t want to tell her anything.
Instead, he’d kiss her tonight and cherish this moment. Tomorrow. Tomorrow they’d have to talk. He’d have to confess what he’d known from the start. The formal contract that was already in place, that they were both bound to honor.
Tell her they had to marry, that the choice was never hers. That he’d been a coward all over again.
Threading an arm under her rear, he lifted her into his arms.
Supporting her weight meant that she pressed against him more fully, their bodies melded together.
Over and over they kissed as he carried her to the settee next to the fire. He set her down again, tugging at the tie on her robe. He wanted to feel more of her. Trace her edges and… The garment fell to the ground.
She stepped back into his arms and Noah swelled in lust at the feel of her, in nothing but a night shift, pressed up against him.
He traced her arm with his fingertips and when he reached her wrist, he shifted back down, running his fingers along her rib cage to her waist and then over the flare of her hip.
Then back up and this time, his thumb pushed out to brush across her nipple. He felt her jerk and as he passed over the sensitive flesh again, she arched into his hand.
Pleasure and satisfaction warred in him as he cupped her breast, filling his hand even as he continued to massage the nipple.
She tightened underneath him, arching to give him better access.
He wanted to strip the night rail off and see all of her. It would be so easy…
But he wouldn’t.
He’d not go that far until she knew everything.
But as he glided his other hand down her back, over her behind, and down her leg to the back of her knee, he found himself hooking her leg around his waist and when her most intimate parts pressed against his raging cock, they both moaned together.
He’d not take her virginity, but he could give her pleasure.
Lifting her again, he carried her the two steps to the settee, the movement creating its own erotic rhythm so that by the time he lay her down, his weight coming on top of her, they were already moving together. Grinding, her other leg hooked about his waist and then he knew he was lost to the pleasure.
If he’d been able, he might have laughed at himself.
He’d been with scores of women. But he hadn’t even seen Avery without her clothes, barely touched her, and he was ready to spill his seed.
She threaded her hands into his hair and she pulled the strands at the roots, her body growing tighter and tighter under his.
He loved every moment. The noises she made, the feel of her softness, the press of her mouth. And then, with a cry, she broke apart in his arms.
His own climax came rushing to the front, and fully dressed, he came.
Not that he cared. It had been the most satisfying experience of his life. Something deep inside shifting that he didn’t dare name.
“Noah,” she whispered, her fingers sliding down his back. “Was that supposed to happen?”
He kissed her again, lifting up to look down at her.
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes glossy, her lips swollen from his kisses. His cock started swelling all over again. “Yes, love.”
That made her smile, a soft sleepy grin. “Oh good.” Then she traced the muscles in his biceps. “In that case, will you sleep in bed with me tonight? You make an excellent pillow.”
He chuckled at that.
Tomorrow, he’d tell her everything but tonight… “I think that sounds like a wonderful idea.”
Then he lifted her up and started carrying her toward the door. Tomorrow, he’d have to furnish the truth, but tonight he had her close in every way that mattered. Hopefully, she’d find a way to forgive him.
Chapter Eleven
Avery woke with the sun streaming into her windows. She blinked her eyes attempting to clear the sleepy fog from her mind. The first thing she noted was that she wasn’t using a chest for a pillow.
Twisting her head, she realized she was in bed alone. Where was Noah? She liked waking next to him, snuggled in his arms.
She nibbled at her lip.
Last night, a decision had been made. One she should have told him, but she’d wanted to just enjoy his touch.
If his offer of marriage still stood, she was going to accept.
He, above all men, understood her need for choice. With him, she’d be part of the decision-making process while still protected by him and his title. What more could a woman ask for?
With that in mind, she rose and dressed, taking extra time to pin her hair. Her black mourning gown had never looked more drab as she stared at
