He was silent, and the air between them seemed hotter. A flash of lightning lit the room for a few seconds giving her a glimpse of the way that his damp undershirt clung to his chest, outlining every solid bulge of muscle.
“I had a lovely evening with your mom,” she said trying to think of something else beside the fact that he was so near.
“Thanks for helping her.”
“I love being able to do it.” She’d never thought she’d ever say such words, not when she’d always had someone at her beckoning to respond to any need or whim. She’d never had to help herself, much less anyone else.
The foghorn intruded into the peace of room again. She wished she dared to reach out and squeeze his hand, to know he still cared, to know he’d been thinking about her the same way she had him.
“I missed you tonight,” she said. “But I suppose I should let you finish changing out of your damp garments so you can return to your duties.”
“Yes.”
“Then good night,” she said, forcing herself to do what was best for him. She took a step back.
His hand closed around her wrist, preventing her from leaving. “I missed you too.” His voice was strained and filled with something she couldn’t name.
Her pulse thrummed to life. For a long moment, he kept her at arm’s length, as though waging an inner battle. Finally, he tugged her toward him so that she had no choice but to fall against his solid but damp torso.
Her breath caught as his arms slid behind her, pulling her flush and letting her feel every ridge and valley of his chest. His heartbeat was rapid and strong. Her thoughts returned to the passionate kiss he’d given her in the tower, and her blood flamed to life with the need for another.
His hand tightened at the small of her back, and the other rose into her long loose hair. “Victoria,” he murmured, nuzzling the hair near her ear.
“Hmmm,” she mumbled back, unable to think coherently.
“I lose all control when I’m with you.” His hand dug deeply into her hair. “Before walking in, I told myself not to look at you in bed. I knew if I did, I wouldn’t be able to resist my desire for you.”
She smiled at his confession.
His fingers wound through her long strands, and his lips found her ear. The pressure was hot, his breath ragged, and when he whispered her name again she almost swooned. His lips lingered against her ear, his kiss growing more ardent.
“Help me, Victoria,” he managed with a gasp.
For a second, she was tempted to ignore his plea and to instead kiss him back. All she had to do was guide his mouth to hers, and she would seal her relationship with him. If he kissed her here, now, in the dark of the bedroom, it would only lead to more. She sensed it in every one of his taut muscles.
But again, as before, she realized that he would only hate himself for going against his honor and principles. He wanted to do things the right way and had been trying so hard to respect her.
She could do the same for him, couldn’t she? Besides, as much as she cared about him, perhaps they did need more time before they sealed their relationship with finality.
His chest heaved against hers, and his mouth lowered to her jaw line, his irresistibly delicious kisses moving closer to her lips.
She had to move away. Now. Before it was too late for her too.
Help me, Victoria. His plea echoed in her mind. If she truly loved him, she would help him as he’d pleaded with her to do.
With a deep breath, she pulled back and broke free of his arms. “Let’s talk for a few minutes before you have to go back out.” She was embarrassed by the breathy desire that laced each of her words.
He started to sway toward her, but she spun and forced herself to walk away from him to the sofa. Before lowering herself, she picked up the afghan he often used at night and draped it about her shoulders.
He didn’t follow her but stood where she’d left him.
For a second, she wondered if she’d done the right thing by putting distance between them. Maybe he was mad. Maybe he wouldn’t want her anymore. “I’m sorry,” she started. “I was just trying to do what you asked…”
“Thank you.” He wiped a hand across his eyes and took a