on a huge responsibility to womankind. I hope I’m up to it."
Up to it? He was half-aroused already. He reached across to pull down the blinds, plunging them into a twilit world. In the confined space, Selina’s jasmine scent tinged the air with the promise of bliss.
"What do I need to do?" She sounded nervous as she crossed to sit beside him.
"Only what you feel like."
"I feel like running away back to London."
When he caught her fluttering hand, it trembled in his grip. "Do you really?"
"No." The word was a breath of sound.
Anticipation rushed through him. "Good. Will you sit on my lap?"
"Yes."
He raised his head and stared into her eyes. This close, even in the dim light, he saw flecks of green and gold in the rich brown. "First this can go."
Carefully, as though one rash move might scare her away, he untied the ribbons under her chin that held her bonnet in place. He tossed the plain straw monstrosity onto the other seat.
"Are you…are you going to undress me?"
"It’s too cold." He removed his leather gloves and shoved them into his pocket, then taking his time, he slid her gloves from her slender hands. He lifted each hand to his lips, then turned them over and kissed her palms.
She made a faint sound of pleasure. How the hell had her husband failed to give her satisfaction? She was the most responsive woman he’d ever known.
Selina’s unwavering stare betrayed fear and dawning excitement. He kissed her palm again, circling his tongue, relishing the taste of her skin. She shifted against the seat as arousal stirred.
"Are you ready?" he murmured.
She cast him an uncertain glance. "No."
He smiled. "Are you sure?"
The smile she gave him in return was tremulous. "No."
With a cautious movement, she reached for his shoulder. Working with the swaying carriage, she wriggled around and placed her luscious rump on his knees. The soft heat of her, so close to his cock, made him swell and harden. He released a strangled sound as his arms encircled her, holding her safe against the rocking.
"Are you all right?" she asked unsteadily.
"Aye, I’m just a little overheated."
"I’m glad. It makes me feel less at a disadvantage to know that you’re on edge, too."
A grunt of amusement escaped him. "On edge? I’m a breath away from insanity."
"Is that bad?"
He bit back another groan as a bump rubbed her against him. "It is when I want to give you pleasure."
"Knowing you want me gives me pleasure."
It was his turn to be lost for words. "Selina…"
"Kiss me, Brock," she whispered, tilting her face toward his and sliding her hand along his shoulder to the nape of his neck. "I love it when you kiss me."
How could he resist? This time when he kissed her, she displayed none of last night’s hesitation. She opened her mouth, and the kiss soon turned hot and voracious. By the time he pulled back, they were both panting.
With avid hands, he hauled up her skirts to reveal a froth of petticoats and long, beautiful legs. Sheer linen drawers covered her to the knees, where sky-blue garters held up white stockings.
He ran his finger around the silk ribbon. "Pretty."
Much prettier than anything else he’d seen her wear, in fact. This glimpse into a hidden sensuality was intriguing.
He glanced up at her intent face. "You keep surprising me."
She raked her fingers through his hair as if she stroked a big cat. "Nobody can see to disapprove."
"I can see, and I approve very much." He slid one hand under the loose leg of her drawers, and they both gasped when his hand met bare flesh.
He caressed her gently, venturing higher with each touch, until the linen rucked up and he cupped the damp heat of her mound. She released an audible explosion of breath, as his hand crept into her cleft and teased the heated flesh. She was slick and satiny to his touch, and when he curled his thumb over the center of her pleasure, he heard one of those hums of pleasure he loved.
He turned his head and nuzzled her soft blond hair. "May I take off your drawers?"
"Yes," she said on a long hiss, as he increased the pressure on the pearl of flesh that stiffened under his caresses.
"Thank you." He glanced a kiss across her ear and felt her shiver as his breath brushed the sensitive skin.
He was in an agony of desire, hard and aching. He’d like to rip her drawers away, but he forced his shaking hands