her ear. “Hush.”
“If Harry decides he doesn’t want anything to do with Christa after you explain the situation to him, she’ll marry Mounthaven.” She grabbed the back of his shirt with her fists, holding him tightly against her.
He pulled back from her and studied her face. His thumbs brushed away a new set of tears. Gently, almost with a reverence, he pressed his lips to each cheek. “Nell,” he whispered.
“Kiss me. Will you?” She pulled back and looked into his dark eyes, the ones that had always offered contentment and love. “For a moment of comfort?”
Without taking his gaze from hers, he lowered his mouth to hers. A mere inch separated them. When he closed his eyes, she did the same. When their lips finally met, her body melted against his. Without even a second thought, she moaned and opened her mouth.
Instantly, his tongue entered and caressed hers. One of his hands swept up and down her back. Their kiss kindled a renewal of their friendship, or at least, she’d hoped so.
For all her years, she would forever miss moments like this. Moments that were sweet and intimate conversations between the two of them. Her life could have been so different if she’d defied her parents and married him. But that would have left Christa unprotected.
Suddenly, their sweet kiss ignited into a blaze that neither of them could control. He angled his body closer to hers. His mouth desperate to deepen the kiss.
Both were hungry and greedy to make up for all those lost moments that were stolen from them.
Nell took one of James’s hands and placed it over her breast. She squeezed his hand, signaling she wanted him to do the same.
He chuckled slightly against her mouth. “Do I need instruction on how to please you?”
“It’s been a while since we’ve kissed like this,” she murmured.
He slid his lips down her neck and licked the indentation at the base of her neck. “I think it’s something that has always come naturally to us, don’t you?”
“Hmm,” she answered. In a completely wanton act, she leaned away, holding on to his shoulders so he could do what he wanted to her.
“Nell, tell me what you want.” He lifted his lips to hers and took her in another scorching kiss.
“I want to make love to you.”
At the words, he pulled away and searched her eyes.
“Please,” she whispered. “I want this. With you. Right now.”
He smiled gently. The warmth in his eyes seemed to caress every inch of her. “I want the same.” Without warning, he swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed. Though she was almost as tall as he, it made her feel delicate and feminine. He always had.
He gently lowered her to the mattress, then he untied her dressing gown. His mouth seemed to be everywhere then. She cried out when his lips trailed a path of heat down one breast.
She moaned when he sucked her nipple into his mouth. How long had she dreamt of this moment when they once again shared the most intimate act a couple could give one another—the sharing of their bodies? A slick heat slid down her abdomen, and her center tightened at the exquisite sensation. He was a master at bringing her pleasure. He’d always made that a priority.
She murmured his name over and over, begging him for more.
His gaze never left hers as he pulled back. He stripped his shirt over his head. With an easy balance, he drew off his boots and stockings.
When he went to unbutton the placket of his breeches, Nell sat upright and held out her hand. “I want to do that.”
With a half grin, James stepped right between her legs. “Your pleasure is my utmost desire.”
“Kiss me then,” she demanded as she worked the buttons free.
Together they pushed his breeches to the floor. She wrapped her hand around his cock. With her other hand she cupped his sac and gently squeezed.
He hissed. “Sorceress.”
“I have fantasized about this moment for years.” She lifted her gaze until it met his. “I don’t think a day has passed without me wanting you.”
For a moment, they stood staring at each other as if suspended in time, her simple statement the ultimate confession.
“Darling,” he softly murmured. “Let’s not allow this coupling to become something in haste. I’ve wanted you the same. Let’s take our time.”
He dipped his head and took possession of her mouth. Her arms immediately wrapped around the breadth of his massive back. At her touch,