Kisses and Scandal (A Survivors Series Anthology ) - Shana Galen Page 0,61
a family.”
“Bridget, you know that’s not possible. The only way to keep you safe is to leave you. I’ve already put you in danger.”
“There’s no reason for anyone to come after me.”
“And I don’t want to give them one.” He looked down at the box. “Do you have any more drawings?”
“Just one.” She lifted the last, the drawing that showed James crying as he was taken away from her. Caleb took it and let out a slow breath.
“Bridget, I’m so sorry.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“It was. I swear to you, this will never happen again. I’ll make sure you always have funds.”
“I’ll be fine. I have my position at the academy and students waiting for art lessons. James and I will be fine. I don’t need your money.” She took the drawing from his hand and placed it with the others back in the box. “I just need you.”
Still on her knees, she put her arms around his neck and kissed him. If she was not to see him again, then she wanted one last night to remember him by. He kissed her back, tentatively at first and then with more passion. She pulled his coat off and unfastened his neckcloth, making it clear she wanted more than his hand on her tonight. She wanted all of him.
“Are you certain?” he asked when she reached for the placket of his breeches.
“Absolutely certain.” She loosed the breeches and took him in her hand. He was warm and hard, the weight of him familiar. She stroked him, then pushed him back on the bed and lifted her skirts to climb on top of him. He grasped her waist, staying her.
“If we’re to do this, I want to do it right.”
She raised her brows. “I thought I was doing it right.”
“I want you naked. I want to see you.”
“Then undress me.”
He lifted her off him and stripped his own clothes off first. Bridget’s throat went dry at the sight of him—his long, muscled legs; his broad shoulders; his corded arms.
He started with her hair, plucking pins from the simple upsweep until it all tumbled about her shoulders. Then he unfastened the bodice of the dress, slid the skirts and petticoats off, and gave her a long look as she stood in only her chemise and stays.
“Are you tired already?” she asked.
“Just trying to decide what to take off next. I could remove your garters and stockings, but perhaps I should leave those for last and divest you of your stays and shift first.”
She stepped out of her shoes, pushed them aside, and put her arms around his waist. His hard member pushed against her belly, and he inhaled sharply when her hands squeezed his buttocks. “Or you could just take me now and worry about the clothing later.”
“Tempting as that sounds, I want to see all of you. Stays first, I think.” He pushed her gently back and unlaced her stays, then tugged at the hem of her chemise. Pulling it over her head, he dropped it on the floor. She felt suddenly self-conscious, standing there in nothing but her stockings and garters, but as soon as she looked at him, all traces of embarrassment fled. There was nothing but desire and heat in the way he looked at her. His gaze was almost reverent.
“Let’s get those stockings off,” he said, voice husky. He took her hand and led her to the bed. She sat, and he spread her legs, kneeling between them. He took one foot, lifted it, and slid his other hand up her calf to just above her knee where her black garters secured her white stocking. He lowered the garters, then rolled the stocking down very slowly. Bridget trembled, then struggled to catch her breath as he set her bare foot on his shoulder and turned to her other leg. He didn’t lift that one, though. Instead, he bent and kissed the bare flesh above her knee. His lips slid upward, and she was all but panting.
His mouth moved farther up her thigh, and she leaned back, catching herself on her elbows. He spread her legs farther and pressed his mouth where her legs joined her torso. Her hands clenched on the rough blanket as his lips slid over and his tongue lapped at the delicate flesh. When he found the bud that gave her pleasure, she shook so badly, she lay flat, giving herself up to his ministrations.
She’d forgotten this. She’d forgotten how well he pleasured her with his