be with you. To begin our life together. Now.”
He lifted her in his arms and stood. “There is nothing I would like more than to make you mine.”
DESIRE SPIRALED THROUGH Beatrice, sending liquid longing throughout her entire being. Never in a thousand years had she dreamed this moment possible when she’d first woken in Daniel’s guest chamber.
To think this tall, strong, courageous man loved her made her heart sing with joy. She wanted to show him how much he meant to her, how much she wanted him. Passion weighted her limbs as she wrapped her hands behind his neck and kissed him. Need pulsed through her body, wiping away the embarrassment she’d felt when he’d first woken her.
This was love.
She sighed as he turned to set her on the bed then straightened to remove his shirt. The sight of his broad shoulders and bare chest had her drawing a deep breath. The sculpted muscles and the dark, wiry hair that narrowed to a fine line and disappeared into his breeches were a feast for her eyes. She could hardly wait to touch him again.
Rather than remove his trousers, he bent close to reach behind her neck. “May I?”
“Please.” She lifted and felt a faint tug that suggested he’d undone one of the two ribbons that held her muslin gown in place. That wasn’t enough. She rolled to her side, and as if he read her mind, he untied the second one near her waist.
She reached up to loosen the drawstring neckline herself, her movements slowing as she realized how closely he watched her. Her breasts tightened with desire at the glittering passion clearly visible in the golden depths of his eyes.
“You are so lovely,” he whispered as he trailed a finger along the top of the bare skin above her gaping neckline, her nipples beading in response. Then he straightened and lifted a brow as he reached for her foot, his warm hands running over her stocking. “May I?”
“Oh, yes.” Now it was her turn to watch his movements.
He eased his hands along her leg under her gown ever so slowly until her very center pulsed with need. A wave of desire swept over her as he brushed her bare thigh to unhook the garter that held her stockings. Then he slowly rolled the stocking down before slipping it off her foot and repeating the process on her other stocking.
He sat on the edge of the bed and reached again for her foot, kissing the inside of her ankle, her calf, then the sensitive skin near her knee and finally her thigh. His hands continued the erotic path, easily moving the petticoat out of his way until he paused at the top of her thigh.
She could hardly bear the sweet torture as she waited to see if he’d touch her where need pulsed through her.
He shifted to sit beside her. “My sweet Beatrice. I’ve waited so long for you. I would have this night last forever.”
His heartfelt, tender words made her want to cry. But passion—and curiosity—kept her tears at bay. He reached for the neckline of her gown, tugging it down then lowering her shift to reveal her breasts. His thumb teased a nipple and once again, she arched toward him. Only then did she feel the fingers of his other hand tracing circles along her inner thigh, moving higher and higher until they brushed against her curls.
“Daniel.” She ached for him, and at last, he touched her already slick folds. He seemed to know her body better than she did. She had no idea she could feel so much. Need so much.
When he slipped a finger inside her, a moan escaped them both. “Perfect,” he muttered as he repeated the movement.
Her body shifted, meeting the rhythm he set. She didn’t understand the feelings sweeping over her or the pressure that built until she felt as if she might burst.
“I’ve got you, my sweet. Let go. I’ll catch you.”
As if her body only needed his reassurance, the pressure surged, sending points of light pulsing through her. Through the storm, Daniel moved to her side and held her tight, whispering delightful words in her ear. Words of love and encouragement.
“Daniel.” She lifted her head to kiss him as she slowly sank back to earth, her body still humming with pleasure. Then she pulled back. “What of you?” She pressed her hand against the fall of his trousers, enjoying the feel of the hardness there.
He released her with a moan and