CAT DIDN’T NEED to ask twice. Her husband lowered his lips to hers and she opened her mouth, tangled her tongue with his. He tasted of wine and desire and man.
She’d been a nervous mess when she left the drawing room earlier that evening. Wanting him. Not trusting herself for wanting him. Confused by all that had transpired over the last week. She’d fled to her room hoping he would follow and fearing it all the same.
Thank God he’d followed.
She lifted up onto her toes and pressed tighter against his chest. His skin held the same smell of spice and shaving powder. She drank it in. Her Jamie.
He’d thought of her. All those years, he’d never forgotten her. The trunk was still packed with gifts she had yet to open. Gifts from all over the world. Personal gifts that could only be for her.
She shifted until she felt his hardness against her belly and rubbed against him. He was thick and ready.
Immediately he pulled away and held her at arm’s length.
“Are you sure?” His eyes were smoky, heavy-lidded. “Tell me now if you want to stop.”
“I don’t want to stop.” Passion made her voice husky.
“Good.” He yanked the tie to her wrap and let it fall open, revealing the yellow night rail beneath. Made of nearly translucent cotton, it hid very little.
Truly, she had hoped he would knock on her door.
Now that he was here, she stood tall and let him drink her in with his eyes.
“You always did have exquisite taste in bedclothes.” It thrilled her, his growl.
Laughter bubbled through her as picked her up and half-fell, half-lowered her onto her bed.
“My wife.” Her skin quivered with his words and the hot brushes of his breath against her neck.
More. She needed more. Arching against him, she pressed her breasts into his chest. He lowered his mouth and captured the hard peaks of her nipples through the fabric of her gown.
Finally. Finally.
She dug her fingers into his hair. The pleasure he gave her, it raked across her skin, left her shaking.
Soft cotton slid across her legs. Jamie was pushing her gown up. She did not stop him, but pulled his mouth back to hers.
When his hands fumbled with the fall of his breeches, Cat caught her breath.
“Jamie,” she panted. “Wait.”
“I apologize.” He dropped his hand and laughed against her skin. “Thoughts of you have been making me crazy all day.”
“It’s all right.” Her voice quivered. Did he notice?
She would give him everything. But first, she was going to make him pay. Cat rolled her husband onto his back and kneeled at his side.
“Take your shirt off.”
“Your wish is my command.” He’d already removed his waistcoat and cravat before he came into her room. He quickly divested himself of his shirt and threw it to the floor.
She leaned down and licked the hard muscle of his chest. He tasted of salt, just like she remembered. She sat back on her heels. “Now your breeches.”
Her heart beating wildly in her chest, she held his hot gaze as he pulled off the last of his clothing. His member lay long and thick across his belly.
No doubt about it, she would taste him everywhere. “Lie down and cross your hands behind your head.”
He didn’t listen at all. His hand was back in her hair. “But I want to touch you.”
She pulled back from his touch and shook her head. “Up. Cross them. Behind your head.”
Her breath faltered as he did as commanded. He looked so delicious like this, the muscles of his chest and shoulders highly defined. Feeling saucy, she straddled his hips and pulled her night rail over her head. Her hair brushed down over her naked back.
His ragged groan filled her room. Cat pulsed low and hot between her legs. Her husband’s erection was hard against her buttocks. She could easily lift herself onto him.
But she would make him wait.
Feeling naughty and delicious and not the least bit protective of her heart, she ran her hands over her belly. “I touched myself after you disappeared.”
His smoky eyes widened, then dropped down to her hands. She slid her palms up to her breasts, drawing the heavy mounds together. “I liked this.” She brushed her nipples with her thumbs.
Jamie’s chest rose and fell with his rapid breath. “What else?”
Aching now, ready for touch, she lowered her hand between her legs to the secret place she sought at night.
“Yes.” A sheen of sweat glistened on his skin and, beneath her, his muscles tightened.
Cat tilted her hips forward so she could slide into her own hot depths.
“How does it feel?” He watched her hand.
“Wet. Soft.” Excitement sizzled through her. She dipped her finger inside, then worked the slick fluid around her tight bud.
The touch of her fingers sparked a thousand sensations. There was no loneliness tonight. Just shuddering breath. Fluid pleasure. And the erotic heat of Jamie’s eyes on her.