“Do you now?” Those lovely eyes of hers sparkled with challenge. So, the minx thought to tease him.
“I see the truth, Johanna. Ye cannae hide yer wanting from me.”
As he uttered the words, he wondered if she could see the truth of his own longing. God above, he didn’t deserve her, not even for this one night. A man who’d done the brutal things he’d done in his life didn’t merit a place in her heart.
But that didn’t change a damned thing. He needed her.
She traced a fingertip over his mouth. Her teeth grazed her lower lip. He swallowed hard. Bluidy hell, how he wanted to bury himself in her tempting heat.
“I want you, Connor. Your kiss. Your touch.” She ran her fingers over his jaw, smiling as his stubble bristled against her skin. “All of you. Tonight.”
Her words were a nectar to his soul. Pressing her back, he shifted his body. Supporting his weight on his elbows, he drank in the soft anticipation in her eyes, the tantalizing promise on her lips.
He kissed her, deep and hard. Ah, she was perfection. Her taste and feel and essence. Everything about her was bluidy damned perfect.
And for this moment, she was his.
He entered her. Slow. Gentle. Gritting his teeth, he restrained himself. And then, her hips tipped, urging him on. Drawing him deeper. Wordlessly pleading for more.
A little gasp popped from her mouth. Laced not with pain but sensual wanting and delight and joy. Her small, throaty moans pulled him under. Dragged him closer to an abyss. There was no turning back. There was only Johanna and the haven found in her arms.
Her inner muscles shuddered around his length. She cried out. God above, his name had never sounded sweeter than at that moment when surrender left her boneless.
Pleasure roared over him. Primal. Carnal. Overtaking any thought of restraint. He surged toward the mindless abyss. He clung to her, adrift in the ecstasy that engulfed him.
Plunged over the edge.
Finally, when his heartbeat had slowed and his mind cleared of the overwhelming rush of sensation, he dragged in a breath and rolled onto his back. Tugging Johanna to nestle against his body, he held her. She didn’t speak. She only wriggled closer, resting her head against the crook of his shoulder. Curled up against him like that, she fit him as if they’d been created for each other.
He closed his eyes, bracing himself against the reality the dawn would bring. They’d be civilized then. There’d be no demonstration of the powerful desire that pulled them together. Magnetic. Irresistible. As natural as the rise and fall of the sun.
How damned ironic. He’d found his true home, right here in Johanna’s arms. But it was only for one night.
When the sun came up, he’d have to let her go.
If only he could find the strength.
Connor reluctantly cracked his lids and squinted against the sunlight. Johanna was gone. No surprise there. He’d known she’d discreetly make her way back to her chamber. She would not chance a scandal that might touch her beloved niece. Still, he’d longed to kiss her again. To hold her again, and drink her in with the dawn’s rays gleaming off the peach of her skin.
He rose and prepared to face the morning and what it would bring.
As he’d thought, Johanna had dressed and readied herself for the day. Standing in the dining room with Brenna, her gentle laugh floating through the air, she didn’t seem to notice him. Not at first. But his eyes were drawn to her.
Even after a night in his bed when they’d found a far more passionate use for their time than sleep, she was fresh faced. Lovely. She’d pulled her hair up, loosely pinned and subtly curling. Tendrils framed her face. He clenched his hand, willing himself not to touch her. Willing himself not to reach out and take down her hair so those wavy locks flowed over her shoulders.
Her indigo traveling suit brought out the color of her eyes. She may have dressed prim as a governess, but he knew better. He knew the feel of her skin, like velvet beneath his fingertips. Every curve of her beautiful body. Every spot that made her moan and writhe with pleasure.
She’d been speaking with Brenna, a lively conversation. It did his heart good to hear the pleasant lilt in Johanna’s tone. She’d endured so much to bring her niece to safety. She deserved moments of peace and easy contentment.
As his boots thudded across the floor, Johanna’s gaze flashed to him. She laughed over something Brenna had said, then turned to meet his eyes.
“Good morning.” The humor had fled her voice. Instead, a forced calm permeated the simple greeting.
“Good morning.” He inclined his head first to Johanna, then to Brenna.
“I’m sure ye’re famished,” Brenna said, bustling past him. “I’ve got just the thing fer ye in the kitchen.”
“Thank ye,” Connor mumbled, his attention still riveted to Johanna.
The kitchen door swung closed behind Brenna. Johanna laced her fingers together and dropped her gaze, sure signs this was as difficult a morn for her as it was for him.
She nibbled her lip. Another sign.
“I’ll be leaving for Inverness at noon.”