Then again, he did not think she was aware of where her place to sleep was. He hurriedly smoothed out the sheets and made sure the blanket was in place and tucked in. Matthew shed his pants and shirt before he settled on his back and waited for her to realize. Forgetting how long feeding a child, cleaning him up, and settling him down to sleep again could take, Matthew slipped quietly into sleep.
It was late when Abbie came back to the room. She sighed because she could tell he had gone to sleep. Not that she blamed him. He was still sick even if he chose to ignore it. Jeremiah had not been cooperative. He had wanted to take his time then wanted to be held again. She had almost fallen asleep in the nursery. It was then that she realized she had not been shown to a room for her. If she was going to sleep in a bed for the night she had to go back to Matthew’s room.
Slipping off her shoes, she rubbed her feet a little so they were not cold. She carefully removed her gown and laid it on the chair near the bed. Then she eased beneath the blankets. Once her body warmed up she rolled close to Matthew. He mumbled something and pulled her close. Abbie smiled, snuggled even closer to his warmth, and closed her eyes.
Chapter Sixteen
Matthew yawned and opened his eyes. There was something soft and warm in his bed. He could not believe he had gone to sleep then decided his injuries and recurrent bouts of fever had taken their toll as everyone had warned him they would. He glanced down and realized the soft warmth he was clutching close was Abigail. He grinned. The night may have been lost but the new day had only just begun, he mused.
He pulled her close and kissed her throat. She was warm and sweet. To his delight she had shed her gown before crawling into bed with him. She wore her drawers, stockings, and chemise. He unlaced her chemise and kissed her soft rounded breasts. A soft murmur escaped her and she cuddled up closer.
Abbie slowly woke up and snuggled into the warmth. Drowsy, she murmured in pleasure when a damp warmth played over her breasts. Slowly she realized that Matthew was wide-awake now and taking full advantage. She wondered if she should get angry but found no inclination to do so and smiled as he ran his hands over her back.
She slipped her hands over his chest and realized he was in as great a state of undress as she was. Then he kissed her and she realized he sensed she was awake. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with a sleepy passion.
Matthew knew Abbie was awake but she was also still caught in the last hold of sleep, her kiss slow and delicious but her every move equally slow. She acted as if she was in some strange waking dream.
Even as his own body grew more demanding, he wondered if he should stop this until she was fully herself. He turned so that she was on her back and he sprawled on top of her. She wrapped her legs around his hips and held him close.
“Abbie, are ye really awake?”
“Of course I am.” She kissed the hollow at the base of his throat. “Do you think I could even move if I wasn’t?”
“No idea. Have never really slept with ye.” She rubbed herself against his groin and his eyes crossed. “I just wanted to be sure.”
“Are you always so talkative in the morning?”
“Ah, nay.”
“Thank God.”
His laughter was cut off by her mouth. Her kiss was hungry, even greedy, and he held her tightly as he returned that hunger. Whatever was making Abbie so willing, even subtly demanding, he would have to figure it out later. He was reaching the sharp edge of his ability to play, his body demanding the satisfaction her kisses promised. He tried to hold fast as he wanted slow and easy, felt they had both earned it, but with each moment that ticked by he knew that this would not be the time.
When his mouth closed over the tip of her breast, Abbie’s body bowed upward. She knew he was taking off her drawers but did not care, simply lifted her hips to make it easier. He eased into her so slowly she was tempted to pound her fists on his back so that he would move. She slid her hands down his back and clutched at his bottom, which prompted the movement she was seeking. As she settled into the rhythm he set, meeting his every thrust, she told herself she should remember that.
Matthew pushed himself up on his forearms and watched the way their bodies moved together. He looked at her breasts, neither too large nor too small, with their hard red nipples, and had to have a taste. He tasted the other and by then his body was tightening, the sharp need for release building with every thrust. He bent his head and kissed her as she tightened her grip on his hips.
When he felt her begin to tense, her grip on him tighten, he rubbed at her breasts. She was making very soft little sounds of pleasure that were music to his ears. Then he felt her reach her release, felt her whole body clench on his, and slammed home to join her. As soon as his body was done emptying into hers, he slumped down, twisting a little to the side so that his whole weight did not rest on her. They both panted for a short time while they got their breathing back under control.
“Good morning,” Abbie said in as prim a voice as she could muster and felt Matthew grin against her shoulder.
“Good morning to ye as weel.”
“Do we have to move anytime soon?”
“Nay. I am a sick mon, recall.”
“Oh no! I can’t believe I didn’t even think of that.”
Abbie patted his chest, looked at his wounds, and sat up enough to give him a delightful look at her breasts. He crossed his arms beneath his head and just smiled as he enjoyed her frantic checking to make sure she had not hurt him. Then she spoiled his pleasure by yanking on the hair on his chest.
“I am all concerned and you are just lying there grinning like a buffoon.”
“A lusty buffoon. And I wasnae just lying here, I was enjoying the scenery. I was watching your lovely breasts bounce a bit as ye checked my poor used body for signs of injury caused by your voracious hunger.”
Abbie really wanted to laugh but she also did not want to encourage him. She could not quite form an offended expression so she just shook her head and hid her expression by turning to pick up her clothes. She was finding it a little difficult to believe what had just happened. She had been having a nice dream, a romantic one, as she had slowly roused herself from a good, deep sleep and somehow that dream had turned into a rather lusty reality. A few times she had caught her mother laughing and blushing at some strange comment her father had made about mornings and she was suddenly sure she knew what the joke had been.
The moment she got her chemise done up and her drawers back on she stood up to put on her dress. The man had left her stockings on but she decided not to mention that and ask why, as she was afraid of what he would say. It appeared she was a thoroughly naughty woman and should probably do what several people had advised and just do the proposing herself.
Unfortunately, he could just say no, and the thought alone broke her heart. She would never be able to stand it. So she would go and try to have something to eat and some coffee before Jeremiah woke and started to demand food, a change, and some affection.
“I need food and coffee,” she said and started for the door.