Did he truly? So fast? As strongly as she felt for him? Because she became more and more sure, that was very much what she felt. This elusive emotion that had plagued her. Teased her. Claimed it existed despite her having no clue what it really meant. What it felt like.
As if he sensed her very thoughts, their adjoining door swung open, and Jacob stood there in all his glory. She barely had a moment to take in a body that was every bit as perfect as she had fantasized before he yanked her into his arms and kissed her soundly.
“How am I ever going to be able to leave you for weeks when minutes felt like hours?” he murmured against her lips. “You have cast a spell on me, lass.”
“And you, me,” she whispered before their kiss deepened, and she finally touched him as she had long wanted to. He was hard. Hot. So masculine. She groaned in protest when he pulled away, and his gaze roamed her body.
The way he looked at her made her entire body come alive. Made her feel like he saw everything underneath, whether she was clothed or not. Yet she wanted him to see it all, every last bit, so she started undressing, only for him to stop her.
“No, lass.” His brogue thickened. Became less aristocratic. “I want to undress you.” He came behind her and murmured in her ear. “I want to see you at my leisure. View what I have dreamt about every waking moment since last we met.” He nipped her earlobe. “Since I pleasured you hours ago.”
She was unsure what made her tremble with awareness more. His erotic words or the excruciatingly slow way he lowered her dress and untied her stays.
“You should enjoy the bath while it is still warm,” she managed on a breathy whisper.
“Only if you bathe with me.” He swept aside her hair and peppered kisses down the side of her neck. “Will you bathe with me, Prudence?”
Powerless to say no, she murmuredyesand let her head drop back against his chest as he lowered her dress. She had never felt as adored as she did in his arms. Never so sensual as she did when he tossed aside her stays and lowered her chemise.
“Stunning.” He trailed his fingers down her neck and fondled her breasts. The look in his eyes when he returned to her front, lowered her garments entirely, and took her in made her feel incredibly desirable. “If not for your servants’ effort to warm the bath water, I would have you in bed already.”
She blushed when he fell to a knee, urged her to step out of her dress then started on her shoes and stockings. Never so personal with a man, she tried to remain confident when she felt terribly self-conscious. Randolph had only ever taken her once she was beneath the blankets, so this was most irregular.
Jacob must have sensed her growing unease because his gaze traveled back to her face and lingered. “You truly are beautifully made, my love.” He stood and cupped her cheek, making her wholly aware of how aroused he had become. “And I will tell you such until you believe it. Until you no longer feel discomfort in front of me.”
Acutely aware of their nude proximity, she swallowed hard. “Was I that obvious?”
He offered no answer other than a soft smile and a gentle kiss.
“Come.” Jacob brought her to the tub and stepped in. “Let us bathe so you have time to adjust.”
He sat, took her hand, and urged her to sit between his legs. Unbelievably nervous despite what they had shared downstairs, she joined him.
“See, not so bad, aye?” His brogue thickened again as he pulled her back against him, then rested his arms on the sides of the tub. Allowed her to adjust to the position. Which, she could admit, was quite risqué considering his erection rested against her backside.
A sensation she also could admit was not all that terrible.
Nor was the feel of his body when she finally relaxed enough to touch him. Explore him. From the strength of his arms to his muscular thighs. In turn, he did the same to her while chatting. No doubt a means to keep her at ease as he washed first her back, then other parts of her.
“This is supposed to be your bath,” she said breathlessly at one point, immersed in how erotic bathing could feel. “Not mine.”
“I am seeing to myself well enough.” He tilted her head back and poured water over her hair. “And as you say, this is my bath, so I should enjoy it as I see fit, should I not?”
“You should.” Pleasurable shivers rippled through her when he kissed the side of her neck again. “As much as possible.”
They might have chatted, but she would be unable to say what about. Not when he slid the washcloth slowly over her breasts, then so close to the throbbing juncture between her thighs she squirmed with need. A longing he finally satisfied when his lips found hers again, and he left the cloth behind. When he stroked her center with his warm fingers.
She moaned against his mouth as he caressed her swollen, sensitive flesh like he had that first night. Painfully slow until he curled two fingers inside her while rubbing her tiny nub. Already so aroused, it took very few strokes before she tumbled over the edge and arched against him.
He grunted with approval and continued kissing her before he started all over again. This time she was able to truly sink into the pleasure. Immerse herself in it as he stroked her breast with his free hand. When he tweaked her nipple while curling his fingers deeper inside her, she clamped down on her lower lip at the exquisite combination of sensations. Ones that became so intense she reached an even higher pinnacle this time and shook with release.
Lost to what spiked through her, she was hardly aware of him lifting her out of the tub. Barely aware of him drying her off. She was, however, fully conscious of him laying her in his bed and coming over her. Very much present when he kissed her deeply, settled between her thighs and thrust deep.
Where downstairs had been an untouchable experience, something about feeling his body against hers when he finally filled her was so much better. So incredible a fresh burst of mini climaxes washed over her.
He made a sound of approval as he continued moving. Slowly at first, staring into her eyes, then faster. Just when she thought he had offered her the ultimate pleasure, she found even more in his arms. This time in a more primal way. One that made her wrap her legs around him and take him even deeper, chasing the sinful feelings he provoked.
Sweat slicked their heated skin as he drove them higher. Love and romance blended with lust and insatiable need. A craving to reach their peak that was so strong it hit them hard when it came. He pressed deep one last time, locked up against her, and groaned into the pillow. She feared she was not so quiet when she shuddered and cried out. It could not be helped, though. Not when unfathomable pleasure speared her, and her surroundings seemed to explode with color.
