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It wouldn’t do to let her see his confusion.
“Ladies first.” He motioned her forward and stepped aside. She smirked as she walked, still clothed in his top, to the odd white thing in the corner, flicked a knob, and stuck her hand under the water rushing out.
Oh, right.
Plumbing, he believed it was called?
He spied a wastebasket of some sort and peeled off the wrapper covering his cock. His skin was left dry and clean, with only the head of his shaft showing any moistness. Astonishing.
They had similar concepts in his time, but not so efficient. She finished washing up and dried off before striding back out into the bedroom. He hurried to follow suit, pleased to find Eleanor lying under the blanket, her hair rumpled and tossed. He slid under the covers next to her, cradling her in his arms to inhale her sweet scent.
“You feel fantastic,” Thomas murmured into her ear as he rubbed his erection against her bottom. Would he ever get enough of this woman? Would one night satiate his appetite?
Somehow, he doubted it. She let out a loud yawn, raising a dainty hand to cover her mouth, and he chuckled. He snuggled closer, and sighed in contentment. He’d allow her a small nap to rest up. But then, he reserved every right to awaken her not with words, but with caresses.
***
Thomas tensed, calling her name as he came. She quivered in his arms, and he dropped a light kiss on her swollen lips. He’d never imagined she’d be so adventurous as to take him into her mouth, a move which had led to this most recent bout of lovemaking.
So bold. He withdrew from her body and hopped off the bed. “I’ll be right back.” He removed the condom, washed up, and returned to the bedroom to find Eleanor sitting on the edge of the bed, hands crossed in her lap. With her back held stiff and perfectly straight and her head high, she gave him pause. She looked like she was sitting at an afternoon tea, rather than on a bed with barely a stitch of clothing on.
The first light of dawn crept through the blinds, making his heart stutter. The realization that it was morning crashed down on him like a fist. Their night of passion was over.
“Are you okay? Was I too rough?” Thomas asked, sitting down beside her. He wrapped his arm over her shoulder, enjoying the feel of her soft body pressing against his. Would he never get to feel this again? Never be able to marvel at how perfectly she fit into his arms?
“No. I’m fine. Wonderful, even. Tonight has been great. Thank you for being so kind.”
He clenched his jaw, studying her closed face. Attempting a light-hearted smile, he leaned closer to her. He pressed his lips to her jaw, reaching out to hold her hand, and whispered in her ear, “It doesn’t have to end yet.”
Eleanor tightened her fingers around his, took a deep gulp of air, and faced him with a serious expression. “I have to return home. My family will be wondering about me, and they’ll expect to find me in bed with the illness I claimed to have.”
“Your family? I thought women like you lived alone.” It’s what his packet said, anyway.
He fought the panic rising over him, refusing to allow himself dismay at her leaving. Theirs was a one-night stand. It wasn’t supposed to be anything more. Why, then, did he yearn to throw her down and make love to her until she couldn’t leave out of sheer fatigue?
“No.” She bit down hard on her lower lip. “Not me.”
“Where do you live? I’ll walk you home.” He’d at least be able to think about seeing her again if he knew where to find her.
She jumped to her feet and removed his shirt. His mouth watered at the sight of her splendor laid bare, and he took the top from her out of sheer manners. She struggled to put on her underthings, as she said, “No, please. You can’t come with me. It wouldn’t be…right.”
She conquered the bottom part of her unmentionables and spun the top part around in her hands with a frown. She tossed it over her shoulder—a scowl on her face, while she muttered something under her breath—and shrugged into her blouse.
“Contrary to how I might have acted tonight, I’m a gentleman, and I insist upon seeing you home safely.”
As she stepped into her skirt, her shoulders were stiff and her knuckles white on the garment. “Fine. But give me a moment to get ready.”
She looked perfect to him.
Pleasure overcame Thomas as he dressed, making his heart light. He’d find out where she lived, mull it over a bit, and decide if he wanted to ask her to be his mistress. No need to rush into things.
He’d know where to find her.
Under the cover of her eyelashes, Eleanor saw him clothe himself. Oh, how she ached to throw herself into his arms and confess all. But if she told him who she was, he’d feel obligated to offer his formal suit. He’d seduced a viscount’s daughter. They might be poor, but she still had a title. And as such, he’d be duty-bound to make an honest woman of her.
There was no way she could do that to him. He’d never forgive her if she trapped him. And lies and anger did not make a happy marriage bed. Darn him for being so chivalrous and demanding he see her home. It made her exit a lot harder than she’d hoped for.
Reaching into her purse, she grabbed the cool metal of the time-traveling watch. She glanced over her shoulder and caught him watching her with a soft tenderness. If this had come in a different way, things might have ended differently. If he could care for her, she might open her mouth and confess all. Perhaps he could have even loved her, under different circumstances.
